grATTITUDE - Part 1 Pastor Paul Rose Series text =============== Philippians 4:4 (NIV) --------------- Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! - thankfulness not for one day but for all year -whether the glass is half full or half empty Theme text =============== 2 Corinthians 11:23-27 (NIV) --------------- Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. - Paul was able to REJOICE in all of these -an attitude of gratitude doesnt happen overnight but has to be grown I =============== I. Be thankful for GODS PRESENCE. I =============== Exodus 13:21-22 (NIV) --------------- By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people. - God has and will always be right in front of me -Lord I dont want your presence to become routine, thank you for the fresh experience You give me each day 1. =============== 1. We experience Gods presence INTIMATELY. -coming to church doesnt make you a Christian but a personal relationship makes you more Christ-like 1. =============== Matthew 1:23 (NIV) --------------- “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). 2. =============== 2. We experience Gods presence through DIFFICULTY. -I want to experience You daily but in the hardest of times I feel you the most -Diamond through pressure, heat and time, we will be a precious jewel that God is in the process of creating and will accomplish when we get to heaven 2. =============== Psalm 34:17 (NIV) --------------- The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. 2. =============== Psalms 9:9 (NLT) --------------- The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. II =============== II. Be thankful for GODS ATTRIBUTES 1 =============== 1. GRACE - Gods RICHES at Christs EXPENSE 1 =============== Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV) --------------- For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. 2 =============== 2. MERCY 2 =============== Ephesians 2:4 (NLT) --------------- But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 3 =============== 3. FORGIVENESS - completely - Christ died once and for all and thats it - I will never know how much it cost to see my sin upon that Christ - I need to forgive completely because I have been but that doesnt mean to to allow them to hurt you but allow the hurt to go to God 3 =============== Colossians 3:13 (NLT) --------------- Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 4 =============== 4. OMNIPOTENCE - all powerful -nothing is to hard for God I can give Him my greatest difficulty and He gives me His greatest answer 4 =============== Jeremiah 32:17 (NIV) --------------- “Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you. 5 =============== 5. GOODNESS 5 =============== Romans 8:28 (NIV) --------------- And we know that in ALL things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. - He can turn everything for good - no matter how messy life gets he can clean it up Conclusion =============== Be thankful for God IN EVERYTHING Closing text =============== 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV) --------------- In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. - Can I see Gods goodness or has it passed me by? - God is good in my family, my job, my health, my life today, I might not enjoy it but I can still find Gods goodness - to rejoice is a choice - I choose to grow my attitude of gratitude
Posted on: Sun, 16 Nov 2014 20:12:27 +0000