The Importance Of A Positive Attitude

INTRODUCTION

1. A good start toward spiritual growth is achieved when we...

   a. Accept the challenge to obey God's command to grow - 2Pe 3:18

   b. Believe we are capable of growing with God's help - Php 4:13

   c. Set both behavioral and functional goals as described in the

      Scriptures

      1) Striving to develop Christ-like behavior - 2Pe 1:5-8

      2) Seeking to determine and develop our function in the body of

         Christ - Ro 12:3-5

   d. Create good habits that slowly but surely help us reach those

      goals

      1) Habits that change our behavior (Bible reading, prayer, etc.)

         - 1Pe 2:2; Php 4:6-7

      2) Habits that utilize our functions in the body of Christ

         (assembling, participating) - He 10:24-25; Ro 12:6-8

2. For spiritual growth to continue, however, requires maintaining a

   positive attitude...

   a. Believing that all our efforts will be worthwhile - e.g., 1Co

      15:58

   b. Encouraging us to persevere through difficult times - e.g., 2 Co

      4:8-9

[Paul certainly had a positive attitude.  But why is a positive attitude

so important to spiritual growth...?]

I. IMPORTANCE OF A POSITIVE ATTITUDE

   A. THE DANGER OF A NEGATIVE ATTITUDE...

      1. Illustrated in the example of the twelve spies of Israel

         a. Ten did not believe they could take the land of Canaan - Num

            13:31

         b. Their negative attitude discouraged the rest of Israel - Num

            13:32-14:4; cf. 32:7-9

         c. It led to Israel complaining and rebelling against God - cf.

            Deut 1:26-28

         d. It prompted them not to believe in God - cf. Deut 1:29-33

         e. It resulted in many dying in the wilderness - Num 14:26-38

      2. When negative attitudes are allowed to develop...

         a. We stop believing in God and in ourselves

         b. We stop trying to do what God wants us to do

         c. We discourage those around us

         d. We fail to reach the goals God has placed before us

   B. THE VALUE OF A POSITIVE ATTITUDE...

      1. Illustrated in the example of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem

         a. The people had a mind to work - Neh 4:6

         b. It helped them overcome ridicule by their enemies - cf. Neh

            4:1-3

         c. It led to the rebuilding of the walls - cf. Neh 6:15

      2. When positive attitudes are maintained...

         a. We continue to believe in God and our ability to serve Him

         b. We keep trying to do what God wants us to do

         c. We encourage those around us, and overcome those who would

            discourage us

         d. We ultimately reach the goals that God has placed before us

[Spiritual growth, like any other successful venture, requires a

positive attitude!  With it, God will help us reach our goals for

spiritual growth.  Without it, we fall short of becoming what God would

have us to be.  Therefore let's consider a few thoughts about...]

II. MAINTAINING A POSITIVE ATTITUDE

   A. CHOOSE TO BE POSITIVE...

      1. We can control our attitudes, our moods

         a. We may not be able to control or change our circumstances

         b. But we can control how we react to them

      2. For example, we can choose to rejoice when times are hard

         a. As James commanded - Jm 1:2

         b. As we understand the value of difficult times - Jm 1:3-4; Ro

            5:3-4

         c. When we know that hope and prayer can help us to rejoice

            - Ro 12:12

      -- With a proper understanding, we can maintain a positive

         attitude despite our external circumstances - cf. 2Co 4:

         16-5:1; Php 2:17-18

   B. BLOCK OUT NEGATIVITY...

      1. By avoiding negative self-talk

         a. Such as "I can't do it..."

         b. Such as "It's too hard..."

