The Truth and Tactics Worth Trying- Part 2 (Philippians 4:8-9)

(Philippians 4:8-9)

GBCCR DATE \@ "M/d/yy" 10/12/24

Catch- moralistic, therapeutic deism

It’s a big phrase… something a crazy college professor would say, right? And you’d be right

Sociologists Christian Smith brought out this term to reflect what most Christians in America believe.

It says: God created the world; God wants people to be good, nice and fair to each other, as taught in the Bible and most world religions; The central goal of life is to be happy and to feel good about oneself; God does not need to be particularly involved in one’s life except when needed to resolve a problem; Good people go to heaven when they die.

Moralistic- God wants you to be niceTherapeutic- God wants you to feel Good

Therapeutic- God wants you to feel Good

Deism- God isn’t really involved besides when you feel bad

This takes the Lord of the universe

and turns him into your paid life coach…

someone pays god with prayers and going to church

and he’s supposed to make our lives better

And while I think most of you would deny this theology, it is amazing how the whole thing can be blown apart by this verse.

God wants more than you being a moral person, he makes a Christian a transformed person

He is not your therapist, he is your lord

And him being with us is our only hope

Review

We are in the 4th major section of Philippians

As the glories of the good news of Christ have been shown throughout the year

Now we are to get down to the brass tacks, or the immediate importance of all this doctrine

The book started with this promise

Philippians 1:6- For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

So here we can be assured that your Christian life will change

Starting with review from last week

3 filters to catch the good in a confusing world

Ponder over the best things (v8)

As ideas pop through your head, Grab onto the good stuff

True…..

Honorable….

Just…

Pure…

Lovely…

Commendable…

*then there were the two discerning filters. Be looking for the things that are:

Excellent

anything worthy of praise

Practice how you were discipled (9a)

Introduction

Once again the command comes at the end of the sentence in English

This follows the greek grammar, but if we wanted to get the emphasis in the English language, we would probably put the practice first like the CSB

 Do what you have learned and received and heard from me, and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

Practice these things is not like practicing soccer or piano

Practice is not just preparation for the main event.

To practice is a Greek word meaning to do or perform. It is a present command

It is a present command that tells you to keep performing these activities over and over, day in and day out.

Better understood as a doctor has a practice.

He should maintain a certain routine and constant performance of his doctoring.

one measure of maturity is that mature Christians “have their faculties trained by practice to distinguish good from evil” (Heb. 5:14).

And if you can distinguish good for evil, you must do the good and avoid the evil

Pastor R Kent Hughes writes, “Paul called his readers to write these virtues into their own lives by putting them into practice so that in time words like truth and justice and purity would be written large over their (and our) lives.

And that takes work that Paul has already talked about

Remember 2:12-13.*we are to work out our final salvation and our current sanctification every day.

*we are to work out our final salvation and our current sanctification every day.*This doesn’t mean you are saved by works, but as Ephesians 2

*This doesn’t mean you are saved by works, but as Ephesians 2 says

Ephesians 2:10-For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

If this one word tells us anything maturity is defind by action, not just education

We must be like Christ, Not just in the head, but in heart and hands too

So, our goal of discipleship must be as Jesus said

Matthew 28:19–20- “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing …teaching them to observe all that I commanded you

Each of us is responsible to seek to obey Jesus even as our knowledge is beyond of actions

We return in repentance when we fail and we seek to do what is right

But secondly, we are also each responsible to be like the true companion of verse 3 to help each other

That is why church discipline involves the whole church going to the unrepentant sinner

Matthew 18:17- “If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

You should care about brother who sins, but its different for someone who is a commited member of this church because we’re commiting to this common discipleship

As Mark Dever writes in his wonderful book on discipleship

With the brother who is a member of my church, I can appeal to Sunday's sermon. I can appeal to the example set by our elders. I can appeal, if I must, to the threat of discipline for unrepentant sin

We need each other in this discipleship process

Trans: And thankfully Paul gives us 2 categories of discipleship to consider

Practice the discipleship of teaching

Learned= to learn through instruction, find out something from someone, in

Expla

Paul uses this word to encourage Timothy

2 Timothy 3:14- But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it

It is the general verb of the noun “disciple.”

