3/17/2019

Pastor Rusty Milton

"Peace in Anxious Times"

Philippians 4:2-7 ESV

Peace comes when you look at very situation in life as being under God's sovereignty. In Philippians 4, Paul exhorts believers in the church to reconcile following conflict. Whatever the reason, dissension had sprung up in the Philippian church, and was robbing the believers of peace and unity (vs. 2) No matter how mature we may be, it's always possible for believers to lose the peace of the Gospel through sin. Reconciliation, however, is available when, rather than focusing on our pride, we focus on rejoicing in the Lord for the salvation available to us through Christ, and when we present our requests for reconciliation to God in faith (vs. 6-7). Anxiety will lead the best of people to simple sinful complacency, but persistent petitions to God will lead to the peace of Christ. As a body of believers, we must focus on repentance and humility before we seek unity.

Philippians 4:2-7 English Standard Version (ESV)

Exhortation, Encouragement, and Prayer

2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 Yes, I ask you also, true companion,[a] help these women, who have labored[b]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[c] 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.