The Prison Epistles
Sermon Number Twenty-Five
Paul's Closing Remarks (Part 2)
Philippians 4
September 11th, 2005
Jim Bordwine, ThD

Introduction

In our study of Paul's letter to the Christians in the city of Philippi, written during his captivity in Rome, we have come to the final chapter. Typically, as I stated last week, this section of the letter is filled with various odds and ends as Paul brings his remarks to a close. This is where we find some of the apostle's most memorable sayings. There are verses in this final chapter that have been memorized and quoted over and over again because they encapsulate such wisdom and such succinct instruction regarding how a Christian looks at the world.

I reminded you in the last sermon that Paul's relationship with this congregation was exceptional. These believers were very kind to Paul and did more than others to demonstrate interest in his welfare. So far, as I noted before, Paul has written to them and recalled those acts of kindness; he's expressed his love for them and his hope that they will continue growing in the faith. He has put before them the Savior and called them to walk according to His example. Paul has been completely open about his past and has confessed to them that all he once achieved amounted to rubbish now that he knew of the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.

In his final words are found three important exhortations. The first one, which we covered last week, has to do with our temperament or disposition. Let's review that section before continuing.

REVIEW

01. Temperament

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

The joy contemplated here, as I explained last time, has to do primarily with the soul's glad response to God's work of salvation. What is envisioned is a happiness or cheerfulness that is not produced by anything else we contemplate in life. It's a kind of pleasure that comes upon the redeemed man or woman when the incredible mercy of God is considered. Paul says that we should live that way. We should not settle for an occasional moment or two of exceeding joy, but we should be delighting in the Lord in this fashion all the time.

Paul is speaking of something other than a cursory reaction to life; he's speaking of anchoring ourselves in the goodness of God so that as we live out our days, no matter what we face, we have that foundation of thankful gladness. I noted that this admonition represents a real challenge for most of us. We let so many things determine our moods and our outlooks as we go about our lives. What we cannot deny is that we do have a disposition or temperament. We should want what Paul describes here, which is a joyful disposition. It may require some work, but something is going to determine your temperament; as a Christian, it certainly should be your relationship with Christ.

Paul goes on to say: "Let your gentle spirit be known to all men." (v. 5) The word used in this case describes one who is easy to get along with--not a person who has no convictions, but a person who doesn't make a big issue out of every little challenge in life. Added to this temperament of joy and gentleness is an absence of anxiety: "be anxious for nothing," Paul says (v. 6). Again, we hear another significant challenge. In the last sermon I asked: How can we be "anxious for nothing" when you consider all that there is in this life to be anxious about?

Paul gives us an answer; the answer to worrying about things you cannot control, yet must deal with--is offering prayer and supplication with thanksgiving in everything. Someone is going to bear the load of caring for the many, many issues we face in life where uncertainty, heartache, and disappointment are potential outcomes. Don't bear those things yourself, Paul teaches; instead, cast them on the Lord. Take your worries to God; take your fears to God; take your apprehension to God. Leave those things in His hands, the apostle teaches.

Right away, as I emphasized before, you can see how essential a good prayer life is to the Christian. Without prayer as an integral part of your life, all those cares and concerns you have will affect your disposition or your temperament. Paul is telling us how to handle such things. We either choose to bear those worries alone, for the most part, which means a drain of our energy and a preoccupation that is bound to show up in the way we relate to others, or we, with thankful hearts, make known to God what is troubling us.

And the end of all this is peace: "And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (v. 7) The apostle is speaking of that state of existence in which calm envelopes the heart no matter what else is going on around us. It's that sense of ease that we don't experience except in our communion with God, as Paul implies when he says it "surpasses all comprehension." This state of being in communion with God, letting Him bear our burdens, will guard your heart and mind, the apostle says.

END OF REVIEW

Several times during the last sermon, I asked you to be thinking of this question as I spoke: What would my life be like if I heeded the words of Paul? We've covered the first of three exhortations Paul gives as this letter comes to a close. We are now ready for the second exhortation and again, please be thinking about how your life would be affected if you lived by the words of the apostle.

