Go. Good morning everyone. On a hill, far away, To the northward across, Denver, so free and safe, And I'll love that old cross Where the dearest and best Of all the sinners was slain So I'll cherish the old bloody cross Till my children at last are laid down I will cling to the old rugged cross And exchange it someday for a crown Oh, that old rugged cross So despised by the world As a wondrous attraction for me For the King and the Lamb of God left His glory above To bury the dark Calvary So I'll cherish the old rugged cross Till my trophy at last I lay down I will cling to the old ragged clothes and exchange it someday for a crown. The unworthy cross, still but told by the wanderers in the unseen. For He's on that old cross, Jesus suffered and died. Pardon and sanctify me So I'll cherish the old rugged cross Till my children's at last I lay down I will cling to the old rugged cross And exchange it someday for a crown I will cling to the old ragged cross And exchange it someday for a crown Thank you so much, Becky. That should put us Let's pray. Heavenly Father, we come today to the cross, the cross of Christ, where that suffering and shame was born on our behalf, that we might be made Christ for you knew no sin, was made sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Christ. Thank you for that, Father. That's wonderful good news. And makes us very, very happy, very secure, very sure that we are those who are the recipients of that wonderful proclamation of the gospel. Father teach us today mental attitude dynamics or how to think and what to think about. That is each day as we go on our way and do the many things that we choose and do, things we need to do, the things we choose to do, that they would all be redemptive as we look unto Jesus. morning, help us to understand your word. Teach us by your Holy Spirit, for it's in Christ's name that we pray. Amen. I've entitled the message this morning, What Are You Thinking About? The question, what are you thinking about? What was I thinking? I said, you weren't. thinking with the mind or the thinking of Christ. The reason we don't do what's right is because we don't think right. Because you always do right when you think right. You'll never do right unless you think right first. So turn this morning, and it is Sunday, November 10th, 2019, to Philippians 4.8. in its own way more wonderful than Philippians. Philippians is more wonderful than Colossians in its own way, as each one is very, very special, especially designed by God, the Holy Spirit, to breathe out the Word of God and the very mind of thinking of Christ in these wonderful personal epistles. Verse 8, Philippians 4.8, Finally, brethren, Finally, brethren, whatsoever is true, whatsoever is honorable, whatsoever is right, or just, whatever is pure, that is holy, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good report, If there is any excellence, and if anything is worthy of praise, think about these things. Here we have one command, one predicate or verb that belongs to each of these items in this rather long list. And it's found at the end of the verse. James and also in the New American Standard. Those are the versions that you have. Think about these things. One command, one predicate, one verb that belongs to each item in a long list. The word is think about or logitimize. Logically, that's where we get the word logical, logically conclude by understanding and learning what Paul is saying here, what he's talking about. Think about it! Not from the Apostle, but from the Lord himself. We need to think with God in categories. You have to learn the Word of God. And the Word of God is the mind of Christ and the voice of the Holy Spirit. Present Middle Imperative Verb. That is, no matter what, we are to think about all these things. So, whatever you do, Do this one thing, that's the command, each day and all day long. Say, I have other things to think about. Nothing's more important to think about than Christ and his work. So what do you think about most often? You can answer this question in the middle voice within yourself. What do you think about most often? Like what we're going to do, where we want or need to go, what we hope to accomplish at home, at work, at school, etc. What we're going to eat. What are we going to eat today? Food. What we are going to wear. What should I wear this morning? Should I wear this gray suit? A little tight. This Donald Trump shirt. It is a Donald Trump shirt. Trump fashions. Do I look like Donald Trump today? Thank God. No, he's a wonderful man. He's our president. We have nothing bad to say about him. And he will prevail in the end. He's going to be the next president of the United States. If he's not, I'll be shocked. There's my political commentary. I'm done. We don't need to think about that too much. So we think about where we're going, what we're going to do, what we're going to accomplish, what we're going to eat, what we're going to wear, who we want to see or meet, what we want to spend to get what we want or need, how long this or that will take. That's what we think about. How important or unimportant something is. What needs to be done now, we think about that. And also we think about what can wait till later. If you're anything like me, that's the way you think. I go, what needs to be done now? Okay, well, I'll do it now, but what can wait till later? Everything else can wait till later. So many things to think about, so much that occupies our minds. Thinking, whether you know it or not, is the most important thing Who we think about is who we truly love. If you really love somebody, you think about them all the time, don't you? Remember when you first met that special someone you just couldn't stop thinking