Again, as a matter of
review: Chapter one dealt with the Single
Mind - stability and
consistency in your thinking; secondly, the
Submissive
Mind - turning your
will over to God and letting Christ's mind "be in you"';
thirdly, the Spiritual
Mind - "That I may
know him", we need to get to know Jesus Christ better
each day. Finally, chapter four deals with the Secure
Mind.
Today finds man blessed with
more material goods and opportunities for pleasure and
recreation than ever before in the history of man. Yet
with inflation, unemployment, the threat of nuclear
warfare, the crisis in the home, divorce, crime, etc., we
find ourselves living in a world of fear and
insecurity.
Outline
of The Chapter:
I. Paul
tells us things we should do (1-7)
II. Paul
tells us things we should think about (8)
III. Paul
tells us the results if we follow his example.
(9-23)
Paul
tells us things we must do:
A. "Stand fast in the
Lord" (vs. 1) (See: Phil. 1:27; 1 Cor. 16:13; 1 Thess.
3:8; Eph. 6:14)
B. "Be of the same
mind in the Lord." (vs. 2) (1 Cor. 1:10; Phil. 3:16) The
local New Testament Church is one that should be
characterized by unity. The early church in the book of
Acts gives us time and time again. the example. (See Acts
1:14; 2:1; 2:46; 4:24; 5:12 etc).
C. Rejoice in the
Lord." (vs. 4) Again this is the theme of the book. 16
times joy or rejoice is mentioned. (Neh. 8:10; Ps. 5:12;
1 Thess. 5:16)
D. "Let your
moderation be known unto all men". If a Christian is to
"go overboard" so to sneak in anything it ought to be in
the things of the Lord. Priorities is the name of the
game. Are you known as the best golfer in your department
at work? the biggest eater? the intellect? athlete?
musician, etc.? We all ought to be know first... as a
Christian. It is our responsibility according to the text
to make our acquaintances aware of the fact that Jesus
Christ occupies the attention of our lives.
E. "Be careful for nothing."
Literally be full of care for nothing. Worry worry,
worry! Worry is sin. The admonition is such that we
aren't to worry but in everything (Rom. 8:28) by prayer
and supplication with thanks giving, let your requests be
made known unto God. "And it came to pass. Problems
come...to pass. God is building up his children and
preparing us to serve him more effectively and to meet
him face to face. Usually we worry because we have
brought pressure to bear on ourselves by some carnal
decision or act. Even then, if we will seek God's face he
will use the opportunity to teach us a more valuable
lesson. How can a person have a secure mind without a
spiritual mind!
The result of this:
The
peace of God shall keep your minds and
hearts.
Our thoughts can get us into
trouble. Christmas Evans said, "The idle mind is the
Devil's work shop."
All of our thoughts should
fall in one of Paul's six categories in verse
eight:
[1].
True
[2]. Honest
[3]. Just
[4]. Pure
[5]. Lovely
[6]. Good report
These are godly thoughts as
opposed to: hatred, impurity, slander, fraud, envy,,
jealousy, gossip, covetousness, strife, vainglory, pride,
etc. Herein lies the importance of being in God's Word
daily. The Word judges and discerns our thought patterns
and when necessary will serve to alter them.
"For the Word of God... is a
discerner of the thoughts and intents of
the heart." (Heb. 4:12)
B. (vs. 13) Power & Strength - "I can do all things through
Christ..." Supernatural strength and grace to achieve
God's goals and purposes for us as men. (2 Cor.
12:9)
C. (vs. 19) Provision
- Certainly the Promise Positive one yet your need might
not be what you see it as. Sometimes we need a good kick
in the .....
Notice that the promise in
the context is to the New Testament Church in Philippi,
that has provided for others outside their own
church.
summary:
Chapter
One - "To live is
Christ, and to die is again."
Chapter
Two - "Let this mind
be in you..."
Chapter
Three - "That I may
know him..."
Chapter
Four - "And the
Peace of (God ... shall keep your hearts and
minds..."
