Peace of Mind that Passes All Underatnding

Peace of Mind That Passes all Understanding Speaker: Alton Bailey Location: Las Vegas, New Mexico Church of Christ Transcribed by: Audio.com (corrected and formatted) I'm going to talk to you a few moments tonight concerning how to have a peace of mind, and money's not the answer. You know, power's really not the answer. Man struggles, and that's what they think is the answer. But in Philippians 4:7 (NASB), the New American Standard Version, “and the peace of God that surpasses all comprehension,” E.T. James says “understanding,” “will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus.” And Paul is writing this from a Roman prison, and he's incarcerated in a house of worship for a two-year period, and he talks about having that peace of God that surpasses all the understanding. And the definition of peace is that, according to American Heritage Dictionary, is that inner contentment, it's the serenity that something is not affected by disturbance. And you know, John 14:27 (NASB), Jesus is talking to his apostles, and he mentions to them, he said, “Peace I leave with you. Not the peace that the world offers or gives, but the peace that he's talking about, that inner peace that I leave with you.” And so that's what Jesus is telling to his apostles. In John 21:18 (NASB), another scripture concerning what Jesus is talking, as he's talking to his disciples, and John chapter 21 and verse 18, he mentions here, he says, and you can't gain for it, and “Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, Peter, he's talking to him, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” But here's the apostle Peter, and you know he, if you will turn with me to the peace. Well, let's just go on though. The U.S. talking about, we're a wealthy, considered a wealthy nation, as far as the world standard is concerned. Because people, you see very few people defect from the United States that want to come to the United States. Because mostly of the material things that we have to offer. And so, but the U.S. has a high suicide rate of any wealthy nation of the earth. In fact, its suicide rate is twice that of England. And so, men commit suicide three times more than women. This is all based on Google, if they act. Almost 50,000 suicides in the United States occurred in the year 2022. For sure, those people did not have a peace of mind. If they did, they would not have done what they did. 1.4 million attempted suicide in 2022. And suicide is not the answer for your problems. In fact, it's the beginning of an eternal problem that you'll have for eternity. And so, anyway, if you think about it, in Matthew 27:3-5 (NASB), here is Judas, he sold Jesus out for 30 pieces of silver. And notice what is recorded for us by Matthew, in Matthew 27, beginning in verse 3. “Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, ‘I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.’ And they said, ‘What is that to us? You see to it!’ Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself.” It appeared that Judas may have thought, if you remember in a time past, that was trying to force Jesus to be the king, and he just escaped through him. I'm just wondering that maybe Judas might have thought, well, I'm going to get the 30 pieces of silver, and he'll just go through like he did once before. But he saw that Jesus had been condemned. That didn't happen. And Judas was remorseful, you can imagine. And he brought back the 30 pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, and he said in verse 4, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” And they said, these chief priests and these elders, these Jewish leaders, they said, “What is that to us? You see to it.” And so what he did, notice what he did, he took the 30 pieces of silver and he threw them into the temple. So that tells us that Judas did not have a peace of mind. And it tells us also we have no scripture where he spent any of the 30 pieces of silver because he brought it back, and it says he threw down the pieces of silver into the temple. So it tells us that with Judas at least, money didn't make him happy. It didn't give him a peace of mind. In fact, it really condemned his mind because he returned the money back to the leaders of the Jews, and they would not accept it. And he threw it into the temple. So it will not eliminate your peace of mind. Let's look with me in Acts 5:27-42 (NASB). In Acts chapter 5, here you have the apostles. You have the apostle Peter, the apostle John. And you see here in verse 27, they had brought these disciples before the council, the Sanhedrin in Acts chapter 5 and verse 27. And the high priest asked them, If you think about it, the power's in the gospel, the power's in the word of God, because in chapter 3 of Acts, beginning in verse 1, here was a man who was lame from his mother's womb, and God healed him through Peter. But they didn't say, stop performing miracles. They said, stop teaching the word of God. Because that's where the ultimate power is. And notice what it says. They set them before the Sanhedrin council, the most powerful Jewish council on the earth. And the high priest asked them, in verse 28, But Peter and the other apostles answered him, verse 29, and they said to the Sanhedrin, “We ought to obey God rather than men.” And so, notice, I'm going to go on, and this