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SERIES: |
Give Peace a Chance |
MESSAGE: |
How to Have Unfathomable Peace |
SPEAKER: |
Skip Heitzig |
SCRIPTURE: |
Philippians 4:1-7 |
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MESSAGE SUMMARY
According to data from Mental Health America, the number of people reporting anxiety is at an all-time high. That’s understandable given the recent crises the world has faced. But let me suggest something: there will always be another crisis, another calamity, another difficult season. We will always be faced with the challenge of some problem. Is there a path to peace of mind? Can the anxiety that presses down upon us be neutralized by God’s resources? Yes! Let’s see how.
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STUDY GUIDE
Connect Group Recap: March 7, 2021
Speaker: Skip Heitzig
Teaching: "How to Have Unfathomable Peace"
Text: Philippians 4:1-7
Path
According to data from Mental Health America, the number of people reporting anxiety is at an all-time high. That’s understandable given the recent crises the world has faced. But there will always be another crisis, another calamity, another difficult season. We will always be faced with the challenge of some problem. Is there a path to peace of mind? Can the anxiety that presses down upon us be neutralized by God’s resources? Yes! Let’s see how. Our path through the text is:
- Resolve Controversy (vv. 1-3)
- Rejoice Frequently (v. 4)
- Restore Geniality (v. 5)
- Reject Anxiety (vv. 6-7)
Points
Resolve Controversy (vv. 1-3)
- Paul had a special relationship with the Philippian church. He commonly expressed gratitude and love for them.
- By loving others, Christians make the invisible God visible (see 1 John 4:12).
- In love, Paul appealed to two women in the Philippian church (Euodia and Syntyche) to resolve the issue they had with each other.
- We don’t know what the controversy was, but it was probably something trivial rather than something doctrinal or behavioral.
- The solution to their problem? “Be of the same mind in the Lord” (v. 2).
- Unity among Christians validates our message.
- When conflict comes up with another believer, ask yourself if it’s something of eternal importance.
Rejoice Frequently (v. 4)
- The book of Philippians is loaded with joy.
- Evangelist Billy Sunday reminded Christians that our faith shouldn’t look like it hurts us and that if we don’t have joy, “there’s a leak in your Christianity somewhere.”
- Joy is a supernatural delight in God and His plan. It’s one of the greatest signs of God’s presence, His badge of ownership.
- Paul practiced it (see 2 Corinthians 6:10) and encouraged Christians to pursue it.
- Joy is a choice more than a feeling; it’s a decision, not a sensation. It’s the choice to react to life’s uncertainties with faith.
- Joy is also a reality check, reminding us that God is on the throne and we are His children.
Restore Geniality (v. 5)
- The word gentleness in verse 5 means sweet reasonableness.
- Society has become less gentle, kind, and compassionate, as Jesus predicted it would (see Matthew 24:12). Distress destroys peace.
- How do we combat the distress? Galatians 5:22-23 (producing the fruit of the Spirit) and Proverbs 15:1 (giving a gentle answer) are two answers.
- Instead of being touchy, have a soft touch; treat others with kindness.
- Remember that you follow Jesus, who said, “I am gentle and lowly in heart” (Matthew 11:29).
- Get a new reputation—be famous for gentleness.
Reject Anxiety (vv. 6-7)
- The Greek word for anxiety means to divide the mind.
- Anxiety divides your mind between legitimate thoughts and destructive thoughts; it takes your mind in two directions.
- As James wrote, “A double-minded man [is] unstable in all his ways” (James 1:8).
- Jesus’ words to His disciples are clear: “Do not worry” (Matthew 6:25, 31, 34).
- Don’t let anxious, over-concerned thoughts divide your mind.
- But in verse 6 is a replacement word. The cure for worry is to redirect your energy and replace your anxiety.
- This redirection is called casting (see 1 Peter 5:7).
- Philippians 4:6 gives us four ways to reject anxiety:
- Prayer: This is the general Greek word for prayer, often translated worship or devotion. When you’re worried, worship instead. When you’re burdened, bow. When your heart is weighed down, put your hands up.
- Supplication: This means a strong cry or begging; it’s a turbocharged prayer.
- Thanksgiving: Don’t forget to thank God. It’s easy thank for Him for your blessings, but trials are the tools that bring change, so thank Him in all things.
- Requests: Requests are not demands, ultimatums, or tantrums. Even so, be specific.
- In summary, be anxious for nothing, prayerful in everything, and thankful for all things.
Practice
Connect Up: Reread Philippians 4:7, then discuss the following points.
- The Greek word for peace means quietness or rest. This is what believers gain by resolving controversy, rejoicing frequently, restoring geniality, and rejecting anxiety. In your own words, what does it mean to have peace?
- Notice that true peace is actually “the peace of God,” who is the very author of peace. What does God’s peace look like?
- God’s peace “surpasses all understanding”—it rises above or is superior to all understanding. How does God’s peace surpass a secular understanding of peace? How are secular and sacred understandings of peace similar and/or different?
- How is it possible to experience God’s peace if you can’t understand it?
Connect In: Jesus told His followers not to worry, and Paul commanded us to be anxious about nothing. But how do you follow those commands, practically speaking? In addition to all the things Pastor Skip talked about in this message, what else can you do to experience a more peaceful life (for example, personal Bible study, exercise, social media breaks, mindful rest, etc.)? Share any practical advice you have.
Connect Out: How can the reality of worry be a tool in our witness to others? For instance, how can all the worries of the past year—the pandemic, economic woes, and political and social unrest—act as a conduit for you to share Christ? Take note of someone in your life who is not a Christian and worries a lot. How can you strategically share hope with that person? Take time to pray for them.
OUTLINE
- Resolve Controversy (vv. 1-3)
- Rejoice Frequently (v. 4)
- Restore Geniality (v. 5)
- Reject Anxiety (vv. 6-7)
Keywords: anxiety, crisis, gentleness, joy, kindness, peace, prayer, rejoice, thanksgiving, unity, worry