Developing A Kingdom Attitude

Developing A Kingdom Attitude

Pastor E. Keith Hassell

Philippians 2:5 (NKJV) “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 2:5 (J.B. Phillips)  “Let your attitude to life be that of Christ Jesus Himself.”

I.                   Attitude is our disposition toward life

A.               Attitude (Webster’s): “a manner of acting, feeling, or thinking that show’s ones disposition, opinion, etc.”

B.                Disposition is not about our condition in life but about our posture and perspective on life.

C.               Jesus was able to live His life in the midst of adversity and suffering because He maintained a kingdom attitude based upon a kingdom perspective.

D.               Attitude has a lot to do with our mindset and the way we think

II.                Attitude determines our altitude

A.               It is easy to have a good attitude when the weather is fine. But the real test of attitude comes when the weather gets stormy. In the storm the turkeys and hens gather for shelter while the eagle flies into the storm. It positions its wings so that the wind thrusts it over the top of the storm where the sun is still shining. The storm is the same but the eagle has a whole different perspective.

B.                We can choose to huddle with the turkeys or we can soar with the eagles. It is all a matter of attitude.

III.             Attitudes are formed from our belief system

A.               If our belief system is based upon this world, then our attitude will reflect what we listen to and what we believe

B.                If our belief system is based upon the word of God, then we will have a kingdom attitude toward life

IV.            Right attitudes are essential to us reaching our full potential in God

A.               Attitudes either bind or release the potential of God inside of us

V.               Right attitudes will give us the edge over others who have similar or even greater abilities but who demonstrate a poor attitude

VI.            Attitudes are indicators of the condition of our heart

A.               Proverbs 23:7  “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.”

B.                “Once our minds are ‘tattooed’ with negative thinking, our chances for long-term success diminish. We cannot continue to function in a manner that we do not truly believe about ourselves. Often I see people sabotage themselves because of wrong thinking.” [John Maxwell, Developing the Leader within You (Nashville, TN; Thomas Nelson, 1993]

C.               Change your attitude by changing the condition of your heart

VII.         Attitudes are usually revealed by our

A.               Expressions

B.                Posture

C.               Words

D.               Actions

E.                Tone of voice

F.                Support

G.               Involvement

H.               Enthusiasm

VIII.      The Kingdom Attitudes:  “Be-Attitudes” (Matthew 5:3-12)

A.               Humble:  “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

B.                Caring:  “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”

C.               Meek: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”

D.               Passionate:  “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.”

E.                Merciful: “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.”

F.                Pure:  “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

G.               Peace Makers: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God.”

H.               Committed: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

I.                   Joyful in Adversity: “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

IX.            The Devil’s Bad Attitudes

A.               “Blessed are the proud, for they shall be called my children.”

B.                “Blessed are the unforgiving, for they shall never be reconciled.”

C.               “Blessed are the unmerciful, for they shall fall without remedy.”

D.               “Blessed are those who sow discord and division, for they shall inherit my kingdom.”

E.                “Blessed are the critics, for no one will measure up to their standards.”

F.                “Blessed are the self-centered, for they shall not meet the needs of others.”

G.               “Blessed are those who demand to be recognized, for they shall receive my recognition.”

H.               “Blessed are the easily offended, for they shall become angry and quit.”

I.                   “Blessed are the self-righteous, for they have forgotten from where they came.”

J.                  “Blessed are the accusers, for they shall hear my voice.”

K.               “Blessed are the unholy, for they shall see my face.”

L.                “Blessed are those who rebel, for they shall lead my army.”

M.              “Blessed are those who follow their lust, for they shall be consumed.”

N.               “Blessed are the excuse makers, for they shall be self-justified.”

O.               “Blessed are those who profess to love God and hate their brother, for they shall be with me forever.”

P.                “Blessed are the do-nothings, for they shall wear out the diligent.”

Q.               “Blessed are the troublemakers, for they shall be called my helpers.”

R.               “Blessed are the ungrateful, for they shall never be satisfied.”

S.                “Blessed are those who gossip, for they shall be called my messengers.”

T.                “Blessed are the unfaithful, for they shall receive their reward.”

U.               “Blessed is he who expects to be invited to his own church, for he is important to me.”

V.               “Blessed are those who feel it is not their duty to serve others, for they shall be called my servants.”

W.             “Blessed are those who murmur and complain, for they shall inherit the barren places.”

X.               “Blessed are those who do not pray, for they shall become my prey.”

X.               Attitude is a choice

A.               “The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.  Attitude to me, is more important than facts.  It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do.  It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company, a church or a home.  The remarkable thing is that we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past.  Nor can we change the fact that people will act in a certain way.  We also cannot change the inevitable.  The only thing that we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude.  I am convinced that life is 10 percent what happens to me and 90 percent how I react to it.  And so it is with you—we are in charge of our attitudes.”  [Chuck Swindoll, Improving Your Serve, (Waco, Word, 1981)]

B.                Attitudes are like rudders and sails on a ship. Sailors cannot control the wind and the waves, but they can control the direction of the ship by adjusting the rudder and the sails.