Nov 23, 3035

The Path to Peace

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-7



Introduction

As you turn to Philippians 4, let me tell you why I have chosen this text for you today.
The holiday season has arrived! It’s not on its way; it’s here.
Thanksgiving is this Thursday. Joy and excitement and festivities. 
But, along with holidays also comes expectations, stress, sadness, frustrations, and concerns—all of which tempt us to put ourselves before God and others. 
And, Philippians 4:4-7 speaks to all of these things directly—God, others, anxiety, thanksgiving, and peace—making it a fitting text for you to hear and obey today.
Now, my sermon title for this morning is “The Path to Peace.”
That’s what I’m going to show you this morning.
“The Path to Peace.”
And, I will show it to you in 3 steps. 
  • First, the Problem that prevents peace. 
  • Second, the Path to peace.
  • Third, the Promise of peace.

The Problem — Verse 6

Well, the first thing to see, before we even get to the word “anxious” or “worry” is that worry is wrong; it is a sin. 
The next thing to see is that worry has an object… it is “about something.”
Indeed, it can be about anything. 
People and circumstances, real or imagined, may all be the context of worry… 
But they are not the cause of worry.
BUT, what is “worry” itself? 
Worry is fear focused on getting what you want or guarding what you have. 
Let’s work through the passage to see this more clearly.
When you worry…
  • You do not rejoice in the Lord
  • You do not love others
  • You do not have humility or hope
  • You do not pray with gratitude
  • You do not have true peace
You see…
Worry is not merely a feeling or an emotion. 
It is a willful attempt to dethrone God, because you doubt God and have chosen to take His place.
Worry is worship, self-worship.

The Path — Verse 6


Now, praise God that he does not leave you there, lost and condemned in your worry, fear, anger, pride, and despair.
In His great mercy, He provides you with the path to peace.

Now, the text says, “...in everything prayer and supplication with thanksgiving.”
“Prayer” is drawing near to God and speaking with Him. 
“Supplication” is a humble plea. 
And, “thanksgiving,” is an attitude of gratitude and a sincere expression of thanks to God.
Thanksgiving is not a mood or mere emotion—but the state of your soul and a weapon against worry.
So, in everything—in every situation that tempts you to worry and seize control—draw near to God and make your pleas known to Him with humility and gratitude.
That’s the path back to peace.

The Promise — Verse 7


Now, let’s look at God’s promise of peace more closely in verse 6-7.
The text does not say, “Let your requests be made known to God, and He will give you what you want,” does it?
You must not have wrong expectations of God. He is not promising to give you peace by giving you what you ask for. 
That is to turn God into your personal butler and to put your desires above God’s glory once again. It is just another form of lust and idolatry.
When you bring your problems to God, you are to treasure His glory, not yours. You are to trust His wisdom, not yours. And, you are to take up His ways, not yours. 
Only then are truly walking in faith.
So, what God is promising here is this: He will give you peace even if he doesn’t give you what you want.
God’s gift of peace is ‘Even If” peace. Worry is all about “What Ifs.” God is all about “Even Ifs” 
Even if it all goes wrong. God will keep you at peace, if you look to Him with gratitude.
God’s gift of peace does not depend on people or situations or even the outcome of your efforts. 
It comes from God Himself! 
It is a gift.
Now, why do I keep calling peace a gift?
Because, the text says this peace is “of God.” That means it’s God’s very own peace, which he allows you to partake in as a gift.
If it is a gift, then it is not something you accomplish by controlling people and circumstances. 
But, it is also not something you earn by living rightly before God.
Now, the text says God’s gift of peace “surpasses all understanding.”
That does not mean that it is irrational, but that it is beyond human explanation. 
It is not peace that can be explained by good marriage, by good kids, by a successful career or financial stability…
It can only be explained by something not bound to this world—God. 
Then, the text says, this peace “will guard your hearts and your minds.”
The term “guard” here is a military term.
The picture is that of an armed guard, standing watch over your heart and your mind, defending it against the lies that come with problems and pain. 
Lies that say, “God is not wise. God is not good. God will not take care of you.”
Worry is based on lies and leaves your heart and your mind open to attack. 
To persist in worry is to give Satan and the principalities of evil a foothold in your life. It welcomes them in to deceive and destroy. 
But, the peace of God provides safety and assurance.
Lastly, the promise of Peace is given to those “in Christ Jesus.”
I’ve made the point that peace is a gift. 
And, now you see that Jesus is the one who purchased it for you. This peace is for those who are “in Christ Jesus,” united to Him by faith.
Jesus purchased your peace with His blood. He has reconciled you to God through His death.
And, when you live in right relationship with God—that is, when you respond to life’s problems with honest, humble, thankful prayer instead of worry—then you experience the result of being reconciled to God, namely the peace of God that guards your heart and mind.

Application to Unbelievers and Believers

Are you “in Christ” this morning?
You will never know this Peace apart from Him. 
You’ll continue looking for it in yourself, but you won’t find it there. 
You will search for it in your marriage, in your family, in your accomplishments, in money, in sex, in power—in everything under the sun.
But, you’ll never find it there.
It is only “in Christ.”
Come to Him.
He welcomes you this morning. 
Stop trusting in yourself. 
You’re a great sinner. Your worry is evidence of it. 
But, the good news is that Jesus is a great Savior who died for great sinners, so that you can be reconciled to God and experience His Peace. 
So, come to Him today.
Don’t live another worried moment.
Now, for those of you are “in Christ,” are you acting like it?
Are you rejoicing in the Lord or questioning His wisdom and love?
Are you showing love to others or using them to get your way?
Are you hoping in God, or in your own ability?
Is your life marked by thankful prayer or demands and despair? 
Stop making excuses and start making confessions. 
Worry is your response to life’s problems, not the result of life’s problems. 
So, repent. Trust in God, who is more eager to show you mercy than you are to receive it.
And, walk the path to the promise of peace. 
Amen.