Sharon Reformed Presbyterian Church · Sermon study sheet

The Peace of Christ

Bryan Schneider · November 25, 2023

Philippians 4:6-9

sharonrpc.org/sermons/the-peace-of-christ

Summary

Paul offers a pathway toward thankfulness and peace without promising that prayer will remove every difficult circumstance.
Anxiety is the wrong normal because it attempts to control life, contradicts trust in God's sovereignty, and can consume body, mind, worship, and enjoyment of present gifts.
A concern has become sinful anxiety when it persistently steals sleep, concentration, rejoicing in God, confidence in his goodness, or gratitude for his blessings.
Believers answer anxiety by pouring every request before their attentive Father through prayer and supplication.
Thanksgiving belongs inside hardship, as Daniel, David, Jonah, Hannah, Paul, and Jesus demonstrate; circumstances do not dictate whether God remains worthy of thanks.
God's peace guards hearts and minds through Christ when believers entrust concerns to him and rest in his goodness rather than their control.
The mind must deliberately dwell on what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy rather than sensational bad news.
Lasting peace comes from fixing the mind on the unchanging God and the loveliness of Christ, not from finally eliminating every new problem.

How does Paul's command differ from a promise that every problem will disappear?
What desire for control lies beneath our anxiety?
Is a concern stealing sleep, concentration, worship, confidence in God's love, or enjoyment of present gifts?
Why may adopted children approach God's throne with confidence?
How do biblical sufferers practice thanksgiving before their circumstances change?
What is the difference between loving God's gifts and loving the Giver?
Which kinds of media or thought patterns continually train the mind toward fear and outrage?
What true, noble, just, pure, lovely, and praiseworthy realities can occupy the mind today?
How does Christ himself become the center of stable peace?

Anxiety: A consuming attempt to carry and control concerns in a way that displaces trust, prayer, gratitude, and attention to God.
Supplication: Earnest presentation of particular needs and requests to God.
Thanksgiving: Deliberate acknowledgment of God's character, mercies, gifts, and faithfulness even before circumstances improve.
Peace of God: God-given tranquility in Christ that guards the believer's inner life beyond what circumstances can explain.
Meditation: Sustained, intentional attention to truths and realities worthy of a Christian mind.
Providence: God's wise, sovereign ordering and care of all events for his glory and his people's good.