The Recipe for Surpassing Peace

The Recipe for Surpassing Peace

Philippians 4:4-7

 

In Philippians chapter 4, verses four to seven, God gives us “the recipe for surpassing peace.” It is a recipe that promises peace that surpasses or transcends our understanding. It is a peace that God can give in the place of anxiety, and a recipe that I believe is essential for you and me.

 

Read: Philippians 4:4-7

 

In this recipe, you find a few essential ingredients: rejoicing always, rejecting anxiety, praying with thanksgiving, and peace of God that surpasses understanding. Peace is the result of the recipe, but the ingredients are key.

 The word “peace” is defined by most as the absence of trouble. The dictionary defines peace as: the normal, nonwarring condition of a nation, group of nations, or the world. I find it interesting that the definition of peace calls the “non-warring condition” of nations and the world as “the normal.”

 

Illus. 8%.

 

Though it may not truly be “the normal” in the world, for the Christian, peace can be. In the Scripture, the word “peace” is not applied situationally, but rather personally and is given despite what is going on around us or in our world.

 

John 14:27, Peace I leave you, My peace I give you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, nor fearful.

 

The world says, “no peace if there is trouble.” Jesus says, “My peace comes in the midst of trouble, so do not let your hearts be troubled!” If you search through the pages of Scripture, you will find nearly 400 verses associated with peace. This tells me that it is something important to our Lord.

That said, you could call the text we are in this morning, a “must have recipe” for you and me in times of worry and anxiety. We are going to look at each ingredient, beginning with rejoicing!

 

1. Make Rejoicing Your Go to Setting

 

Philippians 4:4-5, Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all people. The Lord is near.

 

• The word for “rejoice” used is chairo, which shares the same root word as joy, “chara.”

 

• The Greek word for joy is “chara,” which is a noun. It means joy, or gladness.

 

• The Greek word for rejoice is “chairo” which comes from that noun, but is a verb, an action, to be joyful, to rejoice, or be glad.

 

• Rejoicing is joy in action!

 

• The word “joy” in our English language is defined as an emotion of delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good.

 

• Biblically is applied differently. The definition carries similarities, “joy” here is a Greek word, “chara.” As defined it means joy, or gladness.

 

• While it carries a similar definition, the availability and application of joy in the life of a believer is not situational or based on circumstances.

 

• Paul uses the words for joy or rejoicing 16 times in the four chapters of Philippians.

 

• He started the book out that way, telling them about the prayers he offered for them with joy (1:4). He expressed his desire for their progress and joy (1:25). Also in chapter 1 that he rejoiced that Christ was being proclaimed, and state that he would rejoice going forward (1:18).

 

• In chapter 2, he wrote about his joy, calling them to make it complete in their unity and purpose in Christ, his joy in being poured out as a drink offering and called them to rejoice in the same way and share their joy with him.

 

• In chapter 3 he continued in verse 1, “rejoice in the Lord! To write it again is no trouble for me and it’s a safeguard for you.”

 

• Here in chapter 4, “rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say, rejoice!” (Verse 4)

 

• Keep in mind, Paul wrote this letter from prison. He was in chains, awaiting his trial before Caesar Nero. He did not know which way things would go, he could be released, or suffer the death penalty. Paul had experienced great difficulty, beatings, imprisonment, false accusations, shipwreck, snakebites, you name it.

 

• There he sat and wrote about joy and rejoicing, encouraging the church to do similarly. Based on this book, rejoicing seems to be Paul’s “setting” personally, regardless of his circumstances situationally. 

 

Illus. Joy.

 

2 Corinthians 6:10, Our hearts ache, but we always have joy.

 

• Paul was looking around, seeing his chains, not knowing the way things would work out for him physically, but he could trust in the Lord and his faith was firmly in Him.

 

Proverbs 15:15, A cheerful heart has a continual feast.

 

• Perhaps today there is not much you can look around and rejoice about in the world, perhaps you follow the peace index, and when the numbers look good, you rejoice, when they are down, you frown.

 

• That was Paul’s go to setting, the environment the temperature, or environment that surrounded his life, rejoicing!

 

Philippians 4:4, Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!

 

Illus. The correct setting.

 

• Paul points us again and again to the joy we have, and then tell us to rejoice again and again!

 

Illus. On repeat.

 

Philippians 4:4-5, Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all people. The Lord is near.

 

• Rejoice in the Lord, let your gentle spirit be known.

 

• “Gentle spirit” is also translated, “reasonableness, patience, or moderation.”

 

• You can make rejoicing your setting in any setting because the Lord is near.

 

• This leads us to the next step in the recipe for surpassing peace.

 

1. Separate Out All Anxiety

 

Philippians 4:6, Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

 

• The word for “anxious,” is worth our consideration, so that we can understand exactly what Paul is encouraging us to separate out in our lives.

 

• The Greek work here is meremnao. It is here translated “anxious,” and commonly translated into our English words worried, worry, or concern. To be anxious, troubled with cares or worry. It is used 19 times in the New Testament.

 

• The roots of this word are interesting as well. It comes from two root words together. The first means to tear, separate, or divide. The second, means the mind.

 

• Merizo (to divide, separate, cut into pieces), naus the mind…

 

• Interestingly, the same word used here by Paul, imploring us to not to be anxious, is the same word Jesus used regarding worry in Matthew 6:25-34.

