Attitude Adjustment

Introduction

Good morning,

First let me say that it is an honor to be here with you this morning. I know it has felt like a long time coming, and for the committee and my family I can promise you it has felt the same. I want to thank the entire committee for their time and diligence in this process. I have been in church my entire life and I can honestly say I believe you have been through one of the more thorough processes I have seen. I also want to thank Dr. Yarbrough for his incredible leadership, and I have enjoyed being able to sit and meet with him, hoping that this is the start of a great friendship in ministry.

Many of you were here last night but I will give a little introduction before we jump into the message for today. My name is Matt Elmore, I am 33. My wife Alyssa and I have been married for 2 years, will be 3 in November and we have 1 son Eli, who is 4 months old, also a little dog names Larry. It’s great to have my family with us today, my mom and dad, as well as my aunt bit (mom #2), my brother Bryce and his wife Katie, they are expecting their first, a little girl coming up soon.

This is only the second trial sermon I have ever preached, and I am hoping this will be my last. When praying about what this specific message, what to speak on, one thing continually kept coming up in my studies.

Attitude

We are going to take some time this morning to look at a passage that may be familiar to many of us, better know as The Beatitudes. We will see how our attitude affects our lives and how it is key to the future for ourselves and our church.

 As Christians, we sometimes get the idea that, once we get saved, we can just set back and relax. Everything is going to be fine! The reality is that Jesus taught us that it isn’t over. It has just began. What this message will challenge us to do, is look at our attitudes, because The Beatitudes reveal to us that our attitudes today will effect our tomorrows.

Matthew 5:1–12 NIV

Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them. He said: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

I. YOUR ATTITUDE TOWARD YOURSELF (v3-4)

1. THE POOR IN SPIRIT - (How you view yourself: With pride or humility) THE FUTURE IMPACT: theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven

a) Not Physically Poor - Some people pride themselves in being poor, like more spiritual.

b) Spiritually Poor - Ones ability to admit they cannot acheive righteousness in one’s self.

c) A Willingness To Admit Sin - The key to being accepted by God. PSALM 51

Psalm 51 NIV

For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you. Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, you who are God my Savior, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise. You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. May it please you to prosper Zion, to build up the walls of Jerusalem. Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous, in burnt offerings offered whole; then bulls will be offered on your altar.

d) Your attitude toward sin will determine where you spend eterninty.

2. THOSE WHO MOURN - (The attitude you have toward your sin.) THE FUTURE IMPACT: they will be comforted

a) Not Sad Or Negative - Some people enjoy sorrow, they aren’t happy unless trouble.

b) There is a progression from verse 3 to 4. MOURN FOR SIN, Recognizing the impact

c) A Brokenness Of Sin - Churches today are full today of broken people. If not, we need to go and get them!

d) Your attitude toward repentance will determine your inner peace. This is key to the Gospel, not just that it is a free gift, but that we must come face to face with our sin, acknowledge it, mourn it, turn from it and we sill find comfort. Mourn for your sin, mourn for the sins of others, praying that they will also mourn and find the comfort that only comes from the Lord.

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II. YOUR ATTITUDE TOWARD GOD (v5-7)

1. THE MEEK - (The attitude you have toward God and others once you have become an heir.) THE FUTURE IMPACT: they will inherit the earth

a) Doesn’t mean weak or shy.

b) Those who are Powerful (Christians) but are CONSTRUCTIVE NOT DESTRUCTIVE

c) Many Christians want to be humble as they come to God, then get haughty minded. Your attitude toward God will keep you in check in how to act toward him and others.

2. THOSE WHO HUNGER AND THIRST AFTER RIGHTEOUSNESS - THE FUTURE IMPACT: be filled

a) A real desire to have the correct attitude of righteousness.

b) Many people go to church today and have no desire to be righteous before God or man.

c) Matthew 6:33 Seek first the Kingdom of Heaven and His RIGHTEOUSNESS and all these things will be give to you as well.

Matthew 6:33 NIV

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

3. THE MERCIFUL - THE FUTURE IMPACT: will be shown mercy

a) Your attitude toward God will determine the mercy you show to others.

b) Romans 12:1 

Romans 12:1 NIV

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

c) Your attitude toward God dying for you and showing you mercy will help you show mercy toward others. AND YOU WILL BE SHOWN MERCY

d) The degree that we judge people, we will be judged by the same degree.

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III. YOUR ATTITUDE TOWARD OTHERS (v8-9)

1. THE PURE IN HEART - THE FUTURE IMPACT: will see God

a) Pure motives will not abuse other people.

b) When we have the correct attitude toward ourselves and God we will not have the old mentality of impure motive to have our own needs met.

2. THE PEACEMAKERS - THE FUTURE IMPACT: be called Son’s of God

a) When we are pure in heart we are promoting peace.

b) We attempt to live at peace with others. Having a peaceful heart will promote peace.

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IV. YOUR ATTITUDE TOWARD SACRIFICE (v10-12)

1. THOSE WILLING TO SUFFER PERSECUTION FOR CHRIST - THE FUTURE IMPACT: Heaven, Be Glad

a) As we remember John 6:25-66, the reason so many people walked away from Christ was that they weren’t willing to sacrifice of themselves for God.

b) Many are willing to die in Christ but they aren’t willing to live for Him.

c) Those who are willing to suffer for the sake of Christ will be glad.

CONCLUSION: This is a road map for how we are to act. When we know Christ we will want these things. Not easy to do, but essential. As a church if we focus on these, if we minister this way, if our hearts are aligned together then we will see God do great things. It is not to boast, not to brag about us, but to brag about Him. Will you commit to making these essential in your life, will we commit to making these essential in our church? What is the attitude of Sardis Baptist church?Are the attitudes that you are sowing today going to reap you a good harvest in the future, including eternity?