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“Think on Such Things” Philippians 4:8-9 *Click for Audio* Pastor Kevin Vogts Trinity Lutheran Church Paola, Kansas Christ the King Sunday–Last Sunday in the Church Year—November 22, 2020 In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. You are invited to follow the sermon outline on the last pages of the bulletin as we continue our Fall Sermon Series on Philippians. I read an article about people who have an unusual but potentially serious problem: They hear music, constantly, in their heads. Most of them hear the same piece of music over and over again. Some describe it as very loud, like having a stereo turned up all the way, and never being able to turn it down or shut it off. In extreme cases, this strange disorder can make people unable to function in daily life and even cause mental disturbance. One man has had running through his head continuously, over and over again, every waking moment for more than 30 years, the Chiquita banana jingle. There is a very similar malady that all of us are afflicted with. We all have running through our minds, not a disturbing song, but disturbing thoughts: evil, sinful, wicked thoughts. As Martin Luther says in the Large Catechism, “The Devil . . . never relaxes in his effort to pounce upon you unawares and kindle in your heart unbelief and wicked thoughts . . .” Our text on this topic is today’s Epistle Reading from Philippians. Paul writes: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is beautiful, whatever is admirable, if anything is a virtue and worthy of praise, think on these things.” Point #1) Sinful thoughts really are full-blown sins in the sight of God. There’s a popular idea that it’s okay to think bad things, just so long as you don’t actually do it. But consider the fact that TWO out of the Ten Commandments are specifically directed against THINKING something wrong: “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house,” “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” Coveting is nothing more than a thought, a sinful desire for what belongs to someone else. So, 20% of the Ten Commandments are actually directed against just THINKING something wrong. And in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus explains that ANY of the Ten Commandments can be broken with only a thought: “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment;” “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” It is impossible for the civil government to have laws against only thinking something wrong, because the government can’t look into your heart and know what you are thinking. But, God can and does have laws against thinking something wrong, because God can and does look into your heart, and he knows your thoughts. Psalm 139: “O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.” Psalm 94: “The Lord knows the thoughts of man;” Psalm 44: “God knows the secrets of the heart.” John’s Gospel says of Jesus, “He did not need anyone’s testimony about a man, for he knew what was in a man.” Matthew’s Gospel reports, “Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, ‘Why do you think evil in your hearts?’” Jesus himself says simply, “God knows your hearts.” An old radio show asked, “Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men?” The real answer is: God, who can and does look into your heart, who knows all your evil thoughts. Your sinful thoughts by themselves do deserve the punishment of eternal damnation, because they really are full-blown sins in the sight of God. Point #2) In Christ all your sins are forgiven, including sinful thoughts. John says, “The blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from EVERY sin.” Paul says in Colossians, “He forgave us ALL our sins.” Jesus Christ earned for you complete redemption, total forgiveness, for all your sinful deeds, all your sinful words, AND all your sinful thoughts. Isaiah says, “Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.” The first step toward shutting off those disturbing evil thoughts in your head is turning to the Lord and seeking his forgiveness, trusting in Jesus Christ, believing the Good News that by his blood you are cleansed from and forgiven every sin, including your sinful thoughts. Point #3) Because of your faith in Christ, you will not give in to, but struggle against, sinful thoughts. The Lutheran Formula of Concord says, “In true conversion there must be a change . . . so that the heart learns . . . to turn from sin . . . to have good spiritual thoughts.” Paul says it this way in Romans, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” The first way to struggle against sinful thoughts is to avoid situations and temptations that will lead you into sinful thoughts. One commentator asks, “Are we in the habit of filling our minds with the moral garbage on which our ungodly society gorges itself . . . [the web sites we visit], the books we read, the television programs we watch, the movies we see . . . are we allowing our [minds] to become greenhouses in which the devil’s plants are grown?” Paul tells Timothy, “But you, man of God, flee from all this . . . Flee the evil desires of youth.” And again in 1st Corinthians, “Flee from idolatry. . . Flee from sexual immorality.” Flee from situations and temptations that will lead you into sinful thoughts. The second way to struggle against sinful thoughts is to fill up your mind instead with the Word of God and prayer. As Luther says in the Large Catechism, “Nothing is so effectual against the devil, the world, and the flesh, and all evil thoughts, as to occupy oneself with the Word of God.” We are all waiting desperately for an inoculation against the lethal, destructive coronavirus. Well, the Word of God and prayer are like a spiritual inoculation for your MIND, against lethal and destructive sinful thoughts. Because, as you fill your mind with the Word of God and prayer, it becomes less and less susceptible to evil thoughts. Inoculate your mind, through prayer and personal devotions, reading and studying the Bible, and by remembering the Sabbath Day. The third way to struggle against sinful thoughts is to prayerfully take control of your thoughts, and as Paul says in our text, turn your thoughts toward something else, something pleasing to God. One man who is afflicted with that mysterious music in his head says he wishes he could at least change the tune once in a while. In the same way, when you are tempted with evil thoughts you must change the tune, change what you are thinking about, actively turn your thoughts to things that are pleasing to God. That’s what Paul means when he says, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is beautiful, whatever is admirable, if anything is a virtue and worthy of praise, think on these things.” For example, when you are tempted with sexually immoral thoughts, IMMEDIATELY, right then, pray for forgiveness, pray for strength to live a pure life; turn your thoughts and affection toward your spouse, or pray for the gift of a spouse. Or when you are tempted with thoughts of anger and hate, turn your thoughts toward the undeserved love and forgiveness and patience God shows to you, and pray for the grace to show that same attitude toward others. Or when you are tempted with thoughts of greed and selfishness and worrying about the things of this world, turn your thoughts toward all the blessings the Lord has given you, take your needs and wants to him in prayer, and pray for the blessing of contentment. Peter warns, “Be self-controlled and vigilant. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith.” When sinful thoughts come upon you, resist and take action against them. Pray for forgiveness; plan how you can in avoid situations and temptations that will lead you into sinful thoughts; resolve to fill your mind instead with the Word of God and prayer; change the tune, and actively turn your thoughts toward things that are pleasing to God. “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is beautiful, whatever is admirable, if anything is a virtue and worthy of praise, think on these things.” Amen. Return to Top \| Return to Sermons \| Home \| Email Church Office