The second exhortation is found in vv. 8 and 9; it has to do with contemplation--that is, what we think about, what occupies our thoughts, what we allow to enter our minds.

02. Contemplation

8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. 9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

What kinds of thoughts pass through your mind each day? Suppose each thought was cataloged so you could review the sum of your thinking at the end of the day? What would you find? How many categories of thoughts would you need? I suppose we could begin with two big categories: good thoughts and bad thoughts. Under those headings, we would expect to find thoughts marked by kindness, peacefulness, helpfulness, holiness, on the one hand, and thoughts marked by selfishness, meanness, anger, and vulgarity, on the other. If your thoughts for a single day--or even a single hour--were all cataloged, what would be revealed? That, in itself, is a frightening thought, isn't it?

It's not that we would object to having our God-honoring thoughts made known; our fear is generated by those other thoughts we entertain in the secrecy of our minds. No one wants their mind revealed; no one wants others to know how cruel they can be or what unkind responses they conceive but never utter. No one wants their mind opened so that others find out about their fantasies or their true opinions after they've gone to so much trouble to fool everyone. Our minds are the only part of our lives that are absolutely private, as far as other human beings are concerned. Of course, some get into trouble when they speak rashly, but generally, we take some comfort in the fact that what we think is known to us and us alone unless we choose to reveal it.

What we fail to take into account much of the time, however, is that what we store in our minds, what we allow to take up residence there, directly influences what others observe when they look at our lives. Our minds may, indeed, be secret, in terms of what we harbor there, but let's not make the mistake of thinking that what is hidden is of no consequence to our character and conduct. That is what this passage is about--character and conduct, which begin in the mind or the heart where we do our thinking.

Paul is touching upon an area of tremendous consequence; it's a matter of the greatest concern for followers of Jesus Christ. I want to urge the young people in this congregation to pay attention this morning, particularly the young men. Young men, you don't realize the threat represented by the culture in which you are growing up and in which you will raise your family. In the early part of the nineteenth century, a Frenchman named Alexis de Tocqueville toured our country and wrote a book entitled Democracy in America. In it, he said: "There is no country in the world where the Christian religion retains a greater influence over the souls of men than America." But today, the America in which you are living is not the same. Today, it could be said that this country is distinguished by Christianity's shocking loss of influence over the souls of men. This is a topic, young men and young women, where you are most vulnerable due to your young years and underdeveloped wisdom. There is information in these verses that will determine the character of your life, so give your attention to the words of the apostle.

When the Savior made that now-famous statement, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God," He was dealing with the issue now before us. When He said that thoughts of lusts amounted to adultery, He was referring to what Paul is here addressing. When Jesus said that what comes out of the heart defiles a man--things like evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders--He was talking about the same topic we find in this second exhortation from the apostle.

Both Jesus and Paul are talking about what we are inside, in our minds and hearts. They are both talking about all those thoughts that swarm around in our heads; they are talking about the things we think about, the things we ponder, and the things we allow into our minds. And this is why no sinner really wants to have the contents of his mind cataloged for others to inspect. We would be humiliated if all of our thoughts were made known. Embarrassment is not a strong enough word to describe how we would feel if all the things we contemplate in a given day were suddenly revealed.

It's not that we don't have good thoughts and thoughts for which we would not be ashamed. The problem is that we have the other kind of thoughts--those that are mean and arrogant and unkind and, worst of all, unclean. And even if you are one who does not harbor the worst kinds of thoughts from time to time, it is still a fact that you are a sinner and sinners must constantly battle to keep their minds unpolluted. Worldliness, in whatever form it manifests itself in our character and conduct, begins in the mind. That's why everyone is bound to listen to Paul if the goal is a life pleasing to the Lord.

What I intend to do is define each of the words Paul uses and offer a few comments about his meaning. We need to pay attention to the end of verse 8, however, before we do anything else. There, after listing a number of descriptive terms for what should be the objects of our contemplation, Paul says "dwell on these things." The word translated "dwell" is logizomai. It means "to think, reckon, reason, calculate." It refers to an unhurried consideration, the end result of which is a truthful conclusion. So, Paul is talking about careful and purposeful deliberation. He is commending the practice of consuming and meditating on information or input of a particular character. That character, of course, is defined in the previous terms.

