Why Don’t You Do Something for a Change (Part Two)
1 Thess. 5:16-18
By: Pastor Dan Turpin WestCoastChurch.com
Objective and Aim: Everyone will learn how to change their lives by observing two practices that produce growth in ones life.
Introduction: Two years after the Lord delivered the Children of Israel from Egyptian bondage they arrived at a place on the east side of the Jordan River. They were ready to enter the Promised Land so they sent out twelve men to spy out the land (Num. 13:1-3; 21-33; 14:1-45 Deut. 1:19-25).
Their journey was plagued with difficulty and the miracle working power of God. In that two year period God demonstrated His love and His ability to care for His people. God gave them His Ten Commandments, along with many others, to guarantee their survival and blessing as they walked with Him. Moses received the plans for the Tabernacle and they built it there in the desert. There they were privileged to offer themselves to God through their giving and present offerings in behalf of their sins. At the Tabernacle they humbled themselves before the Lord and obtained His favor. God had led them in the night with the fire of His presence and He led them in the day through a cloud of His glory. He provided food for them from heaven, sweetened bitter water and caused life giving water to flow from the rocks twice. He helped them to defeat the Amalekites. Moses stood on the mountain with Aaron and Hur while Joshua led the Jews into battle. As long as Moses help the rod (staff) of God, Israel prevailed in the battle; when Moses arms grew weary and he lowered his hand the Amalekites prevailed. So Aaron and Hur held up Moses’ hands and Joshua won the battle.
The twelve spies reported to Moses (Num. 13:27-31), “The land where you sent us truly flows with milk and honey and is very fruitful. Nevertheless the people who dwell in the land are strong, the cities are fortified and very large; moreover we saw the descendants of Anak there.” Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.” But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we.” And they gave the children of Israel a bad report. When God said go—they said no, and when God said no—they said go. Their lack of faith, their inappropriate action and their negative attitude was judged by the Lord in a unique way. The things they said, “We can’t conquer the land because there are giants in it; we are going to die in this wilderness; it would have been better for us to live in slavery in Egypt and the gods of the Egyptians were easier to serve than the living God of Israel.” What they said in contempt agains God is exactly what happed to them. Their words became a self fulfilling prophecy of the future. They died in the wilderness.
#1. Be positive for a change (Phil. 4:13 I can do all things through Christ ... )
A. Fred Smith: The only way that things will change for me is when I change. You are the way you are because that is the way
you want to be. If you really wanted to be any different, you would be in the process of changing right now
1. Look on the bright side (Ro. 8:31 if God be for you who can be against you .... )
a. Author Unknown: Few cases of eye strain have been developed by looking on the bright side of things.
b. 2 Kings 6:8-23 (v16) Syrian army surrounded Elisha and his servant while they were in a certain city. Elisha said
to his servant, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then the Lord opened the
servants eyes and he saw that the mountains were full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
c. Ps. 34:7 The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him …
d. John Milton: The mind is its own place, and in itself can make heaven of Hell, and a hell of Heaven.
e. 1 Thess. 5:18 in everything give thanks
f. James Allen: Work joyfully and peacefully, knowing that right thoughts and right efforts will inevitably bring about right results.
g. Lewis L. Dunnington: Your living is determined not so much by what life brings you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so
much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens.
2. All things work together for good (Ro. 8:28 to them that love God)
a. Les Brown: If you view all the things that happen to you, both good and bad, as opportunities, then you operate out of
higher level of consciousness.
b. Ps. 145:18-20 The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. 19 He will fulfill the desire
those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them.
c. Oral Roberts: Expect a miracle
d. Ben Franklin: Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall receive it.
e. Viktor Frankl: Everything can be taken away from a man or woman but one thing; the last of all human freedoms—to chose
one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.
#2. Act Right for a change (2 Cor. 7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the
flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.)
A. In Daniel 1:8-15 the young prophet and his three friends decided that they would not defile themselves by eating the royal food
from the king’s table that had been offered to idols. To eat such food would have violated their conscience and resulted in
disobedience to God. They used wisdom in making their request to their caregiver and God’s favor allowed them to live above
sin. (Phil. 2:13 desire and power).
1. Practical Turpin Tips
a. Jude 20 Build Up Yourself
b. Pro. 16:3 Commit Your Works Make a commitment to work hard and also to work smart. Hard work alone with not make
you a success. If hard work would make you successful than my dad would have been a great success. He was one of the
hardest workers that I have ever met. He never missed a day of work that I can remember but he died almost penniless
without insurance and did not have enough money to pay for his burial. Work hard and work smart.
o Commit: Use, dedicate, perform, devote, consecrate, and give
o Works: Knowledge, talent, ability, time, money, power, energy, studies, and influence
o Thoughts: Dreams, ambitions, hopes, desires, attention, aspirations and wants.
o Established: Confirmed, secured, fulfilled, ordained, found, instituted, decided, accomplished, and determined.
c. Ben Franklin: Plow deep while sluggards sleep and you’ll have grain to sell and grain to keep.
d. 2 Tim. 2:22 Run Away—Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love,
and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.
e. 2 Cor. 6:14 Don’t Hook Up— Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness
with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part
has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you[a] are the temple of the
living God.
f. 1 Thes. 4:3-5, 7 Be Sanctified. It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4 that
each of you should learn to control your own body[a] in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in passionate lust like the
people who do not know God. 7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.
g. Eph. 5:18-20 Be Filled Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, 19
singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. 20 And give
thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus
h. Titus 3:8 Maintain Good Works This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who
have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to all.
i. Hosea 10:12 Sow Righteousness Sow for yourselves righteousness; Reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground, for it is
time to seek the Lord, until He comes and rains righteousness on you.
j. Pro. 3:5 Trust in the Lord
k. Oprah Winfrey: My philosophy is that not only are you responsible for your life, but doing the best at this moment puts you
in the best place for the next moment.
l. Jo. 8:31-32 Continue in the Word If you continue in my word then you are my disciples indeed and you shall know the truth
and the truth shall set you free.
m. Source Unknown: Discipleship is the process of learning about the teachings of another, internalizing them and then acting
upon them.
Closing and Invitation: Soren Kierkegaard (1813-1855) It is very dangerous to go into eternity with possibilities which one has oneself prevented from becoming realities. A possibility is a hint from God that one must follow it.
