The Key To The Peace Of God

Introduction

The prophet Isaiah foretold that Jesus Christ would be a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. Yet Jesus possessed a deep sense of joy that was beyond anything that this world could offer. In fact, as he faced the cruel death of Calvary itself, he said, as recorded in John 15 and 11, These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. Those who have trusted in Christ indeed have the privilege of enjoying the fullness of joy, experiencing that. And yet I fear many Christians have not taken advantage of that privilege. They are those who live under the cloud of disappointment when they could be walking in the sunshine of joy. And what has robbed them of their joy?

Well, the answer to that question really is manifold. But it was addressed particularly, I think, in the letter written by the Apostle Paul. When he addressed the church at Philippi, probably written about A.D. 62. Actually, when the apostle wrote the letter, the Philippian letter, it was more or less a thank you letter. Epaphroditus had been sent by them to administer unto him, take a special offering to help him in his time of difficulty. He mentions that in Philippians 2 and again in chapter 4, and gives thanks to them for their fellowship in the gospel. Indeed, it was a letter not only though to thank them, but a key word in the book of Philippians is the word joy. When you find in that letter, four short chapters, the words joy or rejoicing, you find some 19 different times that expression is found.

For example, in chapter 4 and in verse 4, just in one short verse, he says, Rejoice in the Lord always. And again I say, rejoice. And yet, when you think about the circumstances in which the apostle wrote this letter, I believe the unusual thing about it is that his situation was such that it appeared as though he had no reason to be happy. He had no reason from physical circumstances to write rejoice always. And again I say, rejoice. You see, at the time that he wrote the letter to Philippians, he was himself a prisoner in Rome. Now, in fact, he he faced a trial soon. He might be acquitted, but more likely he might be beheaded. And in fact, history does record how that later he was beheaded for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

At one time he had written to the Romans in Romans chapter 1 how his intended purpose was to go to Rome, but to go there as a preacher of the gospel, he went to Rome as a prisoner because of the gospel that he preached. In fact, not only was he a prisoner at Rome at this time, and under circumstances that he had not really wished for, even some of the Christians there seemed to make his situation even more difficult. In Philippians chapter 1, he spoke about some who supposed to add affliction to his bonds. Can you imagine, fellow Christians, being jealous or envious of Paul? Not only glad he was in prison, but even wishing that maybe it could be worse somehow upon him. And yet, in spite of his danger, in spite of his discomfort, the apostle Paul overflowed with joy, as expressed in this letter.

Surely all of us ought to want to know what was the secret of that. How is it that the apostle could find the fullness of joy? Well, I think there’s another word in the book of Philippians that also is a key to helping understand how he found joy. And even as expressed it in Philippians chapter 4 and verse 7, a peace that surpasseth understanding. How did he find it? Well, the other word that is in this book that is a key word is the word mind. Mind. Ten times he uses the word mind, and then the word think five times. When you couple with that the word remember another time, some 16 different references to the mind. How we think.

What are his attitude? Well, how does he look at things? Someone has said, well, outlook often determines outcome. In fact, a proverb, the wise man in Proverbs 23 and verse 7 said, as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he. You see, the book of Philippians, while it is a book that encourages us to rejoice in the Lord and to think on those things that are high and heavenly. I would have to say early on, but it is not a shallow self-help book that tells the reader to convince himself that everything is going to turn out all right regardless. It isn’t that point of view. In fact, from a physical point of view, you’d have to say things didn’t turn out right from the Apostle Paul.

He was put to death and he was beheaded. And yet, there is something about the attitude of the mind that he had toward God and toward the Christ that enabled him to write, rejoice in the Lord always. And again, I say rejoice. And then two verses later in Philippians 4 and verse 6, the King James says, Be careful for nothing. You may have a translation that says, Don’t worry. Literally, that’s what he’s meaning. In nothing be anxious, one translation renders it. But in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving. Let your request be made known unto God. And the peace of God which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. You see, this is a book that really explains how the attitude of the mind that a believer must have if he is going to experience joy in this world that is filled with trouble.

