Things to ponder
Things worth pondering • Sermon • Submitted
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· 269 viewsPondering God's Word and some of it's benefits
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Things to ponder
Things to ponder
We are starting a new topical series that will stretch the next 8-12 weeks. I hope that it is enlightening, encouraging, reminding, and challenging to ponder some of the things given to us through God’s Word .
God gave us a brain as well as our emotions, feelings and the like. Our maturity in Christ and for Christ comes from our knowledge of Christ that comes from the wisdom comes from above
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Wisdom from above (Jam1:5-6)
Wisdom from above confounds wisdom of the wise of this world (1Cor1:18-25)
By God’s wisdom, that confounds the wisdom of man, man come to be in Christ Jesus (1Cor1:26-31) in which there is no boasting
All this leading to our study passage for this series, things that are good things to dwell on, to ponder, to reflect on (Php4:8-9)
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Wisdom from above (Jam1:5-6)
Wisdom that comes from above is given freely when asked by faith. Not only freely but look what the Word says.
5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.
Wisdom from above (Jam1:5-6)
Wisdom from above confounds wisdom of the wise of this world (1Cor1:18-25)
Now this passage is a little longer, but well worth it when it comes to true wisdom and the foolishness of man.
By God’s wisdom, that confounds the wisdom of man, man come to be in Christ Jesus (1Cor1:26-31) in which there is no boasting
All this leading to our study passage for this series, things that are good things to dwell on, to ponder, to reflect on (Php4:8-9)
18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And the cleverness of the clever I will set aside.”
By God’s wisdom, that confounds the wisdom of man, man come to be in Christ Jesus (1Cor1:26-31) in which there is no boasting
20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.
All this leading to our study passage for this series, things that are good things to dwell on, to ponder, to reflect on (Php4:8-9)
22 For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness,
24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
I’m not even going to comment on that the scripture is very plain
Wisdom from above (Jam1:5)
Wisdom from above confounds wisdom of the wise of this world (1Cor1:18-25)
By God’s wisdom, that confounds the wisdom of man, man come to be in Christ Jesus (1Cor1:26-31) in which there is no boasting
26 For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; 27 but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong,
28 and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, 29 so that no man may boast before God.
30 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, 31 so that, just as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
So, true wisdom that confounds the wisdom of man that is available when we ask for it, where is it? It is God’s Word. We have it, we receive it, we grow in it (wisdom) when we ponder, reflect, meditate on God’s Word.
By God’s wisdom, that confounds the wisdom of man, man come to be in Christ Jesus (1Cor1:26-31) in which there is no boasting
Wisdom from above confounds wisdom of the wise of this world (1Cor1:18-25)
By God’s wisdom, that confounds the wisdom of man, man come to be in Christ Jesus (1Cor1:26-31) in which there is no boasting
All this leading to our study passage for this series, things that are good things to dwell on, to ponder, to reflect on (Php4:8-9)
8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. 9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
In other place it tells us to set our mind on the things above (Col3:2)
2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.
So what does it mean to reflect? How about the definition of it.
Reflect (v): To give serious thought or consideration
So as we start into this new series on things to ponder on, reflect on, meditate on in the bible we will see a few good things worth pondering. So hold on and enjoy this journey!
Ponder: The Bible
Ponder: The Bible
We are “Simply Christian’s” who study God’s Word together. Studying is not the same as pondering, meditating is it? May we consider a few things in general when we ponder the Bible.
Can the Bible bring me happiness and joy (Ps1:1-3)
1 How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.
Ps1:1
3 He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.
Blessed can be replaced like in the beatitudes with the word “happy” so happy is the man, and he is also blessed because of where he is planted and the results of being planted there (fruit and prosperity)
The Bibles says to “delight” How do we do that (Ps119:33-35; Ps37:4; Ps119:92-93)
so first, how do you delight in something. Do you delight in your husband, your wife, children, grandchildren? Maybe even the church (body of believers). To delight in something takes time, but you want to do it because it brings you happiness, it brings you joy.
How about a few verses about delighting!
33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes, And I shall observe it to the end. 34 Give me understanding, that I may observe Your law And keep it with all my heart.
35 Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, For I delight in it.
We delight when we seek God and ask Him to teach us! And we want to delight in the things that we know please God and are in His will.
4 Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart.
Delight in the Lord Himself; and when He is your delight, your desire, he will give you the desire of your heart, which would be His will for you!
92 If Your law had not been my delight, Then I would have perished in my affliction. 93 I will never forget Your precepts, For by them You have revived me.
Delight in your trust of the Lord for you know by your faith that He will always come through, and He reminds of of your life in Him.
What does it mean to meditate on the Word?
Dictionary result for meditate
Dictionary result for meditate
Dictionary result for meditate
Meditate: verb: think deeply or focus one's mind for a period of time, in silence or with the aid of chanting, for religious or spiritual purposes or as a method of relaxation.think deeply or carefully about (something).
Think deeply, to mull over, and over again.
As we delight in the word of God and we meditate on the Word we will see that it has many virtues.
