Worthy Things In Life - Philippians 4:8-9
Worthy Things In Life - Philippians 4:8-9
By Pastor Lee Hemen
July 12, 2009 AM
Émile Coué introduced us to the psychobabble of the mantra of self-impression that “Every day, in every way, I'm getting better and better.” It was a type of autosuggestion. The Coué method centers on a routine repetition of this particular expression according to a specific ritual, no matter your physical wellbeing and in the absence of any sort of associated mental imagery, you repeat it to yourself at the beginning and at the end of each day. In other words, you stand in front of the mirror, look at yourself, and remind yourself that in “Every day, in every way, I'm getting better and better.” In doing so it does not matter how you feel, what is occurring, or what the day is like; you are “getting better and better.” The idea is that a positive state of mind comes from a positive state of mind. Does it work? Perhaps, until you blow it or prove that in fact everyday in every way you are not getting better and better and deep down inside you know that to be true!
What then should make life worthwhile for us? Paul faced constant persecution simply because of what he believed. Added to this was that he depended solely upon volunteers to follow through with his teachings on Jesus and often Paul found life frustrating in the extreme. He did not have the luxury of looking blithely into a mirror and reminding himself that “everyday in everyway I’m getting better and better.” Instead, we discover that Paul looked to Christ for any approval of his. In fact he learned that his life was found in his selflessness as he served his Savior and Lord. Meaning in life is found in Christ, and Paul addresses this fact with the Philippians as to what was truly worthy things in life. Let’s discover what Paul tells them…
READ: Philippians 4:8-9
When a Pastor says, “finally,” it may not always be true. While this little bit of humor may or may not be correct to a certain extent, we find that it certainly was true for Paul! He was definitely not “finished” with the Philippians yet. Paul realized, because of his own life, that Christians would struggle with their walk in the Lord Jesus. It is a natural thing because God is holy and we are not. We are spiritually made holy in the Lord when we believe, but we still drag around with us the ugly sinful things of life we have learned. Looking at these two verses in Philippians we discover that…
I. Worthy things in life for Paul were “excellent and praise worthy!” (v. 8)
1. Paul shows us in a very real way that no one can be anything without Jesus in their life! Paul gives us a list of six things that are “excellent or praiseworthy.” He relates that “whatever is true,” literally that which is unhidden. No lies, no guile, just the truth. (Do you think today’s politician could learn from this one?) Then he continues by saying, “whatever is noble,” meaning worthy of respect. Like a soldier who serves with integrity their country with a sense of duty and honor. He tells them that “whatever is right,” meaning someone who is innocent and straightforward. Believers are to be innocent of the ways of the world, yet many I fear would rather make excuses or hide their shame than honestly face it and confess it. He goes on to write that “whatever is pure,” meaning someone who is blameless and modest. Someone who is not perfect, but who lives in such a way that they are seen by the beauty of their lives lived for God. Then Paul writes that “whatever is lovely,” which refers to those who promote peace or unity in a situation. And finally, Paul mentions “whatever is admirable,” which refers to a person who is well spoken of or where others know their intrinsic character to be all of the above! Are all of these things possible for sinful people like us? The answer is a definite “YES!” Paul will later write, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13) It is not by our might or will or by our trying to be “good enough,” it is only through Jesus that we can attain all of this! Worthy things in life are always found in Jesus Christ. Worthy things in life for Paul were “excellent and praiseworthy.”
EXAMPLE: The Florida orange growers mounted a successful TV ad campaign, when sales of orange juice had fallen off in the United States, by telling people “That a day without orange juice is like a day without sunshine.” It was so successful that orange juice sales sky-rocketed and have not fallen since its inception. If only Christians would remind themselves that: “A day without Jesus is a day without living life to its fullest,” then perhaps we would see a change in the kingdom of God and in His church. Far too many folks live their lives in Christ in shame or dishonesty. There is no reason to. Your life in Christ is not dependent upon you or on how you feel for the moment! It is dependent upon your willingness to allow Jesus to live through you, period! Paul shows us in a very real way that no one can be anything without Jesus in their life. Worthy things in life are not found in what you can do, buy, or be. The things in life that are “excellent and praiseworthy,” are found in Jesus.
