Philippians 4 verse 4. Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men, the Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be made known unto God. and the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren. Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things which ye have both learned and received and heard and seen in me, do, and the peace of God shall be with you. Amen. We know the Lord will add his blessing to the reading of his word. The title today is really, Think on These Things. Philippians chapter 4 verse 8 starts a new section in Paul's letter, but also verse 8 is a connecting verse. As we can see this by Paul's words, finally brethren. The word finally does not mean lastly or ending, because Paul writes for another 15 verses. Rather, the word finally comes from a Greek word that means what remains, the rest of something, that which continues, or basically, I have more to say. And for that reason, the word finally can be translated furthermore, henceforth, moreover, so then, or now then. In other words, Paul has more to say regarding the peace of God and how it is to be received and how it is to be applied to the life of every believer during the storms and the trials of life. In verses 6 through 7, Paul teaches that God supplies believers with peace through Jesus Christ during times of anxiety, worry, and disturbance. They have the peace of God that passeth all understanding, or peace that is superior than our limited understanding. There is peace to guard, peace to keep, peace to preserve our hearts and minds through Jesus Christ. Paul's words in verse 8 then teaches believers how we are to apply the peace of God to our lives. so that we will be aware of our hearts and our minds being preserved and being protected. Notice the last words of verse eight. Think of these things. The word think means to dwell upon, to meditate upon, to ponder, to give serious thought to. It's in the imperative, which means it's a command. It's also middle voice reflective, which means the person is responsible themselves to take action. There's something that you are to do yourself in this matter of the peace of God. You are to keep your mind stayed upon the Lord. God's peace is supplied through Jesus Christ. but we are to keep our mind stayed upon the Lord by meditating, by thinking, by pondering, by considering things that are virtue or excellent and worthy of praise. Also, this phrase, to think upon or think of these things, is present imperative, which meaning here is a continual command that every single day you are to think upon things that are excellent and things that are worthy of praise. Why is that? Because every single day your mind is under attack And therefore, the only way to have victory, the only way to enjoy the peace of God in that situation, is to think of things that are virtue, things that are excellent, things that are worthy of praise. And so Paul is calling upon God's people to exercise their hearts and their minds in spiritual things. In other words, avoid thinking of things, avoid meditating on things, avoid filling your mind with things that are harmful. rather think upon things that pertain to godliness and righteousness Solomon said in Proverbs 23 verse 7 for as he thinketh in his heart so is he and the word thinketh refers to the thoughts of the mind, that which affects the heart and that which determines the action of the person. In other words, what you sow in your mind is what you will reap in action. And the greatest battle every believer faces day by day is the battle of their mind, the battle of their thought life, what they think about and how they think about it. You see, No other person can enter into your mind. The mind is a secret society. The mind is a strict, restricted zone to others. To some, their mind is a war zone. To some, their mind is confusion. To some, their mind is depression. To some, their mind is a world of carnal imagination. A theme park of fantasy and pleasure island. The thoughts of the mind are unknown to others. No one else can read your mind. No one else can say what you're thinking. No one else knows what battle you're facing in the mind. Only the Lord. And that's why it is Satan's aim to manipulate the mind, causing confusion, to twist facts, coming to different conclusions regarding salvation and regarding living the gospel. That's why there's so many casual Christians today. Because Satan has targeted the mind that they can live the gospel whatever way they want to. But Paul has taught believers that they are to live a life that is in keeping with the Word of God. Again, Satan has confused the mind when it comes to salvation. People look for many ways to be saved, different ways to be saved. When God has revealed one way to be saved, through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the only remedy To take away sin is the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. That blood that is pure, sinless, spotless. That blood that washes whiter than the snow. And therefore there's a lot of confusion today. The mind is in trouble with these things. Instead it's a system of good works. Instead it's a system of bondage. