Dakota Community Church
September 24, 2006
The Importance of Outlook
You arrive at work to discover they are retooling the computer system which will result in much more efficient operation; but, first you will have to learn an entire new program.
How do you typically respond?
It’s Sun. morning and the Pastor excitedly shares a new direction or a new strategy, maybe like “Just Walk across the Room” or Reading through the Bible chronologically in the coming year.
What is your reaction?
In my experience the outlook or attitude of the person facing a new challenge has more to do than anything else with its eventual success or failure.
Illustration:
Two summers ago we took the boys to Halifax to move their Grandma out here after her operation. On the way through Ottawa we decided they should see the parliament buildings in order to gain a better understanding of Canadian government. They did not feel a “lesson” should be a part of their holidays. One of them wondered out loud about what would happen if they "accidentally learned something" when they were supposed to be resting their brains. It was a long day and teenage attitudes heading into the experience definitely influenced the outcome.
What is the attitude heading in, to the marriage, to the family reunion, to the job? Our outlook at the start is crucial.
Now then, shifting gears just a little:
What would you say the Church has adopted as the central theme of the Christian faith?
I suggest that it is individual forgiveness of sins in order to gain entrance to heaven when death comes. That is a very important part of our message; however, is that the central message Jesus really came to deliver to planet earth? If it is then the most important aspect of the Christian faith is to preach forgiveness – just get them saved! But if the central message is something else then our whole outlook must change.
What was Jesus’ central message?
- He was calling God’s people to their divine destiny.
- He was challenging them to live in such a way as to bring heaven into the here and now.
Matthew 5:14-16
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Concerning outlook:
1. The problem is not the problem.
What is the biggest problem you face right now?
What I am saying is that your outlook or attitude toward the problem is a bigger problem than the actual issue you face.
I talked recently with someone who has always struggled financially. Through prayer they had recently discovered that on a deep level they have always believed that it was all up to them. That God would bless others but that He would not let it work for them.
The problem (money struggles) was not the problem!
I am 42 years old and have struggled with being overweight most of those 42 years. Through healing prayer I have started to feel comfortable with myself for the first time in my life. I am no longer secretly angry at God for making me the way he did. Since July I have lost 30 lbs. and it is the first time in my life that I have lost weight without being on some ridiculous starvation diet. I still have a long way to go but I really don’t care how long it takes – my outlook has completely changed!
- The problem was not the problem!
Numbers 13:32-33
And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored. They said, "The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size. We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them."
Joshua 2:10-11
We have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. When we heard of it, our hearts melted and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.
They saw the huge warriors in the Promised Land as the problem. They saw themselves as puny and assumed the enemy saw them the same way. The problem was not the problem. In truth the enemy was terrified of them and their God. The problem was their outlook on the situation.
2. You choose your outlook.
Most of us think that our outlook in life is just a part of the way we are. It is just the way we woke up that morning or it is the result of some genetic lottery that we lost or won.
But in truth your outlook is not forced on you.
No one has the power to make you feel a certain way. Feelings must be decided upon not - blindly followed.
You choose your direction with your God given free will and then order your feelings to line up with that.
Most of us don’t feel like going to work or school, however, because we have set a direction of living in a certain house and driving a certain car we override our feelings with our will and do what we have to do. Eventually our feelings line up with the plan.
Romans 13:14
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.
II Timothy 1:6
I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
Colossians 3:14-15
But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
We are commanded to "put on" to "fan" and to "let peace" - God does not do that for us. We choose to do it or not.
Illustration
Run “The Patch” from Sermon Spice - http://www.sermonspice.com/index_scntr.php
A tough lesson but one that can be learned even without "the patch" to help us!
3. You may be being unfairly judged.
If you always have negative things to bring to the table, if your comfort zone involves complaining; you may have people talking about you unfairly.
Unfortunately you are not the only one who is being judged for your negative outlook.
I Peter 3:15-17
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
Matthew 5:14-16
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Conclusion:
Do you need an outlook adjustment this morning?
Come for prayer.
PowerPoint available on request dcormie@mts.net
