September 1, 2024 Service
The Gospel is Peace.
Philippians 4:2-9 (ESV)
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.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 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.
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. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Paul shows us what a biblical pastors love looks like with affection and care for the health and unhealth of the church. He continues again this week to call for unity, this time between two women whom he has worked side by side with for the Gospel. It seems they are in disunity and it is hurting the gospel.
Paul outlines what it looks like to prayerfully take our anxieties to the Lord and enter true peace. He begins by telling us our foundation for joy is on what Christ has and is doing for us. He’s referring to specifics he has already named in the letter; 1) you are being made complete, 2) the gospel of Jesus is being preached, 3) you are being humbled, 4) God is working among you to work out your salvation, 5) you are His lights, witnesses in the world, 6) Chris is making himself known to you and you know him, and 7) you are a citizen of heaven. Gratitude over this gospel work in our lives produces joy, therefore we rejoice in the Lord because there is much to be grateful for. From this foundation we are to name our anxieties before the Lord, entrust them to Him, and then rely on His good and sovereign will over them. Paul establishes prayer as the antidote for moving our anxieties into His presence, work and Word and find peace in Him.
I offered a simple spiritual practice using Paul’s instruction from versus 4 – 8.
A Spiritual Practice Application
Rejoice – Remember what Jesus has already done for you with gratitude and joy
Don’t be anxious - Name your anxiety and what it is connected to
Pray about everything - Offer and entrust your fear-worry-anxiety to the Lord (Jesus)
With thanksgiving – Give thanks for his goodness, sanctifying work, and faithfulness
Think about these things – Name what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy next to your anxieties
Walking in true peace is found in Christ Jesus alone.
Peace is His name… ”His name shall be called, Wonderful Counselor, Almighty God, Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)
Peace is His offer… ”Peace I leave you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27)
He will guard you with His peace… ”and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7)
The Gospel is peace because the gospel is the good news about Jesus. And Jesus is the creator, giver, and sower of true peace.
Reflection
Are you aiding disunity in some way or contributing as a sower of unity?
What are your anxieties? What is God’s truth over it? Work through the words Paul uses in verse 8…what does God want you to hear from him with each one?
Peace is His name, Peace is His offer, and His peace will guard you. What does this mean to you? When have you experienced His peace? Give thanks
COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION
Read the passage for this week together: Philippians 4:1-9
Discuss how disunity brings chaos and disruption. What does Paul want us to do as a response? Think of anything you are currently seeing and discuss biblical application.
If gratitude is the foundation for Joy, how can we practice gratitude? How often are you grateful for what Christ has done and is doing as it relates to the Gospel working in your life?
Think about Paul’s instruction of prayer. What do you think about each of these and how do we apply them in prayer? What might be the outcome if we practiced this consistently?
Rejoice – Remember what Jesus has already done for you with gratitude and joy
Don’t be anxious - Name your anxiety and what it is connected to
Pray about everything - Offer and entrust your fear-worry-anxiety to the Lord (Jesus)
With thanksgiving – Give thanks for his goodness, sanctifying work, and faithfulness
Think about these things – Name what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy next to your anxieties
Talk about what it means to fully entrust everything to the Lord, Holy Indifference, wanting what God wants more than what you want. How do we do this in prayer? What might the outcome be?
“And the peace of God will be with you.” Share an experience when you moved from anxiety to God’s peace.
Spend time praying for each other and for our church to be reconciled in the ways God desires and for our witness to be made good, pure, and glorifying to the LORD.
Grace and peace on this journey together,
Chad Hollowell
Executive Pastor