is a thought that's sort of interesting to me. In verse 30, “The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.” And when the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious, the New King James Version said. And they plotted to kill these apostles. And notice going down to verse 40. You remember, Gamaliel came on the scene and he convinced them not to do this. So you get down to verse 40. And so the Sanhedrin agreed with Gamaliel and when they had called the apostles, and what did they do? They beat them. So, you see, suffering will not cause you to cease a peace of mind. Now let's go on. They beat them. And they commanded them that they should not speak in the name of Jesus and they let them go. So what did the apostles do? In verse 41, “they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.” So, suffering will not eliminate a peace of mind. And also, danger doesn't eliminate a peace of mind. Look with me in David. Do you remember David? He later became King David. And Saul was king at the time of 1 Samuel 17:36-37, 40-48 (NASB). If you look in 1 Samuel 17, in verse, okay, 36 and 37. New American Standard Version. And notice it says, “Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God. Moreover David said, ‘The LORD, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.’” So David said to Saul, up in verse 41, he came to him and he said, “Let no man's heart fail on account of this Goliath, the giant. Don't be afraid.” Danger or fear is not to eliminate a peace of mind. And so he asked Saul that he be able to take on the giant. And we know the story. And so what did David do? He took five smooth stones. And so he goes to Saul and he convinces him. He said, “Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear. And this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them since he has taunted the armies of the living God.” And David said, “The LORD who delivered me from the power of the lion and from the power of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And so Saul gives him consent. So what did David do? Well, he took all this armor off that Saul wanted him to wear. That just didn't fit him. Verse 40, or 1 Samuel 17, he took his staff in his hand and he chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook and put them in the shepherd's bag, which he had even in his pouch. And his sling was in his hand. And he approached the Philistine. And notice what he says to the Philistine in verse 45. He said to him, “You come to me with a sword, Goliath, a spear and a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. Then all this assembly shall know that the LORD does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give you into our hands.” So notice what it says in verse 48. David ran quickly toward the battle line. He wasn't, I mean, danger didn't eliminate his peace of mind that he could take the life down. And so he ran quickly toward the battle line. And he put his hand in the bag. You know, I pondered on things. Why did he choose five smooth stones? Only one was needed. Well, if you will, turn with me to 2 Samuel 21:15-22 (NASB). Goliath had four sons. And I'm just wondering if David thought he might have to take them sons down, too. And them sons was in the army. Notice if you go to 2 Samuel 21 and verse 15 again, American Standard. “Now when the Philistines were at war again with Israel, David and his servants with him went down and fought against the Philistines; and David grew faint. Then Ishbi-Benob, who was one of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose bronze spear was three hundred shekels, who was bearing a new sword, thought he could kill David. But Abishai the son of Zeruiah came to his aid, and struck the Philistine and killed him. Then the men of David swore to him, saying, ‘You shall go out no more with us to battle, lest you quench the lamp of Israel.’” And notice as he continues on in verse 18, when we're going down and look in verse 22, it says, “These four were born to the giant in Gath, and fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.” So, yeah, I don't know. It's just, to me, it's interesting that they were four sons, and they were in the military, and I'm just wondering if David thought, I'll have to take them out too. And so, but he did. Ultimately, he did, he and his men did. So, how to have a peace of mind? Well, our spirits are within our minds. And I ponder on things. If you think about it, the only part of our body that is enclosed with bones is your brain. Why? That's not a fluke. God wanted to protect our minds. In Ephesians 4:23 (NASB), “that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind.” So that tells me, if it's something of something, it's part of that something. That you be renewed in the spirit of your mind. I believe your spirit's within your mind. Or how could you have Ephesians 4, verse 23? And so, our mind is within our brain. A doctor can see your brain, but a doctor cannot see your mind. A doctor can see the results of your mind, but he cannot literally see your mind. And so, our mind contains our will and spirit to serve God, but it also contains the desires of the flesh if we don't keep them governed. The spirit is eternal. The mind is eternal. The fleshly part is not. In 1 John 2:15-17 (NASB), “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” So this world is going