How many of us could really tell someone else, “Do not do merely as I say, but do as I do!”? Not many of us. Sadly, we often take on the old adage, “Don’t do as I do, rather do as I say!” Right? But Paul will have none of this from his readers the Philippians and from us as well. Paul knew that Christians are not to sit on their holy behinds but were to actively live for the Lord. We discover that…
II. Worthy things in life for Paul were “put into practice!” (v. 9)
1. Merely thinking about Jesus, never made anyone live like Jesus! Paul ended his last thought with the admonishment for his readers to “think about such things!” But merely “thinking” about being godly never got anyone to where Jesus wanted them to be, and Paul knew this. Positive thinking about God, everyday in every way, never got a sinful individual to be the Godly person they need to be. Paul bluntly reminds his readers that “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice!” In other words, whenever you saw me doing the things I just described, DO IT JUST AS I DID IT! Paul knew he could confidently stand before anyone and relate, “Hey, what you see me doing for the Lord, you do the same thing and you will be living a-okay for Jesus!” Why? Because Paul put into practice the things he taught! If we cannot control our spending habits, our drinking habits, our lying habits, our speech habits, or… well, you get the idea, then we cannot expect our children to respond any other way than what they see us doing! Right? It is a foolish parent who thinks they should be “honest” and “forthright” with their immature child about how they were ungodly, irresponsible, or rebellious when they were younger. Instead, immature children learn best from a high standard set by their parents and not through an ungodly reminder. You never read about Paul encouraging others to live like he did when he persecuted Christians! In fact, he was ashamed of his past life and considered it “rubbish.” Why do you think he wrote earlier: “I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain!”? (Philippians 1:20-21) Worthy things in life for Paul were “put into practice!”
EXAMPLE: “I expected more out of you.” Those words pierced my little boy heart when my father related them to me, but what he related afterwards showed me how to live my life afterwards. He went on to say, “Do not sit there and stay sad and ashamed, but instead do something about it for the future!” He meant that I was not to sit there and wallow in my guilt or beat myself up over the fact I had disappointed him but rather I was to learn from it and grow and mature and then act upon what I had learned. Simply knowing about Jesus is not good enough, you have to apply what you know in your life. It is first applied when you act upon the fact you are a sinner and you repent and turn away from your sin and turn to Jesus Christ. You see, merely thinking about Jesus, never made anyone live like Jesus! You have to come to Him by faith and trust Him with your life. You have to die to yourself and live for Him. “To live is Christ and to die is gain.” Worthy things in life for Paul were “put into practice!”
Conclusion:
Worthy things in life for Paul were “excellent and praiseworthy, and worthy things in life for Paul were “put into practice!”
---
This article is copyrighted © 2009 by Lee Hemen and is the sole property of Lee Hemen, and may not be used unless you quote the entire article and have my permission. You now have my permission to use the entire article.
By Pastor Lee Hemen
July 12, 2009 AM
Émile Coué introduced us to the psychobabble of the mantra of self-impression that “Every day, in every way, I'm getting better and better.” It was a type of autosuggestion. The Coué method centers on a routine repetition of this particular expression according to a specific ritual, no matter your physical wellbeing and in the absence of any sort of associated mental imagery, you repeat it to yourself at the beginning and at the end of each day. In other words, you stand in front of the mirror, look at yourself, and remind yourself that in “Every day, in every way, I'm getting better and better.” In doing so it does not matter how you feel, what is occurring, or what the day is like; you are “getting better and better.” The idea is that a positive state of mind comes from a positive state of mind. Does it work? Perhaps, until you blow it or prove that in fact everyday in every way you are not getting better and better and deep down inside you know that to be true!
What then should make life worthwhile for us? Paul faced constant persecution simply because of what he believed. Added to this was that he depended solely upon volunteers to follow through with his teachings on Jesus and often Paul found life frustrating in the extreme. He did not have the luxury of looking blithely into a mirror and reminding himself that “everyday in everyway I’m getting better and better.” Instead, we discover that Paul looked to Christ for any approval of his. In fact he learned that his life was found in his selflessness as he served his Savior and Lord. Meaning in life is found in Christ, and Paul addresses this fact with the Philippians as to what was truly worthy things in life. Let’s discover what Paul tells them…
READ: Philippians 4:8-9
When a Pastor says, “finally,” it may not always be true. While this little bit of humor may or may not be correct to a certain extent, we find that it certainly was true for Paul! He was definitely not “finished” with the Philippians yet. Paul realized, because of his own life, that Christians would struggle with their walk in the Lord Jesus. It is a natural thing because God is holy and we are not. We are spiritually made holy in the Lord when we believe, but we still drag around with us the ugly sinful things of life we have learned. Looking at these two verses in Philippians we discover that…
I. Worthy things in life for Paul were “excellent and praise worthy!” (v. 8)
1. Paul shows us in a very real way that no one can be anything without Jesus in their life! Paul gives us a list of six things that are “excellent or praiseworthy.” He relates that “whatever is true,” literally that which is unhidden. No lies, no guile, just the truth. (Do you think today’s politician could learn from this one?) Then he continues by saying, “whatever is noble,” meaning worthy of respect. Like a soldier who serves with integrity their country with a sense of duty and honor. He tells them that “whatever is right,” meaning someone who is innocent and straightforward. Believers are to be innocent of the ways of the world, yet many I fear would rather make excuses or hide their shame than honestly face it and confess it. He goes on to write that “whatever is pure,” meaning someone who is blameless and modest. Someone who is not perfect, but who lives in such a way that they are seen by the beauty of their lives lived for God. Then Paul writes that “whatever is lovely,” which refers to those who promote peace or unity in a situation. And finally, Paul mentions “whatever is admirable,” which refers to a person who is well spoken of or where others know their intrinsic character to be all of the above! Are all of these things possible for sinful people like us? The answer is a definite “YES!” Paul will later write, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13) It is not by our might or will or by our trying to be “good enough,” it is only through Jesus that we can attain all of this! Worthy things in life are always found in Jesus Christ. Worthy things in life for Paul were “excellent and praiseworthy.”
