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>>Today we are blessed with a wonderful gift from God, the Bible. This book is God's living word. In its pages, we are told, "For the word of God is living and powerful , and sharper than any two-edged sword." It is in this book of books that we find the answers to all of men's questions and needs. This morning, your area churches of Christ welcome you to a program committed to that perfect law of liberty. ♪ Thy light shall guide me in the narrow way ♪ As we present "The Living Word". ♪ Till night shall vanish in eternal day ♪ Now here's your host, Ray Sullins.

>>Here we are together again on another wondrous Lord's Day morning, and as the great psalmist, David, once said, "This is the day that the Lord hath made and we will rejoice and be glad in it." How truly blessed we are to give this time and this day, the Lord's Day, to this service of God. So let me start out this day right by encouraging you to always be with us and to give your best to God. In our gathering this day, we will have the opportunity to sing praises to God and to study from His perfect word. And furthermore, I hope we'll all take advantage of every opportunity we have to give our very best to God. As we begin our worship and offerings to God, will you bow with me before his throne in prayer? Our God and Father in heaven, we are thankful once again for your wonder and your glory, your majesty, as you are the giver of all things, physical and spiritual. And Father, we thank you. We especially thank you for the gift of Jesus as he died on the cross and shed his blood and was resurrected on the third day that we might be found presentable, holy and righteous, and to be found as those who are clean in your sight. Help us, Father, there, for every day to live according to your will that ultimately through your grace, love and mercy, and that wonderful sacrifice we might have life eternal. In Jesus' name we pray, amen. Isn't it wonderful to know Jesus Christ and to know that he is our master and that he shows us the way each and every day of how we should go? He also guides us and tells us what to do and lets us know what to expect. But another encouraging thing to me is the idea that we understand that he's always with us day in and day out, as in a sense holding our hand to help us day by day. This morning, our first song speaks of the need to count the cost if we will serve our God or not. But don't you think, as we have just learned, that God has proven his love to us and therefore, we should give our very best to him? Well, won't you join in with the congregation at this time then as we sing the next song of the morning, the name of the the hymn, "Have You Counted the Cost". ♪ There's a line that is drawn ♪ ♪ By rejecting our Lord ♪ ♪ Where the call of His Spirit is lost ♪ ♪ And you hurry along ♪ ♪ With the pleasure-mad throng ♪ ♪ Have you counted ♪ ♪ Have you counted the cost ♪ ♪ Have you counted the cost ♪ ♪ If your soul should be lost ♪ ♪ Though you gain the whole world for your own ♪ ♪ Even now it may be ♪ ♪ That the line you have crossed ♪ ♪ Have you counted ♪ ♪ Have you counted the cost ♪ ♪ You may barter your hope of eternity's morn ♪ ♪ For a moment of joy at the most ♪ ♪ For the glitter of sin ♪ ♪ And the things it will win ♪ ♪ Have you counted ♪ ♪ Have you counted the cost ♪ ♪ Have you counted the cost, ♪ ♪ If your soul should be lost ♪ ♪ Though you gain the whole world for your own ♪ ♪ Even now it may be ♪ ♪ That the line you have crossed ♪ ♪ Have you counted ♪ ♪ Have you counted the cost ♪ ♪ While the door of His mercy is open to you ♪ ♪ E'er the depth of His love you exhaust ♪ ♪ Won't you come and be healed ♪ ♪ Won't you whisper, I yield ♪ ♪ Have you counted ♪ ♪ Have you counted the cost ♪ ♪ Have you counted the cost ♪ ♪ If your soul should be lost ♪ ♪ Though you gain the whole world for your own ♪ ♪ Even now it may be ♪ ♪ That the line you have crossed ♪ ♪ Have you counted ♪ ♪ Have you counted the cost ♪ As Christians, we often become introverted from this world and really seem to focus mainly on those things related to the church and our own brethren. However, what about those in this world who need help? Aren't we also to help those who need help and to do as much as we can to see that our fellow man has the opportunity to not only see Christ, but to know Christ? Well, if we look into God's word, this is the attitude that we find that is presented in the Word of God. In fact, throughout the ministry of Jesus himself, Christ was willing to help all those that he came in contact with as best he could. But we might ask the question, why? Because Jesus said he came to serve in this world and not to be served. Read with me the words of Christ himself. In Matthew 20:28, there it says, "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many." Jesus was focused on serving others and in helping the world know him in order that they ultimately might be saved. Another question we might ask is, what type of people did Jesus serve? The Bible tells us that Jesus died for the whole world. In fact, in 1 John 2:2, it tells us this very idea and concept, that whoever would believe in him would be saved. It's the same idea that we learned even in John 3:16. So Christ was one who came to the earth as a servant of all. Now this is the very reason that we see the writers of the New Testament confirming our own duty and service toward all of mankind that they might know Christ. John, again, said, "Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers." John 1:5, that's 3 John 1:5. Paul also said, "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all especially to those of the household of faith." Galatians 6:10. These men realize that we are not only those who are to do good to brethren and those that we know well in the church but also that we are to do good and to help the whole world. But again, you might ask why. Well, read with me from 1 Corinthians 9:19. There it says, "For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all that I might win the more." You see Paul said, we serve others as Christ did so that we might influence them for the sake of Jesus Christ and that they might truly see Christ in us and therefore ultimately become followers of God. If we want this whole world to know Jesus and to follow Jesus, then we're going to have to make sure that we do our part so that they might know him and follow him. So I ask you, are you allowing this world to see Christ in you because of your service to those who live around you in your daily life? And are you helping your neighbors and friends and coworkers and family to know more about Jesus Christ? Because of the things you do and say in your life might be the very reason why someone turns to God and obeys or not. Please remember the very words of Jesus when he said, "Then we will answer them saying, assuredly, I say to you, in as much as you did it to one of the least of these, my brethren, you did it to me." Matthew 25:45. Are you one who is doing good to all of the world? Today, our specific topic is entitled "Whatever Things Are True", and this is our next lesson in our new series entitled "Meditate On These Things". So please continue with us this morning, and after our next song together, I'll return and lead us in these lesson thoughts from God's Word. But for now it's time to sing the second song of the morning, the name of the hymn, "How Shall the Young Secure Their Hearts?" ♪ How shall the young secure their hearts ♪ ♪ And guard their lives from sin ♪ ♪ Thy Word the choicest rules imparts ♪ ♪ To keep the conscience clean ♪ ♪ To keep the conscience clean ♪ ♪ 'Tis like the sun, a heav'nly light ♪ ♪ That guides us all the day ♪ ♪ And through the dangers of the night ♪ ♪ A lamp to lead our way ♪ ♪ A lamp to lead our way ♪ ♪ Thy Word is everlasting truth ♪ ♪ How pure is every page ♪ ♪ That holy book shall guide our youth ♪ ♪ And well support our age ♪ ♪ And well support our age ♪ We appreciate so much that you've continued with us this day as we now return to our opportunity of a more lengthy study from the Word of God, as we began a new series last week in trying to really understand the things that we should focus on or meditate in order that we really are to accomplish the goal of being those who achieved the moral excellence of God and the praise worthiness from God himself and the fact that we are accomplishing his purpose and his will. With that in mind then, as we return to our main text there of Philippians 4, it's significant that, as we consider this book, that the Philippian church really was doing a great job in accomplishing God's will, and not only in relationship to basic doctrinal things of maybe practice of worship and such that we would find in the study or the discussion of these brethren here and also in the Book of Acts, but also in relationship to their willingness to go that extra mile and really behave in a way that many other churches were not really responsible in. And specifically, we see that in their willingness to be those who gave good and freely to Paul, and really helped others in the church who were willing to do the work of the Lord and they were willing to dig into their pockets and really assist and help, and to seek out these needs and to seek out these men and to make sure that they had what they needed to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world. So Paul seems to really express joy and love for these brethren, and so he commends them and he commends them and he commends them and he challenges them to remain faithful and to do what is good. And so, when we get into Chapter 4, he is beginning to mention some final things that he just wants to encourage them to remain strong in, how they can keep growing and being what they need to be to really achieve that standard that they're obviously reaching for, the highest standard, striving to be like God. And so, understanding that then, we arrived there again at 4:8. And in Philippians 4:8, we find there that there were those sayings that are spoken of that one can meditate on in order to achieve that standard of moral excellence or praise worthiness. And so, today what we would like to look at is the first thing that is described as being a part of that process. If I want to be morally excellence and praise worthy, I need to meditate on those things he first says, Verse 8, that are true, whatever things are true. As we consider these words that are found within this discussion and there are certainly some great challenging ideas, it's interesting that in the context that in the original language, they're all given as adjectives. And so, as we look at many of these words, we might know that this is the adjective form that