God's Great Peace (May 15 - A.M. Service)

Do not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks. And God’s peace, which is so great we
cannot understand it, will keep your hearts and minds
quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7

Beware of “peace-killers”!

In a life filled with so many “peace-killers” how much more we need, long for, and should pursue God’s great peace . . . how much more priceless then God’s great peace becomes!

Peace can seem to be so incredibly elusive . . . so terribly hard to find.

And yet Paul found it . . . oddly enough in a Roman prison cell!

His prison-found peace, will teach us a lot about God’s peace, and most of all help us to find it! After all, if Paul could find it while chained to dungeon walls, then we can find it irregardless of our situation. And if God’s peace was peace for Paul in his situation, then it can be peace for us in any and all of our situations in life.



1. Don’t Worry
Philippians 4:6 – “Do not worry about anything . . .”

Quit being anxious! Quit worrying!

Maybe peace is always so elusive, because we’re always so inclined to worry! By definition, peace and worry cannot exist together - you will never have peace as long as you continue to worry.

Paul had a lot to worry about . . . but he says, “Don’t worry!”

Maybe you have lots to worry about . . . but to find and live in God’s peace, you must learn to practice the discipline of worry-free living.

There’s no shortage of things to worry about . . . and yet the message is this: “Don’t worry about anything!”

And maybe no wonder . . . after all, worry doesn’t do any good, does it? It doesn’t make us feel any better. It doesn’t help the situation. It doesn’t do any good at all. No wonder then, Paul’s instruction: Don’t do it!


2. Pray and Praise
Philippians 4:6 – “Do not worry about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

To experience God's great peace, it’s not enough to empty your life of worry – you also have to learn to fill it with prayer and praise. Prayer and praise in everything!

In your little anxious moments, in your big monster panic attack moments of life . . . instead of trying to fix everything, instead of becoming so anxious and upset, instead of shrinking back in paralyzing fear . . . spend time in prayer and praise!

There’s nothing like God’s presence in prayer and a God-focus in praise that will bring God’s great peace into your heart and mind!


3. Experience Peace
When you do Philippians 4:6 . . . when you replace anxiety and worry with prayer and praise . . . then you get to Philippians 4:7 – “And God’s peace, which is so great we cannot understand it, will keep your hearts and minds quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus.”

God’s great peace . . . it transcends understanding!

It's an absence of anxiety and pressure even in the midst of life's anxiety and pressure filled situations. It’s a peace that comes from knowing we can cast all our cares and worries on Christ! It’s a peace that comes from knowing that God is in control! It’s a peace that comes from knowing that God is not only in control, but that He’s also on your side! He is for you . . . and He’s always working in your life for your good!

God’s peace . . . it’s wonderful peace; it’s “peace that sweeps over your soul in fathomless billows of love”!