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 4, verse 4, referring to Satan, the God of this world, hath blinded the minds of them that believe not less, or for this reason, the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on to them. That's why Paul exhorted God's people, in Ephesians, to put on the whole armour of God. And really, when you look at the whole armour of God, Jesus Christ is that very armour himself. But in taking bit by bit, and thinking off the head, Paul spoke about the helmet. Because in battle, The mind, the head must be protected, and so spiritually Paul said in Ephesians 6, verse 6, above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench the fiery darts of the wicked. The wiles of the devil may be to ruin your marriage, hinder your spiritual growth, mar your service for God, cover your light before others, and that believers will not be in the same mind of the Lord. Now while Satan cannot take away your salvation, you can never lose salvation because it's Christ's salvation to give. Yet he can play with your mind. He can create doubt. Doubt regarding salvation. Doubt regarding marriage. Doubt regarding the things of God. Satan wants us to think evil is good and good is evil. He attacks the mind. He wants us to think wrongfully, sinfully, to think unbiblically. He wants us to be full of anxious cares, because He knows that wrong thinking will lead to discouragement, disappointment, discontentment, disinterest, division, and ultimately a departure from blessing. It has always been said regarding preachers that the most dangerous time for the preacher is immediately after the preaching of the Word of God, because he is an open wound. and therefore Satan takes every advantage to attack him. Paul's counsel to believers is therefore whenever the mind comes under attack, whenever the mind starts to think about things that really is a trouble, is a burden, whatever that may be, Paul gives these qualities to think upon, to meditate upon, to ponder upon, and in so doing, Fill your heart and your mind with Christ, because each quality that we have read this morning is reflected perfectly by the person and life of the Lord Jesus Christ. And that's why Paul said in verse 9, those things which ye both have learned and received and heard and seen in me do, and the God of peace shall be with you. You see, Paul leads by example once again. He's calling the church at Philippi to take action. The key word is the word do. Just as you've looked at my life, or you've heard from my life, you've learned from my life, that when I was in great affliction, my mind was stayed upon the Lord. I rejoiced in the Lord always. I kept my focus upon Jesus Christ. I pressed toward the mark of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ. My mind, through time in prison, through times of adversity, has been upon Jesus Christ. My thoughts have been centered upon Christ. I meditate upon Him. I think upon Him. Therefore, what you've learned from me, what you've received of me, you do the same. That when your mind comes under attack, when there's a war against the lust of the flesh within your mind, or you're starting to think wrong, or ill, or something else, don't dwell on it, but think of Jesus Christ. Think of these qualities, and the peace of God shall be with you. So with that in said, we want to look at verse 8 today. on the subject of things to think upon. And I have two simple thoughts today. One will be a bit longer than the other, but don't you worry. It will just be a blessing to you. First of all, To think on these things is to consider them. That's what Paul is getting at. To think on these things, these qualities that Paul gives, to think on them is to consider them. The word, as we said, or the phrase, think on these things, means to dwell on them, to consider them, muse over them, meditate upon them. And so in verse 8, Paul mentions six spiritual qualities to dwell upon and to continually consider day by day, to fill your mind with. Now, when we go through these six things, you ask yourself, and I have to challenge myself as well, do we do this day by day? Maybe that's some of the reasons why we have maybe the issues we have in our mind, in our thought life, our process life, because maybe we fail to look at these things. These are things that are profitable, spiritually benefit, and they build us up in the faith. Notice. We are to consider things that are true. Now, I'm not gonna go into every individual word, what it is, and the Greek language, and all that rest for time, but simply I'll just give you the meaning of the word. Paul says, think upon things that are true. That means things that are truthful, things that are valid, things that are reliable, things that are honest. Consider things that are honest. That means things that are honorable, reverence, things that are of worship. things that are just means what is right or what is righteous things that are pure means what is unblemished uncontaminated but clean and holy consider things that are lovely which means kindness pleasing and gracious consider things of good report that means a good reputation. Consider these things, dwell upon them, and apply them to your life. When you have all the cares, the troubles, and the anxieties, think on these things, because these six things, they are of virtue. And the word virtue, it means excellent, it means surpassing, it means what is above or that which is higher. This word virtue is the same word passeth which is used in verse 7, and