Peace from God
Summary
TLDRDavid Ingall, founder of Burning Heart, shares his journey of seeking God's peace amidst the stress of London life. He explores Philippians 4:4-9, challenging the assumption that peace is passive by highlighting it as something to be actively pursued. Ingall discusses the 'recipe for peace' found in the Bible, emphasizing that God's peace is not reliant on our emotions but is a secure gift in Christ, even during life's toughest moments. He encourages viewers to join him in a series that delves deeper into these biblical teachings, aiming to experience a profound and transformative peace.
Takeaways
- 🏙️ David Ingall, founder of Burning Heart, shares his deep connection with London, a city known for its rich history, finance, and culture, but also acknowledges the stress and intensity that can come with city life.
- 🙏 David realized during a church service that while he prayed for peace for others, he himself was lacking that very peace in his life, sparking a desire for change.
- 🌐 The lack of peace is a common struggle across different demographics, from students to parents to those facing health issues or high-stress jobs.
- 📜 David explores the biblical promise of peace found in Philippians, particularly focusing on the transformative power of the scripture's message for his own life.
- 🔑 The peace of God is not just a passive state but an active pursuit, contrary to David's initial assumption that it was something that simply 'happened' to you.
- 🗣️ The pursuit of peace involves a series of proactive steps and attitudes such as rejoicing, gentleness, avoiding anxiety, giving thanks, and prayer, as outlined in Philippians.
- 🏰 David uses the metaphor of the Tower of London as a fortress to illustrate how God's peace guards and protects our hearts and minds, even amidst life's challenges.
- 🕊️ Despite being in prison and facing execution, Paul's letters from Philippians reveal a profound sense of contentment and peace, demonstrating that peace comes from a place beyond our circumstances.
- 💡 The peace that comes from God is described as 'transcending all understanding,' suggesting it is beyond human comprehension and is found in a relationship with Christ.
- ✝️ The peace of God, or 'shalom,' is not just an emotional state but a holistic state of well-being and right relationship with God and others, accessible even in the midst of mental health struggles.
Q & A
Who is David Ingall and what is his role at Burning Heart?
-David Ingall is the founder and Ministry Director of Burning Heart. He is passionate about London and has experienced the city's various facets, from its cultural, financial, and political aspects to its stress and intensity.
What realization did David Ingall have while praying at his old church?
-David Ingall realized that he was praying for peace for others but was not experiencing it in his own life, which led him to desire a change.
What common issue does David Ingall believe is prevalent in today's generation?
-David Ingall believes that a lack of peace is a common issue in today's generation, affecting individuals across various life situations.
What biblical passage does David Ingall reference in his discussion about peace?
-David Ingall references Philippians 4:4-9, which contains a promise of peace from God that has been transformative for him.
How does David Ingall interpret the promise of peace in Philippians?
-David Ingall interprets the promise of peace as not just something that happens but as something that requires proactive pursuit, following a series of instructions and commands from Paul.
What does David Ingall suggest is the key to experiencing God's peace?
-David Ingall suggests that the key to experiencing God's peace is following the instructions given by Paul in the Bible, which are like a recipe for peace.
What is the significance of the Tower of London in David Ingall's discussion about peace?
-The Tower of London serves as an illustration of how God's peace acts as a fortress to guard and protect our hearts and minds, even amidst adversity.
How does David Ingall describe the nature of God's peace in contrast to worldly peace?
-David Ingall describes God's peace as secure and unshakable, unlike the fragile peace the world offers, which can be easily disrupted by changes in health, prosperity, or life situations.
What does David Ingall mean when he says the peace of God 'transcends all understanding'?
-David Ingall means that the peace of God is beyond our capacity to fully grasp or expect, and it is a deep and secure peace that comes from being in a right relationship with God through Christ.
How does David Ingall relate the concept of 'shalom' to the peace of God?
-David Ingall relates 'shalom', a Hebrew word for completeness or wholeness, to the peace of God, emphasizing that it is not just about feelings but about being whole and secure in one's relationship with God and others.
