Focus Thought The secret of a transformed life is found in keeping your mind on the good and righteous things of God.

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1 Principles of Christian Living from the Pauline Epistles Lesson 5 LIVING WITH A TRANSFORMED MIND Lesson Text Philippians 4: Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. 5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. 10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Focus Verse Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Focus Thought The secret of a transformed life is found in keeping your mind on the good and righteous things of God. CULTURE CONNECTION A New Way of Thinking by Richard M. Davis In his article A Transformed Mind, Darrell L. Guder wrote, Our culture puts emphasis on feelings, but the New Testament put the emphasis on thinking. Our conversion, for instance, powerfully transforms how we think.... People conformed to this world often become mired in mental ruts, incapable of thinking outside certain boxes, lacking in spiritual imagination. When they encounter God s love in Christ, He begins to remake their minds, reshape their assumptions, renew basic decision making. That s

2 biblical formation a process of mental transformation to a new world of possibilities.... To think as a Christian is to see ourselves through new lens: from God s perspective ( April 27, 2003). What does this mental transformation do for a believer? For one thing, it changes his worldview. In his unregenerate state, a person can only interpret life through a temporal, fleeting perception of events. What a difference it makes when his Spirittransformed mind enables him to view life through the perspective of eternity. This new way of thinking empowers us to cultivate a life of peace, gentleness, contentment, and positive appreciation for life itself. No longer do we have to fall victim to the fear and anxiety created by the world of chaos that surrounds us. Rather, we are able to focus on the wonderful things of God and His church. CONTEMPLATING THE TOPIC Perhaps more than ever before, people s hearts are failing them for fear (Luke 21:26). Frightening news reports about those things which are coming on the earth (Luke 21:26) unsettle their minds and pierce their hearts. In the midst of such distressing times, as celestial and earthly signs clearly point to the not-so-distant end (Luke 21:25), the people of God need to look up, and lift up [their] heads; for [their] redemption draweth nigh (Luke 21:28). While chaos whirls around us, how can we actually accomplish this? Rather than focusing on alarming news developments, which can cultivate fear and anxiety, God desires that we concentrate on cultivating a right relationship with Him, so we may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man (Luke 21:36). Our attention must center on maintaining a heart, mind, and lifestyle that pleases God (Mark 12:30). While the world offers peace and safety, at best it grants only a false sense of security (I Thessalonians 5:3). The world also attempts to force us into its mold, but we must refuse and resist these efforts (Romans 12:2). With a transformed mind that focuses on the things of God (Philippians 4:8), we can enjoy the true peace and assurance that only God supplies (Philippians 4:9). SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES I. LIVING A LIFE OF PEACE God originally designed humanity to experience the peace of God. In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve lived in harmony with each other and with God. The Fall shattered this peace, however, and the pair soon experienced fear and separation from God (Genesis 3:8-10) as well as disharmony with each other (Genesis 3:12). True to His word, God expelled Adam and Eve from the tranquility of the Garden and they began a new chapter in their lives of continual sorrow, toil, and pain (Genesis 3:16-24). Anxious thoughts troubled their minds; what could their future hold now? Thoughts such as these still trouble people s minds and hearts. Ever since sin first entered the scene, problems, worries, and uncertainties have plagued mankind. At its inception, the church in Philippi experienced trouble and even violence. Later, apparently after hearing about their continued adversities, suffering, and conflict,

