These notes accompany the sermon found here.

Introduction

• Today’s verses: Philippians 4:8-9.
• Big Idea: Rejoicing, prayer, and right thinking are the keys to taking on the mind of Christ, having the peace of God instead of anxiety, and maintaining unity in the gospel work.
• How these three things relate:
  • Rejoicing comes from the heart.
  • Thinking takes place in the mind.
  • Prayer connects heart and mind to God.
• Bookends to the command to “think about these things”:
  • Verse 7: “The peace of God…will heard your hearts and your minds…”
  • Verse 9: “The God of peace will be with you.”

Think

Think, dwell upon, consider, fill your minds with,etc.   See Philippians 4:8, 1:9; Isaiah 26:3; Romans 15:14; 1 Corinthians 1:5; 2 Corinthians 10:5; Ephesians 1:17, 4:13.

About These Things

• True: In accord with reality.  John 8:44; Romans 1:25;  2 Corinthians 4:4, 11:3 ; John 17:17; 1 John 5:6; 2 Thessalonians 2:11.
• Honorable: Worthy of respect; Dignified. Romans 12:17, 13:13; 2 Corinthians 8:21;1 Timothy 2:2, 3:4, 3:8.
• Just: In accord with God’s righteous judgment.  Deuteronomy 16:20; Proverbs 1:11; Micah 6:8; Colossians 4:1.
• Pure: Devoid of moral corruption.  Psalm 101:3; Habakkuk 1:13; Matthew 5:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:22.
• Lovely: Acceptable or Pleasing to God.  1 Corinthians 13; Romans 10:15.
• Commendable: Worth talking about.  Philippians 1:27; Acts 21:22; 1 Timothy 3:7, 5:10; Titus 2:10; Hebrews 11:2.
• Excellence: Morally praiseworthy; virtue.  Proverbs 31:10; 1 Peter 2:9; 2 Peter 2:5.
• Worthy of praise: Deserving of being talked about or commended.   Philippians 1:11; Ephesians 1:12, 14; 1 Corinthians 4:5.

How do I control my thoughts?

• Control sensory input:
  • Limit your intake of secular material. See Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 2:1-3; James 4:4. 1 John 2:15-17; 1 Corinthians 10:23; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1.
  • Increase your intake of godly material.
    • Be filled with God’s Word. Psalm 19:7-9, 119:165; 1 John 3:3; John 17:17.
    • Address one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16.
    • Rejoice and Pray. See Sermon #13 in the series.
• Change the heart:  Call upon the name of Jesus for salvation.  Ezekiel 11:19, 36:26; Romans 10:9-13; John 3:3, 3:16-18; Romans 3:21-31; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21.

Extras

“Sow a thought, reap an action.

Sow an action, reap a habit.

Sow a habit, reap a character.

Sow a character, reap a destiny!”

— Anonymous

Isaiah 26:3, ESV, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”