Text Verse: 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."
Introduction: The Bible tells us in 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." In other words, what goes in comes out. In computer lingo it is called "GIGO" or Garbage In, Garbage Out! Also in Proverbs 23:7a, we read "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he..." This verse tells us, what we think we are! Ouch! Therefore, in Proverbs 4:23 we are commanded, "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." And in Proverbs 23:19 "Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way."
I want to preach today on the subject, "THINK ON THESE THINGS......"
We see in Philippians 4:8 some things we are to think on.
To think is: To have the mind occupied on some subject; to have ideas, or to revolve ideas in the mind. To imagine; to suppose; to fancy. To muse; to meditate. To reflect; to recollect or call to mind. To consider; to deliberate.
I suppose you get the idea.... Thinking is what everyone here cept those sleeping in the last row is doing....
THINK ON THESE THINGS! WHAT THINGS
1. "Whatsoever things are true." Jesus is the truth, the Bible is truth. Think on the Bible. You can't think on the Bible if you are not reading the Bible. If you do not come to Church you will not hear the Bible preached. Think on things that are true!
THINK ON THESE THINGS! WHAT THINGS
2. "Whatsoever things are honest." Honesty is the only policy. The devil is the father of lies. Dishonesty is like lying. The dirty Rock music crowd is not honest. Think on honest things... The dirty RAP music is not honest. Think on honest things... Godly music is honest! Think on honest things... "Blessed Assurance Jesus is mine oh what a foretaste of Glory divine." Give me the ole time honest music. Think on honest things... It is about time you kids get rid of your dishonest, dirty rotten, sin filled, devil honoring music and turn to the Christ Honoring Gospel Music of the great days of Christianity! You kid's that listen to good Gospel Music, God Bless you! Think on honest things....
THINK ON THESE THINGS! WHAT THINGS
3. "Whatsoever things are just." Fair and square things. The right conduct. Doing things right. Think on just things...
THINK ON THESE THINGS! WHAT THINGS
4. "Whatsoever things are pure." Think on pure things... Too much garbage going into you kid's hearts today. Too much television. Too much violence. Too much hate. Too much garbage kids! Think on pure things... You don't need all that poison in your heart. Think on pure things... 100% is what God wants, not any less! A pure mind is what He wants! Think on pure things!
THINK ON THESE THINGS! WHAT THINGS
5. "Whatsoever things are lovely." Oh kids if you could only get this. Jesus is lovely! Think on lovely things... Jesus is lovely. He left His beautiful home for you! He died for you! He shed His blood for you. He loves you. Jesus is lovely. Think on lovely things...
THINK ON THESE THINGS! WHAT THINGS
6. "Whatsoever things are of a good report." We have too much negativity in the Church and world today! Way too much. Think on good report things... Look for the good in people, practice being the one who cancels negativity with a good report. Think on good report things....
THINK ON THESE THINGS! WHAT THINGS
1. "Whatsoever things are true."
2. "Whatsoever things are honest."
3. "Whatsoever things are just."
4. "Whatsoever things are pure."
5. "Whatsoever things are lovely."
6. "Whatsoever things are of a good report."
THINK ON THESE THINGS....
Because.... Proverbs 23:7a, says "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he..." In Proverbs 4:23 we are commanded, "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." And in Proverbs 23:19 "Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way." Guide you heart! You are what you think!
There is a famous scene in Peter Pan. Peter is in the children's bedroom; they have seen him fly; and they wish to fly too. They have tried it from the floor and they have tried it from the beds and the result is failure. "How do you do it?" John asked. And Peter answered: "You just think lovely, wonderful thoughts and they lift you up in the air." The same is true for the believer. The only way to defeat evil thoughts is to begin to think of something else.