3 Paul admonished the church at Philippi to experience a transformed mind. Incredibly, he wrote this joyful letter while he was in prison (Philippians 1:7, 13-16), where he lived out his own advice. From a natural perspective, he had plenty about which to be concerned. It was not even certain whether he would be released or sentenced to execution (Philippians 1:20-24). Nevertheless, Paul s circumstances neither frightened nor depressed him; his outlook remained optimistic and joyful. He believed that Jesus Christ could reverse the human climate of fear and worry. A mind transformed by Christ brought peace, security, and freedom from troubling, anxious thoughts. A. Rejoice in the Lord Rejoicing in the Lord elevates our minds above our circumstances. David and other psalmists commended the practice of rejoicing in the Lord s goodness. (For example, see Psalm 32:11; 33:1; 35:9; 40:16; 105:3; 118:24.) David wrote many of these psalms, praising the Lord for delivering him from his enemies. We also can look above our problems by rejoicing in the Lord and focusing our minds on Him (Psalm 121:1-2). Near the end of his epistle to the Philippians, Paul began a series of exhortations (Philippians 4:1-9) by encouraging the church to continually rejoice. In fact, he felt so strongly about this that he repeated the injunction (Philippians 4:4). The church in Philippi had faced many challenges: the beating and imprisonment of Paul and Silas (Acts 16:12-40; I Thessalonians 2:2); Paul s current imprisonment in Rome (Philippians 1:7, 13-16); the near death of their messenger, Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:25-30); potential danger from Judaizers (Philippians 3:2); and apparent discord among members (Philippians 4:2). Yet the main theme of this epistle is joy (Philippians 1:4, 25; 2:2, 17-18)! Paul spoke repeatedly of the Philippians rejoicing (Philippians 1:26; 2:18, 28; 3:1, 3; 4:4) as well as his own rejoicing (Philippians 1:18; 2:16-17; 3:3; 4:10). Joy is a main factor in promoting a peaceful, transformed mind. B. Be Gentle with Others In Philippians 4:5, Paul moved on to a second exhortation. The Philippians should let their moderation (KJV) or gentle spirit (NASU) be known unto all men. The transformed minds of believers should produce gentleness, a virtue that reflects a Christlike nature. Paul encouraged his younger coworkers, Timothy and Titus, to be gentle (I Timothy 3:3; Titus 3:2, NKJV). In his letter to the Thessalonians, he reminded them that when he and Silas first arrived in their city (I Thessalonians 2:1), they were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children (I Thessalonians 2:7). C. Be Not Anxious Anxiety is one of the hallmarks of our age. It is a debilitating mindset in which our thoughts are overcome by fears of what might or might not happen. However, Paul, in Philippians 4:6, wrote that they should be anxious for nothing (NKJV). We should not allow any circumstance, no matter how serious or troubling, to paralyze our minds with fear and worry. Further, Jesus taught we should not be overcome with anxiety over the necessities of life, for God knows our needs (Matthew 6:25-34). Paul assured the Philippians that God would supply their needs (Philippians 4:19). D. Pray with Thanksgiving

4 In Philippians 4:6 Paul noted that the Philippians should not trouble their minds over anything. Rather, they should be careful for nothing. Paul prescribed prayer and supplication with thanksgiving as the best antidotes for anxiety. Rather than permitting our minds to be overcome with cares of this life (Luke 21:34), in everything in all situations that might cause us worry or fear we must make known our requests to God (Philippians 4:6). Instead of burdening our minds with worries, we should turn our worries over to the One who feeds the birds and clothes the grass (Matthew 6:26-30). Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you (I Peter 5:7). Rather than allowing worries to weigh us down, we should hand them to God. The worries then dissipate, for we know He can deal with them infinitely better than we can! Luke illustrated this principle in Luke 10. Two sisters from Bethany, Martha and Mary, invited Jesus to their home for dinner (Luke 10:38-42). Martha, who was cumbered about much serving (Luke 10:40), complained that her sister would not help with meal preparation and serving. Mary stayed at Jesus feet, and heard his word (Luke 10:39). Jesus characterized and differentiated the two sisters by observing that Martha s real problem was anxiety; she was careful and troubled about many things (Luke 10:41). Conversely, Mary found the source of true peace at Jesus feet: One thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her (Luke 10:42). E. Allow the Peace of God to Sustain You The world claims to offer us a peace package, but inside is only care and toil. However, Jesus is the true Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). He provides peace that surpasses explanation, a peace that passeth all understanding (Philippians 4:7). During His farewell discourse, when Jesus announced His imminent departure (John 14:3), He told His disciples He would leave them with a peace unlike that of the world s: Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid (John 14:27). Even today, Jesus offers peace to troubled, anxious people: Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30). Paul told the Philippians to seek God s face when they experienced anxiety (Philippians 4:6). Once anxiety vacated their lives, a wonderful thing would happen: God s peace would move in (Philippians 4:7)! God offers peace as a substitute for worry. Whenever we experience anxiety, we can give our cares and concerns to Him and in return encounter the Prince of Peace. F. Keep Your Heart As the Day of the Lord approaches, it is critical to keep our hearts pure. Jesus underscored this truth in Luke 21:34: And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. The state of our hearts is extremely important, for in them lie the center of our being and actions: Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life (Proverbs 4:23).