How can we develop this? Today, I want to begin a series of lessons from the book of Philippians, as you might have guessed. And I’d like to really take one chapter at a time. In other words, Lord willing, next Sunday I’ll be talking about particularly verses that are found in chapter one, the following chapter two, the next Sunday, chapter three, and the next Sunday, chapter four. But I want to kind of give you an overview of where we’re headed in these lessons, and I hope to quicken your interest so that you’ll not only read in advance what we’re be talking about, but also that it’ll make you want to come each time. For you see, what he tells us in this book is the key to this peace of God that’s surpassive understanding.

1. The Thieves That Rob Us of Joy

Now, frankly, first of all, if we’re going to understand the peace, perhaps we need to first of all look at the thieves that rob us of joy. What is it that makes sometimes people always in a mood of downtrodden and discouraged and feeling as though things just aren’t going right and there’s nothing good to be spoken of. You’ve no doubt seen people who always go with a scowl on their face, who always find trouble, who always look as though the sky is falling, the sky is falling. But in reality, the Apostle Paul didn’t look at things that way. You see, really, there are some thieves that do rob us how we think about things. For example, we need to evaluate the thieves that do rob us of joy.

There are four different things I’ve listed here. Sometimes circumstances rob us of joy. It is true that most of us are happier when things go our way. I mean, you know, if everything is just right, you’re in good health, the sun is shining, and you don’t have any overriding bills, and people seem to love you, and just great. Oh, that’s it’s easy to be happy on those days, isn’t it? But look how many things there are over which we have no control. There’s some circumstances in life that we cannot control. The weather. You and I are blessed today in this good city. I mean, it’s beautiful outside, but if you’ve looked at a weather map or talk to anybody who lived just a few miles north of us and west of us, you know there are some people having a cold rainy day.

Almost down to zero in some places. Now, would you like to be in weather like that today? And no doubt there’s some people who may look forward to that, but there are others who think, oh man, this mushroom wet weather. And we complain we have no control over it. We’re in the circumstance. I mean, traffic can get us down. I have to acknowledge that if anything’s gonna kind of get me upset the quickest, it’s being in traffic. You ever got up to a red light? I mean, first of all, people who ride with me know that I avoid every red light I can. I think it’s a waste of time. But um, if I can go around a corner and miss a red light, I’d I’d do that.

But on the other hand, there are times you’ve come to red lights, and you ever get behind the person and the red light, it finally changes to green. And that person is busy either talking on the phone or reading something, and they don’t go. You ever have to honk your horn? Does it get you frustrated? It gets me frustrated. Because I’ve got a purpose to be in the car, I’m trying to get somewhere and I don’t want to waste time. But you know, you can’t change the circumstance. Why is it that even today there’s some violations? You know, we we’ve got some traffic rage and people have been shot and killed. Because people got frustrated at their circumstances. Indeed, not only the weather and the traffic, sometimes what things other people say, or what they do, they upset you.

You can’t control them always. Maybe you’ve got the kind of neighbor who wants to put a fence up and he puts it about six feet on your property and he builds it Sahara. What if, you know, there’s always somebody who finds reasons to sue, and and they’re just things that are constantly upsetting. Injustices, even many times. But those are the circumstances. Do they not upset us? Yes, they do. They are a thief that robs us of peace and joy. I mean, people sometimes do that to us also. I mean, they’re just what the selfish greed of other people is often that uh uh uh uh uh uh obvious the the sharp tongue somebody says something without thinking, they don’t really know the situation you’re really in, and they maybe run a criticism that is undeserving, or maybe just some inconsiderate action that’s hurt our feelings.