What does David Ingall suggest for those struggling with mental health and seeking peace?
-David Ingall suggests that God's peace is available to everyone, including those struggling with mental health, and that it is an existential peace that is not dependent on one's emotional state.
Outlines
🏙️ London's Impact on Personal Life
David Ingall, founder of Burning Heart, reflects on his deep connection with London, a city he admires for its diversity and vibrancy. Despite his love for the city, he acknowledges the stress and intensity that are part of London life, which he believes are also reflective of the weaknesses of his generation. He shares a personal revelation during a church service where he prayed for peace, realizing he lacked it himself. This realization led him to explore the concept of peace, particularly in the context of Philippians 4:4-9 from the Bible. David discusses the common struggle for peace in various aspects of life, such as social media pressures, family life, health issues, and job stress, and invites viewers to join him in a series exploring how to achieve peace.
📜 Pursuing Peace Through Biblical Instructions
In this segment, David Ingall delves into the concept of peace as presented in Philippians, emphasizing that peace is not a passive state but an active pursuit. He points out that the promise of God's peace is conditional, following a series of instructions from Paul. These instructions include rejoicing, being gentle, avoiding anxiety, giving thanks, and praying. David likens these instructions to a recipe for peace, suggesting that ignoring them would hinder the attainment of peace. He shares his personal transformation through these teachings, even amidst significant life changes and the pandemic. David uses the metaphor of the Tower of London as a fortress to illustrate how God's peace guards and protects us during challenging times, just as the tower protected its inhabitants.
🕊️ The Source of True Peace
David explores the idea that true peace comes from God and not from within ourselves. He contrasts the world's fragile peace, which is dependent on external circumstances, with the unshakable peace found in God. This divine peace is described as transcending all understanding and is rooted in Christ Jesus. David explains that this peace is not just an emotion but a state of being whole and secure in one's relationship with God and others. He reassures viewers that God's peace is accessible even during emotional turmoil, providing comfort and assurance that God is present and can bring peace regardless of one's mental or emotional state.
🌳 Flourishing in the Midst of Adversity
In the final paragraph, David discusses how to flourish and experience God's peace despite life's challenges. He shares his own experience of an anxiety breakdown and how he found solace in the peace of God. He emphasizes that the peace of God is not dependent on mental health but is a gift given through faith in Jesus Christ. David encourages viewers to pursue this peace through the teachings of Jesus, suggesting that it can be a source of strength even in the midst of emotional distress. He concludes with a prayer for strength and peace and invites viewers to engage with the series' resources for deeper exploration.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Peace
💡Stress
💡God's Peace
💡Philippians 4:4-9
💡Pursuing Peace
💡Contentment
💡Mental Health
💡Shalom
💡Recipe for Peace
💡Strength in Jesus
Highlights
London is celebrated for its diverse offerings, from theater glamour to financial might.
David Ingall shares his personal connection to London, highlighting the city's vibrancy and his own professional journey.
The narrative reveals a common struggle with the stress and intensity inherent in modern life, particularly in cities like London.
Ingall recounts a pivotal moment of self-realization during a church service, recognizing a lack of personal peace.
The concept of 'un-peace' is introduced as a widespread issue, affecting various demographics and life stages.
An invitation is extended to explore the transformational power of biblical teachings, specifically Philippians 4:4-9.
The peace of God is presented as a guaranteed promise, challenging the common perception of peace as a passive state.
Ingall discusses the proactive nature of pursuing peace, emphasizing the importance of active engagement with spiritual teachings.
The significance of the word 'and' in Philippians is explored, indicating a conditional aspect to receiving God's peace.
A list of spiritual instructions is provided as a 'recipe for peace,' including rejoicing, gentleness, and gratitude.
The peace of God is likened to a fortress, offering protection and security amidst life's challenges.
The Tower of London serves as a metaphor for the protective nature of God's peace, even in times of imprisonment and execution.
Paul's contentment amidst imprisonment is highlighted, underscoring the power of faith over circumstance.
