Sermon: Ruminate – Part 2     Part 1
by Chris Cumming
As you recall from Part 1 of this sermon, the purpose of this message is to encourage all of us to contemplate, meditate, ponder, reflect upon and ruminate the Word of God.

Let us begin today’s sermon by reviewing the recap of what we learned in Proverbs 4.

Let us now recap what we have learned in this Part 1 of the sermon, Ruminate from Proverbs 4:

--Hear instruction.
--Get knowledge and understanding of things divine and spiritual.
--Do not neglect doctrine.
--receive the Words of God with affection.  Retain and practice them.
--Get wisdom.  Never go off the path into vain jangling-1 Timothy 1:6.

--Be continually meditating on Wisdom [Christ].  This is especially true as you go through end time events.
--Never decline from God's way.
--Wisdom is your guardian and companion and will continue as your protector.
--Continually get knowledge of Christ.
--Be willing to give up all things for Christ.

--The definition of spiritual nakedness is "want of righteousness" which is only possible in Christ
--In the process of Knowledge, Understanding and Wisdom, wisdom is action or the invoking of the knowledge and understanding.
--Christ is knowledge.  Christ is the understanding.  Christ is the wisdom.
--Put wisdom in the highest position of your heart, soul and mind.
--Christ is exalted and we exalt Him even more each time we invoke the Spirit of God.

--The more we ruminate the more we become like Christ.
--Make haste to keep the commandments and words of God.  You will not stumble.
--Seize Godly instruction STRONGLY.
--Keep spiritual reason in clear view.
--Avoid the ways, beliefs, doctrines and even the company of people contrary to truth and the Salvation Process.

--Constantly contemplate Proverbs 4:18 and shine more and more unto the return of Christ.
--Commit the words and instructions of God to writing, reading and to sight.
--Increase your time in meditation.
--The words of God are the means of spiritual life and bringing you to eternal life.
--Guard your heart with all diligence.

--Direct all actions to a right end.
--Learn and follow the examples of the saints gone before you; Christ being the prime example.
--Ponder the path of your feet.  Be not easily moved to right or left.
--Do not take even one step toward a known evil.
--Ruminate the Word of God.

Now we are going to immerse ourselves into another key scripture on ruminating.

Turn over to Philippians 4 and verse 1.  This is another great passage that leads up to a definitive verse about what we should be contemplating and pondering.

Philippians 4:1-8
1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.
3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.
4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Verse 8 here is a definitive ruminating verse.  We will immerse ourselves into this one shortly.  Right now I want to look at some key phrases in the first seven verses.

Verse  1:
 "Stand fast in the Lord."

In the service of the Lord, and in the strength which he imparts. ~Barnes Notes

The John Gill says, "the Arabic version renders it, "so stand in the faith of the Lord"; both in the grace faith, and in the doctrine of it, and in the profession of both." ~John Gill

Note: A huge part of standing fast in the Lord is to stand fast in His Word.  Ponder it.

Verse 2:
"Be of the same mind in the Lord."

Note: virtually all the commentaries say the same thing.  To have the same mind in the Lord, each being, "must embrace the same truths and profess and maintain the same principle the church did."

Verse 3:
"Whose names are in the book of life."

Note:  We know that the, "Book of Life" is the Word of God and the only way to have your name written in that book is to be immersed in that Book.  Indeed, the Word of God is the mind of Jesus Christ, the being we are being conformed to [2 Corinthians 3:18].

Verse 5:
"The Lord is at hand."

Note: the first thing you will see in commentaries on this phrase is urgency about the impending return of Christ.  I, not infrequently, ask the question, "What would you do if you were informed that Christ were returning to Earth in 30 days?"  Invariably the answers are:

A] Pray more
B] Study more
C] Meditate more.

All three speak to getting immersed in the Word of God.  Notice a verse or two from the Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge which are linked to Philippians 4:5 and this phrase:

Revelation 22:7
Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

2 Peter 3:12-18
12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Clearly speaking to our pondering and meditating on the Word of God.

Verse 7:
"And the peace of God."