about? Well, if Christ is that special someone in your life, you won't be able to stop thinking about him either. See, if we only think about ourselves, then we love ourselves more than we love others. We live in a self-oriented and self-absorbed That is the culture of America, the beautiful. Our activities and associations are geared to our own fulfillment, giving little thought to what others need or want. The fact is, you are whatever you think about. In Proverbs 23, 7, has many implications, but this one primarily, for as a man thinks in his heart, within himself, So he is. So your thought life determines your lifestyle, your thought style and your lifestyle. What you think determines what you do, whether it's worthwhile or worthless, of some benefit to others or of little or no benefit to others at all. Whatever you think about yourself determines what you will do to benefit yourself. What you think of others will determine what you do to help or benefit others. What you think of Christ, his word, his sacrifice, his person and work, his honor, his glory, his power, his virtue, his kindness, his goodness, will determine the trajectory and course that your life takes. What Paul says here in describing that which we are commanded to think about is all true of Christ and likewise is true of the Scriptures. Whatsoever is good and pure and right and just and is excellent and praiseworthy. Think about these things. Which is only fitting since Jesus is the Word What Paul says here, describing what we're demanded to think, is all true of Christ and his word, which is only fitting, since Jesus is the word, and the scriptures are the mind of Christ, and the scriptures speak of him first and foremost, every one of them. He's everything that the scriptures say of him and nothing that they do not. You cannot know him, nor can you think about him, apart from knowing the scriptures. See, you say, Jesus loves me, this I know. How do you know that? Well, the Bible tells me so. Well, the scriptures tell me so. Can you know the scriptures and not know or think about Jesus? I'm not sure that you can, or to what extent you can. You may say that the Pharisees searched the scriptures thinking that the scriptures would save them, but in their case, what they were searching for, Jesus said, you search the scriptures and you think that by them you have eternal life, but they are those that speak of me. In their case, what they were searching for was salvation by works of the law. Not the salvation exclusive to the one that the scriptures are intended to point to. The one that they point to, who is Christ. Therefore, they missed the person who is the point of the scriptures. In John 5.38, Jesus says, you do not have his word abiding in you, although they had memorized large portions of it. For you do not believe him whom God sent. 539 of John, he says, you search the scriptures because you think that in them or by them you have eternal life. It is these scriptures that testify about me and you are unwilling to come to me so that you may have life. There were two disciples on the very day that Christ was raised from the dead. They were on the road to visit a city called Emmaus. And they met a stranger, someone they didn't recognize, who showed them, beginning with Moses and the prophets, the things concerning Christ. Remember, these disciples were those who were with him for three and a half years. Suddenly, they don't recognize him because they're not thinking with God. In Luke 24, 13, It says this, and behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. And they were talking with each other about all these things which had taken place. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself approached and began traveling with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him. And he said to them, what are these words that you are exchanging with one another as you are walking? And they stood still, looking sad. One of them, named Cleopas, answered and said to him, are you the only one visiting Jerusalem and unaware of the things which have happened here in these days? And he said to them, what things? And they said to him, the things about Jesus, the Nazarene, who was a prophet, mighty in deed and word, in the sight of God and all the people, and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to the sentence of death and crucified him. But we were hoping that it was he who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, it is the third day since these things happened. But also some women among us amazed us. When they were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found but him they did not see. And he said to them, O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken, was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into his glory? Then beginning with Moses, first five books of the Bible, He explained to them the things concerning himself in all the scriptures. Back to our passage in Philippians 4.8. Paul says this, he says, as to the loipon, he says, as to the rest. So what he means here is stated properly in the English translation, it says, finally, of what I have to say is this. To the rest, brethren, addressing brothers and sisters in Christ. Paul's brothers and sisters. Sometimes he calls them his children because he was their father with regard to the gospel, presenting the gospel to them, but he is their brother. So he says, the rest, the remainder of what I have to say is this, brethren. Then he says, here, I told you, you have a string of adjectives that have the same predicate or verb. So I'm going to read it like this. He says, hosah or hosos, which means whatever, but the verb also goes with each one of these. So he says, think about whatever