Lose the Tude

Welcome this morning. It is the first Sunday of the year. Which you know what that means. Tonight is our worship night. 5 pm. You need to come back tonight. It will be amazing. Make sure you are back.

This is also the first Sunday of a new series. This series comes all about the first of year and everyone’s attempt to get healthy. There is a thing that people do to their bodies. It is called detoxing. To detox means this.

Detox = Removal of toxic substances from living organisms.

You are a living organism not just in your body but in your spirit and soul. Sometimes there are things that are in us that shouldn’t be. Hopefully in these next four weeks, we can help you to get rid of some of those things.

This comes from the book of 2 Corinthians

2 Corinthians 7:1 NIV

Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

2 Corinthians 7:

Now notice what this verse starts out with. It is a word called therefore and I have said it over and over. If you see the word therefore, find out what it is there for.

Ironically chapter seven comes right after chapter 6. Chapter 6 talks about the relationship we could have with Christ. What is potentially possible. Then here come chapter 7 that says therefore. Since we have the promises of chapter 6 here is what we need to do.

We need to purify ourselves. Let me be very clear and I want you to hear me. This series is about you. Look to your neighbor and say he is talking to me. This is not about you purifying your husband or your wife. It is not about you purifying your kids. Or you co-workers. This is about you. So if I give you a goo point or you hear something that you think someone else really needs to hear make sure to write it down. So that you can read it again.

Because if the point was good to you, chances are it was actually good for you.

What are we purifying from? everything that will contaminate the body and the spirit. Why so that we can perfect holiness. There are things that God wants us to do and places God wants us to go that we must perfect that holiness so that we can go and do what he wants.

So the question that I will be asking through out the series is this.

What is toxic in you?

What are the things or the thing that needs to be fixed. During these next four weeks, I will be pointing out to you the things that need to be changed in your. They will not be easy. But they will be all about you and something that you can and will accomplish. Especially if 2019 is to be any different than 2018. Are you ready for that? Would you like to actually be different? I know I do.

So today we are going to deal with something that none of us want to admit we have, but we do. It comes from a section of scripture. I want you to highlight this scripture so I will give you time to get there. I also put it in your worship notes this morning.

Philippians 2:1–5 AMP

SO BY whatever [appeal to you there is in our mutual dwelling in Christ, by whatever] strengthening and consoling and encouraging [our relationship] in Him [affords], by whatever persuasive incentive there is in love, by whatever participation in the [Holy] Spirit [we share], and by whatever depth of affection and compassionate sympathy, Fill up and complete my joy by living in harmony and being of the same mind and one in purpose, having the same love, being in full accord and of one harmonious mind and intention. Do nothing from factional motives [through contentiousness, strife, selfishness, or for unworthy ends] or prompted by conceit and empty arrogance. Instead, in the true spirit of humility (lowliness of mind) let each regard the others as better than and superior to himself [thinking more highly of one another than you do of yourselves]. Let each of you esteem and look upon and be concerned for not [merely] his own interests, but also each for the interests of others. Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:]

Philippians

I am going to teach you a phrase today that as parents we have probably said more times than we can actually count. But again this is not about your kids. It is about you. Here is the phrase.

Lose the TUDE!!

So I want to talk to you today about your attitude. Half of yall done checked out. I can see your arms crossed already. I ain’t got no attitude. Just stay with me. So say it with me today. Lose the Tude. Tell your neighbor…I just told yall its about you not your neighbor. lol

You realize that your attitude dictates a whole lot of your life. You can be doing some fun things but if your attitude stinks its not fun. You can be doing some really not so fun things but if your attitude is glad about it then it makes it fun. Ask Mary Poppins.

I remember my parents trying to teach me that truth. Your actions aren’t nearly as important as the attitude behind your actions. My dad would say, you need to get up and go cut the grass. I didn’t want to cut the grass. Well I didn’t ask you. Get up and cut the grass. So what did I do, got up and cut the grass. but i wasn’t happy about it. I did what we all do when our attitude stinks. I mumbled. I jerked the lawnmower around because we had a push mower. I mowed in zigzags. You know what I am saying. It is like my kids today. I ask them to fold the clothes. Why isn’t she folding clothes. They throw them around. I mean it’s crazy. So when my dad came home and saw, he would then say go outside and pick up all the sticks. Because you have to lose the tude. I have made my kids start all over on the laundry. You have to lose the tude. Or what about this one.

Mom she said i was stupid. Did you call your sister stupid. Yes. why did you call her stupid? Well. Go apologize right now you. You know we don’t call each otehr names in this house. Sorry. Nope say it again. Why because you didn’t say it with the right attitude.

Say it the right way and lose the tude. Why are you sorry. I am sorry she is stupid. I wasn’t always the pastor up here lol

But did you also know that attitude is an aviation term. There is an instrument to measure your attitude. It looks like this.

(insert Picture)

If your attitude is good, you fly straight and you get to where you are meant to go. If your attitude is wrong your plane will end up looking like this.

(insert picture)

Does this appear to be some of your lives this morning? Oh the devil is after me. He is after all of us your attitude just don’t let you get off the ground so he keeps getting you.

Everybody at work hates me and that's why i lost my job. No you lost your job because your attitude stinks and you tell everyone at work how much you hate being there.

There is an old saying it actually is an aviation phrase we all know it that

Your ATTITUDE determines your ALTITUDE

The height of your relationship with Jesus is determined by your attitude. You need to detox some attitude this morning. I know you do. There are times when my attitude needs to be detox. I can admit that. I am ok to admit it. I am not ok with staying in that attitude. You shouldnt be either.

