Philippians 4:8-23

Philippians 4:8

• “Whatever is true”

  • The Greek word translated truth here means “non-concealment.”

  • Matthew 22:16 – Jesus is true, all the way through.

• “Whatever is honorable” (also translated noble)

  • Philippians 1:27

• “Whatever is just”

  • II Samuel 23:23

  • Psalms 82:2

  • Proverbs 11:1

• “Whatever is pure”

  • II Peter 3:1; James 3:17; 1:27

• “Whatever is commendable” (or, of good report)

  • Something that is said well.

  • Proverbs 25:11

Philippians 4:11-13 – Paul suffered much for the gospel. See II Corinthians 11:16-33

Philippians 4:14 – See Hebrews 13:1, 3; 10:34

Philippians 4:18 – Compare Psalm 23.

Philippians 4:19 – See Matthew 25:40.

II John 1:1-4

II John 1:1 – The “elect lady” cannot be a local church because she is described as having children. Local churches are fully autonomous and do not have children.

There is a state into which all people enter when they obey truth.

• Acts 2:47; Galatians 3:26-27

• Hebrews 11:6; Acts 17:30; Romans 10:10; Acts 2:38

• When one gets into a right relationship with God, he must continue to walk in the light to remain in truth.

There is a correlated body of teaching known as truth that is understandable by man.

• Parts of the Bible may be more difficult than others, but the Bible is understandable.

• Ephesians 3:3-6

• Philippians 3:13-14

Truth furnishes the Christian’s motivation.

• Some groups try to use other things for motivation, such as sports or entertainment.

• Genesis 22 – Abraham arose early for truth’s sake. Hebrews 11:17-19

• Genesis 6 – Noah built the ark for truth’s sake.

• Hebrews 11:4 – Abel offered a better sacrifice for truth’s sake.

• Acts 20:28

• Acts 2:38; Ephesians 4:4-5; I Corinthians 12:27; I Timothy 5:22; James 1:27 – There are many things we must do for truth’s sake.

Truth is the governing principle of the Christian’s life.

• II John 1:4

• II John 1:2 – Truth dwells in us.

• II John 1:9 – We have to abide in the teaching of Christ.

Truth is indestructible

• II John 1:2

Those who walk in truth have peace with God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

• II John 1:3

• This is the glory of it all – peace with God!

Proverbs 23:23

A Chinese ophthalmologist tried to warn of the coronavirus but was silenced by the Chinese government.

It is physically dangerous to silence truth. How much more so in religious matters?

Micaiah – I Kings 22

• Micaiah was pressured to speak favorable words to the king. He refused to say anything besides what God commanded him to.

The truth is true, no matter what.

• Let’s list a few things that don’t change the truth…

  • Preference – Cain, Genesis 4:3-5

  • Emotion – Jacob, Genesis 37:34

  • Leadership – Aaron, Exodus 32:3-4

  • Criticism – Korah, Numbers 16:3

  • Persistence – Balak, Numbers 22-24

  • Majority – Elijah, I Kings 18:19

  • Tradition – False teachers, Colossians 2:16-17

  • Imagination – False teachers, Colossians 2:20-23

    • Paul may have been specifically teaching against ascetic Gnosticism here.

Next steps

• Understand that people are motivated by bias, desire, fear, anger, etc.
  • Mark 15:10; Acts 17:5; John 12:42
• We need to develop a love for truth.
  • Proverbs 23:23; John 17:17; 8:32
• Keep teaching the truth courageously.
  • Acts 4:19-20; Romans 1; Genesis 1; I Corinthians 1

II Peter 3:3-7

Special pleading, continued:

• Spiritual importance, continued:

  • Can these questions be applied to themselves?

    • “There is no truth.” – “Is that true?”

    • “We can’t know anything.” – “Then how do you know that?”

    • “All truth is relative.” – “Is that truth relative?”

Strawman

• What is it?

  • Ephesians 4:1-3

  • Mark 14:55-58; John 2:19

  • “Changing or exaggerating the position of an opponent to make it easier to refute.”

• Spiritual importance

  • This type of tactic is often seen in debates between creation and evolution:

    • “Creationists do not believe that animals change. But clearly, animals do change. Therefore, creationists are mistaken.”

    • “Creationists do not believe in science.”

    • “Creationists believe that species never change in any way.”

    • “Creationists say there are no good mutations.”

    • “The Bible teaches that the earth has literal pillars and corners and cannot be moved. It is clearly wrong. (Isaiah 11:12; Psalms 75:3)”

      • Both contexts are clearly figurative.

    • “Creationists don’t believe in the scientific method. They say you should just look to the Bible for all your answers.”

    • “Creationists don’t believe in rationality. They take things on blind faith instead.”

  • Think of how Bible discussions might devolve into unprofitable spats if we mischaracterize what the other person believes.

    • “Oh, you don’t believe baptism is necessary for salvation? In other words, you don’t believe God is sovereign!”

    • “Oh, you don’t believe baptism is necessary for salvation? In other words, you think we should just throw the Bible away!”

    • “You Calvinists don’t believe in obedience!”

    • “You atheists don’t believe in morality.”

  • I Corinthians 13:4-7 – Christians are to correct those in opposition with gentleness and patience.