Last Things First - Part 4

Bible Book: Philippians 4 : 8

Subject: Last Things

Series: Last Things First

We Need To Be Presently Pursuing The Positive Things That We Want To End Up With

Introduction

Today, we’re continuing our series of sermons that I’m calling “Last Things First.” And we’re drawing upon some of the occurrences of the word “Finally” as it is used in the New Testament.

In several of these occurrences, the word “finally” has been translated from a Greek word that forms a transition to something else. In other words, it is moving the hearer or reader’s attention from one point to another point; from one line of thought to another line of thought. (According to Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)

It’s a word that really expresses the idea of “Just one more thing,” or “as for the rest” (Marvin Vincent’s Word Studies). So several times when, for example Paul, used this word “finally,” he is saying, “Let me just say one more thing (or one last thing) before I finish this letter.”

The goal of this series is to challenge us to cultivate in our lives today the qualities and characteristics that we want to end up with, instead of just expecting to somehow magically arrive at that level of desired spiritual maturity.

So we’re presenting the conclusions and the “finally’s” first. We’re basically trying to begin with the end in view. And in this series, we have already considered the fact that…

1. We Need To Be Presently Pursuing The Principles That We Want To End Up With

(2 Corinthians 13:11) Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

2. We Need To Be Presently Pursuing The Power That We Want To End Up With

(Ephesians 6:10) Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

3. We Need To Be Presently Pursuing The Praise That We Want To End Up With

(Philippians 3:1) Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.

This morning, our “Finally” teaches us that …

4. We Need To Be Presently Pursuing The Positive Things That We Want To End Up With

(Philippians 4:8) 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, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

The interesting thing about our “Finally” this morning is that it is the second one in the same letter. I don’t know if Paul had the same problem winding down a sermon that I have, but he did go on for another chapter and a half after he shared the first “finally” is Philippians 3:1.

It’s like the preacher that preached a very lengthy sermon one Sunday, and afterward a man came up to him and said, “Preacher your sermon had every point except a concluding point.” Well, Paul’s had two concluding points.

Remember that Paul wrote the Philippian epistle while he was a prisoner. But though he was in a negative situation, he is discussing some positive principles in the middle section of chapter 4 where our text is found.

1. In Verse 8, Paul Talks About Pondering The Positive Things

a. He Mentions The Specific Thought Life

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 … think on these things.

b. He Mentions The Summarized Thought Life

if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things

2. In Verse 9, Paul Talks About Practicing The Positive Things

a. He Urges Them To Do The Things That Have Been Explained

Those things, which ye have both learned, and received … do

b. He Urges Them To Do The Things That Have Been Exemplified

Those things, which ye have … heard, and seen in me, do

3. In Verses 11 Thru 13, Paul Talks About Prevailing In The Positive Things

a. We Can Overcome Through The Contented Attitude

(Philippians 4:11) … I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

b. We Can Overcome Through The “Can Do” Attitude

(Philippians 4:13) I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

It’s on my heart this morning to focus specifically upon Pondering The Positive Things in verse 8 where Paul said…

Paul is talking about our thought life in this verse. Long before Tim LaHaye co-authored the “Left Behind” series, he wrote a book entitled “The Battle For The Mind.” And the mind is certainly the battleground for many of the conflicts that we have as Christians. Let me mention a few quotes that highlight the importance of the thought life…

Thinking is the talking of the soul with itself.

Plato (C. 428–348 B.C.)

As nothing is more easy than to think, so nothing is more difficult than to think well.

Thomas Traherne (C. 1637–1674)

The mind grows by what it feeds on.

Josiah Gilbert Holland (1819–1881)

Christian thinking is a rare and difficult thing; so many seem unaware that the first great commandment according to our Lord is, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.”

To think is an effort; to think rightly is a great effort; and to think as a Christian ought to think is the greatest effort of a human soul. Oswald Chambers (1874–1917)

Good thoughts bear good fruit, bad thoughts bear bad fruit—and man is his own gardener.

