Living Out Gospel Virtues Philippians 4:8, 9 Presented by Bob DeWaay August 7, 2005

Paul’s Exhortation to Wisdom and Virtue Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.

“Let Your Mind Dwell” Means “Reckon or Take Into Account” Philippians 3:13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,

Take Into Account What is Wise and Virtuous Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.

“If There is Any” is a Qualification Not a Summary These are Virtues Found In Greco-Roman Virtue lists Philippians 4:8b if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.

We Should Live Out What the Gentiles Know to be Honorable 1Peter 2:12 Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may on account of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Take Into Account What is True Philippians 4:8a Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute...

Pagans Know Truth and Suppress it Romans 1:18, 19 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.

Jesus Reveals God’s Truth in His Person and Word John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.”

Saving Truth is Only Found in the Gospel Ephesian 1:13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation-- having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,

Take Into Account What is Honorable, Or Noble Philippians 4:8a Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute...

Honorable Means “Worthy of Respect”; Associated with Wisdom In OT. Proverbs 8:6 Listen, for I shall speak noble things; And the opening of my lips will produce right things.

Take Into Account What is Just or Right Philippians 4:8a Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute...

God Determines What is Just Romans 3:25, 26 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Take Into Account What is Pure or Untainted Philippians 4:8a Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute...

We are Not to Have Tainted Motives Philippians 1:17 the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment.

Take Into Account What is Generally Recognized as Admirable Philippians 4:8a Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute...

Take Into Account What is Generally Well Spoken Of Philippians 4:8a Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute...

What Godly Wisdom Looks Like James 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.

What Godly Wisdom Looks Like James 3:18 And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

All Christian Virtues Are Gospel Centric Philippians 4:9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things; and the God of peace shall be with you.

Application: Virtue Lists Are Not Exhaustive, But Practical Guidelines By Which We Measure our Growth in God’s Grace

We Should be Growing 2Peter 1:8, 9 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins.

Application: God’s Word is a Means of Grace 1Peter 2:2 like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,

Application: Coming to God on His Terms Can Make one Pure Hebrews 10:22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.