is true. which is truth or reality. Think about whatever is true. So, if you do, then your heart will be filled with truth. Then he says, think about whatever is honorable. If you do, your heart will honor supremely the Lord Jesus Christ, whose word it is. personal Christ, who is more than just honorable, but who the Father honors supremely as well. Then he says, Hosa again, think about whatever is righteous. If you do, your heart will be filled with righteousness, thinking right thoughts. Right thinking precedes any and all right doing. You know that. You can't think right, you can't do right, unless you think right first. Then he says, think about whatever is hagnos, or holy, or pure. The holy scriptures, taught by the Holy Spirit who glorifies Christ, who is holy, even as the Father and the Spirit are holy. You can ask the seraphim to cry out, holy, holy, holy, in Isaiah's vision, in Isaiah 6.1, in the year the king Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, stood above them, each having six wings, and with two they covered their face, and with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew about. And one called out to another and said, holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts. The whole earth is full of his glory. Next he says, think about praises to his name, for it is lovely." And in the Song of Solomon, our wonderful love relationship with the Lord Jesus, it says, his mouth is most sweet, yea, he is altogether loving. Why is his mouth sweet? Because of the words. altogether lovely. This is my beloved and this is my friend of daughters of Jerusalem. That's Song of Solomon chapter 5 verse 16. Then he says next in our passage, he says hosa again, think about whatever is euphemos, that is, is of 1 Thessalonians 3.6. It's called the good news of the good word of God. And Hebrews 4.2 and 6.1. Remember they tasted of the good word of God and then revert. Now they can't be renewed under repentance because they crucify the son of God doesn't mean they lose their salvation. It means they have no spiritual life apart from thinking about Christ and his word, the good word of God. Then he says, if something has virtue, His Word is excellent. And if something is praiseworthy, Christ is praiseworthy. the Word of Christ. The heart of man is the volitional consciousness that's filled with that which is deemed worthy of continuous thought, which in turn occupies the mind, determines one's speech, informs one's decisions, and sponsors every single action. It safeguards, if it has the word about it, the soul from mood swings, from anxiety, from extreme emotional reaction, and eliminates the need for psychological self-defense mechanisms like denial, justification, projection, lies that cannot solve or fix our disorientation to reality, which they sponsor and perpetuate. Therefore, they are the broken doors and windows of mental health. I call it mental illness. Truly it is, because you're denying reality. And the definition of mental illness is the denial of reality or disorientation to reality or truth. Everybody likes me, they say. Some people do. Do they? No. I don't like you. So not everybody likes you. Everybody hates me. Is that so? No, not everybody hates me. Most people do. And for good reason. No one understands me. Well, you have to say something that's, you know, sensible. You want them to understand you. And you rarely do. He made me do it. Nobody can make you do anything. You don't even have to. die or pay taxes. You don't have to die if you believe in Christ because you'll never die. And pay taxes, well you may have to go to jail, but you don't have to pay them and you won't be able to pay them because you lost your job, you're in jail. So that isn't even true. They say, I am the best. And you're not because somebody's better than you. I am the worst. No, you're not because somebody's worse than you. I am only happy when, I am never happy when, I feel good when, I can, I can't, I will, and I want all products of wrong thinking. Without Christ as the object of our thinking and his word, his absolute, non-changing truth, we are adrift on the open sea, clinging to a piece of driftwood, manifest in our souls being full of fear and or self-pity. Nothing to expect, except more of the same. We can only hope to survive the day or the moment. Where truth and virtue are not assigned their proper value or worth, where there is no continuous thought, there can only be fantasy and unrealistic expectations, and along with it, disappointment, sadness, and sorrow. comes from your thinking, first and foremost. In this condition, one is unable to discern what is wrong. Why? Because the word of God lays before them and remains unopened. All you got to do is open it. God will take you right to the place you need to be to see something that's so wonderful. It will change your mind, change your thinking so that you might do what's right and have a good day. So I say, you have a good day. How do you have a good day? By thinking the right thoughts, saying the right things, choosing the right things, and doing the right things. Then you'll have a good day. Everything's programmed with either the negative or positive consequences or results of right thinking and right doing. Verse nine, Philippians 4.9. I'm so mechanically inclined. I know you can't hardly believe it. Verse 9, the things that you've learned, learning skills, listening skills and learning skills, and receive all the truth that God is not only reliable so that you can lean on him, that you live each day for him and love him supremely and yourself and others. The things that you've learned and received and heard and seen Paul says, in me. That's a bold statement, isn't it? Practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. He said to King Agrippa, he said, I wish that you were just like I am, except for these chains. He said, in such short a time, you think you'll convince me to be a Christian? He said, I don't care if it's a short time or a long time. I wish you were just like me, except for these chains. And Paul's saying much the same thing to them. Paul's discipline and continuous insight If you study the epistles of Paul, you see them as being very attractive. And his peace and joy, the way he comports himself in life under the most difficult circumstances, is exemplary. No question about it. Paul has mastered this way of life, and nothing that occurs changes his modus operandi. He does the same thing impact that he has upon so many people. Even in Rome, upon the household of Caesar, the whole Praetorian Guard is favorably disposed and day by day more and more of them are believing in Christ and becoming these wonderful that they did so. So, Paul has a very disciplined thought life that keeps him continually occupied with Jesus Christ. He has learned to think Christ, to speak Christ, to choose Christ, and thus imitate Christ in all that he does. Perfectly? No. But substantially over the course of your life, the days that he's given you to live upon the earth. Verse 10, but I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last you have revived your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned before, but you lack the opportunity. Until they learned about Paul and his circumstances, Not so that Paul could have luxury because he wasn't geared that way at all, not wired that way at all, but so that the work of the gospel could go forth. So Paul could still pay those and pay the expenses of those who went into the mission field and who paid for his own subpoenaed and testifying in court on a weekly basis or sometimes a daily basis, but usually on a weekly basis, where he would come back in and the different arguments that were made by the attorneys against him, the prosecuting attorneys, and then Paul representing himself before Caesar's court and proving He knew why he was there and many believed in Christ because of Paul's testimony. It was a wonderful very glorious time So much so that it impacted everything including the households of Caesar in the seat of government the seat of power political power in The Empire one of the greatest empires that ever existed States of America, which I taught you before, is the revived Roman Empire of the last days. And it has iron and clay feet. It's strong but brittle. And it could break at any time. So remember that. File that away in your thoughts. Verse 10, But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. The Philippians have once again, of their own accord, and without being asked or begged, as so many do today, they were motivated and moved by the Lord to supply Paul with money. a duty to contribute to the dissemination and advancement of the Good News, the Gospel and the Word of God that was coming forth from Paul through these letters, one of which we're studying now, the letter to the Philippians carried by Epaphroditus back to the churches where the pastor would study them and teach them continuously. So Paul learn to be content. That's what the Word of God will do for you. That's what thinking with God in categories, thinking of Christ and having his Word richly in your heart. You'll be rich whether you have money or not. You'll be content and I've used this before and I'll say it once again. Right where you are with just what you have. Talking about now. You'll never be content no matter where you are or what you have. You'll never be content. Contentment is present tense. It doesn't say I will be content when. No, I'm content now and I will continue to be content. Why? Because of the content in my soul. I am content. because I know the one in whom I have believed and am persuaded that he's able to provide and protect me, and to take that which I've committed unto him against that day, to keep that which I've committed unto him against that day, and he will always provide everything that I need through the word, by Christ, through the word, that pertains to life, my logistical support. I don't think any of you missed too many meals, have you? more until now. Even if maybe you had to eat in places that you didn't want to be, you still ate. Or eat things that you didn't want to eat. I'm not talking about McDonald's because who doesn't love that? If the truth be known, come on. Do you love McDonald's? You can't go to McDonald's if you have a $100 bill or a $50 bill. They won't pay you. In Gettysburg, they won't. You'll go hungry. All the money in the world, in large denominations, can't buy you a hamburger. I just wanted to let you know that. So if you go there and you only have a 50, you better go to Jamesburg. And you know, if you have a half of a C note or a $100 bill, it's not worth $50. You've got half, right? Is it worth anything? Can you take it to the bank and get 100 for it? Can't even do that. It's not worth half. paper it's printed on, unless it's intact. He said, what's that have to do with anything? I don't know. Nothing. He'll provide all of your needs, that's for sure. Paul says, I don't speak for want, but I've learned to be content because of the content in my soul, in no matter what circumstances I find myself in. It's not the money or the amount. counts. It is the motive and thought behind their giving as this gift, this large gift given by the Philippians. The value that they ascribe to the Word of God and the gratitude and reciprocal love for the person of Christ who they honor and adore and think about continually. Where your heart is, that's where your treasure