January 11, 2014

Prescription for Peace - Philippians 4:4-9

 

          On December 29, the pastor of The Journey, Lebanon, TN – Erik Reed spoke on pursuing godliness. 

          We are justified by the blood of Jesus Christ that He shed for our sins.  Yet, sanctification is for the believer.  It is the process of being transformed or growing in holiness; it is becoming more like Jesus. 

          Erik asked the question – what are you doing to close the gap in pursuing holiness – in being sanctified and becoming more like Jesus?

          Erik spoke about our labor and God’s work.

          Philippians 2:12 & 13 – “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”

 

     1.  We must work out our salvation with fear and trembling.

     2.  For it is God who works in you to will and to work for His good pleasure. 

          “We can rejoice in God’s empowering presence even as we work hard at living responsible Christian lives.” (ESV commentary)

          Last Sunday, Erik spoke on being content.  “Content,” he said, “means to be okay by yourself with who you are and what you have.”

          The enemy of contentment is coveting – wanting something you don’t have and believing it will bring you happiness.

          Philippians 4:10 – 13:  “I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me.  You were indeed concerned for me, but you had not opportunity.  Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.  I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound.  In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.  I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

          Our longings are merely appetizers that point us to JESUS, the only one that can give us contentment.  When Jesus is our supreme treasure, nothing else satisfies. 

          What a great challenge: 

     1. To pursue holiness by hanging out with God and thus becoming like Him.

     2. And to find my contentment in Jesus Christ, the only one who can meet every need of my heart. 

          So as we look to a new year of pursuing holiness and finding our contentment in Christ alone, let’s turn to Galatians 5:22-23 and look for a minute at the fruit of the Spirit.

          Which fruit needs to be cultivated in your life?  Why?

          For me, the fruit I need is peace.  I realize that I struggle most with control.  I don’t desire control, but I take control when others do not follow through with their responsibilities (my perception).  I have teased my family for years saying that I often feel like a pinball in a pinball machine – being hit and repelled by the circumstances in my life and their lives. 

          Examples from 2013

• Daughter goes to Africa as a missionary
• Another daughter drops out of college because it was not working out
• My dad gets sick
• Daughter returns from Africa sick.  Several doctor visits and many tests costing lots of money reveal the problem 5 months later – a parasite
• This daughter moves to CO
• The family she moved to nanny for decides to move
• Second daughter gets engaged
• I live ½ time with my parents
• Wedding plans with only 4 months to plan
• Car breaks down
• Pipes freeze

          Life brings anxiety, sleepless nights, lots of prayer, and, for many reasons, peace eludes me.  My world is too easily rocked by my circumstances rather than God’s shalom peace.  The Hebrew word shalom is more than peace; it is a complete peace involving contentment, well-being, wholeness. 

          Let’s look at Philippians 4:4-9:  “Rejoice in the LORD always; again I will say, rejoice.  Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.  The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

          Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.  What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me – practice these things and the God of peace will be with you.”

          I desire to “work out my salvation” and to make Jesus my supreme treasure.  I am praying that God will pry this little girl’s hands off the control of her life and the lives of others.  In 2014, I desire to pursue God’s peace.

          I thank God for His Word and prescription for life.  His prescription for peace.

                                Prescription for Peace:

1. Rejoice!  The first word of Phil. 4:4.  I will daily, moment by moment REJOICE.  That word will be in my brain.  Rejoice needs to be more my disposition and first line of offense and defense.  Rejoicing is a response to my Creator God and Redeemer Jesus Christ.  It is based on His sovereignty.  The worse the circumstances, the more I should rejoice because I cannot control the situation; this is where God wants me to be – wholly dependent upon Him.  I choose to rejoice in His Godness in and through and over all situations. 
2. Phil. 4:5 – “Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand.”  The NIV uses the word gentleness, translated reasonable, charitable, and fair-minded.  When I am not reasonable, nor gentle, I bowl over people.  My witness matters.  My response to life affects others.  My choice to take control rather than to submit to God’s control affects those in my path – believers and non-believers.  I must be still, seek God, trust Him, rejoice, and wait.  An attitude of peace matters. Because God is near and at work whether I see His hand or not. 
3. Phil. 4:6 – I am “not to be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let my requests be made known to God.”  I must stop and pray.  Feeling anxious? Take a chill pill – time with God in serious prayer with rejoicing.  His answer: “The peace of God will guard my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus” (vs. 7).  Guard?  I will not be imprisoned by my anxiety or despair.  Christ Jesus will set a guard of peace around my heart and mind. . . if I will let Him.  May his vigilant peace establish a guard even as I sleep.
4. Phil. 4:8 - Finally, I must take captive every thought and feeling.  “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”  What am I allowing to fill my mind?  Problems?  Lies from TV, books, internet?  That which I cannot have?  The abuse/injustice/mistreatment from my past?  Then, I have sinned.  We are called to think about the good, the blessings, the Blesser, the beauty, His excellencies.  Our response will be praise and rejoicing. 
5. Phil. 4:9 - Don’t miss this:  If we practice these things, the “God of peace will be with you.”  His answer is even better than peace; God Himself promises His presence.  He alone brings peace, but He also brings Himself as we surrender control.

         “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice!”  Dear Sister, He so desires to draw near to you in 2014.  Pursue Him.  Pursue godliness.  Make Jesus Christ your greatest treasure.  And the “God of peace” will be with you!

          “Turn your eyes upon Jesus.  Look full in His wonderful face.  And the things of earth will grow strangely dim – in the light of His beauty and grace.”