Philippians 4:4-9

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

In the first three verses of chapter four Paul urged the believers to be of the same mind in the Lord. As Christians it is critical that we deal with conflict correctly. There should be peace between members of the Body of Christ, a team spirit that leads to team work. But this is not where Paul ends his letter, because a Christian’s life should not only be characterized by outward peace with others but also personal, inward peace. The Lord not only wants serenity between His followers but serenity within His followers. God not only wants tranquility within each congregation but tranquility within each Christian’s heart and mind. Unfortunately Church and conflict seem to go hand in hand, and it is a sad commentary that peace within many congregations seems to be the scarce. It is equally true and sad that peace within many Christians also seems to be a rarity. Here Paul preaches about how we can experience the inward peace that God wants us to have. As he gives us the keys to peace of mind we need to remember that these keys are not presented as suggestions but as commands. In verse six Paul begins by commanding us to not “Be anxious for anything.” This is a critical command when it comes to inner peace. We are not to have anxiety, we are not to be a bunch of worry warts. We are not to fret and fear or be nervous no matter what our situation or circumstance, why? First a Christian with a troubled and fearful mind dishonors God because to fear and fretful means that we do not trust God’s sovereignty, God’s wisdom, God’s faithfulness and God’s goodness. It is an indication that we have not yet completely turned our lives over to Him. Second what benefits come from worrying, fretting and being afraid? Absolutely nothing, anxiety does not improve our circumstances on the contrary, it can do great damage. Not only has it been proven that worry 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, the list goes on, it is very destructive spiritually. A mind that is occupied with worry and fear is a mind that is not focused on the Lord. When we worry and fret we lose sight of the Savior and His sovereignty. As we lose focus on the Lord and His revealed Will we are tempted to handle our circumstances with fleshly strength and wisdom instead of the Word. We end up trying to correct the external circumstances when, perhaps, our circumstances were meant by the Lord to correct our inner-self. Third when we lose focus we get distracted from carrying-out the Lord’s purpose and plan for our lives. We lose sight of His goodness and blessings and are tempted to become negative and ungrateful. We take our eyes off the One who is the only source of true and lasting peace. In verse seven Paul tells us that “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” Not only can God’s peace banish all anxiety and anguish from our hearts and minds, but it can keep it away. The peace of God acts like a soldier on duty protecting our heart and mind.  Not only attacking anxiety but also standing guard and not allow anxiety to sneak back in. God’s peace is greater than the worry and fear of our flesh. We can experience perfect inward peace and tranquility in the midst of the most trying circumstances and severe tribulations. His peace may not seem possible as you look at the problems you face but Paul reminds us that it transcends all understanding. It may be hard to comprehend how our world can be collapsing around us and yet we can be perfectly calm and completely composed, but the peace of God can provide that kind of protection. The first key to experiencing peace is:

• Prayer

Paul tells us verse six that “in every situation, by prayer and petition….present your requests to God.” The word teaches that whatever is bothering us instead of turning to worry we should take it to the Lord in prayer. Whatever we face that causes us fear and anxiety needs to be brought to the Lord’s attention. We don’t need to panic we can pray, there is no need to be drained by distress and experience mental and emotional turmoil we can turn to the Lord. We don’t need to be bashful about bringing our problems to the Lord; if it brings concern to us then it is a matter of concern to Him. So don’t be shy about pouring your heart out to God, Peter reminds us in 1 Peter that “He cares for you.” God is interested in the big and the small things in our life, nothing is too trivial to take to Him. The Word of God tells us to “present your requests to God” so what do you need to talk to Him about? Be specific about your situation and believe that God can answer your prayer. We need to remember what James 1:6-7 says, “let him ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts…..let not that man expect that he will receive anything from the Lord.” As you take your requests to the Lord, remember the power of petition that Paul talks about in in Ephesians 3:20, where he 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.” Once we have made our requests known we need to wait patiently for God’s answer. He always answers prayer and His answer will be the product of His love, His compassion and His wisdom. He will answer by giving us whatever is best for us, remember Matthew 5:7-11, “Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it shall be opened. Or what man is there among you, when his son asks him for a loaf, will give him a stone? Or if he shall ask for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!” 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, while other times He may answer in a way totally different than anything we might have envisioned. Our basis for peace of mind is that God not only hears us but He answers us by giving us what is best. We need to accept that God sees the big picture and He will give what is truly the best based on His infinite wisdom, love and power. But when we take a matter to the Lord, we must leave it with Him. 1 Peter 5:6-7, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety upon Him.” We cast our worries and fears upon Him like we throw a ball to someone. The ball is now in His court and we need to let Him make the next move resting in the knowledge that He will respond “at the proper time” by giving us that which is for our good. Pray is really a transfer of trust, where we stop holding on and hand it over to God. Do you believe that He is bigger than your battles, more powerful than your problems? This is not only trusting in God’s ability but also His timing. Do you want peace, then stop panicking over the problems and start praying? Today where do you need to transfer trust from self to the Savior?

Philippians 4:2-9

2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life. 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice.