will be also. Those who think about Christ and who consider his meditation are content by the content of their soul with a little or a lot. That's what Paul's conveying here and explaining. Christ being the constant, they have what is most valuable and the rest is guaranteed by God. They learn to seek the kingdom first and his righteousness has been guaranteed, is supplied by God. You don't have to worry about any of those things, ever. That really takes the pressure off, doesn't it? They're not thinking about what they do not have. They're thinking about what they do have. And they're more than just grateful. They are graceful and even very generous. And I also know how, remember what it was like to have very little? You made it somehow, didn't you? I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity. There's the rub. Like a drunken sailor with a pocket full of money, in most cases, people, they have too much, you won't see them for a while till it runs out. You'll be like the audible son who takes his bag of money and goes to a foreign land and squanders it. and has a really, really good time until it's all gone and then everybody forsakes him and he ends up feeding pigs. Ever been in a pigsty when your money ran out? Terrible places to be. Eating hog food. Well, you're still eating if you're eating hog food. And then you say to yourself, even my father's servants have far more than this. Maybe I'll go home and I'll say to my father, take me back as a servant. to learn the secret of contentment. And he's on the straight and narrow, see? But he doesn't care. Because it's far better in the father's house than in the pate's dye. So, I told you half a hundred dollar bill isn't worth 50 bucks. And you can't get anything at McDonald's if you have a 50 or a hundred dollar bill. Prosperity! There's prosperity. Paul says, I learned how to prosper. back in verse 12, I know how to get along with humble means and I also know how to live in prosperity without getting distracted. In any and every circumstance I have learned the mystery, the secret of being filled and going that we're to think about and the Word of God. Both, one and the same. To know Christ is to know His Word. To know His Word is to know the person of Christ and have a wonderful intimate relationship with Him. The more you know the Word, the more intimate your relationship is with Christ. Do you ever figure that one out yet? Intimate fellowship and relationship with Christ is determined by your knowledge of It's not about knowing something, but it's about knowing someone. And how can you know someone unless you know what they think? How can you love someone unless you love what they think? Or love something about them and think about them continuously. That's how you define love. That describes real love. Thinking. Love is not doing, it's thinking. Way before it's doing, and unless you think right, you can't do right. Unless you think love, you can't love or do love. You can't do right. That way, do right. Only right things done in the right way for the right reason are right. That means you have to think with the word of God, the word of righteousness, the word of his righteousness. If you ever hope to or get or receive a crown of righteousness and the pleasant fruit of righteousness in your life as it grows the fruit of the Holy Spirit from the Word of God, the word of righteousness deeply planted that brings forth righteousness, brings forth righteous fruit. So he says, I've learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need both. See, to have nothing. You say, I feel kind of happy when I have a lot of money. It was temporary. Can't help you in the end. What happens when it dries up and runs out? And you find yourself sitting on that dirty little barstool that you used to sit on. And Satan tricked you by making it glamorous and you return there. Don't go back. He's a liar. And it's all a big lie. Don't you remember how you beat yourself up and beat others up, hurt others? Don't you remember the heartache, the heartbreak, the headache? It's better to feel good, isn't it? Than to walk around in a daze for days and days or the rest of the days of your life. You don't want to do that anymore. I can remember that so clearly. And it was long, long ago. gave me a new lease on life. And I knew all along, although I had forsaken the wellness of my own soul, that it has to do with your thought life. Unless your thinking changes, your life will never change. Right thinking produces right doing. Wrong thinking produces wrong doing, and you become your own worst enemy. You harm, hurt, and wound yourself. So it's time to stop thinking like you used to and start thinking with God. Start thinking with the word of God. That's what this is about. Whatsoever things are good, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are right, whatsoever things are lovely. Think about these things. Think about Christ and his word. Think about Christ with his word. Think about Christ as the author of all scripture. The word that points to Christ in every instance. What is the word about? Jesus? Only? It is. God's plan of redemption carried out by the Lord Jesus Christ, who is coming again to bring all things under subjection to himself and to God in the end. And those who have the word will be richly rewarded for all eternity. They have interest and accrues to their accounts, Paul tells us next. If your thought life is full of Christ and his word, You have not only peace with God, Philippians 4, 6, 7, but here you have the peace of God. Paul says, if you do this, the peace of God will be with you. Do what I say, and the peace of God will be with you. You have peace with God by casting all of your cares, worries, and anxieties, and