Scripture Reading: Philippians 4:6-9

Meditate and Do

(Philippians 4:8-9)

Intro.

1. Anxiety can weaken our faith, making it difficult to fight the good fight of faith (1 Tim. 6:12).

2. Scripture teaches how faith gives victory over anxiety, Phil. 4:4-13.

a. Praise, patience and prayer results in peace, 4:4-7.

b. Ponder and practice, 4:8-9.

c. Philanthropy brings contentment, 4:10-12.

d. Christ’s power to cope, 4:13.

3. Focus on ponder and practice (meditate and do), Phil. 4:8-9.

I. MEDITATE, Phil. 4:8. (Ponder)

A. Finally: There is Something Remaining to be Done. (that which remains)

1. God expects us to have a faithful response to patient prayer, just as we expect Him to respond to our prayers (4:5-7).

2. cf. the problem of prayer without a faithful focus, Jas. 4:3.

3. We must faithfully endure all that comes our way, Heb. 12:1-2.

B. Whatever is…If there is anything.

1. Necessary implication -- these things still exist.

2. Do not lose hope: God still have His 7,000, Rom. 11:2-5.

3. In this world of sin there are still good things.

C. Meditate on These Things.

1. Lit., “to take an inventory, i.e. estimate (lit. or fig.): --conclude” (Strong’s Greek Dictionary). cf. Heb. 11:19

2. To reckon. “In Phil. 4:8 it signifies ‘to think upon a matter by way of taking account of its character’” (Vine, II:9).

3. We are to exercise spiritual discernment to choose our meditations and our conduct, Phil. 1:9-11.

D. Whatever things Are:

1. True. Eph. 4:25

a. Truth must be central to our character.

b. God is our Father; Devil the father of lies.

c. God’s judgments are true, our standard of concluding what is true, Psa. 19:9.

d. False doctrine is not our meditation!

2. Noble. Venerable, honorable, righteous, 2 Cor. 8:21; 1 Pet. 2:15-17

a. Many things are not noble, 1 Pet. 2:11-12.

b. Application: Recreation? Entertainment? Language?

3. Just. Character and action – Equitable, right, fair, upright, approved.

a. In judgment, cf. Deut. 16:19-20.

b. In treatment, Jas. 2:1-4.

c. Application: Prejudices | Sinners | Who we will teach gospel, cf. Lk. 18:9-12; 1 Cor. 6:11.

4. Pure. Matt. 5:8; 1 Thess. 5:22

a. Truth purifies, Jno. 17:17; Titus 1:14-15.

b. Pure religion, Jas. 1:26-27.

c. Application: Cleanse hands and heart of worldly defilements, Jas. 4:8.

5. Lovely. Friendly towards, i.e., acceptable. 1 Cor. 13:4-7

a. Our words, cf. Jas. 3:9-12 (harsh, harmful, hurtful).

b. Our treatment of others, Matt. 7:12 (Rom. 12:10).

c. Application: Driven by love.

6. Good report. Reputable, good reputation.

a. Faithful brethren, cf. Phil. 2:29.

b. Worthy widow, 1 Tim. 5:10.

c. Maintain a good name, Prov. 22:1 (Eccl. 7:1).

d. Application: Who do you maintain your reputation before?

7. Virtue (excellence, valor) and praiseworthy (commendable) before God and men.

-Application: For whose praise do you yearn?

II. DO, Phil. 4:9. (Practice)

A. Apostolic Teaching, 2 Thess. 2:15; 3:4, 7, 9. cf. Phil. 2:12

B. Apostolic Examples, Phil. 3:17; 1 Cor. 4:16-17; 11:1.

Conclusion

1. Anxiety cannot overtake the faith of the Christian who sets his mind on heavenly things and follows the teachings and examples of Christ’s apostles.

2. Faith is the victory that overcomes the world, 1 Jno. 5:4.

By: Joe R. Price

Posted: May 31, 2018