Principle of the Path: Direction—not intentions – determines our destination. Andy Stanley
1 John 2:16 (NKJV) 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life —is not of the Father but is of the world.
Conquest by the Cross is prerequisite to conquest in the Cross.
The last of the human freedoms is to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances. Viktor Frankl
Until we embrace the truth that we choose our attitudes, we will never be able to choose differently.
Attitudes reveal the true person. Matthew 15:18 (Msg) What comes out of the mouth gets its start in the heart.
Attitudes determine your future.
Attitudes determine our approach to life
Attitudes determine our relationship with people.
Attitudes are more than not the difference between success and failure.
Attitudes at the beginning of a project or task will affect the outcome more than anything else.
Attitudes we accept as children are usually the ones we embrace as adults.
There is no such thing as an attitude that can not change.
Others can stop you temporarily but you are the only one who can do it permanently
Philippians 2:3–4 (ESV)Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Philip. 2:3-4 (Msg) Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. [4] Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.
1. In Christ our attitude should be selfless
Philip. 2:5-13 (NLT) Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had. [6] Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God. [7] He made himself nothing; he took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form.
WE FAIL AT THIS BECAUSE OF OUR PRIDE.
2. In Christ our attitude should make us secure
[8] And in human form he obediently humbled himself even further by dying a criminal’s death on a cross.
Romans 8:31–35 (ESV)31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?
3. In Christ our attitude should be submissive.
[9] Because of this, God raised him up to the heights of heaven and gave him a name that is above every other name, [10] so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
[12] Dearest friends, you were always so careful to follow my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away you must be even more careful to put into action God’s saving work in your lives, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. [13] For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him.
Genesis 30-50 Genesis 50:20 (NLT) As far as I am concerned, God turned into good what you meant for evil. He brought me to the high position I have today so I could save the lives of many people.
1. Submit your life to God the Father in and through Jesus Christ and let the Holy Spirit within you begin to renew your thinking and attitude.
Ephes. 4:23-24 (NLT) Instead, there must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes. [24] You must display a new nature because you are a new person, created in God’s likeness—righteous, holy, and true.
Romans 12:1-2 (NLT) And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask? [2] Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.
2. Begin now to do your part in renewing your mind and change your attitude.
Philip. 4:8 (NLT) And now, dear brothers and sisters, let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
3. Fight for the God honoring attitude in every circumstance.
2 Cor. 10:3-5 (Msg) The world is unprincipled. It’s dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn’t fight fair. But we don’t live or fight our battles that way—never have and never will. [4] The tools of our trade aren’t for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. [5] We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ.
4. Pray, Pray, Pray! 1 Thes. 5:17 (NLT) Keep on praying.