Islington Baptist Church October 21, 2001
Philippians 4:2-9
Scripture readings: Matthew 24:1-35, Psalm 91,
Isaiah 51:12-16
For many people the events of the past 6 weeks have been very troubling and anxiety filled: Life for us as North Americans has changed, 6000 people in New York City are dead, a war has been declared and is being waged, the ongoing threat of terrorism hangs over our heads and in fact terrorist actions continue -- for who hasn’t heard the term Anthrax in the past weeks, the stock markets have dropped, 1000’s of people have been laid off from their jobs, some of the laws of our country –for better or worse- have been changed, travel plans for many have been changed, etc etc
What does the Bible say about what our response as Christians should be to these potential anxiety causing things? What should our attitude be?
Today we are going to consider this question from the perspective of Philippians 4:2-9 with special emphasis upon v.5-7. (READ)
The words “Do not be anxious about anything” are words we need to hear and hear again, for we are creatures prone to obsessing, worrying and giving ourselves over to anxiety (generally about things over which we have no control.
For example: ……….
When Paul first wrote these words they were delivered unto the Philippians. They were words they need to hear: food and the necessities of life for them were in short supply, persecutions and prison was a ongoing part of their lives for their commitment to Christ. In addition to this they had the same daily concerns that have: our children, our marriages, our relationships, safety, employment concerns, school concerns, health concerns, etc, etc.
The command of the scriptures is to not let worry run our lives. The command of the scriptures here is to not let fear, worry, and anxiety be the umbrella that we live under.
Matthew 6:25-34 is a passage which expands upon this command…. (READ)
HOW ARE WE TO RESPOND TO THIS COMMAND? HOW ARE WE TO DEAL WITH THOSE THINGS WHICH WOULD LEAD US TO ANXIETY, FEAR, WORRY, AND ULTIMATELY PARALYSIS?
a. Remember that the Lord is near
b. Pray: take our concerns to the One who has power over all things
a. Remember that the Lord is near
Sometimes in the way we live our lives it is evident that we have forgotten that God-being all powerful- is with us.
We need to remember afresh that His strength is available, His grace is sufficient, and that nothing is impossible for Him.
We have not been abandoned to this world by our Lord. He is near. Jesus’ promise to us is that he will never leave us who have called upon his name. As the followers of Jesus Christ we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ. We must always remember that we are not alone. Jesus is with us and will never abandon us
b. Constant prayer
PRAYER IS THE ANSWER!
Trusting, faith filled, dependant, thankful prayer is the answer.
We have one who cares about our every problem and concern for I Peter 5:7 says “Cast all of your cares upon Him, for He cares for you” --- Thank God for this!
God’s intention for us is that we show a continual dependence upon Him for strength and supply. The act of prayer is in itself is a demonstration of dependence and trust on our parts—when we don’t give ourselves to prayer and decide to barge on ahead we alas are guilty of attempting to do things in our strength.
We must not lose sight of the fact that those things which lead us to anxiety serve God’s purpose of leading us to depend upon Him.
A constant prayer life on our parts is essential. Our prayer lives are also to be patterned after the design given to us in the scriptures. Confession, repentance, thankfulness, intercession, petitions, joy: these are all aspects of the kind of prayer life that is to be ours.
One thing often noted is this: trouble in our lives tends to spur us on in our prayer lives. We often do more praying and seeking the face of God during the storms of our lives.
HOW ARE WE TO DEAL WITH THOSE THINGS WHICH WOULD LEAD US TO ANXIETY, FEAR, WORRY, AND ULTIMATELY PARALYSIS? PRAYER IS THE ANSWER!
Trusting, faith filled, dependant, thankful prayer is the answer as is this: our remembering that the Lord is near.
The next time your friend comes to you with anxieties and worries what is it you should do? Lead them to pray.
THE RESULT OF TRUSTING, DEPENDENT, FAITH FILLED, THANKFUL PRAYERS IS THIS: PEACE OF HEART WHICH TRANSCENDS ALL UNDERSTANDING.