In his list of terms, Paul gives us what amounts to a Christian value system. We could take Paul's list and apply it to any activity in which we engage and we would find some applicability. He uses that wide-reaching word "whatever" six times; clearly, the apostle is thinking in very broad terms when he tells his readers what should be the nature of those concepts or sources of input on which they dwell, which in turn, as I already stated, bear so directly on character and conduct. With the pervasiveness of moral filth and moronic notions about practically everything in life, which we encounter these days, Paul's words could not be more relevant.

This is a situation in which what he sets forth in these verses is desperately needed by those living at this time in history. The subtlety by which ungodliness infests our minds is an unmistakable warning to us that we need to pay attention to these words of Paul like never before. In case I'm not being clear, let me say it bluntly: we are more corrupted in our hearts and minds than we would ever suspect. Not until you take a list like the one in v. 7 and understand what the words mean do you realize how contrary this value system is to what is to be found in many Christian lives and many Christian homes.

With that said, let's begin with Paul's first statement: "[Dwell on, think about, reckon with] whatever is true." This is the Greek word alethes, which means "true, being truthful, loving the truth." The value system by which you live your life must be, first and foremost, a reflection of truth. This is another way of saying that you should put in your mind that which is accurate, that which properly represents reality as God defines it, that which is, in the end, in harmony with the Word of God.

To understand the impact of this first term, consider this statement: "Dwell on whatever is false." What happens if you dwell or meditate on that which is false? You develop views and behavior patterns that manifest that characteristic. Your life--that is, the way you speak, the way you relate to others, the kinds of things you pursue--reveals that upon which your mind is fixed. Therefore, if you dwell on that which is true, you are going to develop views and behavior patterns that manifest that characteristic. This is one way to understand the point Paul is making.

Next, Paul says: "[Dwell on, be preoccupied with] whatever is honorable." This term (semnos) refers to that which is honest and that which is to be venerated for its character. Quality of character, by the way, seems to be the primary focus of this word. It's used by Paul when he says that a deacon must be dignified (1 Tim. 3:8). It's used again by the apostle when he writes of the demeanor to be maintained by older men in the faith. Among other things, they are to exemplify a gravity or seriousness of character (Titus 2:2).

We are exhorted to give attention to things in life that are admirable and distinguished by uprightness. Given other uses of this term, it seems obvious that this word has a special relation to human character. If that's the case, then Paul is urging his readers to ponder those with superior character--superior, that is, as defined by Scripture. Again, when you consider how this word is used elsewhere, you have to conclude that one of the most complementary things that can be said about a man or woman is that he or she is honorable. We have lost that perspective on character to an alarming degree these days, but character really does matter more than many other things in life on which we place such value.

I don't need to remind you, I'm sure, of the horrible examples we have had paraded before us in this country, examples of men and women in positions of influence and authority showing themselves to be without honor--that is, without integrity of character. This word, as I noted, implies a study of character and an imitation of that character which appears to be respectable. We should hold in the highest regard those who have a noble character, not those who have the most money or the most photographed face.

Now, Paul writes, "[Dwell on] whatever is right." This word is dikaios, and it refers primarily to that which is righteous or just. It's a term used to describe the one who keeps the commands of God. It also can refer to the person who is innocent and faultless. So, the apostle says, "dwell on or meditate on righteousness." This word is used a lot in the New Testament and, most of the time, it is used to speak of a person's ethical state. Clearly presented, too, is the notion that the standard by which a person's ethical state is judged is the holy character of God Himself. This part of Paul's exhortation, therefore, is concerned with exposing our minds to whatever is ethically just and upright.

The man who dwells on whatever is right--that is, whatever is ethically acceptable in the eyes of God--is going to be a man whose life exhibits evidence. This is a characteristic that cannot remain in the realm of the intellect only, but must show up in relationships, in commerce and other types of interactions.

