Sunday, February 16,
2020 pm
STUDIES IN
PHILIPPIANS (27)
Meditate on These Things
Philippians 4:8-9
We are in the midst of some of Paul’s final admonitions to these good
brethren at Philippi. In
chapter 4 we have noted Paul’s call for unity as he encouraged two
sisters to be of the same
mind and the brethren to help them achieve that.
We also noted the call to rejoice in the Lord always, and in our
last lesson we addressed gentleness and overcoming anxiety with prayer
to God. Today, we continue
with another rich verse that gives us direction as we strive to be
faithful – Paul lists some things we are to meditate upon.
a.
What does it mean to
meditate?
While a good word to describe what we are talking about, the word
meditate is sometimes associated with Eastern thought (Buddhism,
Hinduism, etc.) and the idea of peacefully sitting silently and letting
the forces that be enlighten or calm you.
But that is not what is meant
here.
The word is defined – to think about something in a serious, detailed
and logical manner. The
NASB – “dwell on these things”; KJV – “think on these things”; ESV –
“think about these things”
b.
The Greek word is
found about 40 times in the NT including
– Mark 11:31, where after Jesus challenged religious leaders about the
baptism of John we are told “they reasoned among themselves”
(they discussed their options);
- Romans 3:28, “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified
by faith apart from the deeds of the law.”
- Romans 8:18, “For I consider that the sufferings of this
present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which is to be
revealed in us”
- Romans 14:14, “…but to him who considers anything to be
unclean, to him it is unclean.”
- 1 Corinthians 13:5, love “thinks no evil”
- 1 Corinthians 13:11, When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I
understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a
man, I put away childish things.
- Hebrews 11:9, concerning how by faith Abraham offered up
Isaac, “concluding that God was able to raise him up,
even from the dead…”
This is also the word sometimes translated “imputed” or “accounted”
dealing with Abraham’s faith.
c.
So the idea of this
word is that we ought to seriously think about and seek to fully
understand the qualities God wants us to apply as we live Christian
lives.
We sometimes speak of the cow “chewing the cud” – while a crude
illustration, the point is the cow after grazing will find a spot and
regurgitate the grass.
That is what we need to do with God’s word.
Consider Psalm 1:1-2, Psalm 63:6, “When I remember You on my
bed, I meditate on You in the night watches.”
Psalm 119:97-99, Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the
day. You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; For
they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers,
For Your testimonies are my meditation.
d.
When we emphasize the
importance of Bible study (cf. 2 Timothy 2:15), and even properly
reading God’s word, what we are addressing is this idea.
It’s about carefully weighing the message and asking serious
questions about it – Such as: What does the text actually mean (in
context)? What does this mean to me (i.e. How do I need to apply it)?
Am I doing what God wants me to do in relation to this?
a.
As we consider WHAT
we are to meditate about we ask, “Where is your mind at?”
This is very much about what we might call “the Christian
mindset.” It’s the TYPES of
things Christians ought to be thinking about.
It’s the mind that is focused on God’s will and not on the world
– Romans 12:1-2 – it is the one who is transformed by the renewing of
his mind.
Colossians 3:1-2, the one who has set his mind on things above.
2 Corinthians 10:5, the one who has brought “every thought into
captivity to the obedience of Christ.”
b.
So what are we to
“meditate” about, according to this text?
i.
Whatever things are
true –
a word meaning factual. The
idea is that which is genuine or real.
This text is not specifically appealing to God’s word as true
(though it is – John 17:17), but that is certainly an application.
However, we also see in this word that WE are to be true – genuine and
real.
ii.
Noble
– KJV translates this “honest”, and the NASB “honorable”.
The idea is that which is of respectable character.
This would be things worthy of respect.
Contrast this with the cheap and sleazy thoughts of deceit and
immorality.
iii.
Just
– a word meaning to be morally right (NASB – right).
When we think of true justice, it means fairness and equality and
even-handed mercy in our dealings with others.
We often speak of the justice of God and it is something we need to
strive for in the way we treat others
iv.
Pure
– a word associated with holiness.
This is the idea of being unpolluted before God – in words, deeds
and even our thoughts.
v.
Lovely
– the idea of being pleasant as much as you can.
We talk about the disposition that is lovable and easy to be
around.
vi.
Of good report
– having a good reputation., something worthy of praise.
The types of things that will give you a good reputation – being
honest, reliable, responsible, controlled, etc.
vii.
Virtuous
– possibly a summary of the above mentioned qualities.
It is a word meaning “moral excellence” – This is the “virtue”
added just above our “faith” in 2 Peter 1:5-7.
I associate it with integrity and character that is impeccable.
viii.
Praiseworthy
– anything deserving of praise.
I see this as similar to “and such like”.
c.
Clearly, these are
qualities, and I suspect the list is not complete, we ought to strive to
develop and let them develop our very character.
d.
Paul’s point is we
need to be THINKING about these types of things.
Recall how Jesus
noted that what comes from the heart reflects who you are – Matthew
15:8-9. The heart is VERY
much related to what we think about and how.
e.
What types of things
are we meditating on? It is
worthy of note that if we fill our minds with worldly ways, we are going
to be worldly. What are
doing to keep our minds on a spiritual focus?
a.
In 4:9, Paul
challenges them to not only let such qualities be in our mind, but also
to apply them.
In the original Greek text there is an additional “and” (kai) toward the
beginning that is not presented in most major translations.
Some commentators observe that it unfortunate that it is left
out. Paul is very likely
tying this verse to the previous one.
b.
He appeals to the
things you have learned, received, heard and seen – these do.
We are reminded that being a Christian involves the way we live -
Matthew 7:21-23, Luke 6:46, James 1:22, etc.
It is not enough to render lip service, we MUST apply it to our
lives.
c.
Paul describes these
things using 4 terms:
i.
They had learned them
– they had been taught the truth.
Paul, along with others in their midst, both in writing and in
presence had revealed to them God’s word.
Romans 10:14-17 tells us that faith comes by hearing the word of
God, which is taught. The
gospel is designed to teach us – Matthew 28:19-20.
ii.
Received them
– they had accepted the teachings as true.
This goes back to application of what you learn.
1 Thessalonians 2:12 – they had received the word of God which
they had heard and welcomed it as the word of God…
This is the same word found in Colossians 2:6 which speaks of having “received
Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him”
iii.
Heard
– Paul had actively taught them.
Again we are reminded that faith comes by hearing.
But it is possible here that they had heard things ABOUT Paul,
his stand for truth, his suffering, etc. and such had emboldened them
and others (cf. Philippians 1:12-14).
Also he had hear about them (Philippians 1:27).
Paul has addressed his consistent character in this letter.
Though Paul was not there as he wrote, they KNEW of his integrity
and faithfulness.
iv.
Seen in me
– in Paul’s example.
Paul often appeals to his example.
We have seen it in this letter – (Philippians 3:17).
1 Corinthians 11:1, “Imitate me as I also imitate Christ”, etc.
And we know that this applied not only to his actions, but His attitudes
(as reflected in the previous verse).
When Paul was with them, he conducted himself honorably.
v.
These do
– the word here means to make something a habit.
The NASB uses the word “practice”.
Again, we HAVE TO do what God wants.
Lip service is not enough!
d.
And the God of peace
will be with you – we talked about this peace in our last lesson.
It is a peace that the world might not understand, but it is a
promise that gives us comfort.
God KNOWS when we are thinking and dong the right thing.
And thus we see Paul’s encouraging thoughts to these brethren.
There are many wonderful lessons we can apply in our lives.
We know the importance of godly living AND we know that such
starts in our heart and the way we think.
So how is your thinking?