How To Attain The Peace Of God Series

Title: How to attain the peace of God

Theme: To show the importance of our thinking.

Text: Philippians 4:8

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 (walk) on (in) these things. Phil 4:8

Begin by reading the verse. In place of think use the word walk. Do not let on that you have missed this. Even go out into the audience and read their Bible. Ask the question: Do you realize the implication that this could have?

How many other people out here has Bibles that read the same? What version are you reading? Are you sure?

Maybe this would it explain it. Look with me at the book of Matthew 5:21-30

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing. Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. (Matthew 5:21-30 AV)

Do you think that this was what Jesus was trying to say on the sermon on the mount? Maybe he was trying to tell us that it is not just the action that you take but it is the thought that you have. Maybe that if we have thought the thought then we have already sinned. Boy! that could have some implications.

Now I understand it but to me I don’t see it in action. I don’t hear much about it. Hum maybe this thought thing has something going for it.

Let me ask you another question, maybe this is a little far fetched, do you think that if we get it right in here (pointing to the heart) and in here (pointing to the head) then it would be better out here. Do you think that maybe the things we think upon will affect our love for one another? Or even how we think?

Well maybe we need to look closely at this verse and if how we think is so important then maybe we need to see how we should be thinking.

Casting Down Strongholds

2 Corinthians 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ

Strongholds-barriers, stronghold is a mind-set that accepts a situation as unchangeable, even though that situation is contrary to the will of God.

1. A stronghold is the thing other than the Lord that dominates your thoughts.

2. A stronghold is anything that you cannot put down for God.

3. A stronghold is that area of your life that you have thought in your mind, “I will never change”.

4. A stronghold in your life is that thing in your life that the Lord has convicted you of yet you keep going back to it.

5. A stronghold could be a sin that you have been fighting over a period of times.

6. A stronghold

Casting down imaginations-tearing down false things in our mind