1. Signs of the Spirit 2015 Peace

2. Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus.8 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. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. 10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

3. I.The Character of Peace The opposite of peace-anxiety, fear, and debilitating worry To be torn into pieces - anxiety Peace equilibrium, poise, and an inner calm not just the absence of fear, but the presence of something an army out there protecting you ineffective to expel the negative, but the presence of God with you expelling the negative tends to denial and lying about the facts Christian peace carries you through and overcomes the reality of any and every circumstance. Knowing how bad the circumstances are, but knowing you have something to overcome Paul says I have found a way to be peaceful and inwardly calm

4. What are the disciplines to develop this peace? Thinking - verse 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., think on these things? true, noble, right - doctrine, the teaching of the Bible about everything Think about what you know about God, life, the world, the end times, salvation, heaven, and the important things Christian peace comes from thinking through the truth with all its implications. The modern method towards peace always goes immediately to techniques The reason is to think through a world without God and no ultimate destiny and no ultimate truth will not lead to peace, it will lead to anxiety. It will tear you up.

5. Thanking - verse 6, thanksgiving is placed counter to anxiety. Thank as you make the request. Why? You make your request and you thank him for what he is going to do. God has a plan to renew this world. Romans 8:28 Everything for your good, everything for his glory The cross-his friends would have said I cannot believe this is happening. Look at all the good he was doing. The greatest thing God ever did would have been interpreted as the greatest tragedy. when a child of mine makes a request, i give them what they would have asked for if they knew everything that i know.

6. Verse 8b Loving Not just to think on these things, but love these things. power and poise in the midst of every circumstance -- contented lives of equilibrium Philosophers: Don't set your heart on anything that you cannot control--only your virtue is under your control Augustine: Set your heart on the immutable; only love of the immutable can bring tranquility. We don't have peace because we are loving mutable things. Even the worse circumstances you get more of it, not less. More presence. God alone is the place of peace that cannot be disturbed. God will not withhold his love from you if you do not withhold your love of him When you love God supremely, you find all these things in Him.

7. III. The Secret of Peace. The peace of God keeps your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus To have your heart in Christ Jesus--to find him lovely Isaiah 57 the wicked are like the tossing sea, which cannot rest. There is no peace for the wicked. The natural consequence of not loving God, of not centering your life on him is restlessness. Keller says, Jesus lost all his peace so that you would have eternal peace.

8. 1. When peace like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to know,a It is well, it is well, with my soul. 2. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, Let this blest assurance control, That Christ has regarded my helpless estate, And hath shed His own blood for my soul. 3. My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought! My sin, not in part but the whole, Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!