““Whatever is True”Whatever is True” (Jn 14:6)(Jn 14:6)

• Life is full of choices of truth or falsehood Life is full of choices of truth or falsehood – Josh 24:15Josh 24:15

• Truth is rooted in scripture Truth is rooted in scripture – Jn 17:17; Ps 119:9-11Jn 17:17; Ps 119:9-11

• Embracing truth calls for rejecting error Embracing truth calls for rejecting error – Gal 1:6-8; II Tim 3:1-7; Heb 12:1-2Gal 1:6-8; II Tim 3:1-7; Heb 12:1-2

““Whatever is Noble / Whatever is Noble / Honest” Honest”

• Think on such thingsThink on such things– Col 1:1-3; Ps 119:147-148Col 1:1-3; Ps 119:147-148

• This kind of thinking is the opposite of This kind of thinking is the opposite of hypocrisy, prideful, doubtfulhypocrisy, prideful, doubtful– Lk 18:9-14; Lk 20:27; Mt 16:11-12Lk 18:9-14; Lk 20:27; Mt 16:11-12

• How is this possible?How is this possible?– Rom 7:18; 1Cor 2:16Rom 7:18; 1Cor 2:16

““Whatever is Right / Whatever is Right / Just”Just”

• The Lord’s will is for His people to be justThe Lord’s will is for His people to be just– We are not to pervert justice – We are not to pervert justice – Deut 16:19Deut 16:19– We are to follow that which is just – We are to follow that which is just – Deut 16:20Deut 16:20– Peter said Jesus died for the just and unjust – Peter said Jesus died for the just and unjust – 1 1

Pet 3:18Pet 3:18– Our minds should be focused on Christ, Our minds should be focused on Christ,

the Just Onethe Just One

““Whatever is Pure”Whatever is Pure”• Purity: free from anything that pollutes, free

from guilt or evil, innocence• Focus on things that do not contaminate the mind.

Impure thoughts rob us of the power of the Holy Spirit.

• Sources of impurity surrounds us.• Would Jesus approve? – 1 Pet 2:21

• Pure in heart shall see God – Mat 5:8

““Whatever is lovely / Whatever is lovely / peaceful”peaceful”

• Things which produce strife should be Things which produce strife should be avoidedavoided– Prov 20:3; Phil 2:3-4; Phil 2:14-16; Mt 5:9Prov 20:3; Phil 2:3-4; Phil 2:14-16; Mt 5:9

• What can you find in others that is lovely?What can you find in others that is lovely?

• God is pleased when we focus on things that God is pleased when we focus on things that unify the body of Christunify the body of Christ– Eph 4:1-3Eph 4:1-3

““Whatever is of Good Whatever is of Good Report”Report”

• Every Church has its reportersEvery Church has its reporters– Some are always reporting on things that are Some are always reporting on things that are

wrongwrong– Wise ones report on the blessings they see Wise ones report on the blessings they see

around them around them

• What kind of reporter are you?What kind of reporter are you?

““If thereIf there is any Virtue is any Virtue and and

If thereIf there is anything is anything Praiseworthy”Praiseworthy”• Virtue & Praise:Virtue & Praise: expressing approval or admiration; expressing approval or admiration;

grateful homage in words or song, as an act of worship grateful homage in words or song, as an act of worship (praise to God)(praise to God)

• Look for virtue in othersLook for virtue in others– ““It is important that we should never permit our minds It is important that we should never permit our minds

to feed like carrion vultures, on the wicked, filthy, and to feed like carrion vultures, on the wicked, filthy, and unholy of the flesh” – unholy of the flesh” – H. A. IronsideH. A. Ironside

– Churches that build on “faults” must expect Churches that build on “faults” must expect earthquakesearthquakes

““If thereIf there is any Virtue is any Virtue and and

If thereIf there is anything is anything Praiseworthy”Praiseworthy”• We need to stop pouting & start praising… We need to stop pouting & start praising…

power will followpower will follow

• The praising person looks beyond problemsThe praising person looks beyond problems

• God is in control & deserves our praiseGod is in control & deserves our praise– Rom 8:28Rom 8:28

CHRIST IS CHRIST IS THE CONQUERORTHE CONQUEROR

• Where can we find truth & honesty Where can we find truth & honesty personified?personified?

• Who is just and pure?Who is just and pure?

• Who is the altogether lovely one?Who is the altogether lovely one?

• Who is good all the time?Who is good all the time?

• Who is virtuous and worthy of our Who is virtuous and worthy of our praise?praise?