What is "True Peace"?

Philippians 4:6-9
6 Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus.
Meditate on These Things
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

• What is your definition of true peace?
o Football on Sunday?
o A day at the spa?
o A foot massage?
o 2 weeks paid vacation?
o How about these?
 Finding your soul mate?
 Freedom from depression?
 Financial security?

• True peace is found in God.
o It is the peace of mind of knowing that
 The almighty God of the Universe loves you. You were created in His own image.
• The love of the Lord your God is an “unfailing love”.
 If you’re saved, your fate on the day of redemption is sealed. You are on the right side of salvation.
• He sent His son Jesus to die a sinner’s death so that you may have the opportunity to accept the gift of everlasting life.
 When you trust God, you are fully equipped to handle anything that He commands.
• There’s peace in knowing that you’ll never be faced with a challenge you can’t handle!
 In the Father’s eyes, you have infinite worth.
• Why should we love sinners?
o Look at Paul (formerly Saul of Tarsus). No one brought more people to Christ than Paul, yet no one killed more Christians than Paul.
o No matter how badly you’ve messed up in the past, God still desires to use you today!
 God has a wonderful plan for your life.
• He is the master builder, the master architect of a plan for you that will bring you infinite joy – joy and peace that only come from serving His kingdom.
 Everything in your life is a concern of your Father in Heaven.
• From school, to family, to relationships, God cares.
 True peace comes from God and God alone!

• How do you find true peace?
o Stop worrying and obey!
 “Be anxious for nothing”
 If you’re worrying about things constantly, you are indeed sinning against God. Worrying = not trusting God
 Here’s an example. Would we all say there’s something wrong if you constantly have to worry about your significant other cheating on you?
 God will do His part. Do yours. Trust that He will.
• When He commands you to something, He wants you to benefit from whatever He is commanding you to do. Count on it!
• When you trust God, you are fully equipped to handle anything that He commands.
• Mark 3 – Healing on the Sabbath – 1 And He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a withered hand. 2 So they watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him. 3 And He said to the man who had the withered hand, “Step forward.” 4 Then He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they kept silent. 5 And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other.[a] 6 Then the Pharisees went out and immediately plotted with the Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him.
• Of course the man couldn’t stretch out his hand. But Jesus commanded it and he did!
• The Holy Spirit is a wonderful gift from God. Trusting the Holy Spirit allows you to trust God beyond your ability to know what will happen in the future.
o Psalm 62:1-2 – My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress; I will never be shaken.
o Psalm 91 1-2 – He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
• If you don’t believe God has provided for you, take a long hard look at the cross!
o Surrender – Acknowledge you can’t find true peace yourself!
• God wants you to
o Trust Him in everything!
 He has a plan for everything in our life. Ignore those people who say that you need enlightenment and independent thought – the master plan has already been blueprinted for you!
 Whether you will follow or not is the question at hand.
o Pray to Him for anything and everything!
 Constant communication with God
 He knows what you need. But He wants you to ask Him.
 Will you recognize God as the source of all things good in your life? Thank God for all the blessings you have, every single hour of the day!
o Meditate on all things holy!
 What you think about will be reflected in your actions.
 Remember if you want to know where someone’s heart is, take a look at where he or she spends his or her time and money.