“Think on Such Things”
Philippians 4:8-9

Pastor Kevin Vogts
Trinity Lutheran Church
Paola, Kansas
Christ the King Sunday–Last Sunday in the Church Year—November 22, 2020

In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

You are invited to follow the sermon outline on the last pages of the bulletin as we continue our Fall Sermon Series on Philippians.

I read an article about people who have an unusual but potentially serious problem: They hear music, constantly, in their heads. Most of them hear the same piece of music over and over again. Some describe it as very loud, like having a stereo turned up all the way, and never being able to turn it down or shut it off. In extreme cases, this strange disorder can make people unable to function in daily life and even cause mental disturbance. One man has had running through his head continuously, over and over again, every waking moment for more than 30 years, the Chiquita banana jingle.

There is a very similar malady that all of us are afflicted with. We all have running through our minds, not a disturbing song, but disturbing thoughts: evil, sinful, wicked thoughts. As Martin Luther says in the Large Catechism, “The Devil . . . never relaxes in his effort to pounce upon you unawares and kindle in your heart unbelief and wicked thoughts . . .”

Our text on this topic is today’s Epistle Reading from Philippians. Paul writes: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is beautiful, whatever is admirable, if anything is a virtue and worthy of praise, think on these things.”

Point #1) Sinful thoughts really are full-blown sins in the sight of God.

There’s a popular idea that it’s okay to think bad things, just so long as you don’t actually do it. But consider the fact that TWO out of the Ten Commandments are specifically directed against THINKING something wrong: “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house,” “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” Coveting is nothing more than a thought, a sinful desire for what belongs to someone else. So, 20% of the Ten Commandments are actually directed against just THINKING something wrong.

And in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus explains that ANY of the Ten Commandments can be broken with only a thought: “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment;” “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

It is impossible for the civil government to have laws against only thinking something wrong, because the government can’t look into your heart and know what you are thinking. But, God can and does have laws against thinking something wrong, because God can and does look into your heart, and he knows your thoughts. Psalm 139: “O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.” Psalm 94: “The Lord knows the thoughts of man;” Psalm 44: “God knows the secrets of the heart.”

