Putting the Peace of God into Practice

We are continuing our theme of Growing in Gospel Gratitude. The title for today’s sermon is Putting the peace of God into Practice

How many of you here this morning enjoy a good movie, raise your hand? If I were a gambling man, my bet is that there are certain movies you enjoy over others – and there’s a good many movie categories. Some cinema categories are absolutely horrific while other categories of movies have a well thought out script that truly captures the hearts of generations of people.

One such fantasy novel series was the Lord of the Rings,

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…written by JRR Tolkien, which is an absolute masterpiece of a written work. Now, if you know anything about Tolkien, it makes sense why his work has been hailed by many as a masterpiece. It took him 12 years to write Lord of the Rings and 5 years to get it published!

Director, Peter Jackson, then took Tolkien’s work and made it into a 3-part movie series. It took him with his team 3 years to shoot the Lord of the Rings. This too has been hailed by many as one of the best cinematic fantasy masterpieces ever. I remember walking out of the theatre with a complete sense of awestruck wonder.

It was as though you were a part of the story – a part of the fellowship, as the director carried us along with Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli and the rest of the fellowship as they worked together to fight a common enemy (Sauron) to ultimately bring about peace in Middle-Earth. My bet is you felt every moment of adrenaline, every sense of sorrow or frustration…I love what one writer said about the plotline

“What is the message of The Fellowship of the Ring? The book is about power and greed, innocence and enlightenment. Ultimately, it describes a battle of good against evil, of kindness and trust against suspicion, and of fellowship against the desire for individual power. This is also a story about war, no doubt drawn from Tolkien's own experience in World War I.” (unknown author)

You see, peace had been disrupted in Middle-Earth and the fellowship had to gird themselves and get ready for an incredible journey to once again restore that peace to Middle-Earth, by taking the ring of power to Mount Doom and casting it in forever. The fellowship had to now put into practice what they knew had to be done. It’s a quite a fantastic tale, isn’t it?

The Christian life is so much more than that, Christian. It is an incredible journey in which you were handpicked by God Himself to be a part of the Body of Christ. And in this spiritual body we call the church we become a fellowship of light to deeply corrupted world, marred by sin. We face a common enemy – Satan. And our goal is to make Christ known to the lost before the Prince of Peace comes to establish himself upon this earth as King of kings and Lord of Lords. Because by then, it will be too late for them.

But in the meantime, we are in the waiting for our King, and he has given to each of us assignments. He has equipped us by his Spirit to complete the good work that he began in us. We not only make Christ known but we also tasked with the responsibility to mature together in our walk of faith together by reading what he has to say to us in Scripture and living out those holy affections.

Now, as we live out those holy affections, we understand that we are fallen – we understand that at times we can stand in the way of our own progress in this walk of faith first and foremost delivered to the saints, in which the peace that is supposed to rule and reign in our hearts can be disrupted by our own fallen condition

It is then that our pilgrim’s progress to make Christ known to others and even ourselves has its turbulence which has the potential to disrupt peace in the Body of Christ. And so by way of introduction, I hope for this morning to see…

3 ways we are called to pursue peace

I. Develop Peace Among the Believers (2-3)

Philippians 4:2-3 - I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord. Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. (stop)

I find the Scriptures so refreshing because God’s Word doesn’t shy away from true realities that can disrupt peace among the fellowship of light – in the church. So as we walk together to the celestial city of our God and King, inevitably we will find in ourselves pockets of turbulence in our Christian walk. I know that you know this.

We find such a case given to us in Scripture whom Paul highlights for us two ladies in the church - Euodia and Syntyche. Now, if this doesn’t arrest your heart for a moment, I honestly don’t know what will.

Allow me a few minutes to brief you on the nerve Paul is has pressed on. There were two ladies who were members of the Philippian church and fellow workers in the ministry alongside the Apostle Paul.

So then what was issue? Well…the problem was not an issue over doctrine. Had it been an issue of doctrine, wild horses would not have stopped the Apostle from making mention of it in this letter! So doctrinal error was not the problem these ladies had – they were united in doctrine, so we can check that off of the list.

