Philippians 4:4-7
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.
Grace, mercy and peace. Be to you from God the Father and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We have a I have a different title and a different sermon than Pastor huenenk was going to have. My title is guarding peace of Christ. Today we meditate on the beautiful and comforting promise found in Philippians, chapter four, verse seven, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ, Jesus, what is peace for many? It's the absence of conflict or the presence of tranquility. But the peace of God, offered through Christ is something far greater. It's a peace that goes beyond circumstances and human comprehension. It guards our hearts and minds. In this promise, we find assurance that God's peace is enduring, securing us in His love and grace. Let's look at the three aspects of the peace of Christ. First, it is beyond understanding. Second, it guards our hearts and minds, and third, it secures us in Him, God's peace is beyond understanding. Paul describes God's peace as surpassing all understanding. This means it defies human logic and reasoning. It is a mystery to us. The world's peace is often based on circumstances. It may depend on the lack of conflict, on financial stability, on being liked, or on personal success. Yet the peace of God transcends these earthly foundations. The disciples experienced this peace when Jesus spoke to them in John 14 verse 27 he said, Peace I leave with you my peace. I give to you, not as a world gives it, I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. Even as Jesus prepared for his suffering and death, he assured them as a piece rooted in his divine authority and eternal victory, the disciples displayed courage when they were beaten, jailed and martyred. Acts five, verse 40, says, they called the Apostles in and had them flogged. Acts 12, verse five says so Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. Acts seven, verse 59 says while they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. This peace is not a vague concept, but it is lived, a lived reality for God's people. Consider, consider the prophet Isaiah, words, you keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you because he trusts in You. Isaiah, 26 verse three, trust in God's promises anchors us amid chaos and confusion, allowing his peace to reign in our hearts. Number two, God's peace guards our hearts and minds. Paul's imagery of a guard illustrates the protective power of God's peace. In the ancient world, guards were stationed to protect cities from external threats. Today, when we see a guard, we may think of safety and security similarly God's peace. Stands watch, stands guard over our hearts and minds, shielding us from anxiety, fear and despair. The need for this guarding peace is evident in our daily lives and struggles we face the pressures of work, relationships, health concerns and spiritual battles. The enemy seeks to sow doubt and fear, but God's peace is a fortress that cannot be breached, as Martin Luther reminds us in his hymn, a mighty fortress is our God. God's protection is unshakable. Verse one says, a mighty fortress is our God, a mighty shield and weapon. He helps us free from every need that hath us now or taken. An inspiring example is Horatio Spafford, who wrote to him, it is well with my soul in 1873 due to business delays, Spafford sent his wife and daughters ahead of him on a trip to England. He expected to follow them in a few days, the family's ship was struck by another ship and sank, and only his wife survived after losing his children in this tragic shipwreck, Spafford found solith in God's peace. Despite his grief, he penned the words, when peace like a river attendeth my way. It is well with my soul, his trust in God's guarding peace gave him strength in the face of unimaginable loss, place our worries in God's hands through prayer and trusting in His sovereignty, as Peter encourages us in first, Peter Five, Verse seven cast all your anxieties on Him because He cares for you. Third, God's peace secures us in Christ, the final phrase of Philippians four, verse seven highlights the source of this peace. It is found in Christ. Jesus, apart from him, true and lasting peace is unattainable through His life, death and resurrection. Jesus reconciled us to God, removing the barrier of sin and granting us peace with our Creator. Paul beautifully articulates the truth in Romans, five, one, therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. This peace is not a temporary reprieve, but an eternal promise. It secures us in our identity as God's esteemed children and assures us of our heavenly inheritance. We have practical steps to embrace God's peace. First, Rejoice in the Lord. Philippians four, verse four, Rejoice in the Lord. Always again I say rejoice. Cultivate a heart of gratitude and praise for the goodness for all things large and small. Number two, pray with thanksgiving. Philippians four, verse six, do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving. Let your requests be made known to God. Bring your concerns to God, trusting in His provision and care. Number three, meditate on God's word. Philippians four, verse eight, 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. I fill your mind with his word, focusing on what is true, honorable and pure.
And fourth, abide in Christ, John 15, verse four, Abide in Me and I in you. And the branch cannot bear fruit as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine. Neither can you, unless you abide in Me, remain connected to him through worship, scripture, reading, the sacraments, fellowship with other believers. In conclusion, the guarding peace of God is a treasure that goes beyond all our understanding. It protects us from the turmoil of life, anchors us in the promise of God, and secures us in the unchanging love of Christ. This peace is not dependent on our circumstances, but on the unshakable foundation of God's grace. As we think about Philippians four, verse seven, let the truth sink into our hearts and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, Lord, guard your hearts and your minds in Christ, Jesus, may this peace sustain you in every trial and fill you with hope as you trust in your Savior. This hope is a promise we can count on and have confidence through Jesus Christ, let us pray, Heavenly Father, thank You for the peace that only you can give during life's challenges, remind us of your faithfulness and love, guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, and teach us to rest in your promises. May we live as people of peace, reflecting your light in the world in Jesus. Name, Amen.
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
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