The peace that comes from God is described as unshakable, contrasting with the world's fragile peace.
The 'peace of God' is explained as a comprehensive state of well-being and wholeness, not merely an emotional state.
Despite mental health struggles, historical figures like Martin Luther and Mother Teresa exemplify experiencing God's peace.
Ingall shares a personal testimony of finding peace in God during an anxiety breakdown, emphasizing its existential nature.
The series concludes with a prayer for strength and peace, and an invitation to engage with the content in a small group setting.
Transcripts
London is one of the world's great cities, from the glamour of a West End theater,
to the high finance of the City, or the history and power of Parliament, it's got everything.
While I moved away recently, for most of my adult life it's also been my home and where I've worked.
I'm David Ingall, founder and Ministry Director of Burning Heart, and I love London
and I've benefited and enjoyed being part of it. But I think I've also picked up some of its weaknesses -
particularly around the stress, busyness, and intensity of London life, something which I think is also
a weakness of our generation more generally. I realized that for me one day as I was leading a
service in my old church. As I finished, I prayed a prayer over everyone there that I used to pray
at the end of most services: "May the peace of God which passes all understanding guard your
hearts and minds." I realized as I prayed, that that peace I was praying over everyone
else wasn't something that I was experiencing in my own life - and I wanted that to change.
Sadly my issues and struggles in not experiencing God's peace are all too common. Each of our
stories is unique in the details, but lack of peace seems to be common to many of them.
Whether it's the student struggling to cope with the pressures of social media, parents overwhelmed
by family life, someone weighed down with health problems, or the stresses of a high-intensity job,
our world is full of un-peace. And if that's you, then can I invite you to join me to explore
together how that can change. We're going to go back to that prayer for peace that I prayed
over my congregation and like many of the best prayers it comes from the Bible, and a promise in Philippians
Exploring those words and the things Paul says
around them has been transformative for me. My understanding and experience of peace has really
changed, so in this series we're going to take a deep dive into Philippians 4:4 to9 and what it
shows us about peace. The first thing that strikes me though is a problem - Paul promises us peace,
he tells us that "the peace of God which passes all understanding WILL guard your hearts and
your minds" not might, or could, or sometimes, but will. So why don't we always feel at peace?
And asking and answering that question has really been what set me going.
I think I'd always assumed that peace was something that 'just happens' to you - or in my case, doesn't happen to you
I thought that God would give me his peace regardless of what I did - and yet he hadn't.
So I went back to the promise and asked: "why not? Is there something here that I've missed?"
And I realized that there was - the first word of the promise, a word we usually miss or skip over, "and."
I'd always read the promise on its own as a sort of standalone gift, but suddenly
I realized that it isn't. The promise flows out of what Paul has just been saying - if we we do that,
then peace will follow. Peace isn't something that 'just happens' - it's something we can go after,
something we need to go after. Which is why I've not called this series 'experiencing peace'
but 'pursuing peace' - it's proactive. And so we ask: "what comes before the and?"
And the answer is a series of instructions and commands. Our generation can often bristle at
commands and being told 'do this' or 'do that,' but God's instructions to us are never given to
restrict or burden us, but to help us. And that's particularly clear in these verses:
There's a whole bunch of things that Paul
is telling us to do in these verses: rejoice, be gentle, don't be anxious, give thanks, pray
They're like a recipe for peace in which all of the commands come together in this promise
of peace. It is like following a recipe - you can obviously choose to ignore the instructions if you
want but you won't get the results at the end if you do. And Paul is telling us that each of these
instructions is a key ingredient in the recipe for God's peace. In the rest of the series we're going
to explore each ingredient in turn, digging into what all these instructions mean and how they can
help us experience God's peace. Our list isn't exhaustive though and there are lots of other
helpful resources for pursuing peace which we find elsewhere in the Bible, including in the very next
verse, which we will also look at and which ends with the promise that if we follow its advice "the
God of Peace will be with you." For now though, I want to ask what this all means for us and look
more closely at the promise that "the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard
your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Starting by saying how much difference this
has made in my life. In recent years I really have experienced God's peace in a fresh and deeper way,
even though they've been busy and tumultuous years - I've moved job, become a dad for the first time,
and like all of us, walked through pandemic and lockdown. It's not been simple and yet I
have known God's peace. I have a way to go still, but this is now my experience
and testimony in a way it wasn't before. And I think it's significant that my experience
of peace has come in the midst of busyness or even adversity - because when we think of peace
we tend to think of ways in which we can escape from the stresses and strains of ordinary life,
where we can just unwind and forget about the busyness and pressures of our daily life,
or we use guides and techniques to try and clear our minds and switch off for some down time. And
there is something in that - the scriptures talks a lot about Sabbath and experiencing God's rest,
but not as a way of escaping the troubles of life, but as part of the rhythms and patterns for what
it looks like to flourish more widely. And here Paul doesn't promise that the peace of God will
keep us from the pressures and struggles of life, but that it will sustain us in the midst of them:
"the peace of God will GUARD your hearts and Minds in Christ Jesus."
