“a merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken”...

Proverbs 15:13

“A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken” (NKJV).

Proverbs 17:22

“A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.”

Proverbs 15:15

“All the days of the afflicted are evil, But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.”

The Importance of a Positive Attitude and the Danger of a Negative Attitude

IN SERVING THE LORD

The World’s Emphasis on Positive Thinking

Denominational Approaches to Positive Thinking

Brethren’s Concerns About “Positive Preaching”

A Scriptural Attitude is Positive

DefinitionsWhat is a positive attitude? One that…

• Hopes for the best

• Looks for the best

• Believes the best is possible


IN SERVING THE LORD

DefinitionsWhat is a negative attitude? One that…

• Exaggerates life’s difficulties or shortcomings

• Ignores the good in life or others

• Imagines the worst possible outcome will happen


IN SERVING THE LORD

Are there positive and negative people?

Without a positive attitude in our service to God we will be crippled, ineffective, and

doomed to a life of spiritual immaturity and discontentment!


IN SERVING THE LORD

Our Attitude is Important When it Comes to…1. Personal Growth (Phil. 3:12-14; 1 Tim.

1:12-14).

A positive attitude will say…

• “I can overcome temptations”

• “I can grow in service to Christ”


IN SERVING THE LORD

Our Attitude is Important When it Comes to…1. Personal Growth (Phil. 3:12-14; 1 Tim.

1:12-14).

A negative attitude will say…

• “I’ll never be able to resist!”

• “I’ll never be like so and so!”


IN SERVING THE LORD

Our Attitude is Important When it Comes to…2. Family Relationships (Eph. 5:22-29; 6:1-

4).


• “So and so just tries to frustrate me!”

• “If only so and so was more______”


IN SERVING THE LORD

Our Attitude is Important When it Comes to…2. Family Relationships (Eph. 5:22-29; 6:1-

4).


• “I know they have their faults but they have some fine qualities!”

• “They put up with my faults—I can bear the few they have.”


IN SERVING THE LORD

Our Attitude is Important When it Comes to…3. Dealing with Brethren (Col. 3:12-15).


• “So and so is really showing some growth in Christ.”

• “I really think I could encourage them in this or that.”

• “They did a fine job with that task!”


IN SERVING THE LORD

Our Attitude is Important When it Comes to…3. Dealing with Brethren (Col. 3:12-15).


• “Brother so and so irritates me so much.”

• “They meant to do such and such that hurt my feelings.”

• “Could you believe they did that?”


IN SERVING THE LORD

Our Attitude is Important When it Comes to…4. Personal Evangelism (Acts 18:24-28; 18:8-11).


• “Maybe if we try this, we could win some souls.”

• “So and so shows some potential, maybe with some work…”

• “People can change, if only I am ready to help them!”


IN SERVING THE LORD

Our Attitude is Important When it Comes to…4. Personal Evangelism (Acts 18:24-28; 18:8-11).


• “We’ve tried it before, it won’t do any good!”

• “Nobody wants to do what’s right”

• “So and so will never accept the truth!”


IN SERVING THE LORD

Our Attitude is Important When it Comes to…5. Facing Trials (2 Cor. 4:8-10).


• “This isn’t fair, why should I have to go through this?”

• “Nobody cares, or understands what I have to face!”


IN SERVING THE LORD

Our Attitude is Important When it Comes to…5. Facing Trials (2 Cor. 4:8-10).


• “This is hard but I’ll make it through it and heaven will be worth it all!”

• “Others have faced things far worse than this”


IN SERVING THE LORD

Our Attitude is Important When it Comes to…6. Our Relationship with the Lord (Deut. 6:24-25).


• “God really cares for me and has greatly blessed me!”

• “I want to do everything the Lord commands me.”


IN SERVING THE LORD

Our Attitude is Important When it Comes to…6. Our Relationship with the Lord (Deut. 6:24-25).


• “Doing _____ for the Lord is the biggest pain in the world!”

• “Why is God so picky, if only I could do what I want to do!”


IN SERVING THE LORD

“a merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken”...

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