The Secure Mind

Introduction

Indeed, because he lives, life is worth the living. All fear is gone. What a wonderful thought and faith to have that Christ indeed came and that he lived and died and rose from the grave and is now at the right hand of God. We’re glad that you could come this morning and like to encourage you to open your Bibles to the book of Philippians, the fourth chapter of the book of Philippians. I know we have several visitors in our audience today, and I might say to you that today is the last in a series of lessons that I’ve been preaching through the book of Philippians. And I think really you might say the climax or the summation of what our theme has been in these studies.

From the very start of our lesson, we introduced how the book of Philippians is a book that has to do with rejoicing in the Lord. In fact, in chapter 4, verses 6 and 7, the apostle writes, to be careful or be anxious for nothing. That is, don’t worry. 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. How is it possible to have the peace of God that is beyond understanding for others? That men do not comprehend those who are not in the Lord, who do not have the sense of understanding that even those who are in Christ really have.

Four short chapters. But also another emphasis is on the attitude of the mind, what we think. And as we go through the book, we’ve been talking about the different kind of attitudes that one has in order to have a peace that surpasseth understanding. We’ve talked in chapter one how that we must have the single mind to live is Christ, to die is gained. In chapter two, the submissive mind, to let this mind be in you, which also was in Christ Jesus. Though he existed in the form of God, he thought it not robbery or thing to be held on to. But he emptied himself. He submitted himself, and we ought to be submissive, first of all, to God, but then one to another, to count others, even before self.

And then last Lord’s day from chapter three, we talk about the spiritual mind. That is the attitude that understands heaven’s laws, because our citizenship is in heaven. Philippians chapter 3 and in verse 20. We view earth from heaven’s point of view. Really, when you read through the book and you understand the background of the time, one might wonder, how could Paul write about joy or rejoicing? There are those a day who seem constantly to have in their minds the complaint and always looking at the dark side of things. And always finding things for which to moan and groan and to be unhappy about. Here was Paul. If anybody could have been unhappy, you’d say it should have been him. He was in prison when he wrote this letter.

In fact, in chapter 1, he not only was in prison, but he said some of his own brethren were seeking means by which they might add afflictions to his bonds. Some of your own brethren would even think that maybe Paul didn’t have enough bad in his life. We’ll see if we can make it worse for him. And yet Paul could say, I rejoice. At least they’re preaching Christ. So they might understand Paul as they should. They’re preaching Christ, and in that point I rejoice. How is it that Paul could rejoice? And yet, very clearly as he goes through this letter, he gives us some keys. That we too might be able to look at life and the circumstances or the things that are existing in our life that have troubled us, even when people may misuse us or say things about us that are not true, that still we can have a sense of joy in the Lord.

Really, when you look at this chapter in verse chapter 4, verses 1 through 9, we want to talk today what we’ve described as the secure mind. The secure mind. You know, when he said in verse 6, don’t worry. What is worry? You ever worried? Probably isn’t an adult in this audience, but who could say at some point in my life, I’ve been worried about something. Literally, the Greek word that is in verse 6 that is translated in the King James Version, be not careful, or be careful for nothing. In the American Standard is translated the word anxious. Maybe you have a translation that goes ahead and says, Don’t worry. That’s literally the meaning of it. The Greek word that is here translated careful or anxious, literally means to be pulled in different directions.

That’s what worry actually is. To be pulled in different directions. Our hope sometimes pulls us in one direction. Our fears pull us in the opposite direction, and consequently, we’re pulled apart. The old English root word for worry literally means to strangle. And if you’ve ever really worried, you know how it can strangle. Worry has caused many physical consequences, headaches, indigestion, even ultimately ulcers and other bodily pains. Worry is the greatest thief of joy. But it is not enough simply to tell ourselves, quit worrying. Ever had somebody tell you that? Well, how do you quit worrying? You ask. Worry? Well, it’s something that really is an inside job, as someone said. It really takes more than just good intentions to quit worrying. It has to do with an attitude.

