SERIES: Moving Forward (5 of 5)
TITLE: Proper Attitude
TEXT: 1 Peter
4:1-2
PROPOSITION: Attitudes affect our actions.
QUESTION:
What?
KEY WORD: Questions
SCRIPTURE READING:
Same
INTRODUCTION:
Last in series on moving the church forward
Challenges, Dangers, Enemies, Opportunities
Someone wrote, It is the "advance man" of our true selves. Its roots are inward but its fruit is outward. It is our best friend or our worst enemy. It is more honest and more consistent than our words. It is an outward look based on past experiences. It is a thing which draws people to us or repels them. It is never content until it is expressed. It is the librarian of our past; It is the speaker of our present; It is the prophet of our future. What is it? It's our attitude!
Why is attitude so Important?
Definition – A person's tendency to respond favorably or unfavorably to an object, person, group, or event
Most common – positive or negative
How are attitudes expressed?
Facial expressions, voice – tone and inflection
Our behavior – how we perform a task, energy we put into it
Interest we have in the person, thing or activity
General Douglas MacArthur, on 75th birthday, In the central place of every heart there is a recording chamber; so long as it receives messages of beauty, hope, cheer, and courage, so long are you young. When the wires are all down and your heart is covered with the snows of pessimism and the ice of cynicism, then, and then only are you grown old.
Child asked – Would you hate to wear glasses all the time? - “No-o-o” - The kind grandma wears. She can fix things, sees nice things, sees things to do on rainy days.
Frogs in a can of cream
Two frogs fell into
a can of cream -- or so I've heard it told
The sides of the can
were shiny and steep, The cream was deep and cold,
"Oh,
what's the use?" said No. 1, "tis fate -- no help's around
--
Good-bye, my friend! Good-bye, sad world!" And weep
still, he drowned.
But No. 2 of sterner stuff, dog paddled in
surprise,
The while he wiped his creamy face and dried his creamy
eyes.
"I'll swim awhile, at least," he said -- or so it
has been said --
"It wouldn't really help the world if one
more frog was dead."
An hour or two he kicked and swam -- not once he stopped to mutter,
But kicked and swam, and swam and kicked, then hopped out, via butter.
What is the power of our attitude?
It reflects what we believe
It shows what we are, will do, willing to sacrifice
It demonstrates how hard we will work, how much of ourselves we will give
It is a major factor in success
Does the Bible talk about attitudes?
Words translated – mind, countenance, heart = attitude
Genesis 31:2 – Laban was not friendly toward Jacob
Philippians 2:5 – Have the attitude of Christ
1 Kings 11:11 – Solomon's attitude cost him his kingdom
Ezra 6:22 – God changed the attitude of the king of Assyria
Ephesians 4:22-23 – Put off old self, have a new attitude
1 Peter 4:1 – Since Christ suffered, have the same attitude
What attitudes should we keep positive?
God
How interested are you in God
Are you willing to grow, study, seek spiritual growth?
This will set your moral climate
Church
Do you talk up, promote the church?
Do you love the people in the church?
Do you support the activities, programs, work?
What is your level of involvement?
Assemblies of the church
Is attendance important to you?
Do you bring visitors?
Are you participating in worship?
Being Different
We are a peculiar people – different from the world
Lift your head – know that you are not like the world
Life
Problem – overcome them or they will overcome you
Life give us an opportunity to serve others
Conclusion
Your attitude is not a secret – all over your face, actions
How you feel toward something – good or bad – will show through
Moving Forward requires a church with positive attitudes