Keys to Peace
02/12/06 AM
Text: Philippians 4:6-9
Introduction
In 1871, tragedy struck Chicago as fire ravaged the city. When it was all over, 300 people were dead and 100,000 were homeless. Horatio Gates Spafford was one of those who tried to help the people of the city get back on their feet. A lawyer who had invested much of his money into the downtown Chicago real estate, he’d lost a great deal to the fire. And his one son (he had four daughters) had died about the same time. Still, for two years Horatio--who was a friend of evangelist Dwight Moody--assisted those devastated by the fire.
After about two years of such work, Horatio and his family decided to take a vacation. They were to go to England to join Moody and Ira Sankey on an evangelistic crusade, and then travel in Europe. Horatio was delayed by some business, but sent his wife and four daughters on ahead, planning to catch up to them in England.
The ladies set sail without Horatio but their ship never made it to England. Off Newfoundland, it collided with an English sailing ship and sank within 20 minutes. Horatio’s wife, Ana, was one of only 47 survivors among hundreds but their four daughters were lost. The telegram sent to Horatio from his wife was only two words long: “saved alone.”
Horatio boarded the next available ship to join his grieving wife, and the two finally met up with Dwight Moody. “It is well,” Spafford told him quietly. “The will of God be done.”
Though reports vary as to when he did so, it was during this time that Horatio penned the words that would become the hymn - “It Is Well with My Soul.”
This morning we are going to take a lesson from the Philippian letter where Paul provides some keys to how we might experience the inward peace that God wants us to have. As we review them, note the imperative tenor in the verses; they are instructions not just suggestions.
I. Be Anxious for Nothing
A. Paul begins by saying: “Be anxious for nothing.” V6
1) That is quite a statement. We are not to have anxiety.
a. We are not addressing those natural concerns which all of us face in life when things are not going right, such as when someone is ill, or absent, or in danger.
b. What we are talking about is Worry involving undue concern over something in life which leads to a state of restlessness and agitation, producing mental disturbance, uneasiness, foreboding, and painful uncertainty.
c. Worry and fear can do much harm. Not only has it been proven that it is destructive to our physical health (being a large contributor to heart disease, weakening of the immune system, gastro-intestinal diseases, migraines, ulcers, high blood pressure, etc.), it is very destructive spiritually.
2) What benefits come from worrying? From being fretful? From being afraid? Absolutely nothing.
a. Our worrying, our being fretful, our being fearful does not improve our circumstances in any manner. We can worry and fret but it will not bring about any positive changes in our situation.
b. Jesus made this point in Luke 12:25-26.
3) What is the Lord saying? Worry and fear cannot bring-about any positive change and that we should put our trust in the Lord.
• Why? When we worry and fret - we lose sight of the Lord and His providential working;
• we lose focus on the Lord and His revealed Will and we are tempted to handle our situations with worldly wisdom and fleshly strength;
• we lose focus and try to correct the external circumstances when, perhaps, our circumstances were meant by the Lord to correct our inner-self;
• we lose sight of the Lord’s goodness and our blessings and we are tempted to become negative and ungrateful;
• we take our eyes off the One Who is the only source of true and lasting peace.
B. Paul tells us that “the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” V7
a. The peace of God can act like a soldier on guard to protect our heart and mind. It will not allow anxiety and fear to sneak back in.
a. The peace of God is stronger than the worry and fear of the flesh. Just as God is greater than our situations and circumstances so is God’s peace greater than our inward worries and fears.
b. We can experience perfect inward peace and tranquility in the midst of the most trying circumstances and severe tribulations. This does not seem possible nor rational. But, that is why Paul says that “the peace of God… surpasses all comprehension.”
c. Jesus said, in John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”
d. The world cannot give us nor teach us how to experience Divine peace. We can chant, do yoga, chart our bio-rhythms, pop our pills or take a drink, listen to meditation music, consume herbs, burn your aromatic candles or shop until we drop and we will not find the inward tranquility that God can give. The world can’t supply it nor can we find it in ourselves. It comes from God alone.
Here is the next key given by Paul to receiving it:
II. Pray
A. Paul says “in everything by prayer and supplication…let your requests be made known to God.” V6
1) Whatever is bothering us, we need to take it to the Lord in prayer. Whatever we are facing that gives us reason for anxiety or distress, we need to bring it to the Lord’s attention.
a. We do not need to be bashful about bringing any troubling matter to Him, however great or small.
b. If it brings concern to us, it is a matter of concern to Him because He wants us to be at peace.
c. We don’t have to be shy about pouring our heart out to Him, Peter reminds us: 1 Peter 5:7 “…He cares for you.”
d. God is interested in the big things in our life and the small things in our life. Nothing is too trivial to discuss with Him.
2) Paul says, “…let your requests be made known to God.” How would you like your situation to be? What changes would you like to see in your circumstances or in the circumstances of others? What would you like for God to do?
a. We need to be specific in our requests. We need to tell God exactly what we want changed. If it is not an unrighteous desire, we need not be timid in stating our requests.
b. We may ask whatever we wish of God. But, it is important that we believe that God can grant our request. We must believe that God can answer our prayer in bringing-about that which we desire.
c. James 1:6-7 “But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord,”
d. Perhaps, before we take our requests to the Lord, it may be good for us to consider the encouraging and faith-building words of Paul, found in Ephesians 3:20, where the Apostle says of God that He “is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us.”