James Allen

In order to understand the spiritual principles of the thought life, we need to expand our focus beyond Philippians 4:8 and look at some other scriptures as well. As we do, let me first point out that…

I. The Bible Makes The Case For A Good Thought Life

A. We Need To Think Rightly Because Our Thoughts Produce Our Words

(Luke 6:45) A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

There seems to be two ideas wrapped up in this statement and the correlating statement in Matthew 12:34-35. First…

1. When Thoughts Become Words It Is Like The Water From A Brimming Vessel

(Matthew 12:34) O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

abundance – Greek NT:4051. perisseuma; abundance, in which one delights; the abundance of that which fills the heart, Matthew 12:34; Luke 6:45 (It has the idea of a surplus or superabundance or overflow)

(From Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)

2. When Thoughts Become Words It Is Like The Withdrawal From A Banking Vault

(Matthew 12:35) A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

treasure – Greek NT:2344. theesauros; means the place in which goods and precious things are collected and laid up; a casket, coffer, or other receptacle, in which valuables are kept; a treasury; a storehouse, repository, magazine; metaphorically it speaks of the soul, as the repository of thoughts, feelings, purposes, etc.: (Matthew 12:35) (From Thayer's Greek Lexicon)

heart – Greek 2588. kardia; the heart, i.e. figuratively it means the thoughts or feelings (the mind).

bringeth forth – Greek 1544. ekballo; means to eject – Also translated as “cast (forth, out), drive (out), expel, leave, pluck (pull, take, thrust) out, put forth (out), send away (forth, out).”

Illustrate: The image that comes to my mind is when money comes out of an ATM. It is ejected. And it can only be ejected if something has been deposited. The fact is, some people seem to withdraw more in words than they have deposited in thought, so they must have some kind of overdraft protection.

(Proverbs 15:28) The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

(Proverbs 15:28, TLB) A good man thinks before he speaks; the evil man pours out his evil words without a thought.

Thinking beforehand will help us to speak and act wisely. The righteous weigh their answers; the wicked don’t wait to speak because they don’t care about the effects of their words. It is important to have something to say, but it is equally important to weigh it first. Do you carefully plan your words, or do you pour out your thoughts without concern for their impact? (The Handbook of Bible Application, Editor: Neil S. Wilson)

B. We Need To Think Rightly Because Our Thoughts Produce Our Works

(Proverbs 23:7) For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.

1. Thoughts Are The Source Of Action

(Proverbs 4:23) Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

heart – Hebrew 3820. leb, labe; the heart; also used very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect;

issues – Hebrew OT:8444. towtsa'ah; outgoing, border, a going out, extremity, end, source, escape.

(From Brown Driver & Briggs Hebrew Lexicon)

2. Thoughts Are The Seed Of Action

(Mark 7:21-22) For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, {22} Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:

heart – Greek 2588. kardia; the heart, i.e. figuratively it means the thoughts or feelings (the mind).

proceed – Greek 1607. ekporeuomai; from G1537 and G4198 (to travel out of); to depart, be discharged, proceed, project:--come (forth, out of), depart, go (forth, out), issue, proceed (out of).

It’s like the stem bursting through the shell of the seed and eventually becoming a full-grown plant.

We should discipline our thoughts to be pure – because actions begin with thoughts.

(The Handbook of Bible Application)

What we think about when we are free to think about what we will – that is what we are or will soon become. A. W. Tozer (1897–1963)

Cf. Matthew 5:21-22, 27-28

(Matthew 5:21-22) Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: {22} But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

(Matthew 5:27-28) Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: {28} But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

II. The Bible Mentions The Components Of A Good Thought Life

As Alexander Maclaren said, “It would be absurd of me to try to exhaust the great catalogue which the Apostle gives here, but let me say a word or two about it.”

A. Our Text Lists The Specific Elements Of A Good Thought Life

whatsoever – Greek NT:3745. hosa; all, as many as; all things whatsoever, all that (the thing whatever it may be)

(From Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)

1. We Should Think On Godly Things

a. Think On The Thing That Is Real

true – not hidden, unconcealed

[Whatsoever things are true] Hosa (NT:3745) ... aleethee (NT:227). All that is agreeable to unchangeable and eternal truth. Whether that which is to be learned from the nature and state of created things, or that which comes immediately from God by revelation. (Adam Clarke’s Commentary)

b. Think On The Thing That Is Respectable

honest – venerable (worthy of reverence), honorable

[Whatsoever things are honest] Hosa (NT:3745) ... semna (NT:4586). Whatever is grave, decent, and venerable. Whatever becomes you as men, as citizens, and as Christians. (Adam Clarke’s Commentary)

c. Think On The Thing That Is Righteous

just – that which regard for duty demands; equitable (in character or act); innocent, holy, righteous; what is right.

