How To Have A Winning Attitude! Part Iii Series

ILLUSTRATION:

Today, upon the bus I saw a lovely maiden with golden hair; I envied her because she looked so fine and wished I was as fair. And suddenly, as she arose to leave, I watched her hobble down the aisle. She had on leg and wore a brace, but as she passed?a smile.

O God, forgive me when I whine. I?ve got two legs, the world is mine!

And then I stopped to buy some sweets, the boy who sold them was so fine. I walked with him, and he said to me, ?You know, it?s good to talk with folks like you. You see,? he said, ?I?m blind.?

O God, forgive me when I whine. I have two eyes, the world is mine!

Then, walking down the street I saw a lad with eye of blue. He stood and watched the others play, but seemed he did not know what to do. So I watched him for a moment and then I said: ?Hey, don?t you know the others here?? He looked ahead without a word, and then I knew he could not hear.

O God, forgive me when I whine. I have two ears, the world is mine!

Ø With feet to take me where I go?

Ø With eyes to see the sunset glow?

Ø With ears to hear what I need to know?

Ø God, forgive me when I whine?

Ø I am blessed indeed, the world is mine!!!

Friends?how many will still admit with me that we need an ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT???

1 Thessalonians 5:18 instructs us that we should, ??in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.?

-Rather than always looking at what we DON?T have?

-We need to be thankful to God for what we DO have!!!

-For, this ungrateful attitude is what can lead to a poor, and less desirable attitude in us!

Not only a THANKFUL ATTITUDE in all things?

But, a properly FOCUSED ATTITUDE?will be a blessing to us as we strive towards a WINNING ATTITUDE in our lives?

-Amen?!

?How To Have A Winning Attitude!?

Part III

?[4] Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!

[5] Let your forbearing spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. [6] Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. [7] And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

[8] Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things. [9] The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things; and the God of peace shall be with you.?

Philippians 4:4-9

PRAYER?

INTRODUCTION:

REVIEW?

You will remember from our past few weeks together, aside from last week, we have been talking about conquering this battle of acquiring a WINNING ATTITUDE!

And from our text, we have learned that we need to apply a few key principles to our lives on the way towards this WINNING ATTITUDE?

POINT ONE:

First, in Philippians 4, verse 4, we came to understand the FOREMOST ATTITUDE?

And, this FOREMOST ATTITUDE should remain in each of us!!!

Step #1 - We must REJOICE!!!

Step #2 - We must REJOICE in the LORD!!!

Step #3 - ALWAYS!!!

And Paul rounds these thoughts out with this last exhortation???and again, I will say, rejoice!?

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POINT TWO:

From there, Paul went on to develop this thought by revealing to us the FUNCTION of our ATTITUDES in Philippians 4:5-7?

FUNCTION #1 - Through a GENTLE Spirit!

Verse 5 instructs us to let our gentle (patient, yielding, kind, forbearing and lenient) spirit be known to all men.

-But, more than being gentle, Paul is trying to show us that we are to ADD another action to this GENTLNESS?

-Paul, wants to bring forth, along with this idea, that we also need to WILLINGLY yield our personal rights to show consideration and gentleness to others?

Paul goes on to say that??The Lord is near.?

-Which is a common truth that we all would agree with?

However, we do remember that there was MORE Paul was trying to say?

The true essence of what Paul is trying to say in this simple phrase is not just about the common understanding of Christ?s continuing presence with believers?

-But, this OTHER THING that we need to remember is that?when Christ returns, he will arrive as, not only Savior, but also the Judge who will settle all differences in this world. AND, He will bring a consummation that will make most ALL of our human differences seem very petty and trivial!