Developing A Personality Of An Optimist Series

Developing A Personality of An Optimist.

Deuteronomy 31:1-8 (Sunday January 5,2003)

Intro:

When it comes to the subject of dealing with the future we know that nothing is certain.

Consider these comments on the future:

Theoretically, television may be feasible, but I consider it impossibility--a development which we should waste little time dreaming about. Lee de Forest, 1926, inventor of the cathode ray tube.

I think there is a world market for about five computers. Thomas J. Watson, 1943, Chairman of the Board of IBM.

We don’t think the Beatles will do anything in their market. Guitar groups are on their way out. Recording company expert, 1962.

Needless to say each one of the comments prove the future does not turn out sometimes like we expect it too.

James 4:13-15 “Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; 14whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. 15Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.”

Proverbs 27:1 “Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what

a day may bring forth.

You have heard it said, “The only thing certain is death and taxes.”

Because of the economical situation with so many people out of work, the stock market uncertain, the fear of terrorism, the threats of war, and the everyday worries of sickness and death, the future can look absolutely bleak.

To be a pessimist means, “To look on the dark side of things”

To be an optimist means to “Think things are alright, and to have a cheerful and hopeful view on life.”

Today in this message Out of Deuteronomy 31, I want to help you face the future with the attitude of an optimist. To face the future with an attitude of an optimist you must:

1. Face the Future Being Prepared

A. Moses preparing for change

1Then Moses went and spoke these words to all Israel. 2And he said to them: “I am one hundred and twenty years old today. You remember that Moses had led the Israelites from slavery in Egypt he was leading them to the land of Canaan, the land “Flowing with milk and Honey” which had been promised to the descendants of Abraham. Moses call from God out of the burning bush to be the leader of the Israelites took place when Moses was eighty years old and now he is 120 years old. He had lead for forty years.

Moses now say’s I can no longer go out and come in. Also the LORD has said to me, ‘You shall not cross over this Jordan. Moses had been disobedient to a command of God. In Numbers 20, Moses was supposed to take a rod and speak to a rock as God commanded and the rock would provide water, but Moses struck the rock with the rod in anger, because of the Israelites complain, therefore being disobedient to God.

B. Moses preparing the people for a new leader

’ 3“The LORD your God Himself crosses over before you; He will destroy these nations from before you, and you shall dispossess them. Joshua himself crosses over before you, just as the LORD has said. Joshua in accordance to what God had spoken would take over leadership after Moses died.

Numbers 21:18-20 “And the LORD said to Moses: “Take Joshua the son of Nun with you, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him; 19“set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation, and inaugurate him in their sight. 20“And you shall give some of your authority to him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient

C. We Must too Prepare

As we look to the future we have a great choice either to face the future with God or with out God.

What must we prepare for?

1. Death: in our families and in our friendships Hebrews 9:27 “It is appointed to men once to die than the judgment.”

2. Temptations: James 1:12-1412Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.

3. Trails: James 1:2-4 “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.