INTRODUCTION

1. The Bible has a great deal to say about attitudes
2. “For as he thinketh within himself, so is he” (Pro. 23:7)
3. A man is his thoughts
4. We can do nothing apart from what we think

Mark 7:14-23

1. What a man thinks is critical to his spiritual welfare
2. We can do no better than we think

An example of a negative attitude:

1. Numbers 13:31-33
2. The ten spies said it could not be done
3. “Grasshopper complex”

An example of a positive attitude:

1. Acts 4:13-14, 18-20
2. Though, by their peers, they were considered ignorant and unlearned, their positive attitude enabled them to speak boldly

Everyone recognizes the importance of proper attitudes

1. There is power in positive thinking
2. In any success seminar, positive attitudes are stressed
3. The statement is true that says, “We are what we think”

As children of God, we must have a positive spiritual attitude.

1. We cannot be victorious without it
2. Our attitude will determine our altitude

Positive spiritual attitudes are the key to church growth, to happiness, to personal spiritual growth, and to personal satisfaction

1. Positive spiritual attitudes are a must if the church is to be strong
2. In this lesson I will share with you some of the key ingredients for having and maintaining a positive spiritual attitude

DISCUSSION

WE MUST HAVE AN UNWAVERING FAITH IN GOD

Hebrews 11:1-6

1. We must put our trust in the all-powerful Creator of the universe
2. It is not logical to put faith in anyone else, or ourselves

Psalm 118:4-9

1. God is the source of our hope and power to be successful in church growth
2. Numerically
3. Spiritually

WE MUST BE GOAL ORIENTED

1. This demands that we be involved in planning and in the setting of specific goals
2. The apostle Paul was goal oriented – Philippians 3:13-15
3. If one never sets goals – one accomplishes little
4. We can’t hit a target we don’t have

WE MUST TRUST IN THE POWER OF GOD

Romans 1:14-16

Ephesians 3:20

What is this power?

1. The Gospel of Jesus Christ
2. True success doesn’t depend on our power, but upon God’s
3. If we rely on our power alone we will fail
4. We must rely on God’s power – the Gospel
5. God’s word is powerful, His word can transform us

WE MUST HAVE MOUNTAIN MOVING FAITH

Matthew 17:20

The biggest mountains we have to move if between our ears:

1. Doubt
2. Fear
3. Worry
4. Negative Attitudes

Faith is powerful – Romans 10:17

WE MUST BELIEVE THAT ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD

It is true that NOT ALL things are good

But they will, if we trust in God, bring good to our faith

1. James 1:2-7
2. Romans 8:28

Even though we can’t understand at times how a certain situation will work for good, will still must trust God that it will

God has promised that it will!

WE MUST DAILY RENEW OUR MINDS

We must always be sound and clear in our thinking

1. Ephesians 4:23
2. Romans 12:1-2

We renew our minds through Bible study

WE MUST BELIEVE THAT GOD ANSWERS PRAYERS

We must pray in faith, without doubting (Jam. 1:2-5)

When God answers prayers, the answer is sometimes:

1. Yes
2. No
3. Wait a while
4. We might be given something different than we asked for
5. “Be careful what you ask for, you just might get it”

James 5:16

But remember:

1. 1 Peter 3:12
2. Psalm 66:18
3. Proverbs 15:29
4. Proverbs 28:9

WE MUST HAVE A GOOD SELF-IMAGE

We are created in the image of God (Gen. 1:26-27)

Christians are special people – Romans 8:12-17

1. Children of God
2. Heirs with Christ
3. We are members of a royal family
4. We must be proud to be who we are

WE MUST TAKE ONE DAY AT A TIME

We must not do so much worrying about yesterday, and jumping ahead to tomorrow

Matthew 6:34

1. Each day has enough trouble without borrowing from tomorrow
2. We must live one day at a time
3. Too many are looking to tomorrow and forgetting about today

Today is the day of action – 2 Corinthians 6:2

CONCLUSION

How is your spiritual attitude?

1. Is it positive?
2. Is it negative?

If we are to be successful in the Lord’s work we must have a positive spiritual attitude

1. We must work on it every day in order to make it a reality
2. The Lord will help us if we will ask Him

Do it now!