      2. By constantly reminding yourself of such things as:

         a. You can do what God wants you to do (i.e., grow) - Php 4:13;

            2:12-13

         b. The more effort you make, the more results you will see - Ga

            6:7-9; 1Ti 4:15

         c. Your labor will not be in vain - 1Co 15:58

      3. By avoiding negative people

         a. Choose your friends carefully - cf. 1Co 15:33

         b. Stay away from "toxic" people (whose negativity poisons

            other people's attitudes)

         c. Otherwise you will join what Rick Pitino calls "The

            Fellowship Of The Miserable" and the killers of the dream

      4. By surrounding yourself with positive people

         a. People who will encourage you to do what is right - cf. He

            10:24

         b. People who refresh your spirit, not discourage it - e.g.,

            1Co 16:17-18; Phm 4-7

         c. People like Barnabas, "Son of Encouragement" - e.g., Ac

            4:36; 11:22-24

      -- With the right self-talk and the right companionships, we can

         avoid becoming hardened by the sin of negativity - cf. He 3:13

   C. LIVE IN THE PRESENT, WITH AN EYE TO THE FUTURE...

      1. Live in the present, not the past

         a. If anyone could have bemoaned his sinful past, it was Paul

            - 1Ti 1:12-15

         b. Yet he chose not to dwell on past mistakes (or even past

            successes), but to press on in the future - cf. Php 3:12-14

      2. Live in the present, with an eye to the future

         a. This is what Paul did, reaching forward to the prize of the

            upward call of God in Christ Jesus - Php 3:12-14

         b. It was the future glory that enabled him to endure the

            present trial - 2Co 4:17-18

      -- This mature attitude (cf. Php 3:15) is what helped Paul to

         maintain a positive attitude even in the most difficult of

         times - cf. 2Ti 4:18

CONCLUSION

1. We have every reason to have a positive attitude about our spiritual

   growth...

   a. God is ready to help us grow - Php 2:12-13

   b. He provided tools to us help us grow (the Word, prayer, etc.)

      - 1Pe 2:2; Php 4:6-7

   c. He designed the church to provide an environment conducive to

      growth - Ep 4:16

   d. Our labors will not be in vain, nor go unnoticed - cf. He 6:10

   e. Even when we fall, He provides forgiveness - 1Jn 1:9

2. The challenge we face is to not allow our positive attitude to be

   destroyed...

   a. Through negative self-talk

   b. Through negative people

   c. Through trying circumstances

3. The choice is ours...

   a. We can choose to be positive through faith in God

   b. We can block out negativity that surrounds us

   c. We can live in the present (instead of the past), with an eye on

      the future

Will we make the right choice?  Have you made to choice to follow God?

   "And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for

   yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which

   your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or

   the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me

   and my house, we will serve the LORD."

                                                       - Josh 24:15

The Value Of Role Models

INTRODUCTION

1. The spiritual growth requires...

   a. Choosing to obey the command of God to grow - 2Pe 3:18

   b. Believing that we are capable of growth, with God's help - Php 2: 2-13; 4:13

   c. Behavioral and functional goals, in concert with congregational

      goals - 2Pe 1:5-8; Ro 12:3-5

   d. Developing habits to reach our goals - 1Pe 2:2; Php 4:6-7; He 10:

      24-25; Ro 12:6-8

   e. Maintaining positive attitudes about the value of our efforts

      - 1Co 15:58

   f. Perseverance to remain steadfast in our efforts - He 10:36-39

2. To aid us further in spiritual growth, we need to appreciate the

   value of role models...

   a. We are commanded to emulate others - cf. Php 3:17; 4:9

   b. Even as they sought to emulate Christ - cf. 1Co 11:1

[Why are we commanded to imitate others?  Perhaps it is because...]

I. WE ARE NATURAL IMITATORS

   A. CHILDREN IMITATE THEIR PARENTS...

      1. Especially in their early years, children seem to delight in

         imitating their parents

      2. They quickly pick up their parent's mannerisms:  the way they

         talk, walk, etc.

      3. It is as though there was some innate reason for them to

         imitate mom and dad

   B. TEENAGERS IMITATE THEIR PEERS AND POPULAR IDOLS...

      1. As children get older, they may not seek to imitate their

         parents, but they are still active imitators

      2. For better or worse (usually worse), they seek to emulate those

         in their peer group, or those whom they hold in high regard

         (athletes, musicians, etc.)