"[Dwell on] whatever is pure," the apostle adds next. This term (hagnos) refers to that which is without fault. It is used eight times in the New Testament and always refers to a state of morality. Paul is commending focus on those things that are free from moral corruption. I've already noted the moral depravity that characterizes much of our contemporary culture, but I want to say a word about two uses of this term, in particular. In two verses, one in Titus 2 and the other in 1 Pet. 3, the word is employed in reference to a woman's chaste behavior or modesty. It's an understatement to say that the sense of modesty among all, particularly females, has declined in recent years. The truth is, there is simply very little left to be ashamed of in this culture, even if you are a female. Women and girls wear whatever they want or as little as they want; they deliberately accentuate their sexuality and are walking examples of immodesty.

Christian women, Christian young ladies, Christian girls, listen to me: you must oppose those trends in fashion that encourage immodesty; it's that simple. And fathers, you need to take charge of what your daughters wear. If your sensitivities are where they should be, then you will recognize immodest clothing or an immodest appearance when you see it. This is, in my opinion, one of the leading sins to be found in Christian homes these days. It should not be that way. Listen to what the apostle says. Give your attention to things that are pure; train your mind to delight in things that are pure and then you will have no desire to be viewed as immodest. Understand that the lack of shame in a society is not a mark of cultural progress; it is a mark of a dying culture.

Paul continues: "[Dwell on] whatever is lovely." This is a simple term (prosphiles) that means "acceptable, pleasing." You recognize immediately, of course, that a standard is implied. By what standard do we pronounce something "acceptable" or "pleasing"? That takes us back to our foundation for all these terms, which is the Word of God. But notice that Paul introduces the concept of finding pleasure in the things we contemplate. This puts before us a topic that is largely unexplored or misunderstood among Christians. Although this is not the entirety of Paul's point here, he is touching on the subject of aesthetics, which is the philosophy of beauty and art.

Christians are not required to sit on stools in cold rooms and read only the Bible. We can enjoy life. There is such a thing as Christian aesthetics. With the Scriptures as our starting point, we can learn how to discern the acceptability of some activity or pursuit that we think will please us; and when we learn that it is acceptable within the parameters of Scripture, we can enjoy it. As we learn better how to judge our pursuits, we can dwell on those things or have them as routine aspects of our lives. Christians are free to dwell on things that are acceptable and personally pleasing--things like art, music, architecture, and literature.

Remember that Paul is giving us a Christian value system and if it truly is a system, then it is going to have application to whatever we encounter in life. That fact is illustrated in the term Paul uses here--lovely. I would say that what Paul says here requires us to consider a wife range of material--again, art, music, literature--and make an evaluation. This is what is implied in his phrase "dwell on whatever is lovely." Investigation must be made in all the areas I've mentioned and more that could be added to the list. Christians should be exploring all areas of life looking for that which is lovely or, as the word means, that which is pleasing.

The next phrase is: "[Dwell on] whatever is of good repute." This word (euphemos) refers to that which has a admirable reputation. Once again, a subjective element is introduced; some standard must be used to just what is admirable. The idea represented here is that of hearing a good and encouraging report about something, presumably from someone whose opinion you trust. This suggests the notion of seeking opinions from those who might have a better understanding than you. Children might seek the opinion of parents or adults might seek the opinion of pastors or others who have spent time studying some particular issue.

This really is a wide-open idea. The main point is that we seek to expose ourselves to edifying materials, however, they come to us. And, as indicated, part of that process might involve getting input from others with greater wisdom. The very idea of something having a "good reputation" does suggest that information is conveyed by way of opinion, not merely by way of personal, hands-on investigation. Seeking advice and the input of trusted figures in our lives is a mark of spiritual maturity. From that practice comes our own views regarding what is worth pursuing.

Paul wraps up this list comprising a Christian value system by saying, in summary form, "if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things." Things that are excellent and things worthy of praise--this is the apostle's way of encapsulating what he has just said. Excellent things, things worth of praise--those are the goals for the Christian mind.

What Paul has been speaking of is more than just abstract theory, he reminds the Philippians (v. 9). He had taught this value system and those believers had seen this value system displayed in Paul's own character and conduct. He refers to his example, therefore, as a most effective illustration of how a servant of Christ tends to the contents of his heart. "Practice these things," Paul says, "and the God of peace will be with you." These are the characteristics that please God, in other words. By incorporating them into our minds, we invite His blessing.

