Supernaturally changed heart....of peace

I PROMISE THIS IS WORTH READING....even though it is long!

A supernaturally changed heart versus a morally restrained heart.
This is the theme of a sermon series I’ve been listening to by Dr. Timothy Keller (leant to me by my dear friends Matt and Missy).
The series is challenging, convicting, and very Biblical! I could write pages and pages on what I’ve been learning so far, but it is better if you just listen to them. J (The actual title of the series is Practical Grace: How the Gospel Transforms Character)

This afternoon I listened to one about resting grace: the peace of Christ based on Colossians 3:1-15 and Philippians 4:4-9. Here are some summary notes I took….may they be a blessing.

Where (or in what) is your peace rooted? Do you feel peaceful one day and not the next? This is the peace of the world, based on circumstances. The peace of Christ is so much deeper and more powerful and extends beyond circumstances.

1) What is this peace?
a) The peace of Christ is not a general condition, but a living power!
b) The peace of Christ rules (Colossians) / guards (Philippians) from within (it is not based on circumstances), like an umpire ruling or soldiers guarding.
c) It is the peace of CHRIST!!!

2) How can this peace be cultivated?
a) Think out (Col 3:1)
- Don’t rely on the world’s approach for stress / anxiety / desires for peace, which start with “doing.”
- Instead, think about worldview. Think about the preview content of Colossians, specifically the supremacy of Christ and our heritage in him.

b) Dig down (Col 3:5)
- put to death / “kill off” all…
- evil desires (literally “over-desires:” wanting something good too strongly
- idolatry: anything we hold too to strongly in this life
- over-desires are caused by idolatry
- to identify idols.…
- Ask “What things in my life, if I lost them, would make me not want to continue living?”
- Find the over-emotions / uncontrollable emotions and see what is causing them.
- (The peace of Christ doesn’t erase emotions of anger/worry/grief, but these things are not absolute because the things we grieve etc. aren’t absolute in our lives)

c) Look up
- willpower doesn’t work against idols
- idols can’t be uprooted…only replaced
- our hearts always have an object of desire or joy
- verses 1-4: first set your mind and heart on the things above
- verse 5 and following: then idols can be replaced!
- verses 3-4: God considers a Christian’s sins absolutely forgiven and he delights in us as if we are totally righteous…all through CHRIST!
- Our object of full affection needs to be Christ!!!