      3. Despite frequent claims to want to "be themselves", you can

         usually tell by their behavior who they have been watching or

         listening to

   C. CHRISTIANS IMITATE THOSE THEY HOLD IN HIGH REGARD...

      1. I have observed that many brethren often reflect the attitudes,

         dispositions, and conduct of those preachers or elders for

         whom they have much respect

      2. This can be good, but in some cases it is not...

         a. I have known some Christians (including preachers) whose

            behavior greatly disturbed me, wondering how they could

            justify their conduct

         b. But when I saw their peers, or those brethren whom they held

            in high regard acting in the same way, I began to understand

[So we seem to be natural born imitators.  Why should we be careful

about who we seek to imitate?  Consider...]

II. THE VALUE OF ROLE MODELS

   A. GOOD ROLE MODELS CAN HELP...

      1. By example, they show us what is possible

         a. E.g., how a "son of thunder" can become the "apostle of

            love" - Mk 3:17; Lk 9:54; 1Jn 4:7-8

         b. E.g., how "uneducated and untrained men" can boldly proclaim

            the gospel of Christ- Ac 4:13

      2. By example, they teach us how to reach the same goals

         a. E.g., to enjoy a wonderful relationship with God - Php 4:9

         b. E.g., to remain steadfast despite trials - 2Co 4:16-18

   B. BAD ROLE MODELS CAN HINDER...

      1. By example, they fail to show us what is possible

         a. Perhaps preventing us from learning of our potential

         b. Certainly not encouraging us to strive for excellence

      2. By example, we can pick up their bad habits and dispositions

         a. As indicated earlier, we are naturally imitators

         b. It is not long before our conduct is similar to our role

            models

[If we desire to grow spiritually, we need to have good role models.

Where are they?  We are blessed with many...]

III. ROLE MODELS WORTHY OF EMULATION

   A. WE HAVE DEITY...

      1. As Christ encouraged us to do, in showing kindness to our

         enemies - Mt 5:43-48

      2. As Paul instructed the Ephesians to walk in love - Ep 5:1-2

      3. What better example do we have, than that of God and Jesus

         Christ?

      4. Indeed, some of the very titles we wear imply such imitation:

         a. Children of God

         b. Disciples of Jesus Christ

      -- Do we seek to learn as much about God and Jesus as we do other

         role models?

   B. WE HAVE BIBLICAL CHARACTERS...

      1. To the degree they imitate Christ, as Paul wrote to the

         Corinthians - 1Co 11:1

      2. The New Testament is filled with good examples for Christians

         today...

         a. For married couples, there is the example of Aquila and

            Priscilla - Ro 16:3-5

         b. For those blessed with things of this life, there is the

            example of Philemon and Gaius - Phm 1-7; 3Jn 5-8

         c. For women, there is the example of Dorcas - Ac 9:36,39

         d. For young men there is the example of Timothy – Ph. 2:19-22

      3. This does not mean to preclude many fine Old Testament examples

         as well:  Joseph, Daniel, Barzillai the Gileadite (an old man

         who helped David in his affliction - 2Sa 17:27-29; 19:31-39)

         and many others

      -- Indeed, the Scriptures are filled with many examples worthy of

         our emulation!

   C. WE HAVE MANY FELLOW CHRISTIANS TODAY...

      1. As Paul encouraged his fellow Christians to imitate those who provided a similar pattern             as did he - Php 3:17

         a. There are many preachers, teachers, and elders we can

            emulate

         b. There are many older women that younger women can emulate   - cf. Tit 2:3-5

         c. There are many younger people worthy of emulation - cf. 1 Ti  4:12

             2. Yet we should be careful, for not all who profess to be

         Christians behave as they should - cf. Php 3:18-19

      3. It is important, therefore, that we know the Scriptures well

         enough to know when someone is worthy of our emulation

      -- Yet there are many Christians who can teach and encourage us by

         their own example, if we will but let them!

CONCLUSION

1. If you seek to grow spiritually, take advantage of role models...

   a. Let them show you what is possible!

   b. Let them teach you how to obtain the goals you are striving for!

   c. Let them encourage you to persevere, knowing that others have

      traveled the same path before you!

2. Since we are natural born imitators, let us make the choice to

   imitate the good - 3Jn 11

   a. Only then do we have the hope of  being "of God"

   b. The only alternative is to imitate the evil, which prevents us

      from ever "seeing God"

We conclude this lesson with the following words of Scripture:

   "And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to

   the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become

   sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit

   the promises." - He 6:11-12