[Whatsoever things are just] Hosa (NT:3745) ... dikaia (NT:1346). Whatsoever is agreeable to justice and righteousness. All that ye owe to God, to your neighbour, and to yourselves. (Adam Clarke’s Commentary)

2. We Should Think On Good Things

a. Think On That Which Has A Virtuous Goodness

pure – exciting reverence, venerable, sacred: pure from every fault, immaculate (From Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)

[Whatsoever things are pure] Hosa (NT:3745) ... hagna (NT:55). Whatsoever is chaste. In reference to the state of the mind, and to the acts of the body. (Adam Clarke’s Commentary)

b. Think On That Which Has A Visible Goodness

lovely – acceptable, pleasing (friendly towards another) (From Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)

[Whatsoever things are lovely] Hosa (NT:3745) ... prosphilee (NT:4375). Whatsoever is amiable on its own account and on account of its usefulness to others, whether in your conduct or conversation. (Adam Clarke’s Commentary)

c. Think On That Which Has A Verbal Goodness

of good report – sounding well; uttering words of good omen, speaking auspiciously (favorably) (Thayer’s)

[Whatsoever things are of good report] Hosa (NT:3745) ... eupheema (NT:2163). Whatsoever things the public agree to acknowledge as useful and profitable to men; such as charitable institutions of every kind, in which genuine Christians should ever take the lead. (Adam Clarke’s Commentary)

B. Our Text Lists The Summarized Elements Of A Good Thought Life

If there be any – Greek ei (NT:1487) tis (NT:5100). Paul changes the construction from hosa (NT:3745) (whatsoever) to a condition of the first class, as in Philippians 2:1, with two substantives.

(from Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament)

NT:5100. tis; a certain, a certain one; used of persons and things concerning which the writer either cannot or will not speak more particularly. (From Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)

1. If Something Has Morality It Is Worth Thinking About

If there be any virtue – ‘whatever virtue there is’ (Alford). “Virtue,” the standing word in pagan ethics, is found once only in Paul’s letters, and thrice in Peter’s (1 Peter 2:9; 2 Peter 1:3,5); and this in uses different from pagan authors’ excellence. It is a term earthly and human, as compared with the spiritual graces of Christianity: hence, its rarity in the New Testament. Piety and true morality are inseparable. Despise not anything good.

(Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary)

virtue – Greek NT:703. aretee; a word of very wide signification in Greek writings; any excellence of a person (in body or mind) or of a thing, an eminent endowment, property or quality. Used of the human mind and in an ethical sense; it denotes any particular moral excellence, as modesty, purity. (From Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)

2. If Something Has Merit It Is Worth Thinking About

praise – Greek NT:1868. epainos; (epi and ainos – as it were, a tale for another); approbation (approval or admiration), commendation, praise. (From Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)

III. The Bible Magnifies The Conquest In A Good Thought Life

(2 Corinthians 10:4-5) (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) {5} Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

A. This Conquest Involves Dethroning / Destroying Conceited Thoughts

(2 Corinthians 10:5) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

1. There Is A Pride In Defining These Imaginations

imaginations – Greek 3053. logismos; from G3049 (to take an inventory); computation, i.e. (fig.) reasoning (conscience, conceit):-- thought.

high thing – Greek 5313. hupsoma; an elevated place or thing, altitude, or (by implication) a barrier (fig.):--height.

2. There Is A Plan For Defeating These Imaginations

casting down – Greek NT:2507. kathaireo; to pull down, demolish: the (subtle) reasonings (Imaginations) (of opponents) are likened to fortresses, They are to be pulled down, demolished, refuted. (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)

Casting down imaginations. (This is a) military figure. The reasonings or imaginations are treated as forts or citadels to be conquered. (Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament)

B. This Conquest Involves Detaining Corrupt Thoughts

(2 Corinthians 10:5) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

1. Our Thoughts Must Become Captive Thoughts

bringing into captivity – Greek 163. aichmalotizo; from G164 (captive or prisoner of war): to make captive:--lead away captive.

Bringing into captivity (NT:163). Or “leading away captive.” The military metaphor is continued; the leading away of the captives after the storming of the stronghold. (From Marvin Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament)

2. Our Thoughts Must Become Compliant Thoughts

obedience – Greek 5218. hupakoe; from G5219 (to hear as a subordinate); attentive hearkening, i.e. (by implication) compliance or submission:-- (make) obedient.

Cf. (Philippians 2:5) Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

We have to guard the gate of our mind…

(Proverbs 25:28) He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.

Conclusion

Paul gives some pretty good guidance in Philippians 4:8: “...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, and if there by any praise, think on these things.” Turning that around, that means do not focus on untruths, things that are dishonest, unjust, impure, slanderous or unpraiseworthy. Just flush those things out of your mind.

More than two decades ago Bill and Gloria Gaither put that idea in a song called “Think On The Good Things.” Look at these lyrics:

I’m gonna fill up my mind

With happy songs of praise

Remind myself that He’s forgiven me.

I’m gonna think about things that I know will lift me up

Like hope and peace and truth and joy

And simple honesty.

I’m gonna think on the good things

Think on what the Lord has done for me