5 One way to keep our hearts is to saturate them continually in the peace of God. God s peace, Paul noted, would keep the Philippians hearts (Philippians 4:7). While the hearts of those who do not know God are failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth (Luke 21:26), through Christ Jesus we can experience in our hearts a peace beyond comprehension (Philippians 4:7). G. Keep Your Mind God s peace will also keep our minds (Philippians 4:7). As the time of his execution by the Roman government neared (II Timothy 4:6-8), Paul reminded Timothy that God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind (II Timothy 1:7). While a double minded man is unstable in all his ways (James 1:8), the gift of a peaceful mind is given to those who focus on and trust in the Lord: Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee (Isaiah 26:3). II. LIVING A POSITIVE LIFE Sin corrupted the human mind. In Noah s day, God observed mankind s wickedness, noting that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually (Genesis 6:5). Fallen from his original glory, man s mind had become warped and twisted. Greed, lust, and violence began to occupy the forefront in man s thinking. Little has changed today, and sadly this condition of the human heart will prevail until Jesus returns (Luke 17:26). Recognizing that the human mind, apart from God s regenerating power, dwells on depraved thoughts, Paul admonished the Philippians to reconstruct their thinking patterns. He outlined the kind of things that should employ their thoughts in order to resist the sway of worldly thinking. (See Philippians 4:8-9.) Since the sinful nature causes the mind to think perverse thoughts, they needed to reject the pervasive influence of worldly thinking and experience a transformed mind. (See Romans 12:2.) A. Positive Thoughts The world in which we live is undeniably wicked, but living in the first century was neither pleasant nor easy. The Book of Revelation, which probably was written around the end of the first century, depicted a world caught up in idolatry, corruption, sexual perversion, violence, and greed (Revelation 9:20-21; 18:1-16). In Philippi specifically, Paul and Silas encountered a pagan environment of divination and violence (Acts 16:16). Paul taught the Philippians to shun evil by concentrating on things that were good, righteous, and edifying. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things (Philippians 4:8).

6 Thinking about true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and good things counteracts unsavory elements in the world that are correspondingly false, dishonest, unjust, impure, unlovely, and of a bad report. If individuals are not sure whether something is worth thinking about, Paul made the criteria clear: they should preoccupy their minds with virtuous and praiseworthy things. This principle of meditating on good things to avoid the ways of the wicked is a longstanding one in Scripture. The writer of Psalm 1, for example, advocated meditation on the law of the Lord (Psalm 1:2) as the path to blessing (Psalm 1:3) and alternative to the evil thinking of the ungodly, sinners, and the scornful (Psalm 1:1). Likewise, attending to the Proverbs of Solomon would lead a person into the path of wisdom, and instruction as well as understanding, knowledge and discretion (Proverbs 1:1-5). Such a foundation in right thinking in true wisdom would help a person avoid the paths of evil (Proverbs 1:10-33). B. Positive Actions Although Paul had to leave Philippi shortly after founding the church there (Acts 16:39-40), he did have enough time to impart some of his teachings personally and for the Philippians to observe his character and behavior. For him, right thinking was no mere academic matter. Rather, a transformed mind resulted in a righteous, godly lifestyle. Paul endorsed a life of imitation. In other words, he challenged the Philippians to emulate his godly character and to follow the traditions he taught them (II Thessalonians 2:15; 3:6), as long as he followed Christ (I Corinthians 11:1; Philippians 3:17). Paul often admonished his churches to follow his example (I Corinthians 4:16; Philippians 3:17; I Thessalonians 1:6). They were not to simply think right thoughts, however. They were to do right things: Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do (Philippians 4:9). A Christian s lifestyle is to be godly both in speech and deed (Colossians 3:17; I Timothy 4:12; II Peter 3:11; I John 3:18) as a witness to the pagan world (I Peter 2:12). 1. Learned. When Paul founded a new church, he tried to remain there, teaching as long as possible in order to ground it and establish a base of operations. For example, he spent considerable time teaching in Ephesus (Acts 19:9-10). He taught foundational principles of proper doctrine and conduct, as he did at Thessalonica: Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus (I Thessalonians 4:1-2). These teachings evidently included the avoidance of fornication, important counsel in a pagan environment where loose morals prevailed (I Thessalonians 4:2-7). The Philippians learned a great deal through Paul s teachings. 2. Received. Teaching, of course, involves more than a teacher. It also entails students. Students need to receive what an instructor teaches in order for that teaching to become effective. The gospel message in particular must be received to be effective (Matthew 13:23; Acts 2:41; 8:14; 11:1; 17:11; I Thessalonians 1:6; 2:13). Although some in Philippi had rejected the gospel (Acts 16:19-24; I Thessalonians 2:2), he reminded the Philippian church they had embraced his message (Philippians 4:9).

