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Presented, Sunday, December 5, 2004 am

MEDITATE ON THESE THINGS

Philippians 4:8

As Paul is bringing the book of Philippians to a conclusion in chapter 4, he makes a number of observations and statements that are worthy of our study.  This morning I want to notice a single verse that has to do with developing our relationship with God.  We want to talk about the Christians and meditation.

I.  What Is Meditation?

A.      Defined

1.        In our society we think of meditation as the aspect of eastern religion where we cross our legs and close our eyes and chant until we reach a different state of consciousness.  This is NOT the idea of meditation as used in this verse.

2.        Webster – “1)To keep the mind in a state of contemplation; to dwell on anything in thought; To think seriously, to muse, to cogitate, to reflect.  2)To purpose, to intend, to design, to plan by revolving in the mind” (1913)

3.        Strong’s – “to take inventory”, i.e. estimate
Word Study Dictionary – “to put together one’s mind, to count, to occupy oneself with reckonings or calculations.”
Thayer – “to reckon, count, compute, calculate, count over,… 3)by reckoning up all the reasons to gather or infer – to consider, … to weigh…”
Louw & Nida – “to think about something in a detailed and logical manner.”
  Another use of this word means, “to keep a mental record of events…” cf. 1 Corinthians 13:5 – Love, “thinks no evil”
Vine’s Expository Dictionary says of the use of this word in our text, “It signifies, make those things the subjects of your thoughtful consideration, OR carefully reflect on them.”

4.        Thus the idea of thinking or “meditating” is to seriously consider the impact something has in your life.  “To dwell or contemplate on some truth or reality already revealed.” (Mark Copeland, Executable Outlines)

B.       Examples in Scripture

1.        The word for “think” or “meditate” found in our text is used 41 times in the New Testament

2.        Including passages like

a.           Mark 13:11 – where the Jewish leaders contemplated how to answer a question from Jesus concerning John the Baptist.  We are told, “They reasoned with themselves”
Romans 2:3 – “Do you think this, O man…?”A
Several times in Romans the word imputed or reckoned is the same word (Romans 4:9-11, 22-24, etc)
1 Corinthians 13:11 – Paul “thought as a child”
Hebrews 11:19 – Abraham by faith offered up Isaac, “accounting that God was able to raise him up…”

b.          Why such emphasis on this word?  Because it is a word we wither do not give enough weight to (such as think on these things) or we steer away from it (meditate) because of our concepts of meditation. 

3.        Meditation is a scriptural idea

a.           Genesis 24:63 – Waiting for Abraham’s servant to return from Nahor in Mesopotamia.  Issac is in a field meditating.  The idea is that he was in serious thought about something.

b.          Joshua 1:8 – He was instructed to keep the Law in his mouth and to mediate upon it day and night.

c.           Psalm 1:1-2 – “The man who delights in the Law of the Lord meditates in it day and night.

d.          Psalm 119:99 – speaking of God’s word (the theme of this, the longest chapter in all the Bible) says, “I have more understanding than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation.”

e.           1 Timothy 4:15, even Timothy was instructed to meditate reading, exhortation, doctrine and the gifts he possessed (Note: This is a different NT word which means to carefully pay attention to something.  The idea is similar to the word we are studying.)

II. How Do We Meditate?

A.         In a way it is related to “transcendental meditation” in that to properly meditate requires quiet time and efforts to clear your mind so that you can truly reflect on such things.

B.          We need to remove distractions
To fully consider the impact something has in your life, you need to place yourself in an environment where you contemplate.  Distractions come in 2 forms.

1.        Noise – such as telephones, pagers, or anything that diverts our attention. 
Why was Martha unable to sit down at the feet of Jesus and just listen to His teaching?  She was distracted – Luke 10:40-41.  Jesus lovingly rebuked her and taught a great lesson about priorities.
Jesus Himself often found a quiet place to pray – Matthew 14:23, Luke 5:16.

