Philippians: Focus on Praiseworthy
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A Sermon by Dr. Bob Griffin, Teaching Elder at Sovereign Grace Church
Philippians 4:8b “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is morally excellent or praiseworthy from others – take such things into account.”
Hebrews 13:5-6Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”
Romans12:2 speaks of the essential place of being transformed by the renewing of your mind and II Cor 10:5 speaks of the importance of casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.
I. FOCUSED ON THE PURE
Philippians 4:8b“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–take such things into account.”
A. UNDERSTANDING PURITY
1. WORLD’S SOURCE OF PURITY
2. BIBLICAL SOURCE OF PURITY
Mt 5:8“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
Phil 1:10“so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ”
Phil 1:16-17“the one, indeed, of rivalry the Christ do proclaim, not purely, [sincerely] supposing to add affliction to my bonds, but the others are insincere. They tell the message about Christ out of selfish ambition in order to stir up trouble for me while I’m in prison
B. APPLICATION OF PURITY
1. IS YOUR LIFE PURE? Deed AND Thought?
Ephesians 5:8-12“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.”
Ephesians 4:17-24“So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
2. THINGS ARE DIFFERENT NOW
II. FOCUSED ON THE LOVELY
Philippians 4:8b“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–take such things into account.”
A. UNDERSTANDING LOVELY
1. WORLD’S SOURCE OF LOVELY
2. BIBLICAL SOURCE OF LOVELY
Esther 5:1Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king’s house, over against the king’s house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house. And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtainedfavor in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the scepter.
B. APPLICATION OF WHAT IS LOVELY
1. SPIRITUAL CHARACTER overshadows physical beauty or athletic prowess
2. GOODNESS
III. FOCUSED ON THE ADMIRABLE
Philippians 4:8b“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–take such things into account.”
A. UNDERSTANDING ADMIRATION
1. WORLD’S SOURCE OF ADMIRATION/GOOD REPORT
2. BIBLICAL SOURCE OF ADMIRATION
B. APPLICATION OF ADMIRATION
1. NEGATIVE CONNOTATIONS
2. What is GOOD SOUNDING?
The Psalmist said in Psalm 19