I think that explains what Steve Martin is gray head? But if you think about it we can relate to that can’t we? Kids are screaming, bad day at work, getting bad news from the doctor, and the never ending bills, someone cutting you off on the Interstate, all these things and 1,000 can cause us to not show a Christ-like attitude.
So how can we keep a joyful Christ-centered attitude? Well if you will turn in your Bible to Philippians 2 this morning, Paul will help to show us that our Attitude is everything.
Last week, Greg helped us to see how important this church was to Paul. We learned that Paul’s loved the church in Philippi and that they gave him an attitude of thankfulness and of joy. He continues that in Philippians 2, he wants to help them develop a Christ-like attitude. Look at vs. 1-2
Read Philippians 2:1-2
FOCUSED ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING. Paul wants to continue is encouragement from chapter one to these people. If we look at verse 1-2 we can see that Paul wants them to focus on the positives instead of the negatives. Paul isn’t saying that there isn’t any encouragement in being with Christ, it is more like because there is the encouragement, fellowship, tenderness and compassion in being with Christ, because of that continue to make my joy complete, by being like-minded.
That phase like-minded is interesting. Take a look at this picture (Picture of a row team). If these guys in this picture weren’t focused on that task at hand they would never reach their goal. And unless we are united together with the common goal to serve Christ we will never reach our goal either. Unity doesn’t mean however that we have to agree all the time, but it does mean that we keep the Christ as the main thing. Paul pleads with this church in chapter four, when some ladies couldn’t get along to work it out together. When we lose focus on Christ, disunity is just around the corner. It has been said that “What you focus on grows”. Paul wants them to continue to focus on the positives and the more they do that the negatives will fade away. Have you ever been around someone that is always pessimistic? I’m sure if you ask Cindy she could point one out to you. Those type of people that always thinking the glass is half empty instead of half full.
A friend of mine told me a story of twin brothers, one boy was always optimistic. Nothing ever got this kid down. But the other boy was always like oh woe is me….everyone is against me. Well their parents were pretty concerned with one being off the charts this way and one being off the charts the other way. So they came up with a plan. On their 8 birthday they decided to give the boy that was always down all the latest game and toys. For the boy that was always so up they decided to fill his room from top to bottom with horse manure. So they let the boys go to their rooms to see what they had gotten for their birthday. About a half hour later they went to check on the boys, the boy that was always down whined and complained “I don’t want these toys some of them are broken and I can’t play with them. Why does this always happen to me.” Not getting what they hoped out of him they went to check on the other boy. As they opened the door they didn’t even see him. Then he came up out of the horse manure and said thanks mom and dad, what are you so happy about? With this much manure there has to be a pony in here somewhere?
As of late things here at WCC have been going good and we have a lot to be excited about, in fact Greg told me just this past week that we have had over 160 new people in the last few months, that is almost double our avg. attendance per Sunday that is awesome. I truly believe that it is because of the people here having a focused attitude toward Christ. Not to burst a bubble or anything, but the devil is looking for ways to steal our focus off of Christ, Hebrews 12:2: Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God..…JUST REMEMBER A FOCUSED ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING.
Look at vs. 3-5:
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.
In chapter 1:17, some were preaching Christ out of selfish ambition to stir up trouble for Paul while he was in jail. So apparently there is a little problem with people doing things for their own glory and praise. Paul knows that people who are wrapped up in themselves make a pretty small present. Knowing that they are dealing with selfish people and attitudes he wants draw their focus off of themselves and back onto a Christ-like attitude. Have you ever noticed you don’t have to teach selfishness? It almost comes naturally. A Christ center attitude has to be developed. 2 year olds are cute and loveable, but let me tell you that can be the most selfish people on the planet when it comes to being selfish. They always want something now. They don’t like to share. They though temper tandems when they don’t get their way.
Sometimes if you are like me we act like little kids too. We may not throw temper tandems, but we do look out for our best interest, instead of others. Why is that…I’ll tell you sometime times it is easier. The parable of the Good Samaritan is a good example…the priest and Levite didn’t want to take the time to help the man because it was an inconvenience to there schedule. If we are too busy with our own needs to see the needs of others, we are losing our focus. Notice Paul doesn’t say that you should never take care of your needs…..but that you should look for ways to help others. When we focus on others needs a selfish attitude will be replace by a “self” less attitude which is what Christ demonstrated for us.
A “Self” less attitude is everything.
Looking at vs. 5-11, this is traditionally thought of as an early Christian hymn that might have been sung during worship service. But it is so much more then that it gives us a peek into the life and attitude of Christ.
Read Philippians 2:5-11
Bill Hybels in his book “Descending into Greatness” talks about Philippians 2:5-11, He says, “The greatest reason for believing in the power of selfless life is the example of Christ.” Just think about it…he was equal with God. He was the ultimate object of praise in all the heavens, but he willing chose to descend to this earth not as a glorious king worthy of all worship but as a helpless baby in a dirty animal stable.” From the very beginning of Jesus’ time here on earth he showed us that he would go to any length to bring us back to God. A lot of other world religions say that you have to reach up to heaven, but God wanted to show his undying love for us by reaching down to us with his Son Jesus. His only descended wasn’t to the stable, but his whole life and ministry was an example of his continual descent to the cross….vs. 8 says that he became obedient to death even death on a cross. If the story ended there we wouldn’t be her this morning, three days later God exalted him…as vs. 9 say and gave him the name that is above every name. Because of his obedient descent, God exalted him. Because of Christ we have a reason to rejoice.
Our last point in the bulletin this morning is a JOYFUL ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING
We can have a focused and selfless attitude but if it lacks joyful attitude we have missed the boat. There are people in our world that have never truly experience joy in their life, and maybe some here today have never experienced. So as followers of Christ verses 14-16, should give us a reason to be joyful always. Vs. 14-16 says, “Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe 16as you hold out[3] the word of life--in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. On the back of your bulletin this morning is a star….if you would please take it off now. If we want the world to see the joy that we have because of Christ, we stop complaining and arguing and shine a Christ-centered attitude through our lives. Gandhi said, “That the only thing that kept him from being a Christian, was other Christians.” Let’s not let that be the case here. As we sing our invitation song, if you have never accept Christ, he can change your attitude today….Because remember ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING. As we sing.