And really it’s based upon an attitude toward God. As we’ve gone through this letter that the apostle wrote, a rather brief epistle, yet there’s so such key admonitions that tell us how it is possible to have a peace of God and do so without worry. The antidote, the secure mind. For as he says in verse 7, if one has the peace of God, it’ll guard us. But in verse 9, the peace of their God of peace shall guide us, shall be with us. Let’s analyze the chapter, if you would, at least the first uh nine verses of Philippians chapter 4, and see how the apostle lays out some very basic principles to how we can not worry, but have a peace of God that surpasseth understanding.

First of all, in verse 1, he says, Therefore, my brethren, dearly beloved, and long for my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. I beseech you, Odious and Beseech Synticae, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. And I entreat thee also, true yoke fellow, help those women which labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow laborers, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord always. And again I say, rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Looking at these first five verses, I believe you might set forth a you may be an outline of how it is that one really ought to rejoice, to rejoice in the Lord.

1. Stand Fast in the Lord

First of all, in verse 1, he says, stand fast in the Lord. I’ve noticed or noted on our chart. When you think about the very first lesson that we talked about, having the single mind. When the apostle wrote in Philippians 1 and verse 21, for to me to live is Christ. To die is gained. There’s an attitude that what is foremost in one’s mind is to serve the Lord. My life surrounds Christ and his will in my life. In fact, to stand fast, as found in verse 1 of chapter 4, literally means to be firm in your faith. To live for Christ is to say, What is the will of the Lord? Is what I will do. Jesus Himself said, Why call me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say.

So there is the attitude that says, Lord, what is your will? As we open the pages of God’s word, the attitude is not, Lord, this is what pleases me, and I hope you like it, but just the reverse. It is, Lord, whatever is your will, is what I want to do. As the apostle wrote in 2 Timothy chapter 1 and verse 13, hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me in faith and love, which is in Christ Jesus. The whole fast, the form of sound words is literally to say, let’s do what the Bible says without addition, without subtraction. To speak as the oracles of God, so to speak.

There would not be the kind of religious divisions that exist even in our society today. Those who claim to believe in the Lord, to live for Christ, would find the unity because we’re standing fast. We have the Bible for what we do, and that only without addition, without subtraction. The prophet Isaiah in Isaiah chapter 32, verse 17, actually set forth a standard that we might say and analyze in this chapter that if we’re really going to have the peace of God, it’s going to be developed by right living. In Isaiah chapter 32 and verse 17, the scripture says, the work of righteousness shall be peace. And the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever. You think about that for a moment. The work of righteousness. When I do God’s will in God’s way, shall be peace.

What’s the effect of it? It shall be quietness and assurance. But just in contrast, in Isaiah chapter 57, verses 20 and 21, the effect of wickedness. He says, But the wicked are like the troubled seed when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace, said the Lord to the wicked. If you really want to have a sense of peace and well-being, then let your life be governed by the righteousness which is in Christ Jesus. If you’re living life selfishly, selfishly, just simply to do your own thing, and to please your own fleshly lust, then my friend, you’ll never have the peace of God that surpasseth understanding. In fact, the wicked may look for a period of time as though they’re prospering.

It may look like they live in the finest homes and drive the best autos, and oh it may look like they’re living it up. But I want to tell you, there comes a time where there is no peace. There comes a time when there’s the reality. It’s sort of like the fellow who has the hangover. You know, he may think it’s a great time to go out and get drunk. But there sure is a sad day when the hangover is there. It doesn’t really drown away the troubles. It only creates more. And so it is by living selfishly and doing your own thing. They may bring into your life many sorrows. Sometimes there’s divorce. Sometimes there are men and women who greedily seek what you may have.

2. Be of the Same Mind in the Lord

You may have made a lot of money, but you’re constantly having to fight to keep it governed, not letting the thieves get it from you. There are times when evil men treat you because you’ve treated them evilly in return. They do unto you like you’ve done unto them. Those who are wicked have no peace. They’re like the sea when the waters roll in the time of storms and it only cast up mire and dirt. Finally, it is of no good, of no value. Learn the principle of the single mind to live is Christ. To seek his word and to do his will. But then also what that accomplishes is that others who are of that mind, there should be unity. In verses 2 and 3, when he said, I beseech you, Odis and I beseech Synthetic that they be of the same mind in the Lord.