to be destroyed at the second coming of Christ. What about the lust that's contained in this world? It will pass away with the world. So the lust of the flesh will not bring about a peace of mind. How to have peace of mind? Pray. If you can't pray about something that you want to do, don't do it. If you need wisdom, and we all do, ask God for it. Because look with me in James 1:2-6, 13 (NKJV). I know this is familiar mostly to all of us, but it's good to remind each other concerning this. Notice it says in verse 2 of James, chapter 1, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,” Who is James writing? He's writing to these twelve tribes that are scattered. This is the New King James Version. He said they're scattered abroad. These are Jews who are being persecuted, and they had to leave the places of abode. For example, Acts 8, Acts 9. You know the concept and the story there. And so, “knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.” I punted on that. You got a mind here, you got a mind there. You got two minds. You say, out of this side of the mouth, you ask the Lord for something. Aw, He probably wouldn't give it to me anyway. That's double-minded. You ask Him with faith. Now, it may not be what's real, but you ask Him in faith. And so, sometimes, I believe this. God answers our prayers three ways. Yes, no, and not now. Let me ask you this. When you're raising your children, you answer them three ways. They ask you for something, yes. Or you may say, no. Or you may say, not now. That's the way God does with us. You remember Jesus prayed that the cup be removed from Him? But for our sakes, God said, no. Because it was best for us. And so, the peace of mind, it's clear about suffering. And so, notice what Paul said to Timothy in 1 Timothy 2:5 (NKJV). “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.” Another way to have peace of mind is to eliminate jealousies. Jealousy. It'll eat you like a cancer. In Galatians 5:20-21 (NKJV), notice, you know, the sins of the flesh, and you know this is something probably familiar to most all of us. “idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” So, eliminate all this. Another thought is, eliminate, to have a peace of mind, trust in God and not money. You know how much money you're going to take to eternity? Zero. You know, I've done a lot of funerals in my life. I've never seen a U-Haul trailer hooked to the rear end of a hearse. You leave it behind. You leave it behind. So, money's not the answer. Make yourself stay involved in spiritual matters. Do you enjoy studying God's Word? I mean, power's gone. And that's a key. And I know you do, because I'm looking at your book. And you take, stay involved in spiritual things. 90% of our time during this physical world is 168 hours in a week. Typically, a congregation comes together, what, three hours, four hours a week? That means over 96% of our time is outside the confines of this assembly. And I assure you, the world out there is not thinking the way we're thinking in here tonight. They think differently than what we're taught to think. And so, where do you spend the 10% when you spend it, or less than 10%, as we assemble together? You know, we're talking, I think, today, in 1 Corinthians 6:2 (NKJV), what you have within your life, Paul said to the Corinthians, “Do you not know that the saints will judge the world?” And I ponder on that. How can we cast a judgment upon the world by our lifestyle, by what we do, how we are at work? We cast a judgment upon the world. Can they see Christ in us? Also, we cast a judgment as we teach the world the gospel. This gospel will cast a judgment on the world because this word will judge you, John 12:48 (NKJV). “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.” Don't involve yourself in self-pity. You won't have peace of mind if you're feeling sorry for yourself. And as a teacher, and a teacher of the Word of God, you'll have brethren that will come up to you. They may be sick. They may have a problem in their lives. They may not have that peace of mind at that time. And they start telling you their problems. I have to work at it. Keep my mouth shut and let them talk. Don't try to trump their problem with your problem. Let them talk to you. You see, that's what they want. They want someone to listen. And that will help them gain a peace of mind because they know then you care. Cultivate love, joy, compassion, and loyalty towards others. In most cases, in my study, in the Bible, in the New Testament, when you see words that begin with CO, C-O-N, C-O-M, takes with it, in most cases, the thought of with. Compassion. Commandment. Jesus said, if you love me, you will obey my commandment. With. If you want to be with God, C-O-M. But in most cases, in the New Testament, not all. Words that begin with D-I or D-E is separation of parts. Now, deacon is D-E. Disciple is D-I. But in most cases, divorce, division, are you following me? It's the opposite of with. And so, to help have that peace of mind, we have to make applicable with God. Turn our stress over to God. Have something bigger and more important than yourself, and that's God. You know, Paul said in 2 Timothy 1:12 (NKJV), he said, “For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.” You think about this. He's writing the last letter that we know of that he ever wrote on this earth. He knew he was facing death. 