I mean, sometimes it’s not even intended feelings of hurt. I’ve had people say, in fact, uh one occasion I have to say this, uh, I got a letter about six months ago from a man who had visited from another state, and he wrote and wondered why I hadn’t spoken to him. And his feelings were obviously hurt. I had to write him back, but obviously I, you know, I I didn’t intentionally pass up anybody. I’d speak to everybody here, but you know, it’s sometimes that’s physically impossible. Fortunately, he wrote me back and said, Well, he was sorry he’d misunderstood. I don’t know the occasion. I didn’t remember him exactly, but you know, people sometimes get their feelings hurt over things you may not even intend, and sometimes they intend.

Maybe you heard the story about the little boy in this elevator that was just packed. You ever gotten in a packed elevator and all of a sudden this real heavy set lady in front of him screamed out, Houch! She looked at the mother and said, Your son just bit me. She turned to the little boy and said, Did you bite her? And he said, Yes, that she sat it on me and I bited her. Well, sometimes there are people that just get in our way. And they’re they cause us to be robbed of joy, peace, happiness. But not only people, not only circumstances. Sometimes it is true that just things. Things, the storing of possessions, may within itself rob us rather than make us wealthy. There are those who think, boy, you’re really successful if you you’ve got wealth.

You’ve got all the money you make, and you but often sometimes those who are making a lot never get satisfied with it. They never learn contentment. They’re always concerned about what they have and how other people are trying to get it from them unjustly or whatever. And there are a lot of problems that come with wealth. But worse than that are those who have found themselves never ever content. Covetousness, the story Jesus taught in Luke chapter 12, to beware of covetousness. And he illustrated how the rich farmer who’s ground brought forth plentifully, and all he could think of was, what will I do? I’ll I build greater barns and I’ll store them up and there, I’ll store my goods, and then I’ll say to my soul, Eat, drink and be merry.

You have many goods laid up for many years. Looks like he’s got it made, doesn’t he? You know the rest of that in Luke 12. This night shall thy soul be required of thee. And then who shall these things be? That you provide. You can’t take it with you. So even the storing up of things isn’t necessarily in itself success at all. It isn’t wrong to be rich because indeed the Lord taught how that those that are rich in 1 Timothy chapter 6, 17 and 18 could distribute what they had and bring a blessing to God. God has given us things to enjoy. But our focus on them. What is our attitude toward them? Things can indeed cause us problems and sadness. And we’re never quite satisfied.

The story told of Abe Lincoln. He had a couple of little boys that he was with, and they were crying and fussing with each other, and someone asked him, Well, what are the little boys crying about? And he said, Well, he said, I actually said I have three walnuts, and they each want two. I can give them two apiece. Do people get like that? We sometimes are like that. I mean, just rather recently. I know a true story about a woman who just passed away a few months ago in her early 90s, and so her children are old enough. If she’s 90, you can imagine her children are old enough to kind of know. And it is said that her family had some stock, Coca-Cola stock from way back, and their family is worth something like 17 million dollars to divide it between these three children.

But one of the women, one of the daughters, was fussing because after she died, they got her first and beginning to separate and divide the actual cash that she had. And somehow or another she was fussing because it wasn’t equally divided. She missed a few pennies. Can you imagine people are that way? Yes, they are that way. Things sometimes don’t satisfy. We must learn to give what is temporal in order to gain what is eternal. That’s why Jesus said in Matthew 6, lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust doth consume and where thieves break through and steal, but rather lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth consume and where thieves do not break through nor steal.

Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

How do you think? What are you constantly concerned about? Is it something that you have no control over that you cannot change? Are you worrying about things that really you could not do or change at all? Worry indeed is probably the greatest thief of all. And it often results in physical consequences. There are those who are made sick. Now, sick with worry. Well, right. Doctors will tell you that there are many people who have some physical illnesses as the result of the attitude of worrying about things they have no control over. And really, medicine cannot remove the symptoms. It can remove the symptoms, but not the cause. I’ll say that better. It can maybe help a headache. It can help maybe relax you, but what the cause of many illnesses is really worry.

2. The Single Mind

But if anyone had cause to worry, would not Paul. When you stop and think, the apostle Paul in prison, hated by enemies who are not Christians, and even some who were Christians, supposed to add affliction to his bonds, facing possible death. And yet, he writes, rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I say rejoice. How is that possible? Well, I think as we look at the book of Olympians, and we can kind of take it one chapter at a time as we will, but let me suggest to you attitudes that really enable us to find the peace of God. We must develop in ourselves the attitudes that enable peace. And I call it first of all the single mind. In Philippians chapter 1 and verse 21, listen to what he says.

For to me to live is Christ. And to die is gain. Simply put, as long as I’m alive, my focus and my purpose has to do with the will of Christ. It has to do with him. He is first in my life. He is first in my thoughts. He is first in my prayer as I rise in the morning or as I go to bed at night. Indeed, I’m single-minded. Oh, there are activities in this life we have to deal with, obviously. When we’re young, we’ve got school, got tests, we have other things. As we are parents, even trying to help our children and deal with their problems and help them through life to grow up correctly. There are problems at work, there are problems at play, there are problems in politics, there are problems in, yeah.

We have other things that are on our minds. And it isn’t wrong to deal with the current events of life. We must. We must be a good husband and a good wife and good parents and faithful children. And there’s some obligations that have to do with this life, but underwriting all. What is our attitude toward the Lord? Toward Jesus Christ. In James chapter 1 and verse 8, the scripture says a double-minded man is unstable in all his ways. Jesus Himself said, You cannot serve both God and mammon. In other words, there’s one Lord. And what is foremost in your life above all else? What is the one single answer that you’d give to the question, what’s your purpose in life? What’s your main focus for life?

You have to stop sometimes and evaluate, where am I going? What’s my real point in living? We get all cluttered sometimes. There are some temporal goals that are right, as I just suggested with school and family and so forth. But there’s got to be an underlying goal above all other goals. And it’s only in them that I can finally really get focused for how to handle the temporal. In chapter 1, the Apostle Paul lives for Christ. You might find it interesting that Christ is named some 18 times in this one chapter. The word gospel some six different times. You were just counting.

And just these few verses. That he speaks about Christ and the gospel. This is foremost in his thoughts and his writing. I like the old proverb that says, when a pilot does not know which port he is headed for, there is no wind that is right. You think about that for a moment. If you don’t know where you’re going, there is no circumstance that can be right for you. You need to know where you’re going. The apostle Paul knew where he was going. To die is gain. Because to live is Christ. You see, Paul did not look at Christ through his circumstances, but rather he viewed his circumstances through Christ. Just the reverse. There are people who view Christ through their circumstances. There are those who say, Oh, how could a good God let this happen to me?

Oh, if Christ is really on my side, and they start complaining about things that have upset them in this world. And instead, just the reverse. What Paul would say is that I view my circumstances through Christ. When he addressed the letter to the church at Ephesus in chapter 3 and verse 1, he did not say, I’m a prisoner of Rome. He wrote, I’m a prisoner of Christ. He was in prison, all right, by the Romans, but it’s because of his love for the Christ. What’s foremost in his thought? Jesus, the Christ. And really, just want an analysis as you look through this book. Every verse starts each chapter, chapter 1. Paul and Timothy, the servants of Jesus Christ. Chapter 2 and verse 1, if therefore there be any consolation in Christ.

3. The Submissive Mind

Chapter 3 and verse 1, finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. Chapter 4 and verse 1, therefore, my brethren, dearly beloved, and long for my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. Emphasis upon Christ, the first verse of each chapter. Is that the way you speak and think? The emphasis is upon Christ. But not only must we have the single mind. From chapter 2, we’ll look at the submissive mind. In chapter 2, verses 3, really, through 8, the apostles said, Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory. But in lowliness of mind, let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.

Do you find it easy to submit yourself to others? Probably not. Very few do. In fact, uh, it is a problem in many marriages. And while the scripture may teach that a wife should submit under a husband, you know, it also teaches that a husband submits to his wife because he loves her as his own body. Submission. If we are really the servant of the Christ, there’s submission throughout the scriptures. We submit to the authority of the Lord. We don’t do our own thing always. In dealing with people, there is submission. Submit to your elders, the apostle Peter would write over and over. There is a sense of submitting. And that isn’t a sign of weakness, it is a sign really of strength. You know who you are.