Notice the commentary here:

And the peace of God - The peace which God gives. The peace here particularly referred to is that which is felt when we have no anxious care about the supply of our needs, and when we go confidently and commit everything into the hands of God. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee;” Isaiah 26:3. ~Barnes Notes

Quoted verse:
Isaiah 26:3
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Note: Since the Word of God is the mind of God, the most efficient way of keeping our mind on the mind of God is to be immersed in the Word of God and ruminating on that Word.

Another commentary I referenced [Adam Clarke] stated that this peace of God came from, "harmonizing of all passions and appetites which is produced by the Holy Spirit [in us]."  Surely the primary work of the Holy Spirit in us is to put us into pondering the Word of God and putting into our mind the true, pure and virtuous things in this life.

Now verse 8…

Philippians 4:8 
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

The verse can be broken down in to ten phrases as follows;

1] Finally, brethren
2] whatsoever things are true
3] whatsoever things are honest
4] whatsoever things are just
5] whatsoever things are pure
6] whatsoever things are lovely
7] whatsoever things are of good report
8] if there be any virtue
9] if there be any praise
10] think on these things

Let us ruminate through these.

1] Finally, brethren
Finally, brethren - The object of the apostle is to recommend holiness and righteousness to them in every point of view; and to show that the Gospel of Christ requires all its professors to have the mind that was in Christ, and to walk as he himself also walked. That they were not to attend to one branch of righteousness or virtue only, but to everything by which they might bring honor to God, good to their fellow creatures, and credit to themselves. ~Adam Clarke

Finally, brethren,  - To close all with respect to the duties of Christianity incumbent on the professors of it. ~John Gill

2] whatsoever things are true

Whatsoever things are true - All that is agreeable to unchangeable and eternal truth. Whether that which is to be learned from the nature and state of created things, or that which comes immediately from God by revelation. ~Adam Clarke

Whatsoever things are true - In this exhortation the apostle assumes that there were certain things admitted to be true, and pure, and good, in the world, which had not been directly revealed, or which were commonly regarded as such by the people of the world, and his object is to show them that such things ought to be exhibited by the Christian. Everything that was honest and just toward God and toward people was to be practiced by them, and they were in all things to be examples of the highest kind of morality. They were not to exhibit partial virtues; not to perform one set of duties to the neglect or exclusion of others; not to be faithful in their duties to God, and to neglect their duty to people, not to be punctual in their religious rites, and neglectful of the comment laws of morality; but they were to do everything that could be regarded as the fair subject of commendation, and that was implied in the highest moral character. The word true refers here to everything that was the reverse of falsehood. They were to be true to their engagements; true to their promises; true in their statements; and true in their friendships. They were to maintain the truth about God; about eternity; about the judgment; and about every man’s character. ~Barnes Notes


3] whatsoever things are honest
Whatsoever things are honest - σεμνὰ  semna. Properly, venerable [Commanding respect], reverend; then honorable, reputable.  As applied to people, it commonly means grave, dignified, worthy of veneration or regard. In the New Testament it is rendered “grave” in 1Timothy 3:8, 1 Timothy 3:11, and Titus 2:2, the only places where the word occurs except this; and the noun (σεμνότης  semnotēs) is rendered “honesty” in 1 Timothy 2:2, and “gravity” in 1 Timothy 3:4, and Titus2:7. It occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. The word, therefore, does not express precisely what the word “honest” does with us, as confined to dealings or business transactions, but rather has reference to what was regarded as worthy of reputation or honor; what there was in the customs of society, in the respect due to age and rank, and in the contact of the world, that deserved respect or esteem. It includes indeed what is right in the transaction of business, but it embraces also much more, and means that the Christian is to show respect to all the venerable and proper customs of society, when they did not violate conscience or interfere with the law of God. ~Barnes Notes

Whatsoever things are honest - Whatever is grave, decent, and venerable. Whatever becomes you as men, as citizens, and as Christians. ~Adam Clarke

4] whatsoever things are just
Whatsoever things are just - The things which are right between man and man. A Christian should be just in all his dealings. His religion does not exempt him from the strict laws which bind people to the exercise of this virtue, and there is no way by which a professor of religion can do more injury perhaps than by injustice and dishonesty in his dealings. It is to be remembered that the people of the world, in estimating a person’s character, affix much more importance to the virtues of justice and honesty than they do to regularity in observing the ordinances of religion; and therefore if a Christian would make an impression on his fellow-men favorable to religion, it is indispensable that he manifest uncorrupted integrity in his dealings. ~Barnes Notes

