What’s in your brain?

Intro

I’m pastor Keenan, next gen pastor here at first

During November we are going to go through Philippians 4

It’s the anti-anxiety chapter

Today we are going to be talking about another aspect of what affects our thoughts and worries

So let’s get into our Scripture and pray

Philippians 4:8–9 CSB

8 Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things. 9 Do what you have learned and received and heard from me, and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

Pray

Dwell on the good

Explain

Paul wraps up here what we had talked about last week

How to have the peace of God when there’s something we are worrying about then he gives a final instruction

Paul gives a list of things that are good and if they are in this category to dwell about these things

This list is things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, moral excellence, praiseworthy

that means things that are true like who Jesus is

things that are deserve honor

things that are fair and right

things that are pure and innocent

things that are lovely

things that someone can say good job t

things that are morally good

Paul doesn’t say to dwell on the bad situations that are going on or the anxious situations that are happening and that our brain might want us to think about

But these things.

POINT: Dwell on the good

Apply

Last week almost all of us have said that we have struggled with or struggle with anxiety at some point

What are some of the most common things that you dwell on right now?

How do the things you dwell on make you feel?

Has dwelling on negative things made a situation better or worse for you? Why?

Why do you think that it would be beneficial to dwell on the good things listed here?

Dwelling on these things that Paul gives, is it easy or hard to do?

How can you do it when it might be hard?

Looking at the list that Paul gives to dwell on can you think of at least one thing that you could choose to dwell on daily? What are they?

Living out God’s will brings peace

Explain

Paul goes from his list of mental things to dwell on and now goes into action steps

That for if a person is to have God’s peace there has to be a twofold thing happening.

Not only should a persons thoughts be about things that are good and bring peace

but a persons actions is what can bring peace

Paul says to do what they have learned from Scripture

to do what they have heard from Paul so from his preaching

and then to act how Paul has lived out to be a Christian

Then Paul says that if they act on Scripture, Jesus’ commands, and imitating other’s Christ like behavior God will give them peace

POINT: Living out God’s will brings peace

Application

Where is an area in your life or in your walk with God you don’t have peace in?

Why do you think following your thoughts with actions in following Jesus would give you peace?

What is the hardest command of Jesus or Scripture for you to follow? and do you think you would have more peace if you could live in it?

Do you have someone who is good at imitating Jesus in that area? What could you do to imitate them as they imitate Jesus?