'how To Remain Sane In An Insane World'

"HOW TO REMAIN SANE IN AN INSANE WORLD" or "PEACE THAT PASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING" Philippians 4:6-8

"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Phil. 4:6-8)"

Introduction:

In our anxious age of terrorist threats; financial uncertainty; marital disillusionment; rebellious children; neglectful parents; governmental ineptness and inadequacy; and personal failures, the universal cry and desire for a true and lasting peace seems improbable if not impossible.

Multitudes of nervous, troubled lives seek “the repose of the unruffled waters of a quiet mountain lake.” Is there such a peace? Does Christ mock the troubled human heart when He says, “My peace I give unto you?” Is there a healing balm for the wicked and weary human heart, described by the Prophet as being like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, casting up mire and dirt … (Isaiah 57:20)? Is there peace for our spiritually weary, burden lives? Is there any hope for the cares and concerns of a frightened and fearful world? Let it be shouted from the housetops and mountain peaks that for nations and men there is a Divinely provided peace!

“IT IS ENOUGH …

EARTH’S STRUGGLES SOON SHALL CEASE,

AND JESUS SHALL CALL US TO

HEAVEN’S PERFECT PEACE!”

THREE ASPECTS OF PEACE:

1. There is "Peace WITH God," or Peace AROUND me.

2. There is the "Peace OF God," or Peace WITHIN me.

3. There is "Peace FROM God," or Peace ABOVE me.

“Peace within me” can be personally experienced when we, with God’s grace and strength (Philippians 4:13), exercise ourselves to:

I. BE CAREFUL ABOUT NOTHING (4:6a)

“ … be careful for nothing …”

“Careful” means WORRY, or ANXIOUSNESS.

II. BE PRAYERFUL IN EVERYTHING (4:6b)

“ … but in everything by prayer and supplication … let your requests be made known … ”

III. BE THANKFUL FOR ALL THINGS (4:6c)

“ … with thanksgiving let your requests be made known … “

IV. BE MINDFUL OF GOOD THINGS (4:8)

“ … think on these things.”

A. TRUE

B. HONEST

C. JUST

D. PURE

E. LOVELY

F. GOOD REPORT

G. VIRTUOUS

H. PRAISEWORTHY

“Think” means to MEDITATE. (See Isaiah 26:3, " Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee.)

Keeping one’s mind "stayed on God" is allowing one’s faith in God to be "pinpoint focused" on God’s faithful promises, therefore superseding anything else that would cause one’s mind or heart to be distracted, dismayed, disappointed, or disheartened by negative circumstances.

Now, "think about" this: If one cannot think of anything that is TRUE, HONEST, JUST, PURE, LOVELY, GOOD REPORT, VIRTUOUS, or PRAISEWORTHY, he can meditate on One Who personifies all these characteristics in His life - JESUS. For who, or what, represents these descriptions more than our blessed LORD?

God’s peace is found in JESUS. "Know Jesus and you’ll know peace. No Jesus and there’s no peace."

Conclusion:

"WHY CHRISTIANS SHOULDN’T WORRY," By John McArthur ...

1.It is UNECESSARY because of our FAITH.

2.It is UNCHARACTERISTIC because of our FATHER.

3.It is UNWISE because of our FUTURE.

Now, what does the Christian really have to worry about?

"NOTHING!"

(See Philippians 4:6 again for confirmation.)