The God of Peace or the Peace of God?

Hovan shares some thoughts on Philipians 4

“⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Phil 4:4-9

Four simple questions:

1. Can we be rejoicing? What things do we have to rejoice for?
2. What should we do based on this passage?
3. What assurances do we have not to be worried?
4. Peace of God or God of Peace

1. Can we be rejoicing?

We are living in difficult days, uncertain future, schools closed, shops closed.
The Prime minister is extending the quarantine – not a pleasant time.
Why on earth chose a passage that is emphasizing on rejoicing?

Word “Rejoice’ – not a singular, plural.
Rejoice in the Lord (not in the things of this World)
God has allowed us to see a time where science fails, medication fails, apart from God there is not anything else to rejoice in..

Always is important. And I will say again rejoice. This reminds of Luke 10:19-20

Rejoice because we are called Children of God and our names are written in the heavenly books.

Phil 4:5 let your gentleness/resemblemance be known to everyone. The Lord is in control.
Small situations like this, give a gentle answer.

2. What should we do for our needs or requests?

Phil 4:2
Prayer, Petition (Intercede, supplication, ask like you mean it), Thanksgiving, thankful for the things we already have.
Phil 1:18

Phil 4:6 don’t be anxious – Phil 4:7 Guard your hearts and your minds.
Difference what we can see and what God wants us to see.

3. Assurances

Phil 4:8-9 Practice goes with our hearts and minds and practice with our hearts.
Whatever you learned, heard, received and seen in me -> Practice these things. Follow the example of Paul.

4. Peace of God or God of Peace?

Peace is in the essence and nature of God. God is Love, Peace, Justice and Sovereign
We are not peaceful but are arrogant and aggressive in our character.

As we become Christian we have an average experience of God.
It is having God of peace inside us to take us through it.

“Sow a thought and you reap an action.
Sow an act and you will reap a habit
Sow a habit and you will reap a character
Sow a character and you will reap a destiny.”

Thinking and practising the peace of God, then an only then is the God of peace with you and can can act with you.

Today we experience this peace through the Holy Spirit