The symbol for peace has become as familiar as any symbol in our world and often reminds us of the 1960s and of those who protested the war. What many probably don’t know is that this symbol was only designed a little over 50 years ago. So though many equate peace with this symbol, the desire for peace precedes this time period and is also a continued desire for many today.The reason for this constant pursuit of peace in our world is because of the fact that there have been surprisingly very few times that the entire world has been at peace.
Recent studies have shown that that since the beginning of recorded history, the entire world has been at peace less than eight percent of the time. Since 3600 B.C. the world has known only 286 years of peace. During this period there have been 14,351 wars, large and small, in which 3.64 billion people have been killed.
Not only is the pursuit of peace challenging on a global scale, but is also difficult on a personal level. Today divorce rates are through the roof, countless numbers of family members are at odds with one another and you can’t hardly go anywhere and not hear about internal problems in our churches.
Though these statistics cause many to question whether or not sustainable peace is possible in this life, God’s Word tells us that it is. Scripture clearly teaches us that there is sustainable peace to be had in this life and it is experienced through the person and work of Christ.
In this sermon series, we have been discussing that joy is possible in this life and in our text for today we are going to find that this lasting joy can become a reality if we can learn to experience peace.
EXPERIENCING JOY THROUGH EXPERIENCING PEACE
I. BE AN ENCOURAGER
I have made mention before that the enemy is not going to allow kingdom work to take place without a fight, which is why it should be no surprise to us that the Christians in Philippi had to endure a lot.
Chapter 1-There was the threat of persecution.
Chapter 2-There was issues with disunity.
Chapter 3-There was the threat of false teachers.
Chapter 4-There is conflict between leaders in the church.
Knowing the circumstances were not easy for the Christians at Philippi, Paul gives them words of encouragement in 4:1. He says, “Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.”
In the midst of these difficult circumstances, Paul is there to provide support for the Christians at Philippi by praising them for how far they have come and by encouraging them to continue to stand firm.
Here Paul shows us by example that conflict needs to be confronted with heartfelt encouragement. When we see a brother or sister in Christ going through difficulty, though we may not be able to undue a circumstance or remove an obstacle, what we can do is be there for them—providing comfort, encouragement and support.
II. BE A PEACEMAKER
2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
In these verses Paul addresses a specific issue that is happening within the church between two women. He says, “I plead with you Euodia and with you Syntyche to agree in the Lord.”
The scriptures do not give the specifics of what this disagreement was about. What we do know, however, is that this dispute was threatening the health of the Church, which is why Paul calls for them to find common ground—disagreeing agreeably if necessary. He also calls for a certain unnamed leader in the church, who many believe to be an elder at Philippi, to come alongside these ladies to help them reach this much needed unity.
This is contrary to the way many respond in conflict. What we often do when in a dispute is stand our ground and show where the other is wrong and what others in the church have a tendency to do is to not seek to resolve the conflict between individuals, but take sides. Both of these responses do nothing but cause further disunity.
Paul calls for believers to be peacemakers—to seek to turn conflict into much needed unity.
III. TURN YOUR FOCUS UPWARD AND OUTWARD
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand.
Paul is basically saying here, “I know your circumstances are not great neither are mine, but don’t be so selfish to let your current circumstances keep you from rejoicing the Lord and serving others.”
When difficult times come, what many have a tendency to do is to turn inwardly. They often think because times are tough, “I’ve just got to look out me. I can’t be worried about others when my life is a mess.”
Paul says something completely contrary to this. He basically says, “If you want to find peace in this life, when conflict comes don’t turn inwardly, but instead turn your focus upward and outward.”
First Paul says, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.” One of the reasons Paul calls for the Christians at Philippi to be joyful at all times is because when the going gets tough one of the last things any of us want to do is exhibit joy. Paul says here, “Show what is true of the Christian faith; that even in midst of difficulty, we can rejoice.”
He also says, “Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand.” When we hear the word reasonableness or gentleness, we tend to think of being meek or mild. This is not what Paul has in mind here. The Greek word for reasonable refers to a spirit that is fair-minded and charitable.
Paul is calling for the Christians at Philippi to put their wants and desires on hold in order to put the needs of others first. He wants believers to avoid being self-absorbed and selfish and instead to be sacrificial and selfless.
IV. PRAY INSTEAD OF WORRYING
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
First Paul says “Don’t worry—do not be anxious about anything.” If any one verse speaks to most everybody it’s this one. The reason being we are a very anxious people—we worry about everything?
The problem with worry is that we devote so much time to it and it does not help matters. Jesus makes this point in Mt. 6:27, when he asks the rhetorical question, “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life”? In other words, “What good does worrying do?” The obvious answer of course being “nothing.”
In this text, Paul gives us an alternative, which leads to peace. He says, “But in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Paul’s point is that a good alternative of being anxious and worried is to present your requests to God.
Now why is this an adequate alternative to worry? Paul explains, “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” The point made in this verse is that when believers are in a bad way and pray, the peace of God comes upon them and guards their hearts against worry and fear of that situation or circumstance.”
His point is that though God will not always miraculously change ones circumstance, what He will do is change the individual—moving him/her from worry to peace by granting His miraculous and supernatural peace that guard believers hearts against worry and anxiety.
V. BE DISCIPLINED SPIRITUALLY
8 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.
First in v. 8 Paul talks about the importance of being disciplined mentally. Our minds are prone to wander aren’t they? This is why when you are checking out at Wal-Mart they have all those tabloid magazines near the check out. Because our minds are prone to wander toward the trivial things of our world. Our minds are also prone to wander toward things that cause us to have anxiety and worry.
Paul says here, “If you want to experience joy, you have to train your mind to not wonder down that path.” He says, “Instead think about things that are true, that are noble, that are right, that are pure, that are lovely, that are admirable, that are excellent, that are praiseworthy.” To experience peace in this life, you are going to have to be disciplined mentally.
In v. 9 Paul tells the Christians at Philippi that they are to also discipline their bodies. He says, “What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things and the God of peace will be with you.”
Once again we see Paul holding himself up as an example for the Christians at Philippi. He says “The things you have heard me say and have seen me do—practice these things—Put these things into practice and the peace of God will be with you.”
So the pathway to peace is through discipline. If you want to experience peace and joy and happiness, it comes from discipline. This is one of the great paradoxes in the Scriptures.
CONCLUSION
So to experience joy in this life, we have to experience peace especially in the midst of conflict. The problem however, is that many are not at peace with the creator. If we are going to experience joy in this life, it begins with experiencing peace first and foremost with God.
The way to do this is to recognize what God has done for us at the cross through Jesus Christ and turn from our life of rebellion to Him and trust in Him alone for our salvation. Then and only then we can move from being at odds with God to being at peace with Him.
When you get that relationship right, it will begin to transform the rest of your life and the rest of your relationships so that you can experience lasting peace in this life no matter what.
