6 Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy— meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

The Peace of God Philippians 4:6-9

6 Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy— meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

Peace of God (v. 7) Clarke- That harmonizing of all passions and appetites which is produced by the Holy Spirit, and arises from a sense of pardon and the favour of God Henry- the comfortable sense of our reconciliation to God and interest in His favour, and the hope of the heavenly blessedness, and enjoyment of God Thayer defines - the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is"

Consider Pauls state at this point, he is in prison awaiting trial in Rome. The main theme of this book seems to be about being joyous 4:4. Paul exhorts the Philippians to have the peace of God. He speaks to his contentment in other passages Philippians 4:11; 1 Tim 6:8 Some believe Paul to have written Hebrews and the Hebrew writer also speaks about contentment Hebrews 13:5

6 Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy— meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

Far above understanding. Isaiah 55:8-9 for as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways and thoughts than yours Peace that the world cannot provide John 14:27 Peace does not mean total separation from tribulations John 16:33 It means we can have a confidence within us that will comfort our hearts and our minds Christ, who brought us into his favor will keep our understanding, judgement, & conscience in a safe place Romans 5:1, being justified by faith we have peace with God through faith in Christ Confidence that God is in control and He will deliver the promises to us that He has made How can we achieve this peace? Biblical commentary in this passage on how to do so!

Obtaining the Peace of God 1. Peace Through No Worry

6 Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy— meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

1. Peace Through No Worry A.Greek merimnao “troubled with cares, pulled in different directions, strangled” B.Worry shows lack of trust in God’s power to provide C.One has peace of God through complete trust in God D.Anxiety cannot change the state or condition of anything from bad to good, but will infallibly injure your own souls- Clarke E.Jesus implored disciples to avoid anxiety & needless worry (Matthew 6:19-34) F.Jesus said ‘Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.’ (John 14:1) G.1 Peter 5:6-7, cast cares upon God

6 Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy— meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

Obtaining the Peace of God 1. Peace Through No Worry 2. Peace Through Prayer

A.Imperative to make requests & needs known to God B.Must be earnest, continual prayer to God C.Paul prayed 3 times for thorn in flesh to be removed (2 Corinthians 12:7-10) D.Realize God won’t always remove problems E.Cannot make habit of only going to God when needs arise F.Must give thanks always 1.For blessings 2.Temptations avoided 3.Troubles relieved G.Always given to prayer! (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

6 Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy— meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

Obtaining the Peace of God 1. Peace Through No Worry 2. Peace Through Prayer 3. Peace Through Meditation

A.Focusing on righteousness and Godliness B.True- in accordance with God’s commandments C.Noble- those things becoming of Christians D.Just- those things pertaining to justice and righteousness E.Pure- those things that keep one pure in sight of God, both physical and mental F.Lovely- things that will make us loved & well spoken of G.Good report- things that are publicly known as respectable H.Any virtue- anything pertaining to moral excellence I.Praiseworthy- brings forth thanksgiving and happiness J.Meditate on these things to renew your mind (Romans 12:2)

6 Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy— meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

Obtaining the Peace of God 1. Peace Through No Worry 2. Peace Through Prayer 3. Peace Through Meditation 4. Peace Through Doing

A.Do things learned, received, heard, & saw in Paul B.Paul said follow my example (3:17) C.Paul imitated Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1) D.Example is binding as authority! E.Be doers & not hearers only (James 1:22-23) F.Have active faith (James 2:14ff) G.Jesus demanded action (Matthew 7:21-27)

Obtaining the Peace of God 1. Peace Through No Worry 2. Peace Through Prayer 3. Peace Through Meditation 4. Peace Through Doing