Part 3 | PEACE: Trading Anxiety for Wholeness
Philippians 4:4-9 | August 30th, 2026
Ender Palencia, Pastor of Multisite and Missions – SCBC
True peace is not found in a change of circumstances but in the presence of God.
- Galatians 5:22-23 – But the fruit oof the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
1. Peace begins when we meditate in God’s presence in our lives.
- Philippians 4:4-5 - Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand…
- Psalm 46:1-2 - God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2Therefore we will not fear though the earth give way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea.
- Matthew 28:20b - "And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
A. Meditate on who God is and His presence in your life.
B. Extend to others the gentleness God has shown you.
2. Peace grows at the same rate our trust in God grows.
- Philippians. 4:6-7 - Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
A. Bring every anxiety to God in prayer.
B. Choose gratitude over anxiety.
3. Peace flourishes when we fix our minds on the Right Person.
- Philippians 4:8-9 - Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
A. Fill your mind with the truth of God’s Word.
- Romans 5:1 - “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
B. Focus on Christ, not other people.
- Hebrews 12:1-2 - Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
When Christ becomes the source of our peace, we are free to be at peace with others.