There is not certain. There are those who have analyzed this particular verse and thought perhaps even in the church at Philippi that there was some sense of strife and contention that was existing there. And maybe even as you relate back to chapter 2, when we talk about the submissive mind, that Paul was in view of the fact maybe of what the Odis and Synthetic maybe had some strife among them. So that when Paul spoke in Philippians chapter 2, let nothing be done through strife or vain glory, but in lowliness of mind, let each esteem other better than themselves. When he said, Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others, that he was saying, Look, brethren, there ought to be unity.

Don’t be selfishly holding your ideas and what you want ahead of others. Be willing to be submissive. And if you ever get the thought, well, what about my rights? You know they misunderstand me, and I have a right to be this or that, and look at me, and he would say, Well, what about Christ? In Philippians chapter 2, verse 5, he said, Let this mind be in you, which also was in Christ Jesus. Now, when you think about his rights, he was in the form of God. He was in with the characteristics and the qualities of deity. Yet he emptied himself. He took upon him the form of a servant. He came in the likeness of man. He humbled himself. Not only did he humble himself to be as a human, walking with us, though God with us, yet how he lived.

Humbled himself from his birth and throughout his life, ultimately, even in his death on the cross, he despised the shame of it. Yet he did that. Because it was the will of God, the means and the only means by which forgiveness of sins might be provided for you and for me. He gave himself, the scripture says in verse 8, he humbled himself even obedient unto death. Even the death of the cross. Now when we start thinking about my rights, let’s look at our Savior. And then therefore, what did he do for others? Died for others. Someone has said, even as children might sing, how do you spell joy? J-O-Y. And it’s kind of a little acronym, but maybe you can’t remember that the J stands for Jesus first in our life.

O stands for others next in our life, and the Y stands for you. Who’s last? It’s me. J-O-I. You really want to learn to be happy? Then learn to put others first. Stand fast in the Lord, be of the same mind in the Lord. There ought to be a unity among brethren. If we keep our eyes on the cross rather than on self, we’ll not have the kind of division and the and the kind of criticisms that sometimes are floating around among brethren, even. Sometimes where there you find churches that are having division and you call it over personality problems and you wonder what’s happening here, is it not that there are some selfish people who’ve taken their eyes off the cross of Jesus Christ and gut it on them and themselves?

3. Rejoice in the Lord Always

We ought to be united in the Lord. But you notice in verse 4, he says, uh Philippians chapter 4 and in verse 4, rejoice in the Lord always. And again I say, rejoice. It may to some seem rather mockery to even say you ought to rejoice. But to say, rejoice always. I mean, to some people to say rejoice anytime sounds like mockery. How could you say, rejoice always? And yet here is one in prison. Misunderstood and evil spoken of by his own brethren. Certainly hated by those who were not his brethren. That’s why he’s in prison. Facing ultimate death at the hands of the Romans, and though he did not deserve it, we know ultimately he was beheaded. By tradition it is said. How could he write, rejoice always?

I want to say to you, my beloved, the essential part is the expression in the Lord. In the Lord. And if you’re in the audience this morning and you’re wanting to learn, well, how can I really be happy and rejoice? And yet you’re an unbeliever. You haven’t put Christ first in your life. You’re not really saying, Lord, what is your will? And I’m trying to do it. Let me tell you, all that we’ve said or will say from this lesson will be of no value to you. If you’re not willing to put Christ first and to say, Thy will be done, you’ll not find the ability to have joy in the Lord. Anytime, much less all the time. Rejoice in the Lord. Well, the expression in the Lord says something about our relationship with Him.

How do you rejoice in the Lord? Well, the very basic would be, how do you become a Christian, really? Passages like Galatians chapter 3, verses 26 and 27. The apostle wrote for by faith, ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. By faith in him. Do you believe that he is the Son of God, that he was born of a virgin? Do you believe that Jesus Christ lived as a man on this earth, and by the miracles and wonders and signs that God did by him proved himself to be the Son of God? You believe that he was crucified, that he rose the third day. Well, faith in Christ carries all of those. It means to believe in him. But you know it means more than that.

