29 June 2008

Broadstreet Church of Christ

1213 Broad Street Phenix City, Alabama

Sermon Notes 29 June 2008

Minister: H. Allen Croley

Email: Minister@andonthisrock.com

Office 334-298-0657

Home 334-298-2996

Broadstreet Church of Christ

1213 Broad Street Phenix City, Alabama

36867

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Sermon Notes

29 June 2008

Morning Worship

Heavenly Reunions

Evening Worship

Paul’s Three Point Plan for Personal Peace

Broadstreet Church of Christ

1213 Broad Street Phenix City, Alabama

Schedule of Services
Sunday:

Bible Study
10:00 A.M.

Morning Worship
11:00 A.M.

Evening Worship
5:00 P.M.

Wednesday:
Bible Study
7:30 P.M.

All times
Eastern

Morning Worship

printable pdf file

Heavenly Reunions

I Corinthians 15:24

24
Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.

Introduction:

a. Family Reunions

b. Class Reunions

c. Homecomings

d. Heavenly Reunions

I. Some Glad reunions found in God’s Word:

a. Joseph and His family

Genesis 45:1-16

1
Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren.

2
And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard.

3
And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence.

4
And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt.

5
Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.

6
For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest.

7
And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

8
So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.

9
Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt: come down unto me, tarry not:

10
And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, and thou shalt be near unto me, thou, and thy children, and thy children's children, and thy flocks, and thy herds, and all that thou hast:

11
And there will I nourish thee; for yet there are five years of famine; lest thou, and thy household, and all that thou hast, come to poverty.

12
And, behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my mouth that speaketh unto you.

13
And ye shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that ye have seen; and ye shall haste and bring down my father hither.

14
And he fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck, and wept; and Benjamin wept upon his neck.

15
Moreover he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his brethren talked with him.

16
And the fame thereof was heard in Pharaoh's house, saying, Joseph's brethren are come: and it pleased Pharaoh well, and his servants.

Genesis 46:26-31

26
All the souls that came with Jacob into Egypt, which came out of his loins, besides Jacob's sons' wives, all the souls were threescore and six;

27
And the sons of Joseph, which were born him in Egypt, were two souls: all the souls of the house of Jacob, which came into Egypt, were threescore and ten.

28
And he sent Judah before him unto Joseph, to direct his face unto Goshen; and they came into the land of Goshen.

29
And Joseph made ready his chariot, and went up to meet Israel his father, to Goshen, and presented himself unto him; and he fell on his neck, and wept on his neck a good while.

30
And Israel said unto Joseph, Now let me die, since I have seen thy face, because thou art yet alive.

31
And Joseph said unto his brethren, and unto his father's house, I will go up, and show Pharaoh, and say unto him, My brethren, and my father's house, which were in the land of Canaan, are come unto me;

b. Prodigal and his Father

Luke 15:11-32

11
And he said, A certain man had two sons:

12
And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.

13
And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.

14
And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.

15
And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

16
And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.

17
And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

18
I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,

19
And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

20
And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

21
And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

22
But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

23
And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:

24
For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

25
Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing.

26
And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.

27
And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.

28
And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and entreated him.

29
And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:

30
But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.

31
And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.

32
It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

c. Jesus and His Apostles after the Resurrection

Luke 24:1-11

1
Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.

2
And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.

3
And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.

4
And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:

5
And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?

6
He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,

7
Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.

8
And they remembered his words,

9
And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.

10
It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.

11
And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not.

John 20:19-22

19
Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

20
And when he had so said, he showed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.

21
Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

22
And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

John 21:7

7
Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.

d. Paul and Timothy

II Timothy 4:1-9

1
I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;

2
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

3
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

4
And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

5
But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

6
For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.

7
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

8
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

9
Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:

II Timothy 4:21

21
Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren

ii. Some sad reunions:

a. The rich fool and his brothers

Luke 16:19-31

19
There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:

20
And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,

21
And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

22
And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;

23
And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

24
And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

25
But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

26
And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.

27
Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:

28
For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.

29
Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.

30
And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.

31
And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

b. Satan and his children

John 8:43-45

43
Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.

44
Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

45
And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.

Matthew 25:41

41
Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

iii. some Heavenly Reunions:

a. David and his infant son

II Samuel 12:15-23

15
And Nathan departed unto his house. And the LORD struck the child that Uriah's wife bare unto David, and it was very sick.

16
David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth.

17
And the elders of his house arose, and went to him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them.

18
And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died. And the servants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead: for they said, Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spake unto him, and he would not hearken unto our voice: how will he then vex himself, if we tell him that the child is dead?

19
But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that the child was dead: therefore David said unto his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead.

20
Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat.

21
Then said his servants unto him, What thing is this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread.

22
And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live?

23
But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.

a. Jesus and the Penitent Thief

Luke 23:39-43

39
And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.

40
But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?

41
And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.

42
And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

43
And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

b. Paul and Stephen

Acts 7:55-60

55
But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,

56
And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

57
Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,

58
And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.

59
And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

60
And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Acts 8:1-4

1
And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

2
And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.

3
As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.

4
Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

Philippians 1:20-23

20
According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.

21
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

22
But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.

23
For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

c. All the Redeemed and Jesus

John 14:1-6

1
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

2
In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

3
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

4
And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

5
Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?

