God's Pathway to Peace

TEXT: PHILIPPIANS 4:5-9

TOPIC: God’s Pathway to Peace

Pastor Bobby Earls, First Baptist Church, Icard, NC, July 21, 1996 (Sermon developed from materials found in Lehman Strauss’s book, “Devotional Studies in Philippians”)

One of the most encouraging books of the Bible is the little epistle known as Philippians. Philippians is found tucked neatly in the middle of Paul’s epistles in the New Testament. Some of my fondest Scriptures are located in this wonderful letter from the Apostle Paul to the Christians at Philippi, a first century city located in ancient Macedoniain the northern area of the Aegean Sea.

Scriptures such as Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (KJV) and Philippians 4:19 “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (KJV)

In fact, it is the fourth chapter of this little letter that we turn our attention this morning.

Having addressed some of the problems that might have existed within the first century church, problems such as defeatism, verse 1; disunity, verse 2; and depression, verse 4; Paul next turns to God’s solution to their problems.

Philippians 4:5-9 address what I want to call today, God’s Pathway to Peace. This passage deals with peace whereas the previous verses discussed the problems of the church at Philippi. Early Christians daily struggle with defeatism, disunity, and depression robbed many of the peace and tranquillity that ought to be reserved for every Christian. Thus Paul proceeds to set forth the secret to a life of peace of mind and true happiness of heart. (Read the Scripture)

I. THE PATHWAY TO PEACE BEGINS WITH SOME BASIC REQUIREMENTS,

(verses 5-6)

A. The First Requirement for Peace is “moderation”

The word is translated in some versions as “forbearance”

It is a gentleness of spirit. A consideration of others. Sweet reasonableness, and agreeableness. Fairness.

For the sake of peace, as Christians, we are sometime called to give up that which we consider our rights, our position or our preference.

How can we do this? The last portion of verse 5, “the Lord is at hand.” The Lord is near. He has promised to always be with us. We can be encouraged by the fact that anything we may give up for the cause of peace will be restored or rewarded by our ever present Lord.

B. The Second Requirement for Peace is Prayerfulness, verse 6.

The word “careful” refers to anxiety or worry. This is a fretful anxiety the kind which robs God’s children of peaceful contentment. This is especially true in our modern

world of commercialism and materialism. Today’s standard for success is determined by the kind of car you drive or the clothes you wear.

Matthew 6:25-33

25 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

28 "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, `What shall we eat?' or `What shall we drink?' or `What shall we wear?' 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (NIV)

Like Martha, we are “careful (anxious) about many things.” We need to remember that worry is a sin. A sin that robs the heart and mind of peace, God’s peace. Faith ends where worry begins. So quit your worrying. “Worry is the interest we pay on the debt of unbelief with which we have mortgaged life.”

The positive statement of instruction is “But in everything…” Be careful for nothing, but be prayerful in everything.”

“With thanksgiving” Turn your cares into prayers and your problems into praise.

II. THE PATHWAY TO PEACE CONTINUES WITH THE RESULTS OF SUCH PEACE, (verse 7)

A. We experience the Peace of God, “and the peace of God which passes all understanding…”

B. We enjoy the Protection of God, “shall keep (guard) your hearts and minds..”

C. We enjoin the Presence of God, “through Christ Jesus.”

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (NIV)

III. THE PATHWAY TO PEACE CONCLUDES WITH THE REPLACEMENTS OF PEACE, (verses 8-9)

In verse 6 we were told of those things of which we must rid our minds: namely, anxious thoughts. In verses 8-9 we have the things which must replace worry.

1. Things that are true. The genuine, the sincere, the simple.

2. Things that are honest. Give thought to that which is honorable.

3. Things that are just. That which is right or righteous.

4. Things that are pure. Pure thoughts, pure motives, pure acts.

5. Things that are lovely. Beauty of character replaces that which is ugly, selfish, arrogant.

6. Things that are of a good report. Well-sounding, well-spoken report

We are told to “think” on these things. These are things that call for careful reflection. Our minds should dwell on them at all times.

Have you examined your thought life lately? It has been said that you cannot prevent a bird from flying over your head, but you can prevent it from building a nest in your hair.

The Bible says, “Thou will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee.” Isaiah 26:3.

Finally, verse 9 indicates that we are to do something. (Read verse 9) We are not only to think on positive virtues, we are to do them. We are to behave them as well as believe them.

Paul practiced what he preached. He exhorted the Philippian Christians to do the same.

“If you know these things, happy are ye if ye do them,” John 13:17.

Noble thoughts are of little value unless they are translated into deeds. Living surpasses learning; practice outshines preaching; living supersedes learning.

As we develop the discipline of refusing worry and replacing our anxious thoughts with positive virtues and values, then God promises to each of us a pathway enshrined with peace, perfect peace, God’s peace.