Elliott Baptist Church - April 9, 2000 Sermon

Sunday, April 9, 2000

Thinking Right in A Wrong World
Philippians 4:8-9

INTRODUCTION: Paul knew that the mind will always set itself on something. Paul wished for the Philippians to set their minds on right things. It is very important that we think on the right things. In verse 8, Paul gives us a list of good things to think about; and he ends the verse by saying: "Think of these things." Our minds will always set themselves upon something. So we need to set our minds on good things, right things because:

1. What we think is what we become. Proverbs 23:7 says, "For as he thinketh in his heart so is he."
     a. Thoughts often repeated result in actions; actions often repeated become habits; habits often repeated form character.
     b. If a man continues to think on something long enough, he will come to the place where he cannot stop thinking about it. His thoughts will get in a rut. That's why we need to set our minds on good and honest things.
          1) Crime begins in the mind. A man has to think wrong before he acts wrong.
          2) Think right and act right. It is what you think and do that makes you what you are.

     2. We are responsible for our thought life.
          a. Deeds spring from thoughts, so man must be responsible for the thoughts that he entertains and nurtures.
          b. "Man's spirit, made in God's image, enables him to think, and to choose his thoughts. He is responsible to reject the evil and cleave to the good" (Loizeaux 12).

I. VERSE 8, CORRECT CONCENTRATION

      A. Verse 8a, Concentrate on those thoughts that build character.
          1. "Whatsoever things are true." We need to concentrate on the truth. In our day we need absolute truth.
               a. Don't get tangled up in thinking about that which is false; think about the truth. If you want to expose a crooked stick put a straight one below it.
               b. Truth is part of the Christian's armor (Ephesians 6:14). We need to put on truth not error. Truth is the belt on which everything else hangs. The belt strengthens the soldier. Truth strengthens the Christian and helps him stand strong.
               c. Truth is in the fruit of the Spirit (Ephesians 5:8-11).
               d. Don't get caught up in the study of cults and "ism's" for it is the truth that will set you free. Set your thoughts on that which will not let you down.
               e. The zenith of truth is Gospel truth. Without believing the truth of the Gospel, no man will be saved (Ephesians 1:13; Colossians 1:3-6). In the last days, men will be deluded and believe a lie (II Thessalonians 2:11).
          2. "Whatsoever things are honest." "Honest" is the Greek word "semnos" and can also be translated "honorable, venerable, grave to be venerated for character."
               a. The Christian is to have the dignity of holiness in all of his life. This is something that is being neglected in our age. Unless it is fun and games, folks will not patronize. Many people do not know how to get serious. Set your mind on serious and dignified things.
               b. The believer is to be serious in speech. His words are to be well thought out, and they are to edify not tear down.
               c. The behavior of the saint is also to be dignified, no snooty, but dignified. John Philip's says: "We are to extol the fine, avoid the base, emphasize the respectable, and cultivate the decorus and honorable"(167).
          3. "Whatsoever things are just." The word "just" is translated from the Greek word "dikaios" meaning "righteous, right." It also means, "duty-faced and duty done."
               a. There are those who set their minds on pleasure, on comfort, on easy paths. The Christian is to think on his duty to God and to man.
               b. We have a duty to man (Matthew 5:46-47).
               c. We have a duty to God (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
               d. Many things in the world are not right, but our duty is to do right, to respond right, to think right because the righteousness of God has been imputed and imparted to the believer.

     B. Verse 8b, Concentrate on those things that purify the inward man.
          1. "Whatsoever things are pure." Christians need to fill their minds with pure and holy thoughts.
               a. Believers are to overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21).
               b. The Greek word "hagnos" used for "pure" here means "morally undefiled." The world is full of filth and smut; and many people get their minds in such a dirty shape that everything they think of gets dirty.
               c. The thoughts of the Christian are to be set on pure things. The believer's thoughts are to be so pure that they can stand the evaluation of God. We need for God to search us to see if we have any wickedness (Psalms 139:23-24).
          2. "Whatsoever things are lovely." The Greek word for lovely is "prosphiles", "that which calls forth love."
               a. A mind set on vengeance and punishment will call forth bitterness and fear.
               b. Minds set on criticism and rebuke call forth resentment.
               c. The mind of the child of God is to be set on lovely things, kindness, patience, forbearance, sympathy, purity, innocence, etc. The mind set on lovely things will call forth love. The Christian is to be a winsome person, not bitter and hateful. Do others see Jesus in you?
          3. "Whatsoever things are of good report." This means to have a good name and good reputation.
               a. There are too many ugly and filthy words in the world. Speak words that edify, words fit for God to hear.
               b. We will only speak words void of criticism if we are right within. Be assured of this, what's in the well will come up in the bucket! You will not have a good reputation if your speech is not Christ like.

     C. Verse 8c, Concentrate on virtuous and praiseworthy thinking.
          1. Anything that is of moral and spiritual excellence is open for the Christian to think on.
          2. Think on virtuous and praiseworthy things.
          3. Ungodly, immoral things are not for the Christian.
          4. There are still good things left to think about; do it.

II. VERSE 9, CORRECT CHALLENGE

     A. Do the right things that you have learned, heard, seen and received.
          1. Have you heard the Gospel? Live like it (I Thessalonians 2:12).
          2. Have you learned the principles set forth in the Bible?

     B. "Received" is the Greek word "paralambano" meaning "to take to oneself, to accept, to acknowledge, to receive something transmitted."
          1. They received the truth of the Gospel (II Thessalonians 2:13-14).
          2. Church doctrine had been received (Jude 3) and needs to be hung unto.

     C. Paul says that the peace of God will be with the Philippians if they faithfully follow his instruction. How can we have the peace of God today?
          1. Have an interest in heavenly things. Set your mind on things above (Colossians 3:1-2).
          2. Put God first in your thoughts. "I have set the Lord always before me...."(Psalms 16:8).
          3. Meditate on God's word day and night (Psalms 1:1-3).
          4. Let the search light of God's Word search your life, then accept what the Word points out (Psalms 139:23-24).
          5. Pull down strongholds daily (II Corinthians 10:4-5).

CONCLUSION: Think on those things that are virtuous and praiseworthy.

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Sunday, April 9, 2000