6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

I Thessalonians 4:13-18

13
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

14
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

15
For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

16
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

17
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

18
Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Conclusion:

a. Reunite with God today

b. Reunite with the brethren

c. Rejoice in the Lord and look forward to that heavenly

Evening Worship

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Paul’s Three Point Plan for Personal Peace

Introduction:

a. Paul’s statement in Philippians 4:6

6
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Be anxious for nothing

b. Just consider some things mentioned in this letter:

1. Paul was writing while imprisoned

Philippians 1: 7

7
Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.

2. there were men teaching from envy and strife just to add afflictions to his chains

Philippians 1: 15,16

15
Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:

16
The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:

3. he knew he might be executed

Philippians 1:20

20
According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.

4. He knew his friends were going to suffer

Philippians 1:28-30

28
And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.

29
For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

30
Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

c. Within Philippians 4:6-9, Paul presents a three-point plan for personal peace

6
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

9
Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

I. Pray—Trust God

Philippians 4:6:

6
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

A. On the surface, we could easily just say that Paul’s advice is to pray. We could talk about how to make requests and offer thanks. But that is really just the surface. The deeper issue that Paul is really bringing out is to trust God. No matter what stresses are weighing down on you, trust that God is there and will take care of you.

B. When you consider this trust note four areas in which you must trust God:

1. Trust God that He will not abandon you

Hebrews 13:5,6

5
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

6
So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Romans 8:35-39

35
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36
As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

37
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

38
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

2. Trust God that He knows what we need, even before we ask Him

Matthew 6:8

Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

32
(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

3. Trust God that He cares about our needs and concerns

I Peter 5:6,7

6
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

7
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

4. Trust God that He is able to take care of us. Paul demonstrated that in Philippians 4:6, when he pointed out that our requests should be made with thanksgiving. God has already demonstrated His ability to take care of us. That is why we owe Him our thanks already.

C. Paul makes an amazingly subtle, yet profound, point in Philippians 4:7. He demonstrates that the peace we will receive from God comes through Jesus Christ

7
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Romans 5:6-11

6
For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
7
For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
8
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9
Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
10
For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
11
And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

D. We can trust God to take care of us and provide what is best and most needed for us. So, when we face anxieties and stresses, pray. Make your requests known to God, giving thanks. And know that even when, in your stress and anxiety, you do not know exactly how or what to pray, the Spirit knows and intercedes for us

Romans 8:26

26
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

II. Think good thoughts

Philippians 4:8:

8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

A. In Philippians 4:8, Paul gives a list of things upon which we should meditate

8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

B. Here is a man in prison telling us in very strong terms to look on the bright side. Do not get bogged down in thinking about all the bad things. Do not count up in your mind all the false, irreverent, unfair, sinful, disgusting and terrible things that are happening to or around you. Count the good things. The song we sing, “Count Your Many Blessings” fits here. It may surprise you what the Lord has already done for you.

C. Look at Paul’s example just in the first chapter of Philippians:

1. Philippians 1:12

12
But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;

2. Philippians 1:14

14
And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

3. Philippians 1:15-18

15
Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:

16
The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:

17
But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.

18
What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

D. One of the great battles of our time is the battle of the mind, but Paul said in II Corinthians 10:3-6, that we must wage that warfare and bring our thoughts into captivity. A friend of mine once said, “We may not be able to stop the birds from flying over our heads, but we can keep them from making nests in our hair.” In like manner, we may never stop fleeting thoughts from coursing through our minds. But we can control our meditations. Meditate on the good things.

III. No matter how you feel, do what you know is right

Philippians 4:9

9
Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

A. Specifically, to the Philippians he said that they should do what he taught them.

B. Paul was one of the human penmen, BUT IT came from the Holy Spirit

II Peter 1:20,21

20
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

21
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

II Timothy 3:16,17

16
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

17
That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

C. Notice some areas in which the scripture provides instruction:

1. For how we should live as members of the church

I Timothy 3:15

15
But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

2. It talks about how to live within a family

Ephesians 5:22

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

23
For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

24
Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

25
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

26
That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

27
That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

28
So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

29
For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:

30
For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

31
For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

32
This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

33
Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

Eph 6:1
Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

2
Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;

3
That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

4
And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

3. It tells us about personal day to day living regarding speech, actions and even emotions

Ephesians 4:25-32

25
Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

26
Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

27
Neither give place to the devil.

28
Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

29
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

30
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

31
Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

32
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

4. It talks about conflict resolution

Matthew 5:21-26

21
Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:

22
But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

23
Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;

24
Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

25
Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.

26
Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.

D. That means we do not follow our feelings. We do not follow the crowd. We do not follow our peer group or our family. We follow God, according to His word. Then we will have peace, because only then can we rest assured that we have done what is right.

Conclusion:

a. Certainly we know that as to think that we can go home tonight, go through this three step process and never have again have stress

b. However as one grows in Christ spending time doing these three things—trusting God in prayer, thinking good thoughts and doing what you know is right—the God of peace will be with you and you, through God’s grace, will overcome the stresses and anxieties of life.