There are some who say, Oh, yes, I believe. In fact, as you know, this is a time of year where there are probably many in some churches today who may not be back until Easter time, and then they wouldn’t be back again until next Christmas time, because they’ve been taught by the world, you know, this is a time we celebrate his birth, and Easter we celebrate his death. Well, I’ll say to you that actually we each first of the week, 52 times a year. Unless it’s leap year, maybe there’s 53 of those years, but we assemble together. And as we partook of the Lord’s Supper, what did we do? We kept in memory the life, the death, and the resurrection of Christ. We honor his birth.

But you know the Lord, not one time set up a single day as a holy day to be observed for his birth. No one knows really what date of the week or of the month of the year that he was born. If God had set aside a time for that, then we would make it a holy day because God would have made it a holy day. But since he did not. But isn’t it strange how there’s some people who say, oh, we love the Lord, but they don’t have time for him through the year. Just maybe once or twice a year, they assemble for worship, as though it’s an important time. You believe in the Lord. Faith in Jesus Christ says, let’s obey his word. Not just once or twice or when it’s convenient.

Standing fast in the Lord says, Lord, thy will be done. And it really starts as Galatians 3 27 says. For as many of you. Now if you really believe, who are the children of God? For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ. You want to rejoice in the Lord, then you need to put on the Lord. And the way to enter into the relationship with him is to be baptized in Him. You might say, Well, why baptism? And Romans chapter 6, verses 3 and 4 gives us the answer to that question. We’re redeemed by his blood. But his blood was shed in his death. And the Bible says, don’t you know, Romans 6 and 3, that as many of us as were baptized into his death.

Baptized into Christ, we’re baptized into his death. Therefore we are buried with him by baptism. Buried with him by baptism into death. That like as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Where do we reach his blood? It’s when we obey the commandments of the Lord. God’s the one who said, Here’s how. As we are buried into his death by baptism. Now you want to rejoice? Rejoice in the Lord? Are you a Christian? You’re not a Christian. Then there’s no way to have the peace of God that surpasseth understanding. What Paul says is there’s an attitude. I understand a relationship that makes a different point of view of all things that happen in this life.

Others may mistreat me. Others, the things around me, the circumstances may be not, may not be what I would wish. Even in a prison cell, I can find the sense of rejoicing. Because I have some values that are eternal in their nature. In fact, there’s the spiritual mind. As we’ve pointed out from chapter 3 in verses 20 and 21, he said, For our conversation, one translation better probably said, our citizenship is in heaven. From whence we also 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 is able even to subdue all things unto himself. There’s a whole different attitude toward life. When I view this life from heaven’s viewpoint.

Treasures that’ll perish and you’ll leave behind when you die? Or treasures that are eternal in heaven itself. What are you living for? You’ll have to said have to decide that. You know the answer of that by your own life. What’s the goal for your life? The spiritual mind says, heaven is my goal. I’m looking forward to being with the Lord. In fact, as the Apostle Peter wrote in 1 Peter chapter 1, verses 3 to 8, I’ve always thought it’s a it’s a good verse. You hear people say, you know something better felt than told? Peter said, We rejoice with joy unspeakable. 1 Peter 3 8. Now, unspeakable means you can’t put it into words. There’s no way to really describe it when he says, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto the living, or a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you.

Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein? Ye greatly rejoice. Though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaven through manifold temptations. But that the trial of your faith being much more precious than gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found under praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. In whom, though now you see him not yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. Oh, what a passage. Is that the sense that you have? I’ll tell you, when you put together the single mind, the submissive mind, and the spiritual mind, you’ll find in you the secure mind.

4. Let Your Moderation Be Known Unto All Men

There’ll be the result. As back in Philippians chapter 4 and verse 5, he would say, Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. The phrase in King James translated your moderation is in one translation said, Let your gentleness be known to all. Or let your forbearance, your forbearing spirit, the New American Center version gives it. There is an indeed an attitude that is gentle. Joy gives one an attitude of gentleness and mild manner toward others. The poise of soul enables one to sacrifice his own rights, not by necessity, but out of generosity and sympathy. You see, you take an attitude that says, the Lord is at hand. I mean, I’m not fighting this battle by myself. Trust in the Lord and faith in him and the relationship with him enables me to take a whole different point of view.