the peace of God which passeth or surpasses or higher than your understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. It's also the word better than in Philippians chapter 2 verse 3. Let each esteem other better than superior than themselves. The phrase praise means worthy of praise. And so, therefore, Paul is showing that to consider and meditate upon these six qualities is to do so because they are excellent. They are better than anything else. They are worthy of praise and honor because these six spiritual qualities, these graces are clearly seen. in the person and life and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Because Jesus Christ is excellent. Jesus Christ is superior. Jesus Christ is exalted. He is above all. He is worthy of all honor and all praise. Didn't Paul say in Colossians chapter 1 verse 18 that in all things he would have the preeminence. And therefore, Christ is every one of these. And when you think about them, is to think of Jesus Christ. Paul is basically saying, when you have trouble in your mind, when you have cares in your mind, when there's a war in your mind, when you battle with the lusts of the flesh, Think of Jesus Christ. Meditate upon Jesus Christ. Get straight to the person and work of Christ because that's your victory. Why? Because Jesus Christ is truth. John chapter 14, verse six, he said, I am the truth. No man cometh on to the Father, but by me. John 10, verse 41, all things that John speak of this man are true. Jesus Christ is honest. First Peter chapter two, verse 21, who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth. Again, John 8, 29, Christ said, Regarding to his father, I do always those things that please him. Christ is just because Pilate's wife said of Christ in Matthew 27 verse 19, have nothing to do with that just. Man, Peter said in 1 Peter 3 verse 18, Christ suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust. He is righteous and he always does right. Christ is pure. The angel said, in reference to Christ's birth, in Luke chapter 1 verse 35, that holy thing or holy one which shall be born of thee shall be called the son of the highest Christ. First Peter chapter 1 verse 19 refers to the precious blood of Christ as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. I forgot to give the other ones the notes, by the way, but I'll just read them out anyway. Christ is lovely. Song of Solomon, chapter 5, verse 16. He is altogether lovely. 1 Peter, chapter 2, verse 6 and 7. He is precious. Christ is of good report. Again, Paul said of Christ. In writing to Timothy, 1 Timothy, chapter 6, Verse 13, Jesus Christ, who before Pontius Pilate, witnessed a good confession. Remember the thief on the cross, in Luke 23 verse 41 he said, this man, referring to Christ, hath done nothing amiss, he's done nothing out of place. Matthew 7, 37, he hath done all things well. Matthew 3, verse 17, this is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased. The point is, believer, fill your mind with Jesus Christ. Consider him, dwell upon him, look to him, turn to him. Keep your eyes upon him, rejoice in him, and the peace of God shall be with you. Fill your mind continually with his righteous person and his redemptive ministry. Fill your mind with Jesus Christ. The psalmist said in Psalm 104 verse 34, my meditation of him shall be sweet. I will be glad in the Lord. O sinner today. Take Christ for your salvation because he is the true way to heaven. He is honest. For it says about him, for whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. He is just. He deals with sin. He pardons sin. He does that which is right. He is pure. He can never sin. That's why He can be your Saviour. He is a sinless Saviour. He is lovely. He satisfies. He's the rose of Sharon Fir, the lily of the valley, the one in whom the Father is well pleased. He is of good report. The life that He lived, the death that He died, it was to bring you before God. He did all that was acceptable and pleasing to the Father. His sacrifice is a most excellent sacrifice and worthy to be praised. He hath done all things well and his divine power has given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness. through the knowledge of Him that has called us to glory and virtue. To think on these things is to consider them, to meditate upon them. And when you do so, they will lead you to the Lord Jesus Christ. Why is that? Because secondly, Paul said, to think on these things is to calculate them. We learn that the words, think on these things, is also in the Greek language a mathematical term. It refers to calculation, estimation, weighing things in order to arrive at a conclusion. And so the answer to reach is to know the peace of God with you. But to arrive there, Paul is saying, take into account these six qualities that are of virtue, that are excellent, that are worthy of praise, and reflect carefully upon them, and shape your view on them. because everything else will then add up. They will lead you to consider the Lord Jesus Christ. And when you think of Christ, that will dominate your thought life. It will give you victory over what troubles you and hinders you. When you receive news that shocks you and stuns you, leaves you faint, feeling weak, you might find it hard to receive, you might find it hard to take in, to come to terms with, and it maybe