Dear beloved, we gather today under the light of God's Word, embracing a profound theme that resonates within our hearts: "Restart with Excellence." Life is often a series of cycles; we experience highs and lows, successes and failures, moments of clarity and confusion. The book of Philippians, particularly the passage in chapter 4, provides us with the divine guidance necessary to navigate these seasons.
As we delve into the text of Philippians 4:8-9, let us meditate on its profound message:
“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.”
May our thoughts be aligned with Scripture as we explore the richness of these verses.
## I. Review: Always Rely on God & His Word!
### A. Building on a Good Foundation
The first opportunity we encounter in our journey of restarting with excellence is to review. Reviewing our lives and our spiritual foundations is essential. Paul begins this section with a heartfelt appeal to the Philippian church. In verses 2-3, he specifically addresses two women by name, Euodia and Syntyche, urging them to settle their disagreement. Here, we see the need to review our relationships and circumstances for spiritual health and harmony.
In a world where conflict often seems unavoidable, let us remember Paul’s words that call for unity and reconciliation. This requires us to reflect on our past interactions, both positive and negative. God calls us to examine our hearts and minds, ensuring we align with His purpose for our lives.
The Apostle Paul encourages us to "Rejoice in the Lord always," as found in Philippians 4:4. This joy acts as our seal of security. When we place ourselves in God's joy, we can build a foundation that withstands life’s turmoil. We can confront conflict with grace and humility, resting assured that God’s love transcends our misunderstandings.
### B. The Importance of Our Thoughts
Paul emphasizes the significance of our thoughts in this pursuit. He urges us to "fix your thoughts" on what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. Just as a gardener cultivates a garden, we must cultivate our minds, ensuring we weed out negativity, doubt, and discord.
I like the saying I once read in a church sign, “Worry is the darkroom where negatives develop!” Your thought become you!
Moreover, Paul’s call upon the specific names of two women shows us the importance of community. As we reflect on our lives, it’s vital to recognize the influence of our relationships. Are we fostering unity or division? Are we bringing clarity or confusion into our interactions?
Beloved, let us take a moment here to pause, reflect, and consider: Who in our lives may need reconciliation? What areas in our hearts have we left unexamined? As we review, let us allow the light of Christ to illuminate our hearts.
## II. Reset: Put Back to Factory Settings!
### A. Starting Again with Hope
Having taken the opportunity to review our lives, we now transition to the second opportunity: to reset. Just as a computer has a factory reset button to eliminate all errors and glitches, we, too, have the chance to reset our lives in Christ.
Paul encourages us to "fix your eyes" on the things that lead to excellence. This reset is a divine redirection, an intentional choice to recalibrate our focus. Hebrews 12:2 encourages us to "fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith."
In the reset phase, we are not merely wishing for change; we are actively making the choice to turn our eyes away from that which distracts us. This means letting go of burdens that weigh us down, of the sins that easily entangle us, and of distractions that lead us off course.
### B. The Power of a Renewed Mind
As we reset, we must engage in the transformative power of God's Word. Romans 12:2 tells us, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” A mind reset leads to a heart reset. When we immerse ourselves in God’s presence and Word, we become susceptible to His reshaping.
Imagine for a moment the renewed hope that comes with a reset. Think about the prodigal son who returned home to a father overflowing with love and forgiveness. No matter how far we have strayed, God allows us to reestablish our connection through His mercy. The reset opportunity is a beautiful reminder that it is never too late to turn back to God.
### C. Actions Following the Reset
Listen carefully to Paul’s instruction in verse 9, where he states, “Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me.” He urges us to act on our renewed thoughts and intentions. This is crucial; a reset without action is merely a dream. James 1:22 reminds us to be doers of the Word, not just hearers.
Beloved, this reset also brings assurance: as we engage wholeheartedly in this divine act, “Then the God of peace will be with you.” Peace follows the reset, a peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7).
## III. Renew: Act Upon Your Faith!
### A. The Continuous Nature of Renewal
Lastly, Paul invites us into the third opportunity: renewal. This is a continuous act of faith. To renew is to revive and recreate, and it requires our active participation. Renewal means to change our minds and hearts to reflect God’s purpose continually.
Ephesians 4:23 reminds us to be made new in the attitude of our minds. It’s not just a single event; it is a lifestyle choice. Paul reinforces this in Philippians 4:8 by urging us to contemplate what is excellent and praiseworthy.
### B. Practicing Renewal in Daily Life
So how do we practice renewal? It begins with small, consistent choices. We renew through prayer, reading Scripture, meditating on God's Word, and surrounding ourselves with godly influences. Each of these habits helps us to sharpen our focus and strengthen our resolve.
Consider the words of Psalm 1:2-3: “But whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night, that person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season…” When we prioritize God’s presence, we position ourselves for renewal.
### C. The Assurance of God’s Presence
The journey is not easy. As Voddie Baucham once said, “You can't have it both ways... either the gospel transforms everything... or it transforms nothing.” In our pursuit of excellence in choices, relationships, and attitudes, let us fully embrace the transformative power of the gospel.
## Closing
As we conclude, I encourage each of us to consider our starting point today. What areas of our lives need reviewing? Where do we need to reset our focus back on Jesus? What actions will we take to renew our minds and hearts?
Let this message be a call to action, an invitation to restart with excellence in God’s grace. May we not merely hear these words but put them into practice, leaning into the promises found in Philippians 4:8-9.
Let us pray together.
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of Your Word. Help us as we take the opportunities to review, reset, and renew our lives in You. May we fix our thoughts on what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. Fill us with Your peace as we commit to living in excellence. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
May God bless you richly as you seek His excellence in every facet of your life!
