SF744 - How To Maintain Control Of Your Thought Life - 3 HOW TO MASTER YOUR MIND (Philippians 4 4-8)

Philippians 4:4-8

Introduction

Review

The carnal mind must be converted

The converted mind must be protected

Ø The converted mind can be corrupted

Ø The corrupted mind must be conquered

Ø The conquered mind must be controlled

We must have some type of standard that determines what we let in.

Ø The airport metal detector

How can we replace the negative with the positive?

More than positive thinking.

It requires that we make some active choices.

1A. We Must Choose How We Think

1B. We must choose to find our joy in the Lord. (4)

(Nehemiah 8:10 NIV) "… for the joy of the LORD is your strength.""

A conscious joy

A continual joy

A conspicuous joy

A contagious joy

A complete joy

(John 15:11 NIV) "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete."

Only joy that is found in Jesus will last.

Ø Everything else is temporary

2B. We must choose to remember that God is always near. (5)

We recognize His presence in our daily life.

Ø God is always with us

We rely on His power when we face problems.

Ø Your problems become His problems

3B. We must refuse to worry about anything. (6a)

Anxious = to pull apart

Worry is worthless

(Matthew 6:27 NIV) "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"

Ø Worry never solved a problem, lifted a burden, or dried a tear.

Worry is wasteful

Ø Worry does not take the sorry out of tomorrow it takes the strength out of today.

Worry is wicked

(Matthew 6:32 NIV) "For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them."

Said the robin to a sparrow:
“I should really like to know
Why these anxious human beings
Rush about and worry so.”

Said the sparrow to the robin:
“I suppose that it must be
That they have no heavenly Father
Such as cares for you and me.”

Elizabeth Cheney

4B. We must choose to bring every need to God in prayer. (6b)

It is not a matter of size.

Ø Think of the biggest problem you have. Double it. Is that big to God?

It is not a matter of significance.

“Nothing is more dishonoring to God than His children begging someone else for what is His joy and responsibility to provide.” John Phillips

5B. We must choose to have thankful spirit (6c)

We tend to complain when we really should not.

Ø Do you ever complain about dirty dishes?

2A. We Must Choose What We Think

By asking… (8)

1B. Is it true?

“whatever is true”

Our generation does not ask “is it true,”

We ask “does it work?”

The Bible is the source of truth

2B. Does it honor God?

“whatever is noble”

Some things are not bad because the are vile, they are bad because they have no value.

3B. Is it right?

“whatever is right” = to think straight

Do not allow crooked thoughts to come into your mind

We need to measure our thoughts and actions by God’s plumb line

(Amos 7:8 NIV) "And the LORD asked me, "What do you see, Amos?" "A plumb line," I replied. Then the Lord said, "Look, I am setting a plumb line among my people Israel; I will spare them no longer."

4B. Would God accept it?

“whatever is pure” = free of contamination

Is this pure enough to be used in worship?

(1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV) "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

This includes our relationships, entertainment, occupation, and recreation.

5B. Will it cause me to love God and others more?

“lovely” = causing you to love

How does it affect my attitude toward others?

This does not mean we are to approve everything people do.

6B. Does it build others up?

“admirable” = things that are high-toned

Do not entertain thoughts that tear others down.

Avoid gossip!

Ø Why do people always tell you those things? Because they know you want to hear them.

7B. Will it please God?

“excellent” = virtuous

“praiseworthy” = commendable

Can God put his seal of approval on it?

Application

You must replace the bad with the good.

(Romans 12:21 NIV) "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

Make Jesus the center of your thoughts

(Isaiah 26:3 NIV) "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you."

Then He will become the center of your life (7,9)

How To Maintain Control Of Your Thought Life
How To Master Your Mind - Part 3
Sunday, January 11, 1998 - Philippians 4:4-8

1A. We Must Choose ___________ We Think

1B. We must choose to find our _____ in the Lord. (4)

(Nehemiah 8:10 NIV) "… for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

(John 15:11 NIV) "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete."

2B. We must choose to ____________ that God is always near. (5)

3B. We must refuse to ________ about anything. (6)

Worry is ___________

(Matthew 6:27 NIV) "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"

Worry is ___________

(Matthew 6:32 NIV) "For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them."

4B. We must choose to bring every _________ to God in prayer. (6a)

5B. We must choose to have ___________ spirit (6b)

2A. We Must Choose __________ We Think

1B. Is it __________?

2B. Does it __________ God?

3B. Is it ______________?

(Amos 7:8 NIV) "And the LORD asked me, "What do you see, Amos?" "A plumb line," I replied. Then the Lord said, "Look, I am setting a plumb line among my people Israel; I will spare them no longer."

4B. Would God __________ it?

(1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV) "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

5B. Will it cause me to _______ God and others more?

6B. Does it ______________ others up?

7B. Will it ____________ God?