THRIVING IN A HOSTILE WORLD
(Book of James)
Part 5 – Attitude Is Everything
James 1:16-18
March 15, 2020
Dr. Mark S. Hartman, Lead Pastor
INTRODUCTION
Attitude has a lot more to do with our health and quality of life than we ever imagined!
James 1:16-18 Do not be deceived, my dear brothers. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. 18 In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the Word of Truth, so that we might be, as it were, the first fruits among His creatures.
1. OUR ATTITUDE ABOUT LIFE IS ROOTED IN OUR BELIEF ABOUT GOD. (James 1:16-17)
A. James 1:16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers.
B. God is a good giver.
1. James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
God is a good giver; He gives perfect gifts.
2. What makes God a good giver?
a. God is a good giver because He knows us completely.
Psalm 139:1-3 O Lord, You have searched me and known me. 2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thoughts from afar. 3 You scrutinize my path and my lying down, You are intimately acquainted with all my ways.
b. God is a good giver because He loves what He knows about us.
1. Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (NIV)
2. Jeremiah 31:3 I have loved you with an everlasting love, therefore, with loving kindness I have drawn you to Myself…
c. God is a good giver because we are special to Him.
d. God will never stop loving us as He does.
1. James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
2. Hebrews 12:6 For whom the Lord loves He disciplines…
2. OUR ATTITUDE ABOUT LIFE IS MOTIVATED BY OUR BELIEF OF WHO WE ARE TO GOD. (James 1:18) (James 1:18)
A. We are a part of God’s very own family.
James 1:18 In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of Truth, so that we might be, as it were, the first fruits among His creatures.
B. 1 John 3:2-3 2 Friends, now are we the children of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that, when Jesus shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And every man that has this hope in him purifies himself even as he is pure.
3. BASED UPON THE TRUTH ABOUT GOD, WE ARE RELEASED TO HAVE A POSITIVE ATTITUDE.
A. When I know that God loves me and that one day I will be like Christ, I can become content with what God has already given to me.
1. 1 Timothy 6:6 But Godliness with contentment is great gain.
2. Philippians 4:11-12 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
3. A positive attitude comes when we learn how to be contented with God’s leadership in our life.
B. When I know that God loves me as He does and that one day I will be like Christ, I can stop grumbling and complaining and focus in on the positive side of life.
Philippians 2:14-15 Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe. (NIV)