John’s Gospel says of Jesus, “He did not need anyone’s testimony about a man, for he knew what was in a man.” Matthew’s Gospel reports, “Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, ‘Why do you think evil in your hearts?’” Jesus himself says simply, “God knows your hearts.”

An old radio show asked, “Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men?” The real answer is: God, who can and does look into your heart, who knows all your evil thoughts. Your sinful thoughts by themselves do deserve the punishment of eternal damnation, because they really are full-blown sins in the sight of God.

Point #2) In Christ all your sins are forgiven, including sinful thoughts.

John says, “The blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from EVERY sin.” Paul says in Colossians, “He forgave us ALL our sins.” Jesus Christ earned for you complete redemption, total forgiveness, for all your sinful deeds, all your sinful words, AND all your sinful thoughts.

Isaiah says, “Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.” The first step toward shutting off those disturbing evil thoughts in your head is turning to the Lord and seeking his forgiveness, trusting in Jesus Christ, believing the Good News that by his blood you are cleansed from and forgiven every sin, including your sinful thoughts.

Point #3) Because of your faith in Christ, you will not give in to, but struggle against, sinful thoughts.

The Lutheran Formula of Concord says, “In true conversion there must be a change . . . so that the heart learns . . . to turn from sin . . . to have good spiritual thoughts.” Paul says it this way in Romans, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

The first way to struggle against sinful thoughts is to avoid situations and temptations that will lead you into sinful thoughts. One commentator asks, “Are we in the habit of filling our minds with the moral garbage on which our ungodly society gorges itself . . . [the web sites we visit], the books we read, the television programs we watch, the movies we see . . . are we allowing our [minds] to become greenhouses in which the devil’s plants are grown?”

Paul tells Timothy, “But you, man of God, flee from all this . . . Flee the evil desires of youth.” And again in 1st Corinthians, “Flee from idolatry. . . Flee from sexual immorality.” Flee from situations and temptations that will lead you into sinful thoughts.

The second way to struggle against sinful thoughts is to fill up your mind instead with the Word of God and prayer. As Luther says in the Large Catechism, “Nothing is so effectual against the devil, the world, and the flesh, and all evil thoughts, as to occupy oneself with the Word of God.”

We are all waiting desperately for an inoculation against the lethal, destructive coronavirus. Well, the Word of God and prayer are like a spiritual inoculation for your MIND, against lethal and destructive sinful thoughts. Because, as you fill your mind with the Word of God and prayer, it becomes less and less susceptible to evil thoughts. Inoculate your mind, through prayer and personal devotions, reading and studying the Bible, and by remembering the Sabbath Day.

The third way to struggle against sinful thoughts is to prayerfully take control of your thoughts, and as Paul says in our text, turn your thoughts toward something else, something pleasing to God.

One man who is afflicted with that mysterious music in his head says he wishes he could at least change the tune once in a while. In the same way, when you are tempted with evil thoughts you must change the tune, change what you are thinking about, actively turn your thoughts to things that are pleasing to God. That’s what Paul means when he says, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is beautiful, whatever is admirable, if anything is a virtue and worthy of praise, think on these things.”

For example, when you are tempted with sexually immoral thoughts, IMMEDIATELY, right then, pray for forgiveness, pray for strength to live a pure life; turn your thoughts and affection toward your spouse, or pray for the gift of a spouse.

Or when you are tempted with thoughts of anger and hate, turn your thoughts toward the undeserved love and forgiveness and patience God shows to you, and pray for the grace to show that same attitude toward others.

Or when you are tempted with thoughts of greed and selfishness and worrying about the things of this world, turn your thoughts toward all the blessings the Lord has given you, take your needs and wants to him in prayer, and pray for the blessing of contentment.

Peter warns, “Be self-controlled and vigilant. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith.” When sinful thoughts come upon you, resist and take action against them. Pray for forgiveness; plan how you can in avoid situations and temptations that will lead you into sinful thoughts; resolve to fill your mind instead with the Word of God and prayer; change the tune, and actively turn your thoughts toward things that are pleasing to God.

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is beautiful, whatever is admirable, if anything is a virtue and worthy of praise, think on these things.”

Amen.

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