The Tower of London is one of the most famous castles in the world. These days it's a big
tourist attraction, full of family fun and entertainment, but its original purpose was
very different. It was built by William the Conqueror over 900 years ago and he was a
foreign King worried and uncertain about London's loyalty to him. And the tower was built as a
fortress to guard and protect him in the midst of a potentially hostile city and population. And I
think that's a beautiful illustration of what Paul is talking about here - the peace of God
is like a fortress that guards and protects our hearts and minds, not just when we're on holiday,
or life's easy, but also when it's tough and we're in the midst of the stress and
struggles of life. That was certainly Paul's own experience - just a few verses later he tells us:
That's a pretty big thing to say at the best of times, but for Paul this wasn't the best of times.
As well as a famous castle The Tower was historically one of England's most feared and notorious jails and
places of execution. When I look at its walls and gates with that in mind and think about all those
imprisoned inside over the years it's a sobering and unsettling thought, but also one that helps me
grasp Paul's situation when he wrote this letter, because we know he was in prison at the time.
In chapter 1 he describes himself as "in chains for Christ." Many scholars think that this was
probably his final imprisonment before his trial and execution. I don't know about you but I think
I'd find that pretty stressful, and yet Paul in the midst of it
can describe himself as content, and talk of peace - how? Well, the key to understanding that
is to look at where Paul's peace comes from.
Peace and well-being are hot topics in our world today with thousands of competing answers
filling our social media feeds and conversations but one thing that all of them
seem to have in common is the assumption that if we want to find peace we need to look within ourselves.
But Paul's solution is very different - he looks not to himself, but to God.
And what we're promised here is not some vague or general sense of peace, but the "peace of God"
which guards our hearts and minds not because of what we can do,
or the resources we can find in ourselves, but "in Christ Jesus."
There's a fragility to the peace the world can give,
it rests on our health, or prosperity, or situation in life, and as those shift or crack it can quickly give way.
But what we have in God is secure and unshakable, a rock that holds firm no matter what life may throw at us
Because however strong and successful we may be, there's always a limit to our strength and resources
but not God's. His strength and power will never run out
and his compassions and love never fail. And so God's peace holds firm even when all else crumbles.
Even as Paul writes from a a prison and knows that death may be close he can know this peace
because what he has 'in Christ Jesus' is is stronger even than death itself.
I think that's what he means when he says that the peace of God "transcends all understanding" -
it's beyond our capacity to grasp, and beyond what we could ever expect or hope for.
Which brings us to the question of: what does that look like?
What does it mean to experience the peace of God which transcends all understanding?
Is it a feeling? Or an emotion? Something in our internal world?
Well - yeees? Paul does talk about it guarding our hearts and minds
and so we should expect it to have an impact on our thoughts and feelings.
But it is also more than that. Paul would have been thinking about all the Old Testament
has to say about peace when he wrote this and
the Hebrew word "Shalom" is much bigger and richer than the English "Peace."