 

Matthew 6:25-34

 

• Jesus said your father knows what you need…He didn’t deny need, or the reality that there are needs. He didn’t push past the situation or place it to the side. The needs were and are real…So is God. In the midst of your situation, know that He knows and let your trust and faith in Him grow..

 

• There are five times Jesus uses the phrase “you of little faith,” and in every case it had to do with worry, clothing, or life span (Matt. 6:30; 8:26; 14:31; 16:8; Luke 12:28).

 

• Jesus said, “do not worry.” Paul says plainly, “be anxious for nothing.” We are given these words by Jesus and Paul, because they knew that we would need to do with anxiety and worry when we come up against them.

Illus. Research.

 

Philippians 4:6, Do not be anxious about anything,

 

1 Peter 5:7, Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.

 

• Cast all your anxiety on Him. The picture is to throw upon or place those things upon Him. Things that cause anxiety come, but, the Bible tells us where those things need to go. In other words, don’t carry your cares, cast your cares!

 

• We are to separate out anxiety, throw it off, and give it to the Lord.

 

• How we do that is through prayer and petition, with thanksgiving!

 

• Mix In Plenty of Prayer and Thanksgiving

 

Philippians 4:6(b), …but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

 

• These are the first things we are to do with anxiety, prayer and petition; however, they often become the last things we do.

 

• Prayer and petition are two similar, but distinct words. Prayer is our opportunity to communicate with God, petition is asking God specifically for something, for Him to do something.

 

• There are many places, people, or things people can go to when sensing anxiety, but we are told to turn to the Lord.

 

Illus. A professional.

 

• We are called to be anxious for nothing, but pray about everything! Tell the Lord all about it, make your requests known to Him.

 

• As we pray, we are to mix in thanksgiving always.  

 

• So easy it is to find what is wrong, but thankfulness redirects us away from what is wrong, to the One who is right.

 

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.

 

• We see thanksgiving and gratitude throughout the Scriptures. Throughout both the Old and New Testament we are called to give thanks to the Lord.

 

Psalm 136:1, Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. (NIV)

 

• “Give thanks” is one word there, it is defined as to throw praise, to cast praise, to confess and offer thanks. It is a word found 114 in the Old Testament and whenever translated “give thanks” is associated with giving thanks to the Lord. In the New Testament “give thanks” is to express gratitude, to give thanks, to be thankful. It is a word again, when written, is associated with the Lord and giving thanks to Him!

 

• In our very own dictionary, the definition of “thanksgiving” reads this way… the act of giving thanks, grateful acknowledgment of benefits or favors, especially to God.

 

• It is interesting that in the Bible, thanksgiving is often tied to peace.

 

Colossians 3:15, Let the peace of Christ, to which you were indeed called in one body, rule in your hearts; and be thankful.

 

• After telling the church to give thanks in everything in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Paul points to the God of peace and His ability to set us apart completely, to keep us complete. And in verse 24 that God is faithful and He will do it!

 

• There are certainly circumstances, or seasons where it is easy to be thankful. But we are encouraged to mix it in to our lives always, even and especially in situations where we are lacking, or up against anxiety.

 

Illus. Thank you, Lord!

 

• Looking back at the recipe, mix plenty of prayer and thanksgiving, just let that simmer indefinitely.

 

1. Rely on God for the Results and Timing

 

Philippians 4:7, And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

 

• In verse 7 we are given the results of the recipe…Peace that surpasses understanding.

 

• Peace depicts a freedom of the mind from annoyance, distraction, anxiety, obsession. It speaks of security, safety, prosperity.

 

Illus. “Shalom” and “Eirene.”

 

 

• We understand peace with God (the peace that assures our soul of salvation made possible by and through the finished work of Jesus Christ, given when one believes in Him as Lord, Romans 5:1), and here, the peace of God.

 

• The peace of God is what is spoke about here, it is a peace given that we simply cannot comprehend.

 

• It is the peace that comes from the One we know works all things together for good (Romans 8:28). It is not self-generated, outside of circumstance, it comes from God alone.

 

• And it is that peace that makes no sense given the circumstance, but for some reason, there is a peace. 

 

• We need to pursue the proper source for peace, because trying to find it through any other source or solution will leave us empty, and ultimately lacking peace.

 

Quote: Peace is not the absence of trouble, it’s the presence of God. – J Oswald Sanders

 

• It is beyond understanding or comprehension, promised to those who pursue Him by prayer and petition.

 

• And this peace of God given, in addition to it’s being beyond comprehension, is a peace that will guard your heart and mind.

 

• The word guard depicts military action. It is on guard over your heart and mind.

 

Colossians 3:15…Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…and be thankful!

 

• That word “guard” is a military term that means to surround or protect. The picture for the church at Philippi would be of Roman guards who maintained watch, protecting and guarding the city from any outside attack.

 

• God’s peace is like soldiers surrounding the hearts (the control center of our emotions), and our minds (our thoughts). His peace then, acts as a shield.

 

• God gives it the peace as we pursue. We continue to pursue then until the Lord does what only He can do and gives what only He can give…The Peace of God. . So, draw near to Him, and He will draw near to you. His very peace will begin to guard you.

 

Illus. Turn your eyes.

Philippians 4:4-7

4Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! 5Let your gentle spirit be known to all people. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.