EXAMPLE: The Florida orange growers mounted a successful TV ad campaign, when sales of orange juice had fallen off in the United States, by telling people “That a day without orange juice is like a day without sunshine.” It was so successful that orange juice sales sky-rocketed and have not fallen since its inception. If only Christians would remind themselves that: “A day without Jesus is a day without living life to its fullest,” then perhaps we would see a change in the kingdom of God and in His church. Far too many folks live their lives in Christ in shame or dishonesty. There is no reason to. Your life in Christ is not dependent upon you or on how you feel for the moment! It is dependent upon your willingness to allow Jesus to live through you, period! Paul shows us in a very real way that no one can be anything without Jesus in their life. Worthy things in life are not found in what you can do, buy, or be. The things in life that are “excellent and praiseworthy,” are found in Jesus.
How many of us could really tell someone else, “Do not do merely as I say, but do as I do!”? Not many of us. Sadly, we often take on the old adage, “Don’t do as I do, rather do as I say!” Right? But Paul will have none of this from his readers the Philippians and from us as well. Paul knew that Christians are not to sit on their holy behinds but were to actively live for the Lord. We discover that…
II. Worthy things in life for Paul were “put into practice!” (v. 9)
1. Merely thinking about Jesus, never made anyone live like Jesus! Paul ended his last thought with the admonishment for his readers to “think about such things!” But merely “thinking” about being godly never got anyone to where Jesus wanted them to be, and Paul knew this. Positive thinking about God, everyday in every way, never got a sinful individual to be the Godly person they need to be. Paul bluntly reminds his readers that “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice!” In other words, whenever you saw me doing the things I just described, DO IT JUST AS I DID IT! Paul knew he could confidently stand before anyone and relate, “Hey, what you see me doing for the Lord, you do the same thing and you will be living a-okay for Jesus!” Why? Because Paul put into practice the things he taught! If we cannot control our spending habits, our drinking habits, our lying habits, our speech habits, or… well, you get the idea, then we cannot expect our children to respond any other way than what they see us doing! Right? It is a foolish parent who thinks they should be “honest” and “forthright” with their immature child about how they were ungodly, irresponsible, or rebellious when they were younger. Instead, immature children learn best from a high standard set by their parents and not through an ungodly reminder. You never read about Paul encouraging others to live like he did when he persecuted Christians! In fact, he was ashamed of his past life and considered it “rubbish.” Why do you think he wrote earlier: “I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain!”? (Philippians 1:20-21) Worthy things in life for Paul were “put into practice!”
EXAMPLE: “I expected more out of you.” Those words pierced my little boy heart when my father related them to me, but what he related afterwards showed me how to live my life afterwards. He went on to say, “Do not sit there and stay sad and ashamed, but instead do something about it for the future!” He meant that I was not to sit there and wallow in my guilt or beat myself up over the fact I had disappointed him but rather I was to learn from it and grow and mature and then act upon what I had learned. Simply knowing about Jesus is not good enough, you have to apply what you know in your life. It is first applied when you act upon the fact you are a sinner and you repent and turn away from your sin and turn to Jesus Christ. You see, merely thinking about Jesus, never made anyone live like Jesus! You have to come to Him by faith and trust Him with your life. You have to die to yourself and live for Him. “To live is Christ and to die is gain.” Worthy things in life for Paul were “put into practice!”
Conclusion:
Worthy things in life for Paul were “excellent and praiseworthy, and worthy things in life for Paul were “put into practice!”
---
This article is copyrighted © 2009 by Lee Hemen and is the sole property of Lee Hemen, and may not be used unless you quote the entire article and have my permission. You now have my permission to use the entire article.
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