Matthew 11:29- “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

To be someone’s disciple you are to commitment yourself to that person

But this is a thankfully a little more vague because no one was supposed to be a disciple of Paul, but only a disciple of Christ

It is the learning you should be getting from the teaching that occurs up here and in bible studies

Paul had started the Philippian church and his practice wherever he pastored was to teach publicly, but also house to house (Acts 20:20)

But he never preached himself

Illus

You must practice what you have learned

Bible teaching should be like some of your garages or craft closest.

Perhaps you have way too much stuff in it already

But if another tool comes up you’ll find a place for it

Because when the moment comes up you will need the one that is prefect for the job.

There times you build a side project over here, that you keep pulling out.

It’s not hording if you need it right?

In the same way you must be constantly be picking up pieces of bible knowledge… some are instantly applicable, some take time

App

Some of you are great Bible students. You love to take your notes…I see .

but the big question is do you practice what you learn?

Does the truth of God being a god of peace, in complete control mean that you have worried less and prayed more the past couple weeks?

James 1:23–24- For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.

Knowledge without practice is someone who looks into a mirror and forgets who he is, a hearer but not a dooer.

However, some of you are not academic. Sermons are hard for you and you don’t follow everything

Others just have told you forget a lot

Others of you do not see how what we’re teaching applies right away

The point here. is what you have learned.

you should be gleaning something, even if its just that I should be asking more questions because I don’t get this.

Are you actually living out what you learn?

Trans: We learn through study, and we learn through absorbing

Received

Expla

Means to take near to yourself, to pull in.

It was used often of the ways Rabbis taught.

The different schools would build their teaching around one man or a group of men

And it was expected that if you went to this school, you would carry on the ideas handed to you.

Like those who go to UCLA receive a great education, but also a hatred for all things USC

It is one thing to learn a truth, but quite another to receive it inwardly and make it a part of our inner man as the Thessalonians:

1 Thessalonians 2:13- And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.

Thus they were to deny anyone who went contrary to what had already been received

Galatians 1:9- As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.

And this is the true set of teaching given to all believers, not just the opinion of man

Jude 3- Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.

Illus- we to put into practice what we have recieved

What you have received is more than just individual sermons, it is a way to look at the world

You have a big box of individual pieces of legos thrown out on the table

but then you are given instructions for what you are to build, and which pieces to pull out of the pile

These instructions help you build the proper structure

Then you pass the instructions onto others

Putting into practice those instructions you recieved

App- two implications from this

a Christian does not get to decide what we should do or believe,

but we have received this faith and doctrine

This is the problem of saying I feel like this means or to me this passages means

We must know what is actually says!

This blows apart the therapeutic part

We are not just trying to give little bits to help you get through your day.

The church’s goal is to equip you by teaching how you to think …how God wants your life to be built.

But this preaching thing is a partnership

You have to build it more than just 1 hour + ½ meeting a week

If you’re not a believer, you build your life around what Jesus has done and will do to transform your life

Too often I’ve heard people say that they can’t come to Jesus until they fixed up their lives firstBut the reality is Jesus doesn’t accept you like you are, he accepts you

But the reality is Jesus doesn’t accept you like you are, he accepts you in spite of yourself

If you have not be saved by Christ then know you are far worse than you can imagine… there is not enough you can do, but Jesus wants to change you.

And Christian… there are clear things you are to do and not doBut we are not a perfect people, but a repenting people who are putting off the old self and becoming like Jesus

But we are not a perfect people, but a repenting people who are putting off the old self and becoming like JesusSo do not give up making him your goal.

So do not give up making him your goal.

Trans: But Paul is not done with us, these two focused on what Paul taught, but the second two focus on what Paul did.

Practice the discipleship of watching.

These are ways of learning that cannot be done from afar

Heard

Expla

To hear means to hear it

But it has to be distinct from sermons that they learned

What you heard probably refers to what the Philippians heard Paul doing before others

Hypocrites insist only on ceremony, but Paul lived it out.

Paul tells them in ch 2 his desire was to live for Christ and gain in death.

They would have known this is completely true based on what they heard him say

Everyone could attest that wherever Paul went he was willing to die for what he preached

App

Do not negate the power of conversation in our influence as many things are caught better than taught

We just saw teaching is essential, but how you speak impacts people in daily life

Proverbs 18:21- “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”

So those of you who feel like you cannot offer much in your weakness or many of you have told me you cannot do what you once did

Good, you’re teaching in a whole new way now

You may not be able to pick up kids or work outside on the property

But are you encouraging the Christian life by giving the hope that you believe on your best days… that Jesus isn’t done yet.