is given here but they also are words that have similar application as nouns and even verbs throughout the New Testament. And so, there would be some overlap as we might would go and think about those words in their verb form, their action form, or their noun form, their specific person, place, thing or idea. But here, as adjectives, they function somewhat as a noun, but they're really about to me that which modifies the ultimate goal. And that ultimate goal is that that praiseworthiness or that ability to, as we see here, be virtuous as we meditate on what's right. So if I want to, again, accomplish that goal, I need to look to those things, I need to study those things, I need to focus on those things that, as he says here, are true. And so, the first thing that is mentioned is there the word true or olathe, and that is the adjective form again of the word truth. And so, if you were to go into other places, like Jesus said, "That I am the way, the truth and the life," that would be another form of this same word but this is again that adjective form of olathe and is used here as that which is true, that which is true, true unto moral excellence, true unto that which is praiseworthy, is the application here. So what does this word "true" mean? It literally means that which cannot be hidden. So you know when the truth is found or when truth is revealed, our truth is known, that which is true really can't be hidden. Have you ever heard, and no doubt you have and we've all maybe used it ourself, but the truth always what? Comes out. You see the truth can't be hidden. What is true or right, somebody might try to suppress it, someone might try to hide it. Remember Adam and Eve? They were trying to hide the truth that they had eaten of the forbidden fruit. How many times in the Bible do we find those who try to hide the truth? The fact is is truth can't be hidden and that's the very foundation, that's the root of this word, that which cannot be hidden, therefore it is true, it is true to fact, it is worthy of credit. And another aspect of this word is that it is fully tested, a word that is true, a word that cannot be hidden, a word that is true to fact has been fully tested. And so, it is something that is no matter what people say. Now what's significant about that is that within our world, people will often try to tell you today that there are no absolutes, you can't actually know that there are things that are absolute. I think that's quite silly actually because as soon as I get up in the morning and I put my feet on the ground, I know that there's gravity, that is a pretty given absolute. And I go to school and I studied there that in math, two plus two is four, I think that's pretty much an absolute. And I think it's an absolute that if my body's functioning, I breathe in, I get oxygen, I'm thankful there's always oxygen, that's a pretty much an absolute unless some catastrophe takes place. You see there, there are things that we can know, that we can have confidence in. And so, when we talk about God and the word of God, obviously, there are many things that are true, are true to life, can be trusted, can again be based on fact and known, that having been tested, they are not hidden and have been revealed. And there are many things that, again, we could go on to clarify. Another one that I was just thinking of is the earth itself, the earth is round, it's a sphere, it's not flat. Those are things that we know, that's even things that scientifically have been proven. So therefore, we can know certain things they have and are established. Let's look at an example of this word found in another place. One such example is found there in 2 Peter 2. And Peter here uses this idea of that which is true in relationship to a proverb, and I use this verse because I think it's gonna be a familiar verse to you, but there in Chapter 2, and if you'll turn over to Verse 22, he's speaking here about a true proverb that has been established. So, but he says, "It happened to them according to a true proverb, a dog returns to his own vomit and a sow, having been washed, to wallowing in the mire." He gives an example and he says, you know, the same way that a dog will return to its vomit or that a pig after you just cleaned it up is gonna go right back to the mud. Those are things that are absolute, they're truths, they're things that are gonna happen, that's just the way it way it is, that's the way it works. He says as these things are true, these proverbs are true. Go back and read the Book of Proverbs, they're kind of quirky ideas and statements, sometimes that are said that are based on what is true, even though sometimes you would say, "Well, I wouldn't have maybe thought that." And most people wouldn't think that initially. But if you think it through, it is true, those things that are being said. So it's used in the sense of that which is, again, based on fact or can be known, fully tested, and therefore is not hidden. So the next thing I want you to notice with me then about this word "true" is that it says, Jesus himself is true. If you'll turn there with me to the Gospel of John, look specifically at Chapter 8 in the Gospel of John. And there in Verse 14, we have clarified for us within a lengthy discussion of many things that Jesus actually says that there's that which is true, He is true. Verse 14, "Jesus answered