2.        Those things that hinder you from being what you ought to be.  If our lives are filled with impure thoughts and deeds, they WILL impact our ability to fully and properly consider that which we ought to be thinking about.
In other words, we need to live in an environment that will encourage us to do that which is right.  We need to control what we watch, read, listen to and where we go.  As a rule, you will become a product of your environment.
Proverbs 22:16 – is a true axiom of life (and yes there are exceptions)
Romans 12:1-2 – we are to be transformed, by renewing our minds
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 – bringing every thought into captivity.

C.   It is a matter of priorities.

III.  Things To Meditate About

A.      Colossians 3:1-2 – we are to “set your minds on things above…”

B.       Eight things listen in our text (Philippians 4:8).  “Whatever things are…

1.        True – literally, “not hidden, unconcealed” (Thayer).  That which is real.  We ought to consider things that are not deceitful.
What is true? Jesus is true? Matthew 22:16 states a truth about Him though the sincerity of his inquirers is in doubt.
John 17:17 – “Your word is truth”

2.        Noble (KJV- honest, NASV- right)
That which is venerable, dignified, reputable (Word Study Dictionary of New Testament Words )
How do we view those things that are distasteful and of a questionable character?
Word used 4 times, the other 3 describing 1)the characteristics of deacons (1 Timothy 3:8), their wives (3:11) and aged men (Titus 2:2)
1 Peter 2:12 speaks of conduct, “honorable among the Gentiles”.

3.        Just – “a word that means upright, righteous, virtuous, keeping the commands of God” (Thayer)
Louw & Nida point out that it pertains “to being in a right relationship with someone.”  How many today look for the loophole rather than what is right?  Not only legally, but religiously as well!
2 Corinthians 7:11 – in repentance they proved themselves to be “clear in this matter”

4.        Pure – without blemish or moral defect (Louw & Nida)
What are the motives behind that which is being done?  Do we think of those things that will make us pure and undefiled in God’s eyes? James 1:27
1 John 3:3 – with hope we are to purify ourselves following the example of Jesus.

5.        Lovely – things that area acceptable and pleasing (Thayer).  Only used here.
In this the fires question we need to ask is, WHO are we trying to please?  Is our conduct lovely to God and His children?

6.        Of good report – something (or someone) deserving approval or praise.
The word used only here, but we find several examples of those who need a good report.
Elders (1 Timothy 3:7); Worthy widows (1 Timothy 5:10); Indeed all men (Colossians 4:5 – walk in wisdom toward those who are outside)

7.        Virtuous – “any excellence of a person or of a thing.” (Thayer)
When we think of virtue we think of that which is worth imitating.  2 Peter 1:5-6 speaks of adding virtue to our faith.  Also described as integrity or moral excellence
Proverbs 31:10 – the virtuous woman

8.        Praiseworthy – commendable, worthy of giving positive attention to.
I am disturbed at the way we praise immoral and ungodly behavior in our society.  We reward athletes, celebrities and politicians in their outlandish and vile behaviors.  While outwardly our nation may give lip service to how bad their behavior is, we turn around and buy their products and let them get away with it.
Christians ought to consider things that in God’s eyes are worthy of being praised.
Romans 2:29 – true Jews, “whose praise is from God
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 – we ought to “note those who are over us in the Lord”
Philippians 2:29 – sending Epaphroditus back to them Paul noted,  “Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem”

Thus we can see not only the need for meditation, but also the types of things we ought to be meditating about.

Can you believe 2004 is almost over already?  What has this year meant to you spiritually?  Have you grown?  Have you grown AS YOU OUGHT TO?  Perhaps this is a good time to take a spiritual inventory of your life.  Find a quiet place alone and meditate about where you stand before God.  What kinds of things are influencing your decisions?  What kind of things do you find yourself thinking about?  If you find there is a need for change, why not determine today that you will turn around and head the direction God intends for you to go?