Rejoicing in the Peace of God Text: Philippians 4:1-9
1 Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.2 I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life. 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
Euodia and Syntyche were two women who seem to have been at variance; probably deaconesses of the church. He repeats, "I beseech," as if he would admonish each separately, and with the utmost impartiality. Then Paul say’s for these two women to stand fast in the Lord--the true element of Christian union; for those "in the Lord" by faith to be at variance, is an utter inconsistency! Paul urges the other believers to help these women. (Work together.) For after all there names are written in the book of life! Then Paul gives some good instructions on how to live an over comers life!
Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
Paul actually means for every believer to rejoice under all kinds of cumstances, including suffering.
Habakkuk 3: 17-19Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls— 18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. 19 The LORD God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills.
The word rejoice is tied to the word joy and joy is one of the fruits of the Spirit.
Listen to this contrast in II Cor. 6:3-10 We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. 4 But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, 5 in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; 6 by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, 7 by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 8 by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
Nehemiah 8:10 …do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. (The Lord’s joy; not yours.)
Philippians 4:5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
Gentleness here means to have Christ like consideration for others.
Notice, the Apostle say’s that the Lord is at hand. The whole period from leaving until Christ returns is viewed as the last time.
Romans 13:11 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.
The Bible teaches us that there is only a window of time that mankind can be saved!
Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Anxious: self-centered, counterproductive worry, care and concerns these will hinder the spread of the gospel. ( Who wants to be a Christian if they have the same worry as the non-believer?)
Prayer and supplication suggest an intensity of extended prayer!
Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
Peace that comes from an inner tranquility based on the peace of God! ( You either have it are you don’t.)
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
Look in the book by Chip Ingram “ Good to Great in God’s Eyes” page 17 & 18 (Read about Phil. 4:8)
Philippians 4:9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
Learned, received, heard and saw in me. Do!
Paul is saying, that the advice I am giving you will allow you to walk in God’s best because of God’s peace!
I Thessalonians 5:23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
