Think On These Things
Steve W. Reeves
stevesermons.blogspopt.com
INTRODUCTION:
A. Have
you ever heard a song that you haven’t been able to get out of your mind? Perhaps it has played like a perpetual CD or audio file over and over in your mind for
days or even weeks. You may have found yourself whistling it or singing it. Perhaps it
was in your mind when you woke up or went to bed. Most of us have had such an
experience.
1. Our thoughts are much like that song. There are things we think about that become
embedded in our consciousness. They are never far from our attention.
2. They may be thoughts of worry, fear or dread. They may reflect the things we hear
from the news media or things we have been told by our family or friends. They are
like recordings that play over and over in our heads.
B. When Paul wrote to the Philippians he had such thoughts in mind. In Philippians 4:8
he wrote, “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is
right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any
excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.”
1. It is important to remember Paul’s circumstances when he wrote these words.
2. He was in Rome under house arrest. A Roman guard was stationed with him at all
times. He was not free to go about as he pleased. It was as if he was
quarantined.
3. In the midst of these difficult circumstances his heart was filled with joy. The
words “joy” or “rejoice” occur 15 times in the letter. There are 104 verses in
the four chapters of the letter. This is a ratio of one to seven.
4. Why was Paul’s heart filled with joy under such dire circumstances? It goes back to
Philippians 4:8. These were the things with which he filled his mind.
C. Upon what thoughts does your mind dwell? Are they negative, worrisome, spiteful,
envious or hateful? Are you consumed by thoughts that are immoral or hurtful? In
this verse we find eight qualities upon which our thoughts should be focused.
I. TRUE
A. This is a word that means genuine or authentic. It is not deceptive or phony.
1. Our adversary is a deceiver. In 2 Corinthians 11:14, Paul says that Satan
disguised himself as an angel of light.”
2. In John 8:44 Jesus said, “He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not
stand in the truth because there is no truth in him.”
B. Christians must be:
1. Truth seekers – Jesus compared the truth of God’s kingdom to a man who found
buried treasure in a field. He sold everything in order to buy the field (Matthew
13:44). Jesus went on to say that the truth of God’s kingdom was like a man
who found a beautiful pearl and sold everything in order to attain it (Matthew
13:45).
2. Truth speakers – do you remember Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5? When
asked by the apostles how much they had sold a piece of property for, by mutual
agreement they lied. Both of them died. Can you imagine what would happen if
such a thing occurred today?
II. HONORABLE
A. This word means, “Having proper morals, manners and motives. It is the dignity of
holiness. It is the opposite of being crude, course and cheap.
B. If you do not focus on what is honorable. Your mind will be filled with that which is
dishonorable. It’s like cultivating a garden. What do you have to do to have
weeds in your garden? Nothing. If you do not fill your mind with honorable
thoughts there are plenty of people and persuasions that will fill it for you.
C. Impure thoughts lead to impure acts. Honorable thoughts lead to honorable
behavior. Paul instructed Timothy to be an example to others in love, conduct,
speech, faith and purity (1 Timothy 5:12).
III. JUST
A. This may also be translated “right.” This is a quality near to God’s heart. Micah
asked, “With what shall I come before the Lord?” The answer in Micah 6:8 is, “He
has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God.”
B. Do not be thinking of how you can cheat others or take advantage of others. Do
not be thinking of how you can cut corners to take advantage of someone else. Do
the right thing.
C. In the mid 1800’s a slave was given the opportunity to buy his freedom. With the
signing of the Emancipation Proclamation all slaves in the south were given
freedom. This man, however, said, “I made an agreement and will stick with it.”
He felt it was the just or right thing to do. He honored his commitment.
IV. PURE
A. We are to think of things that are uncontaminated by lust, immorality and evil.
1. The battle for control of your mind is real.
a. Paul urged Romans to live by the spirit rather than the flesh (Romans 8:5).
b. Later, he said, “do not be conformed to the world but be transformed by the
renewal of your mind” (Romans 12:2).
B. Listen to these words from Psalm 19:8-10, “The law of the Lord is perfect,
restoring the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the
Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring
forever; The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether.
10 They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; sweeter also than
honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.”
. LOVELY
A. This is the only occurrence of this word
in the Bible. B. You are what you think (Proverbs 23:7). If you go through life thinking ugly
thoughts you will be an ugly person. If you go through life thinking selfish thoughts
you will be a selfish person. If, however, you think lovely, gracious thoughts.
Thoughts that are generous and kind you will become that type of person.
C. The characteristic of loveliness is attractive to others. Remember that you only live
this life once. How do you want to be remembered? I hope people might remember
me as a lovely person.
VI. OF GOOD REPORT
A. We should think of things that are worthy of good speaking. That’s what this word
mean, “good speaking.”
B. This means we give people benefit. Howard Norton was a missionary in Brazil for
many years. He tells the story of how, on one occasion, he received word from
the church in Brazil that a man named Howard Norton had been accused of
committing a crime. Some people thought it was him. The brethren said, “No, it
couldn’t be. We know him. We do not believe this.” It’s easy to believe everything
we hear but not everything is of good report. Be careful what you think.
VII. WORTHY OF EXCELLENCE
A. One of my favorite descriptions of Jesus is found in Mark 7:37. While Jesus was
traveling on the east side of the Sea of Galilee he passed through a region known
as the Decapolis or “ten cities.” A man who was deaf was brought to Him. Jesus
took the man aside, placed his fingers in his ears and healed him. When the
people saw this they said, “He has done all things well.” Jesus had a reputation for
excellence.
B. Christians should be known for seeking excellence in everything we do. On our
jobs, in our families, in our worship, in our living.
1. A lot of people have the mind-set of mediocrity. Many want to do just enough to
“get by.”
2. I want to do my best. I want to focus on things that are excellent!
VIII. WORTHY OF PRAISE
A. I have noticed that we tend to focus on praise or problems.
1. If you want to focus on problems you will certainly find them. One fellow gave his
first speech. He heard that a speech should have an introduction, two points and
a poem. He stood and said, “Today I want to speak about problems. Point 1 –
You got ‘em. Point 2 – “I got ‘em. Point 3 – a poem, “Adam had ‘em.”
2. If you spend your life focusing on problems instead of praise you will end up
miserable and the people around you will be miserable as well.
B. It’s a matter of focus. An older woman decided it was time to leave her home and
move into a retirement center. On the way to her new home she said,
“It is going to be wonderful. I can’t wait to meet new people. I can’t wait to talk to
and make friends.” Someone said, “How do you know if you will like it. She
replied, “I’ve made up my mind I’m going to like it.”
CONCLUSION:
A. The Hubble Space Telescope has been an amazing piece of technology. For over
twenty-five years it has orbited the earth peering into the outer reaches of our Galaxy.
The pictures it has taken are incredible and reveal God’s awesome power.
1. When it was first placed in orbit there was a huge disappointment. The primary
mirror was incorrect and the images were blurred. Astronauts had to capture the
telescope and refit it with corrective lenses so it could focus properly.
2. God wants to fit you with corrective spiritual lenses so you can take your eyes off
of this world with its trouble and focus on the things that are really important.
B. Jesus extends His invitation to you. He, alone, can change your heart and focus your
thoughts on the things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good report,
worthy of excellence and worthy of praise. Why not come to Him today?