You come into church with oh you just don’t know. If everyone was going through what I am going through. Listen to this. Can everyone for one moment in here and watching online listen to me.

You are not going through anything that someone else isn’t or has not already gone through. Listen to me. The bible says that you are going through what is common to man

1 Cor

1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJV

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

The first part of that says nothing has overtaken you except what is common to man. Everyone is or has been where you are. All of the israelites were walking around the mountain but only Caleb and Jacob had the right attitude about it. The bible says do everything without grumbling and ocmplaining. Even deal with my crappy boss. Even deal with those no good kids i have to teach. Yes. You mean that sorry no good coworker that doesn’t know a stapleer from the whole in the ground but some how makes more money than meeven though I do all of her work. YES!!! Let me tell you how you know the difference between complaining and grumbling or doing something about it. Because i know what some of you are saying, I ain’t letting so and so take advantage of me. That’s fine. no one told you to do that. I just said and the bible just says do all things without grumbling and complaining. So here is the different.

If I am talking parallel that is grumbling and complaining.

If I am talking perpendicular that is not grumbling and complaining

Talking to your coworker about something new that you don’t think will work will get the problem solved. Go to your boss and talk with him about it. Or go to your manager. Talking about something the pastor is doing to another person in the congregation isn’t going to fix the problem. That is the problem. Another thing is right after that part he says this.

God is faithful. That needs to be tattooed on your forehead. You just lost your job…But God is faithful. Your spouse just left you. But God is faithful. You didn’t get he promotion. But God is faithful. I don’t care what you say to me…or do to me…BUT GOD IS FAITHFUL.

In fact i found this online don’t really know who said it because so many people were attributed to saying something similar.

It isn’t our position in this life that is important but our disposition. By changing our disposition, we can most often change our position.

If anyone deserved to have a bad attitude it was Jesus. But the bible says it like this.

Hebrews 12:2 NKJV

looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 4:2 NKJV

For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.

You sya well I am not Jesus pastor Chris. That isn’t my name. I know it’s not. Trust me. lol But you are to be liek him are you not. You are to have the attitude as him are you not?

He had joy because he chose his attitude.

You can’t chose your adversary but you can chose your attitude.

I can assure you that Jesus didn’t like the cross. I can assure you he didn’t like the nails, the whip. He didn’t like the spit in his face. He didn’t like being hit. I am sure you don’t like that thing that is going on in your life but can i just tell you more often then not it isn’t the thing but your attitude about the thing that is the problem.

We jsut read that you are supposed to have the attitude of Christ. The word there for attitude is this

Phroneo: your mindset or position about your life and affairs

Your attitude isn’t what you think, its how you think.

It’s not what is going on in your marriage, it is how are you thinking about your spouse. It isn’t what is going on in your finances but how do you think about money. It isn’t what is going on with your kids, it is how are you thinking about your kids. Our attitude is more often the cuase rather then the effect.

This word phroneo is all throughout scripture. One verse is this

1 Corinthians 13:11 NKJV

When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

1 Corinthians

That word thought there is this word. Which means the way he was looking things was like a child. Is the way you are lokoing at things like a child? I won’t like them, because they didn’t like me. I won’t follow them on social media because they didn’t follow me. I won’t forgive them becuase they didn’t apologize. childish mentality. But you touch my stuff so I am going to touch your stuff. Well you don’t ask to touch mine. You made fun of me so I am going to talk about you. We hae to change that attitude. Period. It is childish and as paul states we cannot be childish any more.

What aobut if it is going wrong do I need to whine about it? No that is childish.

God’s people are winners not whiners.

We have the victory. Period. There is no way or no thing that can change that except your outlook at it.

The group of scripture we just read from Philippians gives us 3 attitudes that we are supposed to have. number one is this.

Philippians 2:3 NKJV

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.

Philippians 2:3

Don’t be selfish

That seems like something we have been taught our whole lives and for the most part we still don’t get it.

Christ attitude is selfless

This is why Paul has to tell us to be liek christ and have his attitude becaues if I had the power that Jesus being the son of God, I am living in a palace on the beach and you better come rub my feet. You nw what I am saying. But I promise you that if I were to wager today most of the times you had a bad attitude about something was becuase it didn’t go your way. Right? You wanted to go to this restaurant, or you wanted to go see that movie, or you wanted this present. You wanted to go here on vacation. You wanted that job, or that cubicle. You wanted that title. Almost nothing went Jesus way. But he wasnt selfish with his time, his power, his annointing, his giftings, his money.

C.S. Lewis says this

Selfishness has never been admired.

The second attitude is

Be HUMBLE

At Next Steps class we tell everyone that they are a 10 at something. I am humbled to know that those of you in our kids ministry, you are better with kids than I am and I get to let you all shine in that area. But Jesus wasn’t a 10 at something, he was a 10 at everthing. You know what I mean. Like we know those people that think they are 10 at eveyhting. You may be one of them or think your neighbor is one of them. But we aren’t. We get to shine because we allow others to shine in areas of our weakness. My job here as the pastor is not to be great at everything and as my wfie will tell you I fail miserablely at trying to do everything great. I don’t even hit good most time much less great. But my job is to put you in the area in which I am weak so that together we are made strong through our unity in Him. That is how church is supposed to work. We are assembled together so that we can all fill in the gaps left by the pwerson wroking beside us.

Jesus didn’t point everyone else pitfalls, he pointed to their potential.

Christ attitude was humility.

The last one

Philippians 2:4 NKJV

Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

Attitude of service.

Philippians 2:7 NKJV

but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.

When you make your life about you, you life becomes really boring. YOu also limit your reach.

We exist to serve God by serving others.