In fact, look over at verses 11 through 13, Philippians 4, verse 11. Paul can say, Not that I speak in respect of want, for I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound everywhere, and in all things. I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. But I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me. Content. Even when you’re suffering need, even when you’re abased. What do you mean, Paul? You see, the word contentment is not complacency. Nor does it mean there’s some kind of false peace that’s shallow based on ignorance. Paul says there’s something here because of Christ that enables me to be self-sufficient.

I can do all things through Christ, which strengthened me. It describes the word contentment, describes maybe the word contain. I am at peace with myself. The resources are really through Christ Jesus. You know, uh a tree. Maybe when a tree is young and the wind blows it one way, you sort of you see people get out and prop it up so it’ll grow straight. But the strength of that tree finally becomes its root system. If it’s really going to stand, it’s got to go down, doesn’t it? It has a good root system. And then when the winds blow, you don’t have to put a prop on it one way or the other. In effect, maybe as immature Christians, we need some props along the way. But as we grow in the Lord and we really develop the spiritual mind and we grow in faith and knowledge of Him, then our root system is in Christ Jesus.

5. Peace Maintained by Right Thinking

We depend not on just self, but we realize there’s more than just us fighting this battle. You think Paul felt alone in prison? He did not feel alone. And that’s why I could say, even though I am abased, and even though I’m a suffer need, I can sense or have a sense of joy. Because I know where I’m going. I have a destiny. And I know what really makes life worth living. And really, that says, furthermore, not only developing these minds, but the peace of God is maintained. Not only by right living is it developed, but it’s maintained by right thinking. Look how he concludes this thought here in these verses. We started with verse 6, where he says, now, be careful or be anxious for nothing.

Literally, don’t worry. How is that really possible? Aren’t we to be concerned about things? And I believe in the text we can say, yes, there’s a difference between the worry or being anxious and being concerned. No doubt the apostle Paul was concerned over his brethren. Why he wrote in Acts, spoke in Acts chapter 20, and in verse 31, how to the elders at Ephesus he was with them. He said, You remember I was with you night. I cease not to warn everyone night and day with tears. That shows some concern for his brethren. The fact there might be even false teachers who would rise among you. Be careful, brethren. When he wrote about the care of all the churches that he had on his heart, there was concern.

Indeed, we ought to have concern for spiritual matters. And there’s some concern even for daily provision. We’re not just to fold our hands and sit back and be lazy. Saying, well, you know, God will provide. He teaches us to work heartily as unto the Lord. There is some concern to provide for our families. We have some daily concerns, but the word worry, I think, carries the idea of the overwrought feelings about things you cannot change. It’s kind of like the you’ve seen the people. In fact, I guess yesterday I was kind of looking at the news talking about now, be nice to the ticket agent if you want to get on the plane. You know, they’re having some problems. And you’ve talked to Mike and Bruce Austin who work as ticket agents, you know there’s they’ve got some stories to tell you how ugly people can be about wanting to get on a plane and get a certain place and it’s like the ticket agent’s fault that there may be ice up in Chicago and the planes aren’t flying there right now.

Or there’s some mechanical problem and there’s a delay right now. I mean, why fret and fume over something you can’t change? Why get overaw and out of control and not contained when there’s nothing you can do about it? It’s not even the ticket agent’s fault. You may be like the person who stayed awake all night worrying about whether the alarm clock’s gonna sound on time or not. Ever done that? I’ve heard of people who’ve done that. You know, so what? Can’t change it, can you? Psychiatrist said reported that 92% of worry is over things imagined. 92% of worry is over things imagined, or things that never happened, or involve matters over which they had no control anyway. Why be worried about those kind of things? Somebody said there are two things you must never worry about.

You don’t worry about things you can help. Just do something about it. If you’re worried about freezing, just get up and put another blanket on top of yourself. Don’t worry about things you cannot help. Does no good anyway? So if you don’t worry about things you can help, and you don’t worry about things you cannot help, but whatever’s left over, you can worry about that. Which is really nothing, is it? Really, when we have the attitude in Christ. I can be contained. It may not be that everything is going exactly like I would want. Circumstances may not be exactly like I wanted. Paul wanted to go to Rome as a free gospel preacher. He went as a prisoner. It was not the circumstance he wanted. But you don’t find him fretting and fuming and complaining about it in that way.