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (NKJV). And at the first of that second letter, he told Timothy, “I know whom I have believed, Timothy. And I am persuaded that He is able to keep what I've committed to Him until that Day.” I think Paul had a peace of mind all the way to death because he knew where he was going. Notice, notice with me, in Hebrews 12:1-3 (NKJV), look at our Savior, Jesus Christ. And notice what, you know, he knew when he left the glories of heaven that he would die. He knew that God, that was God's will. And notice what the writer says. Let's just begin in verse 1. I coached for 17 years, and I'd have ballplayers that would, they would condition, and they would put ankle weights on. And some of them, they'd run in plowed fields, you know, where you would mow up to your ankles in the dirt, fresh dirt. And it would pull on your legs, and it would make your legs stronger. And notice what the writer says in Hebrews 12 and verse 1, New King James Version. “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.” And I pointed on that. How could it be joy to die on the cross? Isn't that what he's saying? Jesus, he's the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him. Who set it before him? The Father, Isaiah 55. I mean, I just went blank again. Isaiah chapter 55 and verse... Anyway, so what happened is, it was set before him, he despised the shame of the cross. And it says here, he's sat down at the right hand of God. For consider him, Jesus, who endured such hostility from sinners against himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your soul. And then the other writers say, well, you haven't resisted to bloodshed yet, not like Jesus. He did. So, you can have that peace of mind. Another thought on peace of mind is have a clear conscience. You know, a clear conscience. Turn with me to Matthew 5:23-24 (NASB). I'm going to use the New American Standard Version. This is something on the mouth. It's familiar to all of us. But in Matthew chapter 5 in the New American Standard Version, now let's begin in verse 23. “Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” What Jesus is saying, you better have things right to worship. I remember it was an elder. And he'd done some work for us at our house. And so we'd agreed on what was to be done and the price to be paid. Well, he was there, you know, and I'm thinking he was really a good worker. And I said, well, why don't you fix this? So he did. You know, it wouldn't take long. Just do this over here. And he did it. Well, when it come pay time, I'd give him the initial amount that we initially had agreed on. I didn't know him. He made a statement. Boy, you got your money's worth. Well, that very night, where he was one of the elders, that congregation, over 100, had a gospel singing. Dion and I wanted to go. I believe this is what Jesus is teaching. So I go in the house after this brother leaves in his truck. And I said, Dion, I've done him wrong. It just hit me. I didn't hit him while I was talking with him. But when he made that comment, you sure got your money's worth. I go in the house and I get the checkbook and I write brother what it should be. Because we wanted to go that Sunday. So when I walk in the door in the foyer of the building, he's leaned against the wall, and I go straight to him and I hand him that check. And I said, will this make it right? He said, yes. Then I could go inside that auditorium and I could sing. But if I hadn't have done what I did, my voice wouldn't have got off the floor. Now let's read that script here again. Verse 23 of Matthew 5. You bring your gift at the altar. That's a type of worship. I want him to come for the singing. And there you remember that your brother had something against you. I believe he did because I didn't do him right. You leave your gift there before the altar and you first be reconciled to your brother. If I hadn't have made what I did right, God would not have accepted my singing. I don't believe. I believe that's what Jesus is teaching. So that gave me that peace of mind when I was reconciled with my brother. You see, that's what we need to have and always strive for. Notice in Philippians 4:2-3 (NASB). I really don't know what was happening to these two ladies. But in Philippians chapter 4 and verse 2, Paul said, “I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.” So something was causing them not to have a peace of mind. Evidently, they had an art against each other. Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel together with Clement and also with the rest of my fellow workers whose names are written in the book of life. In Ephesians 4:26 (NASB). My Diana taught me this. Okay, let's go in Ephesians chapter 4 and verse 26. And I'm winding down. Okay, so it reads here, Paul tells the Ephesians, he says, “Be angry, and do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your wrath.” Diana, after about a month, and someone tells you that they've been married for all these years and they never had an art against each other, they'll tell you something else that's not true. You're going to have bumps in the road. I promise you. So, after we'd married about a month, Diana said, Alton, let's never go to sleep angry with each other. We've been married 50 years in March. I read a lot of prose. But I don't want to have