Meaningful Life
Date: June 3, 2024
Philippians 4:8-9
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Bible Reading: Philippians 4:8-9
Sermon Topic: The God of Peace
Take Home Point: ”Pursue Righteousness and God Will Be with You”
The world today looks at things quite differently from the way the Bible wants us to see things. The thinking pattern, messages, and the images that force themselves on us through television, social media and so on, are in opposition to the Bible guidelines for godly behavior and this negative influence is beginning to affect the Christian community. You and I will agree that most of us pay more attention to watching programs on tv, we are engrossed on the internet, social media than we do to the things that would draw us closer to God.
In this text of the Bible, the apostle Paul is reminding us to be on our guard, to reject, and to walk away from those things that do not draw us closer to Jesus. He highlights several things that will guide us in making conscious effort to be close to Jesus.
Paul wants us to reason and dwell on the right things that are True.
The second thing that Paul wants us to reason and dwell on is what is Honorable.
The third thing Paul wants us to dwell on is what is Just.
To avoid sin, we must dwell or focus on what is Pure. In Romans 12:2 Paul cautioned us thus “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” For us to dwell or focus on what is pure, it means we should remove ourselves from the negative influences the people of the world may want to lead us to.
To please God, we have to focus on or dwell on whatever is Lovely. This means that we must endeavor to do things that will always please God. In Ephesians 4:31-32 Paul gave us some sets of caution he said, 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour (uproar – chaos or disturbance emphasis mine), and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice.
What are we to do to avoid an embarrassing situation with others or bring reproach to our God? Paul says we should do things that are Commendable. When we dwell on things or take actions that can bring praise to God, then we meet this requirement of “whatever is commendable”
The pursuit of Excellence i.e. Perfection: We must aim to be the best. This pursuit of excellence should direct All the attention and bring glory to God. It is not for men to recognize us or our abilities.
In conclusion, Paul said as they practice these things and make it a way of life, the God of peace will be with you. As we make the right choices in following these principles, will experience true peace in our journey on earth.
As we begin this new week, I pray that we will all dwell on the things that make the God of peace to abide with us.
Pastor David Kachi Jite