The problem wasn’t that they were not serving – Paul just said in verse 3 that these ladies have “shared in Paul’s struggle in the cause of the gospel.” So let’s check that off of the list.

So then what was the problem? And the answer my friends lies not in the theological, but in the relational. Because in the realm of the relational between you and I, there is the potential to have clashes of personalities.^[1] And when there are clashes in relationship/personalities there’s disruption in the fellowship – there’s turbulence in the common cause for which you and I are a part of.

There’s something you and can learn here

“The tragic conflict between Euodia and Syntyche reveals that even the most mature, faithful, and committed people can become so selfish as to be embroiled in controversy if they are not diligent to maintain unity.^[2]” – John MacArthur

Those disruption do not just happen outside of the church, but from within the church – and it can be a tremendous danger to the cause of Christ to onlookers looking in upon the church to see if we are true bearers of the Cross – to see if we are a peculiar people in the world to which we hope that some will come in and say, “sir we wish to see Jesus…”

So Paul’s choice of words are emphatically robust – verse 2 “I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord.”

Paul has in mind our “manner of conduct. “Live in harmony in the Lord” That is to say, be of the same mind, ladies! Stop disrupting God’s people on the alter of your preferences! You see, doctrinal error isn’t the only thing that causes disruption among us, Christian. Our manner of behavior/conduct too has the potential to spill over to the church and devastate the testimony of peace that is unique/peculiar to the Body of Christ.

We don’t want to be called out ones known by our preferences per se or our personalities. I love how Alistair Begg framed it

The gospel does not erase our distinctions or our disagreements. In fact, the unity that God’s people share in the main things—the gospel of Christ and the truth of His word—frees us to acknowledge our distinctions and disagreements on secondary matters. Christian unity does not lie ultimately in our politics, our social status, or what color we think the carpet should be, but in the one whom we know to be “the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). (Alistair Begg)^[3]

Philippians 1:27 - Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel…

Ask yourself this question, should a clash of personality rise among fellow workers in the faith: Is our conduct consistent with what we believe or profess? How many people in this room right now are in harmony/peace with one another.

Listen to me: if you are not at peace with one another, today is the day to make it right. Today is the day to live in harmony with one another. It’s one thing to have a difference of personality. It’s one thing for a believers to lead said ministry different than another believer.

It’s quite another thing to be so divided under a common cause by virtue of our personalities that there’s a kind of clash that becomes an explosion among the people of God, leaving collateral damage of other saints in the church, taking sides here and there – and all of sudden – peace among the fellowship now become a war from within and spiritual casualties are inevitable…

And when we don’t put peace into practice, it’s that kind of disruptive conduct that is not worthy of the Gospel of Christ.

Transition: So Paul, is saying to develop peace among believers – get along! Next Paul says to…

II. Guard Your Heart with the Peace of God (4-7)

Take note of the imperative

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

In verse 3, the Apostle gathers other members of the church to help these two saints of light to get along – why because all of their names are written in the book of Life. It’s as though he said, set-aside your personality differences because there’s a far greater cause for which the two of you are striving together for.

Then he follows that up and says… “rejoice in the Lord; again I will say rejoice…” The emphasis Paul places on believers guarding our hearts is such that it can be easy to lose the joy of our salvation because of conflicts that may arise among each other. Don’t let trials/conflicts eclipse the joy given to you in Christ – you are doing a good work. It’s ok to have differences of personality – be of the same of mind – work for one common cause – guard your heart with the peace of God.

Philippians 4:6a - Be anxious for nothing…

Merimnao – means to be troubled with cares. Literally “to be divided or distracted” ^[4]

Do you know that worry can be infectious? How do I know this? Because Paul’s command is not just for these two ladies who were having trouble getting along, he wrote it in the 2 person plural – all of you, stop being so anxious! Stop being distracted!

That’s how bad the conflict became was that it not only caused anxiety and distraction between the two ladies, but this anxiety had spilled over into the church, causing many to be…distracted….to be divided.

