Think About the Right Things

OPEN MESSAGE WITH PRAYER

I can give thanks for everything – whether I want to or not is the issue.

I have to choose.

You can give thanks for everything.

If it were not possible, God wouldn’t have commanded it in His Word.

In fact, with God all things are possible, even giving thanks in everything.

This is the last day of your four part series entitled Thankful in Everything.

Todays sermon title is Think About the Right Things. We will be reading from Phil. 4:6-8 so if you will take your copy of God's word and turn there with me. We will read from the text here in just a few moments but first

You can choose to be thankful for work that makes your back ache because it means that your stomach won’t have to ache.

You can choose to be thankful for a humongous grocery bill because it means that you have a food in the frig and in your pantry.

You can be choose to be thankful for cold, wet, windy days because they make you want to stop and enjoy the nice warm sunny ones.

You can choose to be thankful for a boss that gives you a list of expectations and responsibilities a mile long.

It means you are trusted with great responsibility and when you give it 100% you will come through.

But remember, whatever it is you do, do it as though you are doing it for the Lord.

Now lets read our text for today Phil 4:6-8

Philippians 4:6–8 NKJV

6 Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

In this text we have already discovered three of the four steps needed to live a life that is Thankful in Everything.

Step one - Worry about Nothing

Step two - Pray about Everything

Step three - Thank God in Everything

And know we see in v.8 Step four.....

STEP FOUR: Think About the Right Things

If you want to reduce the level of stress, worry, doubt, fear, etc. in your life, you must change the way you think.

Verse 8 says 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 is the one singular reality that can relate to all of these things listed for us v. 8?

THE WORD OF GOD

Whatever you think about is going to come out in your life. The way you think determines the way you feel, and the way you feel determines the way you act, so he says if you want to change your life, you need to change what you're thinking about.

The scripture tells us a great deal about us having the MIND OF CHRIST.

Philippians 2:1–5 NKJV

1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,

Then there is Romans 12

Romans 12:2 NKJV

2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

What are you feeding your mind on a day to day basis?

What are watching no TV, listening to on the Radio?

How much time during the day or even the week for that matter do you spend in God's Word compared to other activities you engage in throughout the week?

Proverbs 23:7 NKJV

7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, But his heart is not with you.

Notice what it says again, "As a man thinks in his heart, so is he."

What do you think about most? What dominates your mind? Whatever you think about the most is what you're becoming. Again Romans 12:2

We always move toward what we're focusing on. If you want to become like Christ, you think about Him. Fill your mind with the Word of God.

What is the result of doing these things?

Worry about nothing, pray about everything, thank God in all things, keep your mind on the right things.

What's the result?

Verse 7 tells us, And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus

Philippians 4:7 NKJV

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

How do I get that kind of peace of mind that keeps my heart at peace when I'm under pressure? That keeps me calm in the crisis? That gives me strength in the storm? That helps me be thankful in the tough times? How do I get that kind of peace?

The key is the last phrase of that verse 7. "through Christ Jesus." It's a relationship. You must place your full trust and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

CLOSE:

The Bible teaches us that peace of mind comes through having a relationship with Jesus Christ, through putting your faith and trust in Him.

If you haven't done that yet, I would encourage you to do so. Open your heart to Christ and say, "Jesus who is the Christ, come in to my life and give me the peace of mind that comes when I know I'm in the center of Your will."

What is it that has you worried and on edge?

Is it your health?

Is it your finances?

Is it your relationships?

Is it Marriage problems?

Is it your kids?

Is it your career?

Is it politics?

If you'll take these steps and let Christ guard your mind and let Him become the center of your life, you will find a peace you could not imagine. And you will have a life that is Thankful in Everything.

Remember,

Step One: Worry about nothing

Step Two: Pray about everything

Step Three: Thank God in all things

Step Four: Think about the right things

Close in Prayer: