Jump Start # 4059
Philippians 4:8 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.”
Our verse is about thinking. Earlier in this letter the apostle said to “have this mind (or attitude) in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus.” As we think, we do. In Mark’s gospel our Lord said “out of the heart” are the things which defile us. We think it first and then we do it. And, so if we could capture our thoughts, redirect our thinking, then our attitudes and behavior would be more pleasing to the Lord.
And, here in this passage, the apostle lists six specifics to focus on. Things that are true. Things that are honorable. Things that are right. Boy, we like to point out what’s wrong. How about “what’s right”? Things that are honorable. Things that are pure. Things that are lovely. Things that are of good repute. Positive. Helpful. Spiritual. Purposely thinking about these things will pull our minds out of the gutter of complaining and being miserable. They will open our eyes to the wonderful blessings of God and make us more thankful. They will strength our resolve and put some fire into our passion.
Today, I want to focus on the word “excellence.” Most of the English translations use that word here. “If there is any excellence,” he says. Excellent. That sounds better than normal. It sounds better than average. It’s more than just getting by. It’s taking the time to do things not only right, but the highest quality that we can do. Good. Better. Excellent.
The passage is directed towards the individual. A congregation can’t do excellence if the members are not. The church is a mirror of who we are. Laodicea was lukewarm, because the members were. Sardis was dead because the members were dead. To have a church of excellence, then we must do our best.
Consider this: can you imagine being one of the four men chosen to carry the ark of the covenant. You know what is inside that golden box. You know how it has led in battles and how it was housed in the most holy place. And, now, on this day, you are one of four that actually get to carry this sacred treasure. What an honor. What a responsibility and an obligation. Everyone would be looking at you as you carried that ark. The word that comes to my mind in this is: excellence. That’s how you would want to be.
Consider this: Zacharias, the father of John, the prophet. There were so many priests in his days, that they were divided into groups or courses. His opportunity to serve in the Temple would have come only a few times. Do you think he needed a deacon to call him the night before, just to remind him? Excellence. He would have known. He would have been ready. He would have thought about this for a long time. He would bring his best.
Consider this: the offerings that God wanted from ancient Israel involved not just a young lamb, but one without blemish. Excellence. Bring the best to God because God has always brought the best. Start with the Lord. The word. The salvation. The blessings. The prayers heard. The church. Eden was the best. Noah’s ark was the best. The temple was the best. The church is the best. God always brought the best. Excellence. Shouldn’t we?
Now, some reminders for us:
First, bringing the best in the atmosphere of worship. I’ve been in some church buildings that looked worse than an old barn. Messy. Clutter. Dirty. Smelly. What is a guest to think when they walk in such a place? Most of our homes are not that way. We’d be looking for another doctor, if his office was that way. Careless. Indifferent. Not my job. Whatever the reason, the excuse, one must ask, “Can we do better?” Is this excellence? Is this how we view the work and worship to the Lord? Sloppy buildings. Sloppy attitudes. Sloppy service. Far cry from the word excellence. Let’s do better.
Second, bring the best when I am coming to worship God. Things happen in life and there are times when we are tired. Up with sick kids all night. Had to work late. Traffic was a mess. Those things happen. But what about when I choose to stay up all night watching TV? Knowing what I am to bring to the Lord tomorrow, will it be excellence.
Our signs my indicate that our services begin at a certain hour on Sunday morning, but actually the process of getting ready to bring excellence to the Lord starts during the week. Sunday thinking. Best day of the week. Get to be early on Saturday. Be thinking about worshipping with my church family. Find all the Bibles, shoes, notebooks and whatever we need and get them ready before Sunday. Don’t stroll in late like you are heading to a surgery. Get there early. Be excited. Bring your best to the One who is the best.
Excellence. Sing out. Pray hard. Dig into the word. God loves you and show Him that you love Him back.
Third, bring the best when I am trying to encourage others. Don’t ask a thousand questions that are not really any of your business. Don’t talk negative and discouragingly. Don’t dominate the conversation. Don’t talk only about yourself. Build up. Strengthen. Put a smile on your face and firmness in your handshake. Be glad for others. Be helpful.
Excellence. If there is any excellence dwell upon those things. How can I make things better? How can I be better? How can I bring excellence? Look around. Open your eyes. Engage in the spiritual.
Roger