In Philippians four Paul reminds us that Christians are not immune to conflict. Paul experienced external conflict and was imprisoned for preaching the gospel and now the persecution is starting to affect the Christians in Philippi. Today many are experiencing conflict in their marriage, or with their children, siblings or parents. Some have conflict with coworkers or customers, friends and neighbors and the longer the conflict goes on the more you long to find peace. One of the hardest conflicts to handle is that between fellow Christians but we have to remember that conflict in the church is not a new problem. Paul starts out chapter four by addressing a dispute between two women in the church. This is more than just a social spat, this is a struggle of opinions that seems to have gone on for a while. One that has gone from private to the public, to the point where Paul has received news of it even while under house arrest in Rome. What the fight is about we do not know but it does not seem to be foundational because Paul does not take sides. It makes me wonder whether was a typical petty problem that seems to plague many churches today. How many conflicts have there been in the church over the color of the carpet or any other inconsequential issue? Their dispute has now begun to break the peace in the church to the point where they are fracturing fellowship. Paul shows us the seriousness of the situation in that he chooses to call them out by name. Remember that this letter would probably have been read out loud before the entire congregation and these two women would have been held accountable in front of the entire church. Imagine what would happen if we did that today in our culture where we considered privacy to be paramount. Paul places the importance of protecting peace over protecting the privacy of these two ladies. The truth is that conflict between Christians that destroys the fellowship is not a private matter. The world is watching and it doesn’t need to see one more war, or another dysfunctional family. This world sees enough of that and what they need to see is how to deal with disputes and resolve conflict. A peace filled fellowship is not a problem free one but a purposed and focused one. Paul calls them to pursue peace and he does this by points them to the single purpose, of “be of the same mind in the Lord”. Paul starts by calling them to see what they have in common instead of focusing on the conflict and their differences. When we come back to what we have in common as Christians we come back to Christ. Paul is reminding us to refocus on what is important. What we discover is that Christ is far too important for any conflict in the church to continue. When Christ is our focus we are reminded that our foundation is found in forgiveness and its purpose is fellowship not fracturing. When we come back to a focus on Christ we start to see people not the problem, we begin to value relationship more than being right. When Christ is the center we should have more in common than in conflict. So what do you cherish, what you have in common or continuing the conflict? What would happen if we evaluated every disagreement we had through the importance of Jesus? It’s not that life is too short to quarrel, it’s that Jesus is too important to continue to break the peace. Paul also called other Christians to come alongside and help these women work through their disagreement. Sometimes a neutral outside party is needed to help people see common ground because peace can be hard to find on our own. Notice Paul doesn’t call other Christians to chastise them but to help them. He doesn’t leave them there in the conflict but calls others to come alongside. Unfortunately today many Christians would rather just avoid coming alongside and helping to heal the conflict because they value their comfort more than Christ. As Paul urges them to pursue peace he also praises them for their past participation, “they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel” As he does this he is reminding them that they have a past of working together toward the same goal and that that they have a future together as well. Sometimes we forget to praise people because we get so wrapped up in the present problems. In Matthew 5:9 Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the sons of God.” It’s interesting to note that Jesus didn’t tell us to be “peacekeepers,” but “peacemakers.” It takes effort to bring conflict to an end and when we work at preventing contention and strife we are doing Gods Will. Paul didn’t just preach peace he practiced it and he called those who partnered with him in the gospel to participate in peace.   When relationships are out of sync, we need to take action to make them right and productive, whether we are the offender, the offended, or the innocent bystander. In the tiny book of Philemon Paul gives us some very practical ways that we can live at peace with others. It is here that we have a biblical model of three people at work to bring about peace. One is the offender, another is the offended, and the third tries to reconcile them. This letter addressed to Philemon was also written while Paul was in prison. Paul’s purpose is to bring peace between Philemon and his escaped slave Onesimus, who had fled to Rome where he had been converted under Paul’s ministry. Paul the Reconciler goes out of his way to reconcile Philemon and Onesimus. He could have just stayed out of it, but he chose to be a peacemaker. Verse 13 mentions that Onesimus was assisting Paul in ministry but Paul wanted him to go back and make things right with Philemon. I’m sure that Onesimus was a great help to Paul and sending him back to reconciliation cost Paul a partner and helper in the ministry. But Paul placed the importance on right relationships and restoration not on self, even if it meant sacrificing.  Do you know of people who aren’t talking to each other? Are you aware of broken relationships that need healing? Are you a wrecker or a reconciler? Next we see Onesimus the Repenter. Peacemaking in the body requires not only one person who is willing to take the initiative, but also people who are willing to be reconciled. When Onesimus escaped from Philemon’s household he evidently stole something. Now, that he has come to Christ he wants to make things right, so he was making the 1,000 mile journey back to his master. Paul was sending this letter with him to encourage Philemon to forgive Onesimus. Have you wronged anyone, then you need to take the necessary steps, no matter how long the journey, to be reconciled. As repenters, we must be willing to acknowledge our sins and go to those we have offended. Where Paul is the reconciler and Onesimus the repenter, Philemon is the Receiver. For many of us who live without the reality of slavery it’s hard for us to realize the magnitude of Paul’s request. Philemon was asked to receive his runaway, thieving slave, not as a piece of property but as “a dear brother in the Lord.” Do you need to forgive and restore someone today? The need for “receivers” in the body of Christ is paramount. More than ever we need radical receivers willing to reconcile and the offer forgiveness and mercy that people desperately need so that we can live in peace with each other once again. The sad reality is that there is more conflict between brothers and sisters in Christ than we care to admit. The church has become callused, no longer convicted over conflict. Instead of doing battle against the bitterness we justify our unbiblical behavior based on the betrayal. We nurse our bitterness and grow our grudges, while we wallow in our wounds. But what about you are you going to whine or are we willing to do the hard work of being a peace maker? If we want to experience the fruit of peace we must be vigilant about keeping our relationships with each other healthy. Paul isn’t just calling us to reconciliation he is calling us to relationship, where we get real and admit our faults, forgive and find our foundation in Jesus. Satan loves to divide and create conflict but through Christ we can enjoy peace with people. What practical steps to peace are you being called to pursue right now?