Philippians 4:6-9: Summary: Do not be anxious about anything. The command is striking. Anything? The words that follow are filled with remedial truth, even if it must correct and convict. Paul offers the peace of God and, better, the God of peace to an anxious church; and with it, he offers two broad means of drawing such curing grace. For the peace of God, pray, and that peace will form as a guard around your mind and heart. Union with Jesus guarantees this operation. It makes departure from anxiety available at all times. And this is not a clearing of the mind. It's a filling of the mind by which the God of peace pacifies our need and anxiety. The thoughts of the mind touch our hearts, as well as our nerves. They're able to make us apostolic in our peace and contentment; that is, God is able by godly thoughts to make us like Paul at heart. He can be in prison and at peace. What we need most, we have in God. Where he's our habitat, we can be faithful wherever else we may be. The Christian church can be distinct from the world in this way: heavenly peace. May we know more of it in a new year.

Sermon Outline:

The conflict that requires a command: to be or not to be anxious. (4:6a)

The command in answer to the conflict: do not be anxious about anything. (4:6a)

The cure concealed in the command revealed: the God of peace and the peace He gives. (4:7, 9b)

The counsel that conducts the cure: pray and think as those in Christ. (4:6b-9a)