to be in the morning telling them, let me see, was I angry with Diana last night? And I went to sleep. And you have a peace of mind. If you swallow your pride, which we're not to have, overlay that pride of bitterness and pride of arrogance, and then let God deal with it as we should. And Paul said in Philippians 4:6-7 (NASB), “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” True peace of mind can only be found in God and not the things of this world. And the things of the world is important, but the things of God is even more of importance. Scriptures Used in the Lesson (Full Verses Quoted) Philippians 4:7 (NASB) “and the peace of God that surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” John 14:27 (NASB) “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” John 21:18 (NASB) “Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go.” Matthew 27:3-5 (NASB) “Then when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He had been condemned, he felt remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, ‘I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.’ But they said, ‘What is that to us? See to that yourself!’ And he threw the pieces of silver into the temple sanctuary and departed; and he went away and hanged himself.” Acts 5:29, 30-32, 41 (NASB) “But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a cross. He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.’ … So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name.” 1 Samuel 17:36-37, 45-47 (NASB) “Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, since he has taunted the armies of the living God. David said, ‘The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.’ … Then David said to the Philistine, ‘You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted. This day the LORD will deliver you up into my hands… that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the LORD does not deliver by sword or by spear; for the battle is the LORD’s and He will give you into our hands.’” 2 Samuel 21:22 (NASB) “These four were born to the giant in Gath, and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.” Ephesians 4:23 (NASB) “and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind,” 1 John 2:15-17 (NASB) “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.” James 1:2-5, 13 (NKJV) “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. … Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.” 1 Timothy 2:5 (NKJV) “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,” Galatians 5:20-21 (NKJV) “idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; … that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” 1 Corinthians 6:2 (NKJV) “Do you not know that the saints will judge the world?” John 12:48 (NKJV) “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.” 2 Timothy 1:12 (NKJV) “For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.” Hebrews 12:1-2 (NKJV) “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Matthew 5:23-24 (NASB) “Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” Philippians 4:2-3 (NASB) “I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.” Ephesians 4:26 (NASB) “Be angry, and do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your wrath,” Philippians 4:6-7 (NASB) “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Additional Scriptures for Study (Contentment & Peace) Philippians 4:11-13 (NKJV) – “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content… I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” 1 Timothy 6:6-8 (NKJV) – “Now godliness with contentment is great gain… And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.” Hebrews 13:5 (NKJV) – “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” Psalm 37:4 (NKJV) – “Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.” Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV) – “You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.” Lesson Outline (Updated with Hyperlinks) I. Introduction: Peace of Mind Is Not Found in Money or Power A. Philippians 4:7 (NASB) – Peace from God in prison B. Definition of peace: inner contentment II. Examples of Lack of Peace A. Matthew 27:3-5 (NASB) – Judas B. U.S. suicide statistics (CDC: ~49,449 deaths in 2022; rate ~14.2 per 100,000; men 3x more than women; rate ~2x England's ~7.0 per 100,000) III. Things That Do Not Remove Peace A. Suffering – Acts 5:41 (NASB) (apostles rejoiced) B. Danger – 1 Samuel 17 (NASB) (David vs. Goliath) C. Four sons of Goliath – 2 Samuel 21:22 (NASB) IV. The Mind and Spirit A. Ephesians 4:23 (NASB) – Renewed in the spirit of your mind B. 1 John 2:15-17 (NASB) – Worldly lusts pass away V. How to Have Peace of Mind A. Pray and ask for wisdom – James 1:2-6, 13 (NKJV) B. One Mediator – 1 Timothy 2:5 (NKJV) C. Eliminate jealousy – Galatians 5:20-21 (NKJV) D. Trust God, not money E. Stay involved in spiritual matters – 1 Corinthians 6:2 (NKJV); John 12:48 (NKJV) F. Avoid self-pity G. Cultivate love, compassion, loyalty H. Trust in God – 2 Timothy 1:12 (NKJV) I. Look to Jesus – Hebrews 12:1-3 (NKJV) J. Clear conscience – Matthew 5:23-24 (NASB); Philippians 4:2-3 (NASB); Ephesians 4:26 (NASB) K. Prayer and thanksgiving – Philippians 4:6-7 (NASB) VI. Conclusion True peace is in God, not the world. Short Lesson Description (87 characters) True peace of mind comes from God, not money, power, or circumstances—trust, pray, obey.