Acquiring Peace of Mind
By Matthew Allen
A. Live in world full of frenzied people. Perhaps you would call yourself frenzied from time to time.
1. schedules filled to max
2. bosses demand 110%
3. children to raise/provide for
4. needs of our home, etc.
5. financial stress; paying bills, etc.
B. Enough to make people get gray hair over.
1. many – whether they like it or not – worry over these things.
2. Loose sleep, and even can change ones outlook on life – often for worse.
C. Look around…would you say the average person has a true peace of mind when it comes to life?
1. would you be able to say that you have peace of mind?
2. It = something all desire.
a) some willing to sacrifice for.
b) Pour $$$ into hobbies, recreation, etc.
c) Some still never find kind of peace, happiness, contentment they look for.
D. We must learn…that true peace of mind comes from getting one’s priorities in line spiritually.
1. making sure that one is right w/God & that His eternal salvation is secure.
2. In the end…all that matters….is your being in a spiritual relationship w/God.
E. Phil. 4:4-9 – text today.
1. Paul closing his letter to Philippians w/some final exhortations/thoughts.
2. Remember…his writing these things to Christians who had to endure intense physical persecution, etc.
3. What does He tell them? Be anxious for nothing…
4. Text….
F. Today…we are going to discuss how one can acquire peace of mind in this life. Again…notice this done by making sure that one’s spiritual priorities in check.
I. Peace of Mind acquired by a knowledge of God’s forgiveness.
A. Christian has something that the person in world does not have access to: forgiveness of sin.
1. Christian comes to Christ & asks Him to help bear the load.
a) Mt. 11:28-30
b) Have you found rest for the burden of your sin?
2. Scriptures testify to willingness of God to forgive man of his sin – upon obedience.
a) Heb. 8:11; 10:16-17
b) Have you/are you striving to live obediently to Christ?
c) Have you obeyed the gospel so that you may obtain forgiveness?
B. Those on day of Pentecost convicted of sin.
1. Acts 2:36…men/brethren…what shall we do?
2. Peter: repent…be baptized…
3. Rom. 8:16-17 – those who do this – obey gospel – are called children of God!
4. Are you His child?
C. The Christian – one who has come to Him – has continued avenue for forgiveness….through repentance/prayer. See 1 Jhn. 1:8-10.
1. NO EXCUSE for anyone to have unforgotten sin hanging over their head!
2. God wants you to come to Him! Will you?
II. Peace of mind is acquired by an acceptance of self.
A. One must learn to accept themselves for who they are & learn to use their talents for God & accept their limitations.
1. must use talents/abilities God has given you for His service. Use them for His glory!
2. Personal satisfaction of getting involved in Lord’s work is immense!
a) joy of leading friend/loved one to Christ.
b) Joy of watching them grow up in Christ.
3. satisfaction of being involved in other aspects of the work of the Lord – good as well.
a) get involved…make a difference in the lives of our young people!
b) Make a difference by teaching Sunday school class.
B. Mt. 25:14-30 – talents we have will only multiply if we use what we have now!
1. no excuse to not do so – just as one talent man found out.
2. Penalty – v. 30.
C. Paul probably a great example of someone learning to accept himself:
1. did this despite tremendous liabilities…
a) physical appearance said to be lacking
b) battled thorn in the flesh
c) battled Jews who challenged his authority as apostle.
2. Read Phil. 3:13-14.
a) we often get down/depressed – feeling sorry for ourselves.
b) Get up! Get on the road to heaven!
c) 4:11-13 – do we have this attitude?
D. Must learn to accept ourselves for who we are & let God use us as He has need!
III. Peace of mind acquired by an interest in others.
A. Such is the way of a Christian. Giving of himself to others. B/c interested in needs of others. Notice Paul’s words to Philippians:
1. Phil. 2:1-4
2. By taking an interest in brethren & others around you in world. By being there to help/give assistance to/be an example for.
3. Exhibit spirit of Christ by putting others ahead of yourself – Phil. 2:5.
B. Gal. 6:2 – bear one another’s burdens…
1. See also Mt. 7:12
2. Do we always do this?
3. What more wonderful feeling than to help someone who truly needs it?
4. How wonderful that person feels…a feeling of family…
C. Rom. 12:15 – by taking an interest in others means getting involved in their lives.
1. not by meddling in their affairs.
2. But by holding them up during times of pain & rejoicing w/them in times of success.
3. Bonds will grow strong & our peace of mind will increase b/c w are doing as God expects.
IV. Peace of mind is acquired by living one day at a time.
A. This something that perhaps all of us need to get engrained in our mind.
1. start planning for this/that weeks/months/years in advance. When does not turn out as planned…stress!
2. Not to say that we should be planners/organizers…but talking about one who constantly worries about something he cannot possibly change.
a) Mt. 6:25-34 – sufficient for the day is it’s own trouble…
b) Worry: one of the main problems that takes away peace of mind.
B. Must learn to enjoy each day for what it is. Learn to be content & place hope/trust in God.
1. Prov. 27:1 – one reason why so important to live one day at a time.
2. We often get caught up in activities of our lives that we forget to tell God “thanks” for the ways He blesses us every day!
C. Often caught up w/so much in physical life that we fail to realize many of the things we worry about will matter nothing in eternity…
1. Js. 4:13-14..keep in mind…your life a vapor…
2. One must live his life daily for Christ. This involves faith/determination on our part.
V. Peace of mind acquired by continual trust in God.
A. Above all….the Christian can have peace of mind by placing his hopes on the spiritual….by placing his trust in God.
1. what motivated Paul to keep on going through all of the pain? Suffering? Persecution? Trials? His belief that God would keep His promise of granting him eternal life.
a) 2 Tim. 1:12 – writing from prison in Rome awaiting execution.
b) Titus 1 2 – in hope of eternal life.
2. The very same should motivate us! We are often faced w/much less!
a) yes…we’re faced w/trials. Some which challenge us & potentially knock us down.
b) Must continue to seek kingdom first. See Mt. 6:33 – God will provide for us!
B. Must remember as we live our lives – that if we have come to Him – He is on our side & will take care of us.
1. Rom. 8:31-39.
2. Have you placed trust in God? You need to do your part by serving Him & leaving the rest to Him.
3. Do Your best & God will take care of the rest.
Conclusion
A. Peace of Mind may be yours. Remember text in Phil. 4:6-7.
1. many seek peace of mind in variety of ways. Best way…by following God’s directions.
2. This way to true peace of mind.
B. Acquire peace of mind today by obeying gospel.
C. Acquire peace of mind by getting your life right w/God if you have already obeyed gospel but have not been living correctly.
D. I N V I T A T I O N