and said to them, 'Even if I bear witness of myself, my witness is true. For I know where I came from and where I'm going.' Jesus says, 'What I say, what I speak is true.'" So Jesus was true. What about the Father God? Go down later in, I believe, Verse 26, "'And I have many things to say,' Jesus said, 'and to judge concerning you because He who sent me is true.' And he says, 'I speak to the world those things which I have heard from Him.'" Jesus said, I'm from God the Father, he is true and my testimony is true, you know why? Because it's from the one who is true and he says, I am true as God and therefore, what I speak, my testimony is true. And then what's also significant is even earlier in the book there, John 3, we can find this same concept again reiterated in relationship to what John the Immerser or John the Baptizer was saying about Jesus himself. And there, in John 3, let's drop down to around Verse 33, and notice what is said here, that, "Who receives his testimony that is God's testimony, has certified that God is true." You see somebody who receives the testimony is someone who knows who God is, God the Father of the Son, the Holy Spirit. Therefore, they receive the testimony because they know that it is true, it is absolute. They know that it is not hidden, it has been fully tested, and therefore it is something that is true to fact and true to life. I also like the way that Jesus addressed the Pharisees when they were trying to trick him in Matthew 22. And as he was addressing the Pharisees, as they tried to trick him, they actually say to him, "We know that you are true." So they actually give him a compliment before they turn around and try to trick him up because they know he is gonna say what's right, they know he doesn't lie, they know he is going to be straightforward and speak the absolute according to the will of God. And so, in that case, they say, "So shall we pay taxes to Caesar?" Well, you remember that occasion and what took place. But the fact is they were, almost in a derogatory way, saying, "We know you're true." But what they're really saying is that, we know you're gonna say what is true based on the scripture. But certainly then he makes application of how what is Caesar's should be Caesar's. I'd like to end this morning over in the book of 1 John 2. And then 1 John 2, we see the ultimate result within this context of the idea of heaven and reward and the things that are really awaiting us when we meet the judgment day and we see our God in that day. But there in Verse 27 of 1 John 2, we see there about an anointing. It says, "But the anointing which you have received from him abides in you and you do not need that someone teach you. But the same anointing teaches you concerning all things and is true and is not a lie, and just as it was taught to you, you will abide in him." You see, as Jesus was true and as he was anointed, and as those as Christians who are striving to be of the nature of Christ, are continuing the testimony of Christ and have the Holy Spirit, especially in that day, then what we know is that their testimony was true, based on that which is true. The Father, the Son and what they found from the word. So I challenge you this day to make sure that all that you do is not only true but all that you say is true according to the will of God. ♪ I have decided to follow Jesus ♪ ♪ I have decided to follow Jesus ♪ ♪ I have decided to follow Jesus ♪ ♪ No turning back, no turning back ♪ ♪ Though none go with me, I still will follow ♪ ♪ Though none go with me, I still will follow ♪ ♪ Though none go with me, I still will follow ♪ ♪ No turning back, no turning back ♪ ♪ My cross I'll carry, till I see Jesus ♪ ♪ My cross I'll carry, till I see Jesus ♪ ♪ My cross I'll carry, till I see Jesus ♪ ♪ No turning back, I'll follow him ♪ Again, let me thank you for choosing to be with us this morning. I hope we all have been encouraged through our time spent together, and please remember that you're invited to join us every Lord's Day morning at 7:30 as we commit ourselves to this offering before the throne of God. But for now, let me ask you if you have any questions or comments about today's lesson. Maybe you'd like a free transcript or free CD or DVD of the program, or possibly we could assist you with free Bible materials or free Bible correspondence courses. No matter what your need is, please feel free to contact us at the following address, The Living Word, 2540 North Kansas Expressway, Springfield, Missouri, 65803. Many of these things are also available on our website, you can also find that at thelivingwordprogram.com. Or if you prefer, you may call us at 869-2284. May we strive more every day to meditate on those things which are true according to God's precious word, for only those who focus on righteousness will receive the eternal reward. The question is, are you striving to focus on the true things of life today?

>>Our prayer is to help the world know more about God through this television program. "The Living Word" has been brought to you under the oversight of the Elders of Kansas Expressway Church of Christ in Springfield, Missouri, with the assistance of the following area churches of Christ. ♪ Give me the Bible, Holy message shining ♪ ♪ Thy light shall guide me in the narrow way. ♪ ♪ Precept and promise, law and love combining, ♪ ♪ Till night shall vanish ♪