And you have something about you that enables you even to yield unto others not to sin, but when they’re making things that are right for life. And you can yield your wants and desires to be with them. In fact, let me continue in Philippians 2. If you think submitting is hard one to another, he then says, Let this mind be in you, which also was in Christ Jesus. What did he do? Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God, but made himself of no reputation and took upon him the form of a servant. Was made in the likeness of men. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

He humbled himself. The reason others aggravate us is usually because we do not have our way. And when we don’t have our way, we react, or the world often reacts, at least, like that little boy in the elevator. He bitter. And we bite back, evil for evil. I mean, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, we often would do. But look at the message here. Just the opposite of maybe what is natural instinct. Even as Jesus would say, Love your enemies and pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you. That didn’t come natural, does it? But if you really want to understand the love of God, and you really want to understand a way that will bring you happiness. Do unto others as you’d have them do unto you, he said.

Those are the principles that really, when we find to live for Christ, change the whole scenery for ourselves. Submissive mind, learn to count others better. That is, learn to put them first. Learn to walk in their shoes. Would you want to be in their shoes? Would you deal with them? As you would want to be dealt with if you were in their shoes. Learn to lift them up. Learn to think of them, not self first, but others first. Only then will you begin to understand something about the peace that surpasseth understanding. We’re going to talk more about it, of course. But when we observe chapter two, we’re going to learn how that even Paul himself, how that as Christ himself gave his life, so Paul, chapter 2, verses 17 and 18 spoke about how he was in prison for their sakes, even.

4. The Spiritual Mind

As an encouragement to them to stand steadfast in the Lord. In the same chapter, verses 20 through 22, he spoke about Timothy. He said, I have no other man who’s like-minded. Everybody else wants their own thing, but Timothy will do what is best for me. He’s my faithful servant. And then he closes chapter 2 with Epaphroditus, who had endangered his own life to bring the gift that the church of Philippians sent. I mean, example after example after example of people who are thinking of others first. But then when we come to chapter 3, we’re going to learn an attitude that really, bottom line is we call it the spiritual mind, the spiritual mind.

I mean, you could say chapter 1 with Christ being first as the spiritual mind, but in contrast to that in Philippians chapter 3, looking at verses uh 13 through 17, he said, Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended, but this one thing I do. Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded. And if in anything ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, whereunto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so, as you have us for an example.

What is it? Now you notice in verse 19, he talked about some who mind something else. He talks about those who are the enemies of the cross of Christ in chapter 3 and verse 19. Whose end is destruction, he says, whose God is their belly, whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things. Boy, that hits a lot of people today. God is their belly. He’s not only just this stomach that we’re having. We’ve seen the same. All they’re thinking about is the material. They’re thinking about me and mine and now.

They call evil good and good evil. And though they may rejoice in things of this world that got the wrong idols. In fact, he says of them, they mind earthly things. Things, by itself, things can be good if used properly. But things must be spiritual in their nature to be good. The word things is found eleven times in chapter 3. There are those who mind earthly things and to their their own, their own destruction. Be like the apostle would say, pressed toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. In chapter 3, verses 20 and 21, he says, Our conversation or our citizenship, literally, is in heaven. From whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he’s able even to subdue all things unto himself.

Right now, our nation’s in a political turmoil. And probably it has captured your minds as it has, I think, most of the country. It is important. And I’m concerned, and we ought to be praying, but righteous leaders will be our leaders. And that righteous judgments and laws shall be made. And I seek the peace that we now enjoy, that it continue, and that we not set ourselves on a course that is otherwise. But you know what? Whoever is the ruler. Even in a times where Roman government, a Caesar was at rule in the times of the New Testament, a wicked Pilate in charge at Jerusalem when Christ was crucified, yet the Christ Himself could have a joy. And he says, I give this to you too.