It comes from a word for completeness or wholeness and it's focus is not primarily on how we feel
but how we ARE, whether our life is whole and as it should be, and particularly whether that's true
in our relationships with others and with God. There's something objective about God's peace.
Shalom means being right with God and whole and secure because of that. And that's not something
we can earn but something we are given, as Paul puts it here, "in Christ Jesus."
And that's what makes the peace of God so utterly secure, and it also has big implications for what it means
to experience God's peace, because it means that it's not just about our emotions and thoughts and
feelings. It's not the same as being calm and laid back - what the world thinks of when it
talks about peace - we can experience God's peace "shalom" even when our minds and hearts
are all over the place. And this is maybe particularly important for those who are struggling in this
area to hear, such as with depression, or a serious and enduring mental health condition, or
grief, or simply lack of sleep. Paul's point here is not that you've got it wrong, but that Jesus has
already got it right for you and that he's with you even in the midst of the storm and struggles
that you're facing. Now I do believe that that will have an impact on how you think and how you
feel, that the peace of God can still guard your heart and your mind even in the midst of emotional
turmoil - but that comfort and assurance may not always feel the same as being happy or relaxed
I think many people people out there believe that you have to sort of be peaceful before you can
really encounter God, and one of the challenges facing many people exploring the Christian faith
is that either they don't feel good enough for the Christian faith, or they don't feel sorted out
enough, particularly in their mental and emotional health. The experience of some Christians in the
church has been to feel stigmatized spiritually because of their mental health problem.
And actually the inverse is true, in that many of the founders of our faith have been people who've
struggled with their mental health - they've experienced God's peace despite their mental
health distress. Take Martin Luther, who's the father of the Reformation, he suffered from acute
anxiety and some obsessive compulsive disorder - he famously threw his paint pot at the Devil,
Florence Nightingale who had bipolar disorder, or William Cowper who had acute depression,
or Charles Spurgeon who spent 20 years depressed, or Mother Teresa who was depressed for most of her
ministry of compassion. All these people had a unique relationship with the peace of God
despite quite acute emotional distress. That actually the Christian Gospel transcends our
experience of mental health, God is present with us in that moment and can bring peace despite our circumstances.
I suffered from an acute anxiety breakdown in 2005 and I say my mind was incredibly disordered
and I was acutely distressed and yet the one thing I could hold on to was that
the peace of God was mine despite my mental health experience. So one of the one of the most amazing
realities for Christians is that my peace is not dependent upon the settlement of my human mind,
that my peace is something existential, something beyond myself, that God can give me that peace in
all circumstances. And for me holding on to the peace of God despite my emotional turbulence,
despite my acute distress, was something that really kept me going.
Our experience of the peace of God might not always feel like holidays and happiness but that
doesn't mean it can't be real. The Bible often uses the image of a flourishing tree as a picture
of life with God. And this tree, lush and strong in the midst of the tarmac and concrete of city life,
makes me think of Paul's description of himself as content, or at peace, whatever the circumstances.
How can we blossom and flourish and know God's peace even when life seems to push against it?
Well, a couple of verses later Paul tells us his secret:
On one level Paul's words are very active, "I can DO all this."
But they're not self-reliant, because he knows he can only do them
"through him who gives me strength" - through Jesus.
And for the the rest of this series we're going to explore what we can do to pursue God's peace,
and we'll look at the recipe and ingredients that Paul gives us here.
But one of the things that we'll discover is that all of them are rooted in our life with Jesus,
none of them makes any sense at all unless we do them "through him who gives us strength."
And so as we finish this first episode, I want to pray that God would do just that
strengthen you and give you peace.
Lord Jesus thank you so much for your promises of peace - of shalom.
I pray that you would help and strengthen each of us as we work through the rest of this passage,
that everyone watching might indeed know the peace of God which passes all understanding
and that it might guard their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Thanks so much for watching!
Have you ever considered doing one of our series with your small group?
If you do we have discussion guides, downloadable versions, and other resources,
all free on our website burningheart.org I would also love to ask you to help us
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either by praying or giving? Thanks so much!
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