Trans: While hearing is great there is a more obvious way you learn from someone.

Seen

Expla

Means to see with your eyes, to perceive

Paul gave the example of his life in chapter 1

Philippians 1:30- experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

So in chapter 3 he also encouraged us to keep our eyes on those who follow that example.

Philippians 3:17- Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.

Illus- We learn through seeing right

Its’ one thing to read a book on parenting, another to watch someone parent

I had the great example of a couple who used to be my baby sitter

And their now 18 year old daughter was 3 at the time

How they quickly took her away for loving discipline when she disobeyed and then gave a big hug afterwards

These lessons are helpful

App

To those of you who are watching online, I understand that sometimes there is a season that is all that you can do.

That is one reason I am so thankful for some of you who struggle to get here, you watch the livestream due to sickness or weakness, but to fight the fight and get your feat through that door to this gathering.

Because this sermon is only the words, not everything that you need.

You children need others in your life

If you’re a single adult, you need not just friends, but godly mentors who will walk through life with you.

One man who goes through trouble was telling me how he’s seen God help him the past, so he can continue to trust

If you’re old, you need reminders why to be joyful, you need to hear the excited cries of children.

The same goes for just coming to the church and then quickly walking out. We need each other greatly.

Trans: But Paul ends this section not with a command, but with a promise. 3rd filter.

Promises should motivate you (9b)

Explanation- Promise of God who gives peace will be with you!

This is just like the peace of God in v7.

Peace refers not to a happy feeling, but the fact that God is in control

But this time is it even more clearly focused on the presence of God, not just what he brings.

There is often promises that God will be with us

2 Corinthians 13:11- Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

He not just repeating himself but v7 shows God’s salvation guarding them, this is God’s presence will bless them

Notice though this is not a conditional, that if you do this God will be with you

It is instead a promise to direct the reader to practice because God’s peace will be with you

you can see that he is giving you the will and work to be able to work out your salvation

As The author of Hebrews wrote,

Hebrews 13:5- Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU

Illustration point-Focus on the promises of God

Commands are never enough to move us to change

Focusing on Christ’s nearness is our best weapon in our sin

“There are many subsidiary methods of seeking deliverance from sins, which must not be neglected… but the main defense is casting myself into the arms of Christ like a helpless child, and beseeching Him to fill me with the Holy spirit…. I ought to study Christ as an Intercessor…I ought to study the comforter more” - Robert Murray McCheyne

Christ is our greatest weapon in conflict, worry, and all kinds of craziness.

So remember the promises

Application

Scripture gives many motivations for obedience

Jesus says, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15),

There is the need to keep a clear conscience before God (Rom. 13:5

One more is that God being with me is the most important thing

Would we trade Jesus for a comfortable life?

For no needs, no bodily pains, no financial worries, a bigger house, kids who obey?

Sometimes we think, what good is the gospel of jesus if my life doesn’t get better?

But what good is these things if I don’t have christ?

We cannot be satisfied with our small desires for temporary things that cannot satisfy

Therefore

Since we have seen (Cohesion)- Put your faith into practice

Ponder over the truth

Not just the right thing to do

The goal is action, not just feeling better

And a deist God cannot really keep his promises can he?

We know we must (Resolution)-

In Hawaii and my dad, the architect, has built right on the beach.

Gorgeous houses with large lawns and pools that go right up to the beach so you can look at and see the sunset over the ocean horizion from your lawn or hot tub.

But my dad tells me these places are not only really expensive to build, they’re hard to keep up because water is so expensive

Yes, there is a whole ocean out there, but you can’t use it to water the plants or fill your pool.

So instead they take a pump and filter out the salt so they can water the plants.

But sometimes the filter isn’t installed correctly or it gets clogged.

The water that comes out then becomes deadly to the plants, killing them quickly.

So, in the same way, if you do not have the correct filter on your thinking and actions, the sin and weight of this world will make your soul sick

Can I give you one more way to describe this process?

Do not buy the cultural lies, but show how God’s ways are better

Do not be like Eve who believed Satan’s lives

But instead we destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of god (2 Cor 10.5)

Give specific action steps

Truth unapplied is truth forgotten

Hope cast

It is never enough to say fight the good fight, but it only gets worse

Or to say if you just keep praying, God will bring you a husband or wife

Let’s not discourage, but remind people of God’s promises

John 16.33- John 16:33 (NASB95): In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

How do we inoculate against temptations? We need a big satisfying view of god instead.