Whatsoever things are just - Whatsoever is agreeable to justice and righteousness. All that ye owe to God, to your neighbor, and to yourselves. ~Adam Clarke

5] whatsoever things are pure
Whatsoever things are pure - Chaste - in thought, in feeling, and in the conversation between the sexes.  ~Barnes Notes

Whatsoever things are pure - Whatsoever is chaste. In reference to the state of the mind, and to the acts of the body. ~Adam Clarke

Whatsoever things are pure - or "chaste", in words and deeds, in opposition to all filthiness and foolish talking, to obscene words and actions. The Vulgate Latin and Arabic versions render it, "whatsoever things are holy"; which are agreeable to the holy nature, law, and will of God, and which tend to promote holiness of heart and life: ~John Gill

Note: Clearly referencing “sanctification” or purpose in all things and our adhering to those sanctifications.

6] whatsoever things are lovely
Whatsoever things are lovely - The word used here means properly what is dear to anyone; then what is pleasing. Here it means what is amiable - such a temper of mind that one can love it; or such as to be agreeable to others. A Christian should not be sour, crabby, or irritable in his temper - for nothing almost tends so much to injure the cause of religion as a temper always chafed; a brow morose and stern; an eye that is severe and unkind, and a disposition to find fault with everything. And yet it is to be regretted that there are many persons who make no pretensions to piety, who far surpass many professors of religion in the virtue here commended. A sour and crabby temper in a professor of religion will undo all the good that he attempts to do. ~Barnes Notes

Whatsoever things are lovely - Whatsoever is amiable on its own account and on account of its usefulness to others, whether in your conduct or conversation. ~Adam Clarke

7] whatsoever things are of good report
Whatsoever things are of good report - That is, whatsoever is truly reputable in the world at large. There are actions which all people agree in commending, and which in all ages and countries are regarded as virtues. courtesy, urbanity, kindness, respect for parents, purity between brothers and sisters, are among those virtues, and the Christian should be a pattern and an example in them all. His usefulness depends much more on the cultivation of these virtues than is commonly supposed. ~Barnes Notes

Whatsoever things are of good report - Whatsoever things the public agree to acknowledge as useful and profitable to men; such as charitable institutions of every kind, in which genuine Christians should ever take the lead. ~Adam Clarke

8] if there be any virtue
If there be any virtue - If there is anything truly virtuous. Paul did not suppose that he had given a full catalogue of the virtues which he would have cultivated. He, therefore, adds, that if there was anything else that had the nature of true virtue in it, they should be careful to cultivate that also. The Christian should be a pattern and an example of every virtue. ~Barnes Notes

If there be any virtue - If they be calculated to promote the general good of mankind, and are thus praiseworthy. ~Adam Clarke

9] if there be any praise
And if there be any praise - Anything worthy of praise, or that ought to be praised. ~Barnes Notes

10] think on these things
Think on these things - Let them be the object of your careful attention and study, so as to practice them. Think what they are; think on the obligation to observe them; think on the influence which they would have on the world around you. ~Barnes Notes

Think on these things - Esteem them highly, recommend them heartily, and practice them fervently. ~Adam Clarke

Think on these things - meditate upon them, revolve them in your minds, seriously consider them, and reason with yourselves about them, in order to put them into practice. ~John Gill

Note:  This last phrase gives us the title of this sermon, “Ruminate.”  We are to ruminate on all these things and fully understand their meaning.

This Part 2 of this sermon has been an immersion into Philippians 4 and verses 1 through 8 which has, along with Part 1 of this sermon, given us knowledge and understanding into the concept of ruminating, pondering and meditating on the Word of God.  But why?  Why should we ruminate?  The answer is in verse 9.

Philippians 4:9 
Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do [wisdom]: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Now there are two verses that go right along with this one:

Philippians 4:7  ...a verse we discussed above
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:23
And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Now get out there and ruminate.
 

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