From Ian

It’s doin me ead in Guv” – – – –  – Phil. ch.4 v.8/9

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Prayer: As we look at these two verses help us to hear your words to our hearts and be strengthened by your presence.

We have a constant barrage on our minds of negativity. The world we live in disgorges a steady, never-ending flow of seductive lies into our minds. We are told to discover our true selves then given an impossible image of what that self should be. We try to achieve whatever the latest trend tells us we should be then, as we fail, we fall into the spiral of depression, of lack of self worth,  even self-harming – whether physically or emotionally. It has become fashionable to suffer from some form of mental illness. As we look around us for help we discover a world of deceits, of dishonest promises, of betrayal; truth has been destroyed. In whom can we trust?  Where is hope? – “It’s doin me ead in Guv”

Communication was much slower in the days of the Phillipian church but do you think that its members didn’t face similar mental and emotional problems in their daily life? Just read Paul’s letters to see how difficult life was for Christians in his days.

In these two verses Paul is trying to show the church how to survive, how to maintain their peace with God, how to be renewed in their mind. Let’s work our way through his words. 

Finally, brothers, 

whatever is true,- – – Where is truth to be found?

whatever is noble, – – – What example of self-sacrifice have we?

whatever is right, – – – In whom do we find justice?

whatever is pure, – – – Who is without sin or darkness?

whatever is lovely, – – – Whose hand created the flowers?

whatever is admirable, – – – From his birth to the cross?

if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.

To whom and to what do you think Paul is advising us to direct our thoughts? Do you think that in Christ – his life, the cross and the resurrection – we find all that is missing in our modern world?

Paul then uses himself to reinforce his teaching: Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Let’s expand upon his words.

Whatever you:

have learned – – – “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Jesus.” Rom.3 v.23/24

or received – – – “For it is by graceyou have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not of works, so that no-one can boast. “ Eph.2 v.9/10

or heard from me, – – – Just look again at Acts ch. 16  – Lydia – the Phillipian Jailer – Imagine those conversations through the night.

What have we – learned or received or heard from Paul?

or seen in me – – – Paul is not implying that he is a perfect Christian and we must be perfect; in fact, in Phil.3 v.12 Paul writes – “Not that I have already obtained all this or have already been made perfect” – So what do we see in Paul?

A repentant sinner who took up the cross of his Saviour Jesus and became a servant – a man full of human weaknesses and even physical health problems who, in spite of many setbacks and much suffering, continued in faith and trust to give his life as a living sacrifice – a man who had come to understand the unfailing love of God for all peoples – a man who gave all the glory to Jesus and lived his life through the power of the Holy Spirit – – and there’s a lot more.

– put it into practice. – – – Earlier, in ch.3 v.13/14, Paul wrote – “One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards.” – Paul, in spite of years of setbacks and suffering, had maintained his confidence in the unfailing love of God and had never taken his eyes off Jesus so from experience could say – – And the God of peace will be with you.

As The writer of the book of Hebrews puts it in Ch.12 v.1 – 3:

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let s fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

Prayer: In this world of deceit and corruption help us, Lord, to keep our eyes firmly on our Saviour and live in the grace and power of the Holy Spirit. We thank you Father for your unfailing love.

Again the wisdom of the following chorus should be followed:

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in his wonderful face,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,


Category: Sermons , The Bridge , Thought for the week