5. The Secure Mind

How? Because, as Philippians 3 would say, our citizenship, while we are in a temporal way here on earth, I’ve really got a higher goal. And I look forward to the time this vile body is changed into a glorious body of Christ Himself. Do you really think that way? Only as we grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord can we develop that kind of mind and attitude. But that underlies it all. If you really want to understand how to have a peace that indeed surpasses understanding. And you come to chapter 4 of Philippians, he talks about that secure mind. And that’s what we’re talking about. The kind of mind that has a sense of well-being, a sense of security. I won’t tell you. The first three attitudes, even if they are developed, we won’t have much trouble with this fourth one.

It’s a natural consequence. But try to start with this one, and the help is superficial. You want a peace that surpasseth understanding and not have a single mind, submissive mind, or a spiritual mind, it’s impossible. It’s impossible. In fact, when you read verses six and seven, as we did a moment ago, or maybe I start back with verse 4 where he says, Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, Rejoice. How’s that possible, Paul? Only because Paul could say, I may be in prison. But this isn’t my end. I’ve got a glorious end I’m looking for. Rejoice in the Lord always. May not be the circumstances I would have asked for. I wanted to come as a preacher. I’m here as a prisoner. People, yes, there may be some people that would seek to add to my afflictions, and I really wish it weren’t that way, but I rejoice that they’re preaching Christ.

You mean things uh are you really comfortable there? He wrote in 2 Timothy to hurry and bring his coat. Winter was coming. Well, there may be some things that in a temporal way that aren’t exactly like I’d want. But I can rejoice because of a single mind, the submissive mind, and the spiritual mind. Hence I could say, don’t worry. Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving. Let your request be made known unto God. This is a week. Thursday, we call it Thanksgiving Day. Sometimes I preach lessons the Sunday before. I chose not to this time, but simply to say that in one sense, I hope that every day is a day of thanksgiving for us. But especially you’ll let this day be not just for selfish goods.

Thank you, Lord. I got all this turkey to eat or whatever. But you’ll thank the Lord for the health, the peace of this country, and the many spiritual blessings you enjoy in Christ Jesus. I hope you can say it is well with my soul, as we did in the start. And truly, he said, let your prayer and supplication with thanksgiving be made to the Lord. And verse 7, the peace of God which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and your minds through Christ Jesus. Interesting. That Greek word translated keep literally means stand guard. It’ll stand guard. If we have this, then as verse 9 says, the God of peace will be with us. The peace of God will stand guard. And then the God of peace shall be with us, verse 9.

Conclusion

Where does all this start? Well, let me say, beloved, it begins first of all with being a Christian. As we conclude our service this morning, you may take your phone books out and turn to the number, Brother Hurrius announced. But let me say with you, and I know there are some in this audience who’ve never been immersed or baptized for remission of sins, that what we say, and as we go through the book of Philippians, it’s not going to mean much if you don’t live for Christ. If you’ve never really announced him as the Lord that you believe in to be the Son of God, if you’ve never really admitted your own failures, confessing your sins and repenting of them. You’ve never been immersed into the death of Christ, then you won’t find the peace that surpasseth understanding.

But then that’s the beginning point, too. And if you have been immersed or baptized for the remission of sins, as was announced on the day of Pentecost, the first gospel sermon in Acts 238. Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins. Even if you have done that, there’s a constant surrendering of your mind to Jesus Christ daily. Practicing and exercising the right kind of attitude. And when you do that, then you’ll find the deep joy welling up in your heart. Joy in spite of circumstances, people, and things over which you may now be worried. So, what about it with you? Is it well with your soul? Are you ready to meet the Lord? Should you hear the last trumpet sound at this moment?

You need, as a Christian who’s fallen away from the Lord to turn to him, once you come this morning repenting and confessing sins, we’ll pray with you. If you need to be a merciful remission of sins, we bid you come. Even now while we stand and while we sing.