Ponder: Bible and it’s virtues
Ponder: Bible and it’s virtues
Virtue is behavior showing high moral standard. You cannot get any higher than the inspired Word of God where all true wisdom comes from.
Listen to God’s Word, look at God’s Word, pick out some of virtues found in just these few verses.
7 The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether. 10 They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
Ps
11 Moreover, by them Your servant is warned; In keeping them there is great reward.
ps
It is perfect can restore, and convert the soul (Ps19:7)
It is sure, making the wise simple (Ps19:7)
It is right, and brings rejoicing in the heart (Ps19:8)
It is clean and able to endure forever (Ps19:9)
It is true, and it is righteous together (Ps19:9)
It is desirable; it is sweeter (Ps19:10)
It is rewarding o those who keep it (Ps19:11)
It is good for the old, it is good for the young, it can help the young
9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word.
It is capable of keeping the youngman pure by keeping the Word!
It can help guard you against sin (Ps119:11)
11 Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.
Treasure God’s Word, ponder, meditate on it so you may not sin against Him.
It can make you wise (Ps119:97-100)
97 O how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. 98 Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, For they are ever mine.
99 I have more insight than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation. 100 I understand more than the aged, Because I have observed Your precepts.
God’s word gives wisdom, insight, understanding for application!
It is lamp and a light (Ps119:105)
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.
It is a lamp to your feet so you don’t trip, stumble along the way. It is a light onto the path so you know the way you should go.
It is a source of great peace (Ps119:65; 1The5:23; Php4:7)
A great source of peace from the God of peace
165 Those who love Your law have great peace, And nothing causes them to stumble.
65 You have dealt well with Your servant, O Lord, according to Your word.
Ps
add
23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
And
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
So the God of peace gives you peace that will:
sanctify you entirely
Preserve you completely
make you blameless
and guard you and protect you.
Ponder: God’s Word a source of comfort and hope, discernment and is life giving
Ponder: God’s Word a source of comfort and hope, discernment and is life giving
We were hopeless and helpless but God gave us hope; His name is Jesus and through the Word we can find much hope, for the word is life giving and life sustaining.
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A source of hope (Rom15:4)
A source of comfort (2Cor1:3-7)
A source of comfort (2Cor1:3-7)
A source of discernment (Heb4:12)
A source of discernment (Heb4:12)
A source of life (Jam1:21;1Pt1:23-25 1Pt2:1-2 )
A source of life (Jam1:21)
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A source of hope (Rom15:4)
A source of discernment (Heb4:12)
A source of life (Jam1:21)
4 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
The O.T. written for our learning, for our encouragement and our hope.
The N.T. gives us our hope in the flesh and tells us how to receive the hope being Jesus Christ.
A source of hope (Rom15:4)
A source of comfort (2Cor1:3-7)
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
A source of discernment (Heb4:12)
5 For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. 6 But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer;
7 and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, so also you are sharers of our comfort.
A source of life (Jam1:21)
Comforts us in our affliction, our suffering, to our salvation. All so we can know our hope is firmly grounded and secure
A source of hope (Rom15:4)
A source of comfort (2Cor1:3-7)
A source of discernment (Heb4:12)
12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
So from this verse we can ponder more on what the Word is.
A source of life (Jam1:21)
Is is living, it is active
Is sharp, it is piercing
It is able to discern both thoughts and intentions of the heart
A source of hope (Rom15:4)
A source of comfort (2Cor1:3-7)
A source of discernment (Heb4:12)
A source of life (Jam1:21; 1Pt1:23-25 1Pt2:1-2)
21 Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.
The implanted Word is able to save your soul!
Save you soul because it is incorruptible
23 for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For, “All flesh is like grass, And all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, And the flower falls off,
25 But the word of the Lord endures forever.” And this is the word which was preached to you.
Save you soul and help you to grow
1 Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, 2 like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,
so able to save souls, for it is incorruptible, imperishable, enduring and able to help you grow in respect to your salvation. For, salvation is the starting place not the ending place.
Here is a freebie regarding how it can help us grow, it’s not on your outline.
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
Help you grow for it is inspired, meaning it is from God
It is profitable in several ways, teaching, reproof, correction and for training, not just any training, training in righteousness
Grow with a purpose, so that you may be adequate, and equipped, equipped for good work.
A final quote then a final thought before closing
Ronald Reagan said:
“Within the covers of this one single book, the Bible, are all the answers to all the problems we face today. If only we would read it and believe.”
May we take time to ponder on God’s Word for it is
The way to true happiness and it is the source of true joy.
It has many virtues to teach us
It is a helper, it is a guard, it is wisdom maker
It is a lamp, it is a light
It is a source of hope, peace, comfort, and hope
It is alive and powerful, it is life-giving and life-guiding
Lead to invitation
(Invitation slide)
Hopefully you will take the time to ponder on these things we have discussed this morning, not my things, but God’s things, God’s Word given for us. The Bible is a great treasure not one we keep for ourselves but treasure it personally so that it can be shared with others.
162 I rejoice at Your word, As one who finds great spoil.
May we rejoice and have the benefits of God’s Word
(invitation slide 2 - life giving word already saved on computer)
song (exit slide)