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Text: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: Paul is writing to the brethren in Philippi teaching them that: “…if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”Virtue is those things of moral goodness.Praise of course would be those things that would glorify God.Of course of Christians must realize where the affections must be placed.Colossians 3:2“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” I. Things honest and trueA.True
1.God’s
word John 17:17“Sanctify
them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”
a.II
Samuel 7:28“And
now, O Lord God, thou art that God, and thy words be true, and thou hast
promised this goodness unto thy servant.”
b.I
Kings 17:24“And
the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that thou art a man of God,
and that the word of the Lord in thy mouth is truth.” c.Psalms
33:4“For
the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth.” d.Ecclesiastes
12:10“The
preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written
was upright, even words of truth.” e.II
Corinthians 6:7“By
the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness
on the right hand and on the left.” 2.God
by His own nature is true Jeremiah 10:10“But
the Lord is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king:
at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able
to abide his indignation” a.II
Chronicles 15:3 “Now
for a long season Israel hath been without the true God, and without a
teaching priest, and without law.” b.John
3:33“He
that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.” c.John
17:3
“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God,
and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” d.II
Corinthians 1:18 “But
as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay.” 3.Christ is true Mark 12:14“And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?” B.Honest 1.Christians
should always be honest II Corinthians
13:7“Now I pray to God that ye do
no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that
which is honest, though we be as reprobates.” a.Two
that serve as examples of dishonesty Acts
5:1-10 b.Judas
was stealing while pretending to do good John
12:1-6 II. Things just and pureA.Just
– Strong’s number 1342 “observant of rule, what is right”
1.Those
“just” are blessed Proverbs 3:33“The
curse of the Lord is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation
of the just.”
2.Those
“just” are examples Proverbs 4:18“But
the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more
unto the perfect day.”
3.A
just man can grow spiritually Proverbs
9:9“Give instruction to a wise man,
and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.” 4.The
just individuals will be separated from sinners Matthew
13:41-50 5.The
just individuals live by faith Romans
1:17“For therein is the righteousness
of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live
by faith.” a.Living
by faith = pleasing God Hebrews 11:6“But
without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God
must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently
seek him.” b.We
are to walk by faith II Corinthians 5:7“(For
we walk by faith, not by sight:)” B.Pure
or Clean 1.The
word is pure Psalms 119:140“Thy
word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.” a.Proverbs
30:5“Every
word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.” 2.Those
pure in heart are blessed Matthew 5:8“Blessed
are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” 3.Paul
was pure from the blood of all men Acts
20:26“Wherefore I take you to record
this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.” a.Because
he properly taught them Acts 20:27“For
I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.” 4.Those
that have been washed are the pure or clean Revelation
1:5“And from Jesus Christ, who is
the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince
of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our
sins in his own blood.” a.The
washing is in baptism Acts 22:16“And
now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins,
calling on the name of the Lord.” III. Things lovely and of good reportA.Lovely
means pleasing or agreeable
1.Pleasing
God Hebrews 13:21“Make
you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which
is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for
ever and ever. Amen.”
a.I
John 3:22“And
whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments,
and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.”
2.Not
pleasing men I Thessalonians 2:4“But
as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we
speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.” B.Good
report 1.Cornelius
was a man of good report Acts 10:22“And
they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God,
and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God
by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of
thee.” 2.This
is a qualification of an elder I Timothy
3:7 “Moreover he must have
a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and
the snare of the devil.” Conclusion:
We must strive to do those things we read of from God’s word Philippians
4:9“Those things, which ye have both
learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace
shall be with you.”
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