At a time when the world is in turmoil, with many people worried and fearful of what is to come; I want to share some encouragement with whoever follows this Blog. As the Lord gives me ability; I am hoping to frequently publish new content in the coming weeks as many of us are dealing with “social distancing” and deprived of gathering for worship in our local congregations, with new messages posted every Sunday until the state of emergency is lifted in Manitoba.
I have been given permission to publish a sermon that was delivered in December of 2018 by our beloved home pastor Rev. John P. Friesen, one week prior to the Lord calling him home. This advent message is on the topic of personal peace with God. I believe it touches many points that apply to us today, even though we today are not in the Christmas season. The message should be up before tomorrow morning.
Meanwhile, here’s my sermon notes for a message on “God’s peace” that I recently gave at our local senior’s homes. Scripture text is taken from Phil. 4:4-9
Wishing you all a blessed weekend!
Pastor Jay
Peace That Passes All Understanding
Philippians 4:4-9
When we have made peace with God, then the peace of God floods our lives. How do we maintain that peace? How do we keep the peace of God ruling and reigning within our souls? How do we keep a consciousness of God’s very own presence within us-an awareness that the “God of peace” lives within our very being? Paul writing to the Philippians, tells us how to have peace and how to remain in that peace. So that the peace of God will rule and reign in our hearts and lives. Jesus assures us that His Holy Spirit will give us “peace that is beyond our understanding”. In John 14:26-27 Jesus shared these words: But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
In v4 of our text, Paul tells us to “rejoice”, and emphasizes “again I say rejoice!”. You see joy in our hearts will drive out fear and worry.
And in v5 he tells us the reason we don’t need to fear, because “the Lord is at hand!”
In v6 There is the charge: to not be anxious about anything. The idea is that the believer is not to worry or fret about a single thing. How do put away worries and fears? Firstly, we must bring our cares to God in prayer, and then comes the promise in v7:
There is an answer to worry and anxiety, an answer that is beyond our human understanding: the peace of God. God will enable the believer to conquer worry and anxiety. A peace so great and so wonderful that it carries the believer through suffering and trials that we of ourselves are not able to bear! James 4:8 says “Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you”.
Bring your cares to God, we are to pray about everything no matter how small and insignificant it may seem. God is interested in the details of our lives, in the most minute details. He wants us acknowledging Him in all our ways or steps because He wants to care and look after every single step. Now if we picture this: we are walking in the spirit throughout the day, sharing with God every step of the way, and God is taking care of every step of the way. What then can take the peace of God away from us? Absolutely nothing! Because the peace of God is far greater than anything you could ever imagine or understand!
Then in v8 Paul encourages us to set our minds on the positive. When we look into the world around us – there seems to be so much that brings us down, but this verse instructs us to fill our minds with good things.
Then another promise at the end of v9 “Do these, and God’s peace will be with you”
I’ll share one more verse that Paul writes in his letter to the Romans, in Ch 15:13
Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Amen!
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