Application

I noted that what we find in these verses amounts to a Christian value system. So, the question for you to answer now is simple: Is this your value system? Think about those terms Paul uses. Do they describe the way in which you tend to your heart and mind? For example, can you say that you dwell on that which is true? How much effort do you put forth to ensure that your mind is exposed to more truth than falsehood? That question could be answered by looking at the sources of information to which you expose yourself in a given week. Think of the conversations you have, the television you watch, the music you listen to, the books and magazines you read. For most people, those are the major sources of input for their minds. Are you feeding your mind truth?

What about the next term, "honorable." Remember, that word refers primarily to the character of a person or thing. In particular, it pertains to having regard for people who have admirable character. How often have you stopped to consider the character of some man or woman and thought "I'd like to have that kind of character myself"? How many times have you read of some figure from history and thought "I'd like to have that kind of outlook on life"? The sad truth, at least for a lot of people these days, is that people of low character seem to be the most famous and the most admired. The man who quietly goes about his duties, who faithfully tends to his family, who walks rightly before God--he's not the man others admire--but he should be.

Paul also told us to dwell on that which is "right." This word, you'll recall, has to do with ethical uprightness. The obvious question here is: Are you an ethically upright person? Do you deal honestly with others in all things? Do you seek to "cut corners" whenever you can, so that you gain an advantage, or are you open and trustworthy in the way you live your life? These are all very practical matters. There is no great mystery behind the terms Paul uses. He's describing, once again, a value system for Christians, and all we have to do is look at this system and analyze our own practices. In our present case, that of dwelling on what is "right," we can admit that we live in a world of ethical chaos, but that makes ethical honest all the more of an imperative for us.

Dwell on whatever is "pure," Paul wrote next. Remember that this word has to do mainly with modesty or chaste behavior. This is, as I already indicated in previous remarks, an area of great concern. It is in the matter of fads and clothing that Christians seem prone to imitate the world most quickly. This means, therefore, that this is an area where we must be ever vigilant and ever ready to stand against the trends in our culture if, in fact, those trends result in our being less modest or less sensitive to maintaining a non-provocative appearance. By the nature of the case, of course, this matter bears most directly on females, although men can also fall into unacceptable patterns, too.

And this word puts a particular burden on parents who, among many other things, are responsible for teaching their children how to appear in public. I already commented on this matter, but let me add here that this is one area where so many parents seem to be blind--blind to what their daughters are wearing and blind, figuratively speaking, to the implications of certain modes of dressing.

The next word used by Paul was "lovely." Here, I'll simply ask you to consider what kind of art, music, literature, and images you allow to enter your mind. You will take on the character of that which you allow to take up residence in your heart. That is Paul's point in this passage, of course. He concludes this list by commending whatever is of "good repute." I explained that this term refers to that which has an admirable reputation, which implies a dependence on the opinions of others.

Most people don't understand the value of seeking advice. They are usually ready to give advice, asked or not, but they aren't ready to seek it. If that describes you, then you are missing one of the primary ways in which a good mind is developed and nurtured. Paul teaches that we should consult others to learn of the character of various things in life. We should depend on the insights of those with greater wisdom.

Put all this material together and you have a Christian value system. How would your life be changed if you lived according to what Paul teaches here? This is a topic that needs prolonged consideration when it comes to application. We've just touched on the basic implications of those terms Paul uses. Take his words as a standard and seek to live by them this coming week. Talk about them in your home and analyze what you are reading, watching, listening to, and wearing. Commit yourself to excellence and all that is worthy of praise, as Paul says.

Let's pray...

Conclusion

As I noted a few times in the sermon, we have set before us a value system by the apostle. This sacrament is a reminder that we are to live by a system of values, values taught to us in the Scriptures. This is so because, as this sacrament testifies, we have been purchased by the Savior and we belong to God. Our lives are His and they are to reflect goodness in every respect. Be reminded of your identity as a Christian when you receive these elements. You are in this world, but not of it.

The Scripture says:

While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is My body." And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins. (Matt. 26:26-28)