expressing your thankfulness or gratitude, and you have the peace that passes understanding. in every way. Verse 13, I can do anything through him who keeps on pouring his strength and his power into me, such a weak man that I am. word of God into our souls. And it's grace upon grace, one good thing upon another. And in times when it's not so good, we wait by faith in the Spirit for the hope of righteousness and everything turns out okay. It's one of the things God does is he providentially reverses so many things that people do to you and mean it for evil, but God means it for good. He turns it. upon the sparrow, then I'm sure it's upon us. We are the apple, the Ishan, the little man in his eye. He has his eye upon us at all times. And you have to know that, understand that. Well, that keeps you on the straight and narrow also because you don't want to offend that love. But at the same time, it gives you great confidence and you learn to be So, I can do all things from him who pours his strength into me. I can endure any kind of difficulty. takers. Verse 14, nevertheless you have done well, Paul says, to share with me in my affliction. Paul's saying don't think I don't appreciate your friendship and your generous gift for indeed I do. It eased the pressure and provided much-needed support. So it almost sounds here like I'm not really after your gift or I So then he says in verse 15, you yourselves also know Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, you would give them a little recall. shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, but you alone, you alone supported me from the start when no one else did. And for this, I am grateful. I will always be grateful. And verse 16, for even in Thessalonica, you sent a gift, not once, but more than once for my needs. Paul says, I remember the gift you sent back in the day. More than once you're concerned for me in the furtherance of the gospel. And then he says in verse 17, not that I seek the gift, I'm not after your money, but I seek the profit which increases to your account. The profit of your giving is the dividends that accrue to acceptable service that is born of love. And Paul says your account's growing all the time. Verse 18, but I've received everything in full and have an abundance because of you. I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus." He was the representative of the Philippians who came to Paul, and they got very sick, almost died, and Paul sent him back with this letter, the letter to the Philippians. He says, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma and an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. Here we have a right thing done in the right way for the right reason, and it's right. in 1 Thessalonians 1-3. Though you do not give to get, God will always pay you back with interest. How many of you know that's true? It's so wonderful, isn't it? You don't have to worry about anything. Oh, I gave too much today to the church. I gave too much of this, I gave too much of that, I gave him too much money. Are you going to make him pay you back? And you didn't give him anything, you won't. It's honorarium. First fruits, always very, very important. Oh, there's that guy. and a little extra, enough left over, to continue supporting the proliferation of this saving and sanctifying word and work. He's not limited at all in doing so. Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen. We're here to glorify God by growing in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior and The brethren who are with me greet you. No matter where we go or what we're going through, we derive great joy, tell me if this isn't so for you, and comfort from each and every believer whose portion saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household." See, those of Caesar's household, he's referring to the praetorian guard, considered the house servants. They watch over and guard the throne of the emperor. Those who used to strike fear being, that is, of those who are fellow citizens of heaven, not of Rome, but of heaven, along with believers, the rank and file believers, things have changed. He says, and in this you can greatly rejoice. These soldiers have become warrior poets who take their orders from a higher authority word of Christ, like-minded, thinking about Christ and his word, having these most important things in common, the same life in common. Verse 23, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with Finally, brother, think about whatever is true. Think about whatever is honorable. Think about whatever is right. Think about whatever is holy or pure. Think about whatever is lovely. Think about whatever is of good repute. If there is any excellence or if anything worthy of praise, think about these things. The things that you've learned and received and heard, seen, and made, practiced, revived your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity. In any well to share with me in my affliction. You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone. For even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek the profit which accrues or increases to your account. But I have received everything in full and have an abundance I am amply supplied, having received from a powerful Now to our Godfather be the glory forever and ever, amen. Greet every saint in Christ Jesus, the brethren who are with me greet you, all the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household, the Praetorian guard. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, let's pray. Vicki, if you would get ready, if I could have you. Father, thank you for these wonderful words from the Apostle Paul that closes out this most his work. We can all see it.