Category: Meditation
Subject: Meditation
Sermon: Beloved
The apostle Peter warns his readers of dangers associated with the delay of Christ’s second coming in 2 Peter 3:1-18. He tells them to be mindful; do not forget; be diligent; and beware. Each exhortation is discussed
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Meditate On These Things
“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” (Philippians 4:8).
This passage, is of course, very familiar. But, it may be that a word study of the things, (true, noble, just, pure, lovely, good report, virtue, praiseworthy), may be helpful. Continue reading “Meditate On These Things”
Sermon: What is Bible Meditation?
The lesson contrasts Eastern Meditation (Example: Hindu and Buddhist meditation) with the Bible concept of Meditation taught in the scriptures.
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A Pauline Privilege?
Some have argued that 1 Corinthians 7:15 gives a Christian justification for marrying again, after a divorce from an unbelieving spouse. The passage says, “But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart; a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases. But God has called us to peace.” You will notice that there is no explicit mention of remarriage in the text. Proponents claim that the phrase “not under bondage” implies that remarriage is possible. The reasoning is that God establishes the marriage bond. If God dissolves that bond (“not under bondage”) then the believer is free to remarry. This is often referred to as the Pauline privilege. Is this what the passage teaches?
COVID-19 (18) Meditate on the Good!
Today, one of the sisters who is part of our family at the West Side congregation shared with me a few thoughts on Philippians 4:8 that I want to use as the basis of our article.
“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” (Philippians 4:8).
What happens when you sit in your house, day after day, watching the news and pouring over article after article about the coronavirus? You get caught up watching the politicization of the pandemic, the incessant blame game that seems characteristic of the media and politicians in our partisan nation. You get fixated upon the ever increasing number of fellow citizens who have caught the disease, or died from it. You get frustrated about the often contradictory information and instructions coming from so called experts and authorities. You get more and more worried as this invisible killer seems to draw nearer and nearer to you and your loved ones. You forget to heed and implement Paul’s words in the preceding verses, “Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
Devoted Disciples
The Lord’s church today needs devoted disciples! Webster’s New World Dictionary, in describing the nuances of the term “devote”, states, “Devote suggests the giving up or applying of oneself or something with the seriousness or earnestness evoked by a formal vow (to devote one’s life to a cause).” Consider the Apostle Paul’s sentiment as recorded in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” It must be stated that the only true disciple of Christ is the devoted disciple of Christ.
“These Do”
Paul exhorted the Philippians:
“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. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:8-9).
From this text we learn that Paul had supplied them, through teaching and example, with those things that are true, noble, just, pure and lovely. He instructed them to meditate on these things. To meditate is to reckon, to deliberate, to take into account. The idea is to consider what is righteous for the purpose of making application to our lives.
Of those things, Paul wrote, “these do.” Obedience to what God has ordained as right and good is necessary for the “God of peace” to be with us. We don’t approach God on our terms. We approach God on His terms! Jesus said, “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock” (Matthew 7:24-25).
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Depending Upon the Word of God
There are consequences to men who do not understand their place in relation to God. Too often men seek their own counsel, and pay no respect to the One who made them. “Woe to those who seek deep to hide their counsel far from the Lord, and their works are in the dark; they say, ‘Who sees us?’ and, ‘Who knows us?’ Surely you have things turned around! Shall the potter be esteemed as the clay; for shall the thing made say of him who made it, ‘He did not make me’? Or shall the thing formed say of him who formed it, ‘He has no understanding’?” (Isaiah, 29:15-16).
Sermon: “I have set the Lord always before me”
The lesson takes its premise from Psalm 16:8. We are helped in setting the Lord before us by:
* Meditation
* Study
* Prayer
In so doing we receive “fullness of joy” and “pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11).
Devotions, Devotionals, Devos
It is typical of the young to have their own lingo. It is a way of differentiating themselves from older generations. In the 1920’s if a teenager managed a ride in a breezer (convertible), then everything was copacetic (wonderful). In the 1930’s a Joe (average guy) was ecstatic with a sawbuck ($10 bill) in his pocket. In the 1940’s khaki wacky (boy crazy) girls sometimes flipped their wigs (lost control of themselves) when a cute boy walked by. In the 1950’s an ankle biter (child) might go ape (get excited) over a piece of candy. In the 1960’s it wasn’t hip (acceptable) to hang out (spend time with) the old man (your father). In the 1970’s it was a bummer (depressing) if someone was bogarting (being selfish with) the TV. In the 1980’s an enjoyable time was totally (completely) gnarly (very good). In the 1990’s, however, the same enjoyable time was all that and a bag of chips. In the 2000’s, one person might be going postal (becoming uncontrollably angry), while another person might just be whatever (indifferent). (Thanks to the internet for the above examples, though I have to admit that I have used the term copacetic myself from time to time!)
Sermon: Considering “Consider”
The word consider is defined: 1) to think about; 2) to be thoughtful of…
There are a numerous things that the scriptures teach us to consider. For example, the importance of being industrious, the sacrifice of Christ, and your brethren in Christ.
Sermon: Punctuation
Punctuation marks such as the period, comma, exclamation point, question mark, quotation marks and the asterisk are used to illustrate Biblical precepts.
(Inspiration for the lesson taken from chart created by Ron Adams, which appeared in the December 2013 issue of For Your Consideration).
Sermon: I Can Do All Things
Lesson 6 of 8 in a series on Awesome Texts.
The Apostle Paul affirms that with the Lord’s help, all necessary things can be accomplished. To obtain victory in Jesus, we must meditate on those things that are noble and praiseworthy.
Sermon: Focus and Effort
Using passages from Philippians 3, Hebrews 2 and 5 and Philippians 4:8, the sermon establishes that a child of God must both make an effort (show diligence) and focus (meditate and study) to become mature in character and profession.
Sermon Audio: Click Here .