He was able to make it turn for good. And there are things in our life. God hasn’t promised heaven on earth. In fact, he said, all who live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. There’s going to be some things in this life that are not perfect for you. But you have a perfect home to look forward to. That’s what he’s promised. And that’s what gives you self-containment. That’s what gives you contentment in Christ Jesus. Jesus said, in fact, in the great Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6, 31 through 34, take no thought, saying, What shall we eat, or what shall we drink, or wherewithal shall we be clothed? For after all these things do the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knoweth that you have need of all these things.

Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. Put on Christ first. Seek his kingdom and his righteousness, and these things shall take place. God’s providence is involved. In fact, here again in Philippians 4 and verse 6, he says, Be careful or don’t worry, but do what? But in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be made known unto God. Do what? Prayer and supplication? With thanksgiving. Yes, always there’s room to be thankful. Certainly for the gift of Christ and for the promise of heaven. There are things for which to be thankful always, for all things. If our attitude is right toward the Lord. In Psalm 145, verses 18 and 19. The psalmist said, The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him.

To all that call upon him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of them that fear him. He will also hear their cry and will save them. In 1 Peter chapter 5, verses 6 and 7, the apostle said, Humble yourselves, therefore, unto the mighty hand of God that he may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon him. For he careth for you. Do you really believe that? And spend time in prayer and supplication. Supplication is not just carnal energy, but it’s spiritual intensity. Fervent, earnest prayer of a righteous man availeth much. But then in verse 8, finally, he says, Philippians 4 8, finally, brethren. Whatsoever things are true. Whatsoever things are honest. Whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue and if there be any praise, think on these things.

What do you think about? We must realize that thoughts are powerful. They may not be able to be seen, they cannot be weighed, cannot be measured. But our thoughts. We need to bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ, Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 10 and verse 5. Whatsoever is true, you know, if we believe a lie, then Satan’s going to take control in. So think on things that are true. Whatever is honest and just. Focus your attention on things that are respectable, not that are unholy. What kind of thoughts do you have when you watch the kind of movies that are impure and modest and the kind of books that you read? Whatever is honest and just. Whatever is pure, lovely, and of good report.

Idea pure probably means that which is moral purity. Lovely means that which is beautiful and attractive, of good report. It’s worth talking about and telling others about.

What do you think about? Is it whatever possesses virtue and praise? These are the kind of things that motivate us to do better and is worth commending to others. Do not waste mind power on thoughts that tear one down. Or that would tear others down if these thoughts were shared with them. So, if we’re going to have right thinking, then don’t worry. But in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, make your request known unto God and think on these things. Then do you see what the finish is? In verse 9, those things which you have both learned and received and heard and seen in me, do, and the God of peace shall be with you. I tell you, beloved, when we have the secure mind, the peace of God guards you, verse 7.

Conclusion

And the God of peace guides you, verse 9. What kind of protection with that? With that kind of protection, why is there any room to work? Secure a sense of assurance in Christ? Absolutely. But you know, rejoice in the Lord. Now, if these things seem to sort of be over your head, you don’t quite comprehend them. Then maybe it’s because you’re lacking in either the spiritual mind or the submissive mind or the single mind. If you’ll start working on those, and develop that character in your heart and your life, and really learn to put Christ first, then you’ll find others who’ll say, Wow, I wonder what he’s got. I don’t understand how he can be at peace in circumstances like this. It’ll be a peace that surpasseth understanding.

Well, the lesson is yours. And the question is yours too. Are you able to rejoice in the Lord always? If not, is it that you need to do some changing in your life? If you’re one who’s maybe been immersed, but you haven’t been living like you know a Christian should live, and you need to openly repent, confessing your faults, that you brought shame and reproach upon the Christ, and you’ve discouraged others thereby in a public way. Why not? Confessing your faults, repenting of them. We’ll pray with you and pray for you. Or if you’ve never been immersed or baptized in the death of Christ, why not today? Start anew by obeying the Lord. If you’re subject to his invitation, we bid you come. While together we stand and while we stand.