In Isaiah 26:3 it says “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusts in you”
Such peace is a beautiful thing that is easy to recognize for its effects upon a person in its sway is more than evident.
Perfect peace and the peace of heart that our text speaks of is something every soul craves and desires: but not everyone experiences the peace that our text lifts up.
1. The peace of heart which transcends all understanding is something that the ungodly cannot have in their present state.
Now some may say: “Some of these ones the scriptures say are the enemies of God appear to be living quite peaceful lives.” Such peace is not lasting and in fact is not eternally good for them for it is the very sort of thing that keeps them from God and the awareness that they are needy and poor and in need of the Lord.
All those who are outside of Christ and a relationship with him, as he dictates in the scriptures, are the enemies of God and at war in their hearts against Him: no peace between them and God exists and their names as v.3 leads us to conclude, are not written in the Book of Life.
The peace of God offered in scriptures can only be had when peace with God is made
The peace of God offered in the scriptures can only be had in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus—being called the Prince of Peace. Jesus the one who gives the Holy Spirit to his children, producing in them the fruit of peace.
Isaiah 53:4-5 speaks of how we who are the followers of Jesus have come to be at peace with God . “Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
Are you at peace with God? Is your name written in the Book of Life- would you like it to be?
2. Not only is the peace of heart that are text speaks of something that the ungodly cannot have, it is also something that they cannot understand- for it passes all understanding
We must use this to our advantage. When people see the peace of God in us, in situations where outside of our relying upon God’s strength there would be no peace in us, it will lead them to wonder as to why we are the way we are. Opening our mouths in testimony of Jesus is what is required of us. Praise and glory belong to God.
Perhaps such peace as seen in our lives will be what God uses in the life of a non believer to bring them to Himself.
As you and I further contemplate the peace of God that passes all understanding that can be ours, this must be noted: righteous and holy living go hand in hand with having the peace of God.
In Psalm 119:165 it says “Great peace have they which love thy law…”
As you and I consider this point we must realize that verses 5-7 cannot be isolated from v.2-9 - all these verses belong together. Consider with me for a moment how they all go together and buttress the principle at hand.
a. Look with me to v.2-3 and note the issue. When our relationships with each other are not right- when we are not at peace with each other and focused on the mission God has given us—how can the peace of God that passes all understanding be ours? We to be peacemakers and at peace with all men
b. Consider v.4 and the command to rejoice in the Lord always. When rejoicing in the Lord and giving Him thanks is not something that we are doing —how then can the peace of God that passes all understanding be ours?
c. Check out v.5 which says ….. When we are harsh with others and not gentle —can the peace of God that passes all understanding be ours?
d. If we don’t live with an abiding sense of Christ’s presence in our lives (v.5)—can the peace of God that passes all understanding be ours?
e. If our minds are trained and focused upon the lusts of flesh and the things of the world and not upon things which are noble, pure, lovely, right, admirable, praiseworthy, or excellent (v.8-9)--- can the peace of God that passes all understanding be ours?
Righteous and holy living and its pursuit go hand in hand with having the peace of God that passes all understanding in our lives.
CONCLUSION
Peace. Do have it? Do have the kind of peace that Philippians 4:5-7 speaks of?
There are lots of things that threaten to steal our peace: world events, personal issues, relationships etc…
If you are a follower of Jesus Christ you are meant to have it and you must pursue it.
If you are not a Christian the peace of God that passes all understanding is something you will never know in your present state. You can come to know it though……
Being under a cloud of worry, anxiety, fear is not how we are we are to living.
Prayer is the answer: trusting, dependent, filled with faith and thankfulness, prayer is the key.
The result of trusting, faith filled, dependant, thankful prayer is peace, the peace of God that passes all understanding.
We also must not forget this: holy living and peace go hand in hand..
I leave you with these verses: Colossians 3:15-17 “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