challenges your peace. The situation that you're in keeps on changing. Things are uncertain. Laws keep getting redefined in defiance against God. The medical report that you've just received is not in your favour. Your finances are low, but the bills keep increasing. The children have spiritually gone astray. The pressure at work increases. There's a strain on the marriage. Exams are getting too stressful. You're putting more pressure on yourself. Growing up has different effects. When you weigh everything together and you calculate that situation or all those many things that cause you to be anxious, If you keep thinking and dwelling upon your cares, your worries, your fears, they will be exalted so high that you will see no way through and no way forward. You will see an impossibility of God intervening. Your worries will appear greater and superior to the peace of God. And to do so would be a wrong calculation. The conclusion would not be true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report. There would be nothing excellent and nothing worthy of praise. For that reason, Paul is saying, in making your calculation, in adding everything together to be in the right frame of mind, to have and enjoy the peace of God, keep dwelling upon Keep reflecting upon things which are excellent, things which are worthy of praise, things that lead to Jesus Christ, and then your hearts and your minds shall be preserved, shall be protected, and you shall remain in that frame of mind and that peace of mind. you'll have strength in Christ, victory by Christ, because your calculation will always total the same for every situation and for every answer. Jesus is the answer. That is why people always ask ministers questions. Can I go here? Should I go there? Should I do this? Would it be right to do that? Well, let me give you the advice from God's word. When you have to make a decision or you're put in a situation, should I do this or not? Should I go with them or not? Should I behave this way or not? Should I be watching this or not? Should I be speaking like this or not? Should I be listening to this or not? Should I be talking like this or not? The answer is not to make your decision based on the opinions of others. While they're watching this, I'll go with them. While they're speaking like this, I'll speak like that. While they're doing that, I'll join the crowd. Rather, whatsoever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report of any virtue, praise, think on these things. If you're going somewhere, doing something, taking something, drinking something, ordering something, saying something, that does not agree with things that are virtue and are worthy of praise, but the exact opposite. That you have to think, how can I get away with this? How can I hide this? How can I lie about this? How can I cover this up? How can I do it that no one else will know? And it's filled with deception, dishonesty, unjust, impure, unlovely, of evil report, of shame. It's the opposite. then avoid it, because if you fill your mind with things contrary to the Lord Jesus Christ, then you give way for the little foxes to spoil the thing, for a little lump to leaveneth the whole lump. You give way to the world, the devil, and the flesh to run wild in your mind, and you will think about everything and anything. You will lose the joy of the Lord. You will lose the joy of salvation. I didn't say you lose salvation. Don't listen to nonsense like that. But you will lose the joy of salvation. You will not rejoice in the Lord. You will murmur and complain. You will look on your own things and not care about anybody else. You'll become self-centered. It'll all be about you. Are you willing to lose your ministry? Are you willing to lose your marriage, your family, your friends, your house, your job, your career, your health, your well-being, your finances? Are you willing to bear the cost, to suffer the consequences? To do so would mean your equation, your calculation at some point went wrong because you're not thinking like Christ. You're not having the mind of Christ. And so here is a word today to return, to recalculate, and have your mind renewed. Let your requests be made known unto God, because He knows the battle you face in your mind. And He knows a lot of things that you let into your mind, because we're drawn away by our own temptations. Ask Him today for help, for peace, and He will come to your aid. His peace will be like an army that shall run to surround you, to guard you and preserve you. And then stay in that frame of mind by thinking upon Christ. Return to the Lord just now. Maybe one needs redemption. You need salvation. You need to be saved. You've thought about different ways to get to heaven and your mind right now is just so confused because you're trying to work your way to heaven. You're trying to listen to this person and that person and their view and what they hold. Instead of just coming to Christ himself and hear what he says. Or for restoration. Give him your heart, give him your mind, give him your all. Consider, think on these things, and the peace of God shall be with you. I trust this week that you will know great blessings in your mind. And when you fill your mind with Christ, then you'll be blessed by Christ and you'll be a blessing for Christ. May the Lord write his word upon our heart.