3) Once we have made our requests known in faith, we need to with faith wait patiently and calmly for Him to answer. God always answers our prayers. Let me repeat that - God always answers our prayers.
a. His answer will be the product of His love, His compassion and His wisdom. He will answer by delivering whatever is best for us. Matthew 7:7-11
b. Did you notice that last phrase: “how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!”
c. The Lord will always answer by giving us, His children, what is good for us. That means that sometimes He will answer our prayers precisely as we requested. That means that sometimes He will answer in a way different than we had envisioned.
4) Our basis for peace of mind is that God hears and God answers us and He answers us by giving us what is good. We must accept that God sees the big picture and He will give what is truly the best based on His infinite wisdom, love and power.
a. Once we take a matter to the Lord, we must leave it with Him.
1 Peter 5:6-7 “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.”
b. We cast our worries and fears upon Him like we throw a ball to someone. The ball, if you will, is now in His court. We let Him make the next move and rest in knowing that He will respond “at the proper time” by giving us that which is for our good.
The next key to acquiring Divine peace is also found in verse 6.
III. Thanksgiving.
A. Paul says that we are to submit our requests along “with thanksgiving.” V6
1) Too many times, when we are full of worry and fear, we fail to count our blessings. We fail to acknowledge how good God has been to us already.
a. I love the stanza in Amazing Grace in which we remind ourselves - “Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come. Tis grace that has brought me safe thus far and grace will lead me home.”
b. We need to reflect upon how God has faithfully brought us to the present moment and thank Him for His past care. Think of the many dangers, toils and snares He has delivered us from and thank Him for it.
2) But, do not only thank the Lord for past blessings and deliverance. We need to thank Him for present blessings. No matter how distressing or harsh may be our current circumstances or situation; surely we can acknowledge that we are enjoying His blessings right now.
a. Psalms 28:7 “The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, And with my song I shall thank Him.”
Ill: Count you many blessings (sing first and last.)
b. Psalms 118:29 “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; For His loving-kindness is everlasting.”
3) In continually giving God His due we are reminded of what He has done for us and what He can and will do for us.
4) Another key to peace of mind is partially connected to this - when it comes to our thinking, dwell on the positive.
IV. Dwell on the Positive
A. Paul commands, in verse 8:
“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.”
1) Paul is saying, “Here are 8 filters. Everything you hear and everything you see needs to pass through them. And if it doesn’t make it through these 8 filters then it shouldn’t be in your mind and in your heart.”
a. There is so much garbage in this world. And the old saying "garbage in, garbage out" is true. So think about it. Can the movies you see, and the TV programs you watch, and the music you listen to pass through these 8 filters?
b. Paul says, “Put everything through these 8 filters. If it’s not true, then don’t welcome it. If it’s not noble, if it’s not right, or pure or lovely or admirable or excellent or praiseworthy, don’t let it find a home in your heart. And if you’ll use these filters you’ll have peace with God.”
The last key to enjoying Divine peace of mind is striving to obey the teachings of the New Testament
V. Obedience to God’s Word
B. Paul says, in verse 9:
“The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”
There are three ways that obedience leads to peace.
1)
If we obey God’s Word, we will avoid many pitfalls in this life that bring unnecessary heartaches and headaches. We can stay away from so many problems and troubles if we would truly strive to apply the teachings of Christ to our lives.
Psalms 119:165 “Those who love Your law have great peace, And nothing causes them to stumble.”
Proverbs 3:1-2 “My son, do not forget my teaching, But let your heart keep my commandments; For length of days and years of life And peace they will add to you.”
2) True peace comes when you know in your heart and mind that you are doing all that you can to please God. If we are sincere in our religion, our conscience will be troubled as we know that we are not walking in obedience.
a. Paul said, in Acts 24:16, “I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men.”
b. With obedience comes a clear and clean conscience. A clear and clean conscience promotes peace of mind.
3) Lastly, the teachings of Christ emphasize looking beyond self and serving others. The more we take our focus off ourselves - our predicaments, our troubles, our difficulties, our afflictions - and focus on how we can make life brighter for someone else or how we can glorify God, our minds will be liberated. We need to put into practice Christ’s demand for selfless service.
Galatians 6:2 “Bear one another’s burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ.”
CONCLUSION
These are the keys to inward peace presented by the Apostle Paul:
1. Do not be Anxious
2. Prayer
2. Thanksgiving
3. Dwelling on the Good
4. Obedience to the Lord’s Commandments
I would encourage each one of us to put thought and effort into applying these keys to our daily lives. The God of peace wants us to enjoy His peace.
I close by quoting Paul, from 2 Thessalonians 3:16, “Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance.”
Invitation
Do you remember the words that Jesus first spoke to His disciples following His resurrection? The disciples were in the upper room, and they were fearful for their own lives. Their leader was dead, and their future uncertain.
Just then Jesus appeared though locked doors and spoke to them. Do you remember what He said? John 20:19
No recriminations, no “I told you so,” "No, his first words were just one simple phrase, “Peace be with you.” The very thing that they didn’t have was the very thing that He offered - peace. And He still offers it to us today.
Do you have it? Did you come into God’s presence this morning with it? Or did you find yourself carrying burdens that were too heavy to carry? And are you going to leave here with those burdens still? Or are you going to turn them over to Jesus?
There is One who died on a cross for your sins. There is One who shed His precious blood so that you can have peace and everlasting life. And I know that He is available to you this morning, and that you can have Him as your Lord and Savior simply by coming and confessing your faith in Him, and giving yourself to Him.
We give you the opportunity to do that as we extend His invitation. We invite you to come as we stand and sing.
