Why Dont You Do Something For A Change Series

Why Don’t You Do Something for a Change (Part 1)

2 Corinthians 5:17; 2 Corinthians 3:18

By: Pastor Dan Turpin WestCoastChurch.com

Objective and Aim: Everyone will learn how to change their lives by observing four practices that produce growth in ones life.

Introduction: Charlie Brown said to Linus: “Perhaps you can give me an answer, Linus. What would you do if you felt that no one liked you?” Linus replied, “I’d try to look at myself objectively, and see what I could do to improve. That’s my answer, Charlie Brown!” Charlie Brown replies, “I hate that answer!”

Max Depree: We cannot become what we need to be by remaining what we are. Author Unknown: If you continue to do the same thing you have always done you will continue to be the same thing you have always been. John Maxwell: Two mistakes we make: We wait for God to change our circumstances and we wait for circumstances to change our behavior.

#1. Think for a change (Eph. 4:22-24 Put (throw) off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust

and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like

God—truly righteous and holy)

A. William E. Gladstone: Be inspired with the belief that life is a great and noble calling; not a mean and groveling thing that we are

to shuffle through as we can, but an elevated and lofty destiny.

1. Thought Determines Destiny (Phil. 4:8 Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just,

whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is

anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things)

a. Tommy Barnet; There’s a Miracle in your House: You never become something or someone you did not first become in your

thoughts. The wise man said, “As he thinks in his heart, so is he.” Who you are is a direct result of what you think.

b. Ralph Waldo Emerson: Life consists of what a man or woman is thinking about all day.

c. Ps. 1:2-4

d. Ro 12:2

e. 2 Cor. 10:3-5

f. Steven R. Covey; 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Sow a thought, reap an action; sow an action, reap a habit; sow a

habit, reap a character; Sow a character reap a destiny Galatians 6:7-9

g. 2 Cor. 10:3-5 You are not responsible for every thought you think. Thoughts come from several different sources (God,

Satan, Others, feelings, flesh, and the World philosophy). But you are responsible for what you do with everything that

you think.

h. James Allen: You are today where your thoughts have brought you. You will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you.

i. Joshua 1:8

j. Psalm 19:7-14 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the

simple; 8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the

eyes; 9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. 10

More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11 Moreover

by them Your servant is warned, and in keeping them there is great reward. 14 Let the words of my mouth and the

meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer

2. Thoughts Influence Choice (Josh. 1:9 Have not I commanded you to be strong and of good courage. Fear not for I am with

you; be not dismayed for I am your God.)

a. William Jennings Bryan: Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a

thing to be achieved.

b. Josh. 24:15 Choose this day who you will serve, as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord

c. Author Unknown: Every moment you have a choice, regardless of what has happened before. Choose right now to move

forward, positively and confidently into your incredible future.

d. Col. 3:1-3

e. Deut. 11:26-28; See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse— 27 the blessing if you obey the commands of the

LORD your God that I am giving you today; 28 the curse if you disobey the commands of the LORD your God and turn

from the way that I command you today by following other gods, which you have not known.

f. Deut. 30:19 This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death,