I hope that’s not the case with us, my friends. I would hope to God that if you are an anxious person due to conflicts that have arisen in your heart which have in derailed your walk in Christ, it makes sense why peace is lacking in your life, especially if you can’t get along with other believer.

Just a footnote: You say, David – I get what you’re saying – You’re preaching to the choir! Ok! But sometimes, conflict is inevitable. Yes – there’s no question about that, sometimes conflict is definitely inevitable.

IN FACT, Paul knew this too! You say, what do you mean? Well, in the Corinthians church, there was a lot of conflict – there was a lot of difference/factions taking shape in the church.

Paul understood this, he understood the human condition. He understood that there would be people in the church that would indeed cause division in the body – so how do you sort out that mess?

And so Paul wrote this:

“For there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized.” – 1 Corinthians 11:19

Wait a sec – you mean to tell me that sometimes division is necessary? Well – yeah – sometimes it’s necessary? ANSWER. The MacArthur’s commentary on this passage said it well

“The worldliness and fleshly disobedience of those who caused the divisions would expose and highlight the love, harmony, and spirituality of those who are approved…Church division, ungodly and sinful as it is, nevertheless is used by the Lord to prove the worth of His faithful saints. In the midst of bickering and divisiveness they are separated out as pure gold is from the dross. Evil helps manifest the good. Trouble in the church creates a situation in which true spiritual strength, wisdom, and leadership can be manifested. (The John MacArthur Commentary: 1 Corinthians, p. 269.)

To put it simply, when conflict slam down upon the shore of your life, how do we bear up/respond to the conflict? Of course it’s uncomfortable nobody like the pressure of conflict…understand that God is working on our character.

Narrow this down a bit more. Are you a person characterized by peace? Or, are a storm of conflict and animosity such that even your loved ones don’t even want to be around you? If you name the name of Christ on your lips your lifestyle should reflect the kind of conduct that is worthy of the Gospel of Christ.

But if your lifestyle consists of a storm of conflict wherever you go, and you profess the name of Christ – may I submit that you read from the apostolic letter of 1 John 3:7-10?

1 John 3:7-10 “ Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous; the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother.”

The Apostle John is talking about those who say those who profess, but do not possess eternal life. He’s talking about those who say they are Christians from those who are Christians! To put it simply: you can name the name of Christ all you want. But if your life does not reflect the divine nature of the Son working in your life…there is no life in you. And if there is no life in you, it makes sense why you cannot reflect the peace of God in your life.

After Paul urges the church to come alongside these ladies to help sort of their personal conflict, he gives them 4 words describing what we ought to do when facing conflict in the church.

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

A. Prayer – “to make intercession.” To put it simply, pray for your fellow believers.

B. Supplication – “to pray for a specific need. A heartful petition arising out of a specific need”

In other words, if conflict has caused a clear sin violation, pray about that specific need as often as you can. Remember what our Lord said, leave your gift at the alter, and reconcile…” That word for reconcile is where we get our word for…yep – you guess it – peace. Make peace as fast as you are able with your brother/sister in the Lord.

John MacArthur “It is better to be wronged than to allow a dispute between brethren to be a cause for dishonoring Christ” (The MacArthur Study Bible, p. 1369)

C. Thanksgiving.

In other words, give thanks to God for the people that God has allowed you to work with. Now, listen: when we work toward the application of peace with one another, note verse 7

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

III. Guard Your Mind with the God of Peace (8-9)

Philippians 4:8-9 - 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. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me - practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. (ESV)

Romans 12:2a - …do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…

2 Corinthians 10:5b - …[take] every thought captive to the obedience of Christ

Philippians 4:8 - …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. (ESV)

2 Corinthians 10:5b-6a - …[take] every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and we are ready to punish all disobedience…

Philippians 4:9b - …practice these things… the God of peace will be with you.

[1] Steve Lawson, Philippians for You, p. 183.

^[2] John F. MacArthur Jr., Philippians, MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 2001), 273.

[3] See https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/alistair-begg/6/26/2022/

[4] https://biblehub.com/greek/3309.htm