"THE EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS" Christian Meditation (4:8) INTRODUCTION 1. Our text for this lesson enjoins upon Christians that they engage in a form of "meditation": "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." (Php 4:8) 2. The practice of "meditation" by Christians is not something you might hear frequently discussed a. It may be that some Christians are simply not aware that they are commanded to "meditate" b. It may be that some believe "meditation" belongs solely to the Eastern religions like Hinduism or Buddhism 3. Yet Paul clearly teaches us to "meditate on these things", and "meditation" is certainly a Biblical subject: a. Isaac meditated in the field at eventide - Gen 24:63 b. Joshua was charged by God to mediate "day and night" - Josh 1:8 c. The "blessed man" in Psalms 1 is one who meditates - Ps 1:1-2 d. David became wiser than his teachers through meditation - Ps 119:99 e. Paul commanded Timothy to "meditate on these things" - 1Ti 4:15 4. But some questions may come to mind: a. WHAT does meditation mean for the Christian? b. WHY should we be concerned about making time to meditate? c. HOW should we meditate? [This lesson will attempt to provide answers to these questions...] I. WHAT MEDITATION IS IN THE BIBLE A. WHAT MEDITATION IN THE BIBLE IS NOT... 1. The kind practiced by many Eastern religions a. Like Hinduism, Buddhism, or Transcendental Meditation b. Where the object is to experience truth, peace, or being, that is "inexpressible" 2. The kind practiced by "Christian mystics" a. Such as Quakers, and others often found among Catholics and Protestants b. These meditate in order to "experience" God, or to receive some revelation from God 3. Both Eastern and "Christian mystical" meditation usually attempt to empty the mind so as to find or receive truth within (i.e., a "subjective" form of meditation) B. WHAT MEDITATION IN THE BIBLE IS... 1. To dwell or contemplate on some truth or reality already revealed (i.e., an "objective" form of meditation) 2. To be more specific, the man "after God's Own heart" is one who meditates on such things as: a. The Lord Himself - Ps 63:6 b. His wonderful Works - Ps 77:12 c. His revealed Word - Ps 119:15,23,48,97-99,148 3. To put it in the words of the apostle Paul, we are to meditate on "things"... a. Things that are "true, noble, just pure, lovely, of good report" b. Things that are of any "virtue", and are "praiseworthy" 4. The PURPOSE of such meditation is... a. To nourish man with his understanding of God and His Revealed Will (not to seek for some previously unrevealed truth) b. To give man spiritual joy and strength through such nourishment - cf. Ps 1:1-3; Is 40:28-31 [So there is a very real difference between "Biblical meditation" and that commonly practiced by many religions! 1) Christian meditation dwells on that already revealed in creation or inspired revelation 2) Whereas other forms of meditation are seeking some new truth to be revealed Understanding the difference, why is Biblical meditation so important?] II. WHY WE SHOULD MEDITATE A. IT IS A SOURCE OF JOY AND STRENGTH... 1. This we have already seen from such passages like Ps 1:1-2; Isa 40:28-31 2. This alone should motivate us to meditate more often B. IT IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF OUR "TRANSFORMATION"... 1. The goal of the Christian is to become more like Christ - cf. Ro 8:29 2. This requires a "transformation" - Ro 12:1-2 3. But notice that this is possible only by "renewing the mind" - Ro 12:2 4. This "renewing" is possible only when we "set our minds" on proper things a. On things above b. Not on things on the earth - Col 3:1-2 5. Only then, when our minds are "set on things above", will we be successful in completing the "transformation" which includes "putting off the old man" and "putting on the new man" - cf. Col 3:1-2 with Col 3:5-14 C. MANY CHRISTIANS FALL BECAUSE THEY MEDITATE ON THE WRONG THINGS! 1. They "mind the things of the flesh", which leads to "death" and "enmity with God" - cf. Ro 8:5-8 2. Yet even those in the world understand that you cannot be a spiritual person if you "dwell" on carnal things a. "Recent studies conducted by a Stanford University research team have revealed that 'what we watch' does have an effect on our imaginations, our learning patterns, and our behaviors. First we are exposed to new behaviors and characters. Next, we learn or acquire these new behaviors. The last and most crucial step is that we adopt these behaviors as our own. One of the most critical aspects of human development that we need to understand is the influence of 'repeated viewing' and 'repeated verbalizing' in shaping our future. The information goes in, 'harmlessly, almost unnoticed,' on a daily basis, but we don't react to it until later, when we aren't able to realize the basis for our reactions. In other words, our value system is being formed without any conscious awareness on our part of what is happening!" (Seeds Of Greatness, Denis Waitley, p. 47-48) b. "You are what you watch and think." (ibid., p. 45) c. "If a sixty second commercial, by repeated viewing, can sell us a product, then isn't it possible for a sixty minute soap opera or 'smut-com', by repeated viewing, to sell us a life-style?" (ibid., p. 47) [If Christians are going to succeed, they must set their minds (or meditate) on "the things of the Spirit", or on "things above, where Christ is"! Only then can they with God's help "put off the old man" and "put on the new man". Finally, a few thoughts on...] III. HOW TO MEDITATE A. REMEMBER, YOUR MIND IS AFFECTED BY EVEN CASUAL CONTEMPLATION! 1. Cf. the Stanford studies (quoted above) 2. The first step to proper meditation is to be selective in what you watch and read 3. Fill your mind with positive and spiritual thoughts if you really want to: a. "renew the mind" b. "be transformed" 4. It doesn't have to be restricted to the Bible, as Paul said: "Whatever things..." a. There are novels, movies, television shows, etc., that fall into the category of possessing "virtue" and being "praiseworthy" b. Seek the advice and counsel of other Christians as to what is "of good report" 5. So first let your "casual" contemplation be discriminatory! B. TO REACH THE HEIGHTS OF SPIRITUAL MEDITATION, HEED THE COUNSEL OF THE PSALMS... 1. Make the Bible your primary focus for meditation - Ps 1:2 2. Read it contemplatively every day - Ps 1:2; 119:15 3. Read it with a prayer in your heart - cf. Ps 119:18 4. As you read, occasionally read it aloud to yourself a. The Hebrew word in Ps 1:2 means "to mutter" b. Reading slowly and audibly helps to focus one's mind on the words 5. As you read, you might ask yourself the following questions: a. Is there some truth I should know from this verse? b. How does this passage affect a previously held conviction? c. Is there something I should stop doing in light of this verse? d. Is there a practice I should change? e. Is there a habit I ought to begin? 6. To put it another way: "Hold the Word of God in your heart until it has affected every phase of your life...this is meditation." CONCLUSION 1. In Ps 19:14, we find David praying: "Let the words of mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, "O Lord, my strength and my redeemer." 2. What Paul commands us to do in our text ("meditate on these things") is the means by which we can assure that our meditations will be acceptable in the sight of our Lord! 3. If you are not a Christian, or an erring one, then there are some things in particular upon which you ought to meditate: a. What is your standing in God's sight? b. What would happen if you were to die today? c. What do you need to do to be found in the grace of God? d. Why delay any longer?Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011
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