Pursuing Peace for the Good of One Another (Philippians 4:2-7)

SERMON NOTES

Sermon Series: For the Good of One Another

Sermon Title: Pursuing Peace for the Good of One Another

Sermon Text: Philippians 4:2-7

The Cause of Conflict (v2-3)

Conflict is often caused by a difference in:

• information

• priorities

• perspectives

• values

• resources

The Pursuit of Peace (v4-7)

When we view peace as the absence of conflict:

• We avoid conflict by pretending it doesn’t exist

  • We pretend by failing to address conflict

  • We pretend by covering up conflict

  • We pretend by rejecting the presence of conflict

• We avoid conflict by preventing it from occurring

  • We prevent conflict passively by trying to appease everyone

  • We prevent conflict aggressively threatening conflict

Three things to consider in our pursuit of peace as the presence of shalom

• What we remind ourselves: who God is, what God has done, all God has promised to do (v4)

• What we show others: a posture of humility (v5a)

• What we say to God: making our requests known (v5b-6)

Reflection

We prayed the following collect together in our pursuit of peace:

A Prayer for Joy in God’s Creation

O heavenly Father, who has filled the world with beauty: Open our eyes to behold your gracious hand in all your works; that, rejoicing in your whole creation, we may learn to serve you with gladness; for the sake of him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.

A Prayer for the Reign of Christ

Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

A Prayer for Times of Conflict

O God, you have bound us together in a common life. Help us, in the midst of our struggles for justice and truth, to confront one another without hatred or bitterness, and to work together with mutual forbearance and respect; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A Prayer for the Unity of the Church

Almighty and most gracious Heavenly Father, we pray for your Church, the body of Christ. Fill it with all truth, with all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in any thing it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; take away all hatred and prejudice, and whatever else may hinder us from godly union; for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son our Savior. Amen.

A Prayer for Justice and Peace

Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart, that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A Prayer for the Answering of Prayer

Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, made with a heart of gratitude, and in our time grant us your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.