If There Is Any Excellence

Why We Are Doing The Series

My personal calling to “equip the saints”

Give them the tools necessary to pursue their personal ministry

Fruit - the things that will come from our lives as we follow Him

This life is a battle and I DESPERATELY want you to make it.

My words only go so far.

Give a man a fish - teach a man to fish

My job is not to defend you from all situations.. the fact is I can’t. I can help but I can be your sufficiency

When danger comes the Bible gives us protection

Philippians 4:7 ESV

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Instructions given

Philippians 4:8–9 ESV

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Phil 4:8-9

The Main Thing the Main Thing

The most important part of preaching and teaching the Bible is to represent it accurately.

In my studies I have watched people use this passage to direct us in a different way than the passage was written..

Scripture never means what we think it means, it means what God intended it to mean.

It is not, “you be true,” “You be honorable,” “You be Just,”

It is an instruction on what to think about so that your hearts and minds will be guarded.

Why do I say all that? Because this passage is not telling you to be excellent. It is not saying it is a result of following Christ. No that stuff can be preached about from other places, but not here. And I need to keep the Main thing the main thing.

Today we are going to talk about excellence and how thinking on it will guard your hearts and minds.

Goal of all these things.

Define Excellence

world

bible

Put it in to Context.

How does it guard your hearts and mind.

Goal

phil 4:4

Philippians 4:6–8 ESV

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Philippians 4:4–7 ESV

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

English Standard Version Chapter 4

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Rejoice

Reasonable- gentlness

no anxiety

The Lord is near

prayer

thanksgiving

peace

Definitions

World

the quality of being outstanding or extremely good. Abiguity..

Bible

virtuous, good, praiseworthy

Any

world - and small amount

Bible - anything, anyone

points to a person of ultimate excellence,

Those things in any situation that are good.

Context

Paul in prison probably understanding that he will die there

In Philippi He was put in church

Philippi is a home of great persecution

despite that Paul was still able to rejoice always in all things

HE DID THAT BY SEEING THAT GOD HAD A PURPOSE.

2 Timothy 4:6 ESV

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.

How does it guard our hearts and minds?

Our natural reaction - sorrow, frustration bitterness

More than “Always look on the bright side of life.”

More that simply positive thinking.

This will set you free if you can belive it.

Jesus is in the middle of every situation with great plans for you and for me..... thats right always.

Chinese farmer

biggest horse

horse runs away

horse comes back with 20 mares

son breaks legs being thrown from the horse.

The army does not conscript him

what is man to say what is good or bad

This gives us peace in the middle of our trials.

Shadrack, Meshack, and Abendego

Daniel in the lions den

Peter while sinking

Paul and Silas in Prison

You and I when things happen.