7 In Paul s day, orators, philosophers, and magicians of all kinds peddled their wares in the marketplaces of the Greco-Roman world (Acts 8:9-11; 17:21). While many of these speakers made bizarre claims that some people believed (Acts 8:10; Titus 1:10-11), Paul offered a different kind of message: a Savior, Christ Jesus, who died for their sins and resurrected from the dead (Acts 13:28-30; I Corinthians 15:3-4). Everywhere Paul went, he wanted people to hear him out, for he had important truths to impart that he wanted his audience to understand, believe, and retain (I Corinthians 15:1-2; II Timothy 1:13; Titus 1:9). Paul proclaimed weighty truths to the Philippians, and he expected them to internalize and do the truths he had conveyed (Philippians 4:9). 3. Heard. Although he was a powerful letter writer (II Corinthians 10:9-10), Paul also had a reputation as a speaker. Although his oral delivery may have been impaired by some defect (II Corinthians 10:10; 11:6), his teaching and preaching profoundly affected hearers wherever he went. His gifted, anointed ability to communicate truth verbally predicated much of his ministry (Acts 14:9; 24:24). 4. Seen. The Philippians also learned much about Christian living through observing Paul in action. He not only taught truth, but he practiced it (II Corinthians 1:12; II Timothy 3:10-12). His lifestyle stood in direct opposition to the ungodly, pagan lifestyle of the Roman Empire (I Corinthians 6:9-11; Ephesians 2:3; 4:22). Paul modeled Christian conduct. The privileged Philippians watched him as he lived out an incarnational life a life in which he died to himself (I Corinthians 15:31) and allowed Christ to live through him (Galatians 2:20). He wanted the Philippians to follow his example and live godly lives before a dark, lost world (Philippians 2:15). III. LIVING A LIFE OF CONTENTMENT After telling the Philippians they should put into practice what they received from him and observed in his life (Philippians 4:9), Paul acknowledged their renewed concern for him (Philippians 4:10). He was quick to add, however, that he did not say this because he sought or even needed something from them (Philippians 4:11). In fact, Paul claimed, he had learned to live a life of contentment. He had trained his mind to be content with whatever state in which he found himself. This mindset was at odds with the prevailing outlook of the time. Like today, many people in the first century were simply looking out for their own interests and attempting to meet their own material necessities. Apparently, even many of Paul s coworkers were guilty of buying into a self-seeking attitude: For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ s (Philippians 2:21). Paul commended Timothy, however, for putting the needs of others before his own (Philippians 2:19-23). Paul had learned that God would supply all his needs (Philippians 4:19). Whatever circumstance in which he found himself, whether he had plenty to eat or little, whether he was safe or in danger (II Corinthians 11:24-28), he was content: I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need (Philippians 4:12). In short, Paul learned to take on the mind of Christ, a mind dedicated to humble and obedient service (Philippians 2:5-8). Serving Jesus was not about getting, but about giving (Mark 10:45; Galatians 1:4; 2:20; Ephesians 5:25; I Timothy 2:5-6; Titus 2:13-14).

8 IV. LIVING A LIFE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT Paul recognized Jesus Christ as the source of his strength. He knew that without the Lord, he could not hope to accomplish anything, for Jesus said, without me ye can do nothing (John 15:5). On the other hand, despite his limitations (II Corinthians 12:9), Paul knew that with the Lord anything was possible: I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me (Philippians 4:13). Paul intended that his life would count. Relying on the Lord s strength, he knew he could accomplish great things. He was no slouch. He worked as hard and achieved as much as the rest of the apostles (II Corinthians 11:5). In fact, he claimed that through the grace of God he laboured more abundantly than they all (I Corinthians 15:10). Paul knew his labors were not in vain. He trusted that at the conclusion of his time on earth, he would hear the Lord say to him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant (Matthew 25:21). He anticipated an eternal reward: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day (II Timothy 4:8). In writing to the Philippians that he could accomplish all things through Christ (Philippians 4:13), Paul expressed the power of a transformed mind. Although the world tries to invalidate our efforts to serve God, by focusing on Jesus we also can do all things. Through the power of God, absolutely anything is possible (Matthew 17:20; 19:26; Mark 10:27; Luke 1:37; 18:27)! INTERNALIZING THE MESSAGE One of the secrets to Paul s success was his transformed mind. While the world strongly resisted him, Paul dedicated himself totally to spreading the gospel. He focused his thoughts on serving his Savior. As a result, he experienced a life of joy, peace, contentment, and accomplishment. As it was in Paul s day, our world continually tries to mold us into its image. It attempts to instill in us the spirits of fear, negativity, selfishness, and defeat. The world is not getting any better and probably will become increasingly wicked since evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived (II Timothy 3:13). A mindset shaped by this evil world robs the believer of peace, godliness, and effectiveness for Christ. Now more than ever, we must resist the world s pull and influence on our thinking. We should concentrate on good things, such as Scripture, which will make us wise unto salvation and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works (II Timothy 3:14-17). We should build up our faith by giving ourselves to prayer (Jude 20). We should seek to renew our minds, so [we] may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God (Romans 12:2). By means of a transformed mind, we can experience a positive, fulfilling life of peace, assurance, and accomplishment.