Thinking as Christians: Embracing a Comprehensive Worldview

 

Summary

In Philippians chapter 4, we are reminded of the importance of thinking as Christians, a concept that is often overshadowed by the focus on acting like Christians. The Apostle Paul, through his letter, emphasizes the necessity of a Christian worldview, especially in a post-Christian, secular age. This worldview is not just about intellectual assent but involves a comprehensive understanding of life through the lens of Scripture. Historically, the church has faced crises that demanded a reevaluation of what it means to think as Christians, from the fall of Rome to the Reformation, and now in our modern context. Figures like Augustine, Calvin, Kuyper, and Schaeffer have contributed significantly to this discourse, urging believers to engage with culture, politics, and art from a distinctly Christian perspective.

Paul's exhortation to the Philippians begins with a call to unity, urging Euodia and Syntyche to agree in the Lord, highlighting that doctrinal and moral issues are non-negotiable, but other disagreements should be resolved in unity. This unity is foundational to the Christian mind, which is characterized by rejoicing, reasonableness, and a lack of anxiety, rooted in the assurance of Christ's lordship. The Christian mind is exercised through prayer, where supplication and thanksgiving lead to the peace of God that surpasses all understanding, guarding our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Paul further instructs believers to focus on whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and commendable. This focus is not merely an intellectual exercise but a call to embody these virtues, grounded in the character of God. The Christian worldview is comprehensive, affecting every aspect of life, and is sustained by the community of believers and the preaching of the Word. Ultimately, thinking as Christians is not just about intellectual engagement but about living out the gospel in every area of life, with the assurance that God will supply all our needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Key Takeaways:

- The Christian worldview is essential in a post-Christian, secular age. It requires a comprehensive understanding of life through Scripture, engaging with culture, politics, and art from a distinctly Christian perspective. This worldview is not just intellectual but involves living out the gospel in every area of life. [03:16]

- Unity in the church is foundational to the Christian mind. Paul urges believers to resolve disagreements that are not doctrinal or moral in nature, emphasizing the importance of unity in the body of Christ. This unity is a reflection of the Christian mind, characterized by rejoicing, reasonableness, and a lack of anxiety. [11:10]

- The Christian mind is exercised through prayer, where supplication and thanksgiving lead to the peace of God that surpasses all understanding. This peace guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, reminding us that our sufficiency is in Him, not in our own abilities. [26:34]

- Focusing on virtues such as truth, honor, justice, purity, loveliness, and commendability is central to thinking as Christians. These virtues are grounded in the character of God and are not self-defining. They guide us in living out the gospel and engaging with the world around us. [32:50]

- The Christian worldview is comprehensive, affecting every aspect of life. It is sustained by the community of believers and the preaching of the Word. Thinking as Christians involves not just intellectual engagement but embodying the gospel in every area of life, with the assurance that God will supply all our needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. [43:42]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:12] - Introduction to Philippians 4
[01:32] - Historical Context of Christian Thinking
[03:16] - Modern Challenges to Christian Worldview
[07:20] - Reading of Philippians 4
[10:14] - Paul's Pastoral Admonition
[12:54] - Unity in the Church
[15:52] - Rejoicing and Reasonableness
[19:03] - Thinking as a Christian
[23:21] - The Attitude of Rejoicing
[26:34] - Prayer and Peace
[32:50] - Focus on Virtues
[39:07] - The Comprehensive Christian Worldview
[43:42] - Assurance of God's Provision
[45:24] - Conclusion and Final Blessing

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
Philippians 4:2-23

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Observation Questions:

1. What specific issues does Paul address with Euodia and Syntyche, and how does he suggest they resolve their disagreement? [07:20]

2. According to the sermon, what are the characteristics of the Christian mind as described by Paul in Philippians 4? [08:12]

3. How does Paul describe the peace of God, and what role does it play in the life of a believer? [28:08]

4. What virtues does Paul encourage believers to focus on, and how are these virtues grounded in the character of God? [32:50]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the call for unity between Euodia and Syntyche reflect the broader theme of unity in the church, and why is this important for the Christian mind? [11:10]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that thinking as a Christian involves more than just intellectual engagement? How does this relate to living out the gospel? [19:25]

3. How does the concept of rejoicing, as discussed in the sermon, challenge common perceptions of Christian attitudes, especially in difficult circumstances? [20:27]

4. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between prayer, supplication, and the peace of God? How does this shape the Christian worldview? [26:34]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a recent disagreement you had with someone in your church or community. How can Paul's exhortation to Euodia and Syntyche guide you in resolving this disagreement in a Christ-like manner? [11:10]

2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive Christian worldview. What steps can you take to engage more deeply with culture, politics, or art from a Christian perspective this week? [03:16]

3. Consider the virtues Paul lists in Philippians 4:8. Which of these virtues do you find most challenging to focus on, and what practical steps can you take to embody this virtue in your daily life? [32:50]

4. How can you incorporate more rejoicing into your daily routine, especially in challenging situations? What specific practice or habit can you start to cultivate a joyful attitude? [20:27]

5. The sermon discusses the role of prayer in achieving the peace of God. How can you enhance your prayer life to experience this peace more fully? What specific prayer practices can you implement this week? [26:34]

6. Reflect on a time when you felt anxious about a situation. How can the assurance of Christ's lordship help you overcome anxiety in similar situations in the future? [25:57]

7. Identify one area of your life where you struggle to think as a Christian. What resources or support can you seek from your church community to help you align your thoughts with a Christian worldview? [41:17]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing a Christian Worldview in a Secular Age
The Christian worldview is essential in navigating a post-Christian, secular age. It requires believers to engage with culture, politics, and art from a distinctly Christian perspective, not merely as an intellectual exercise but as a way of living out the gospel in every area of life. This worldview is comprehensive, affecting every aspect of life, and is sustained by the community of believers and the preaching of the Word. By understanding life through the lens of Scripture, Christians can respond to modern challenges with wisdom and grace, embodying the teachings of Christ in their daily interactions. [03:16]

"For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, 'He catches the wise in their craftiness,' and again, 'The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.'" (1 Corinthians 3:19-20, ESV)

Reflection: How can you intentionally engage with a cultural or political issue this week from a distinctly Christian perspective, using Scripture as your guide?


Day 2: Unity as the Foundation of the Christian Mind
Unity in the church is foundational to the Christian mind. Paul urges believers to resolve disagreements that are not doctrinal or moral in nature, emphasizing the importance of unity in the body of Christ. This unity is a reflection of the Christian mind, characterized by rejoicing, reasonableness, and a lack of anxiety. By fostering unity, believers can create a community that reflects the love and peace of Christ, allowing them to think and act as one body in their mission to spread the gospel. [11:10]

"Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind." (Philippians 2:2, ESV)

Reflection: Is there a disagreement or conflict within your church community that you can help resolve this week to promote unity and peace?


Day 3: The Power of Prayer in Cultivating Peace
The Christian mind is exercised through prayer, where supplication and thanksgiving lead to the peace of God that surpasses all understanding. This peace guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, reminding us that our sufficiency is in Him, not in our own abilities. Through prayer, believers can find solace and strength, trusting in God's provision and guidance in all circumstances. By cultivating a habit of prayer, Christians can experience the transformative power of God's peace in their lives. [26:34]

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." (Philippians 4:6, ESV)

Reflection: What specific anxieties or concerns can you bring to God in prayer today, trusting Him to provide peace and guidance?


Day 4: Focusing on Godly Virtues
Focusing on virtues such as truth, honor, justice, purity, loveliness, and commendability is central to thinking as Christians. These virtues are grounded in the character of God and are not self-defining. They guide believers in living out the gospel and engaging with the world around them. By embodying these virtues, Christians can reflect the nature of God in their interactions and decisions, serving as a testament to His goodness and love. [32:50]

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." (Philippians 4:8, ESV)

Reflection: Which of these virtues do you find most challenging to embody, and how can you take a practical step to focus on it this week?


Day 5: Living Out a Comprehensive Christian Worldview
The Christian worldview is comprehensive, affecting every aspect of life. It is sustained by the community of believers and the preaching of the Word. Thinking as Christians involves not just intellectual engagement but embodying the gospel in every area of life, with the assurance that God will supply all our needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. By living out this worldview, believers can demonstrate the transformative power of the gospel in their daily lives, impacting those around them with the love and truth of Christ. [43:42]

"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work." (2 Corinthians 9:8, ESV)

Reflection: In what area of your life can you more fully embody the gospel this week, trusting in God's provision and grace?

Quotes


The first question is, "How do you think like a Christian?" The recovery of a concern for the Christian worldview became necessary because of the acute crisis of biblical Christianity in the modern age. So, even as you might say in retrospect and various other moments of church history, there was a lot of attention to how to think like a Christian. [00:00:57]

The Christian should not have an anxious mind. The Christian should not be marked by an anxious heart. Why? Not because we are up to this, but because Jesus Christ is Lord. Christ is more than sufficient for these things. And thus, why be anxious? What does that do for us anyway? [00:25:51]

The exercise of the Christian mind, what is that? Cogitation, analysis, discernment, discrimination, judgment? Yeah, all those things are part of the exercise of the Christian mind but thinking as a Christian, as it turns out, is demonstrated in prayer. This is humbling to me. It's very humbling. [00:26:04]

We make our requests known to God, and "the peace of God, which passes all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." So what is the conclusion? What's the product? What's the result of the Christian mind? Christian thinking, yes. Christian faithfulness, yes. Strengthening of the church, yes. [00:27:02]

The Christian worldview is inherently theological, you know that. It's inherently moral. It does apply to every single dimension of life from politics and economics to aesthetics. It's comprehensive, it's the truth as God, it's all-encompassing and comprehensive. It's going to take all of us thinking together to think as Christians. [00:40:58]

The Christian worldview is comprehensive, affecting every aspect of life. It is sustained by the community of believers and the preaching of the Word. Thinking as Christians involves not just intellectual engagement but embodying the gospel in every area of life, with the assurance that God will supply all our needs. [00:43:42]

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me -- practice these things. [00:08:19]

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. [00:07:54]

The attitude in the Christian mind begins in rejoicing, and that rejoicing produces something that Paul mentions next, "reasonableness." Reasonableness, and this isn't just rationality. This is reasonableness as an attitude. It's very, very clear in the context here. This means being reasonable with one another. That turns out to be really, really important. [00:24:60]

The peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. We need our hearts and our minds to be guarded. We need a guard over our hearts because we cannot serve as the guardian of our own hearts. We need a guard over our minds. Yes, we want to develop discernment. [00:29:49]

The Holy Spirit has inspired the Apostle Paul to say, "Here is how a Christian thinks. This is the focus of the Christian mind." This is what it means to think like, as a Christian. We understand the virtues far better than the Greeks and the Romans because we don't ground them in themselves or in some kind of foibling, fumbling mythology. [00:36:16]

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household. [00:43:42]

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Transcript
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