IT'S A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE

OCT.17, 1999

Prov 29:18

18 Where there is no vision, the people perish:

but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

I Jn 3:1

1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world

knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

Heb 12:2

2 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 is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Heb 12:15

15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

WHAT DO ALL THESE VERSES HAVE IN COMMON? THEY ALL MAKE REFERENCE TO THAT WHICH WE SEE OR BEHOLD WITH THE EYE AND OR OUR THOUGHTS. PERSPECTIVE IS HOW WE SEE SOMETHING, ITS HOW WE VIEW THINGS. I SUPPOSE MORTICIANS HAVE A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE ON LIFE THAN WE DO. I SAW A SIGN ON A FUNERAL HOME THAT SAID, "ANY DAY AND EVERY DAY ABOVE GROUND IS A GOOD DAY." NOW IF YOU'RE 18 YOU CAN'T RELATE TO THAT BUT IF YOU'RE PAST MID-LIFE AND HAVE SURVIVED THE MID-LIFE CRISIS ITS JUST GREAT TO DON'T WAKE UP WITHOUT WHITE CHALK MARK AROUND YOUR BODY. IN FACT ITS JUST GREAT TO WAKE UP, PERIOD.

DAN JANSEN, THE OLYMPIC SPEED SKATER IN THE 1988 OLYMPICS AT CALGARY CANADA WAS FAVORED TO WIN THE GOLD MEDAL IN BOTH THE 500 AND 1000 METER RACE. HE DIDN'T WIN EITHER. HOURS BEFORE HE COMPETED HIS SISTER PASSED AWAY FROM LEUKEMIA. FOUR YEARS LATER HE WENT TO ALBERTVILLE IN 1992 AND THE GOLD ELUDED HIM THERE AS WELL. HE SAID LATER IN AN INTERVIEW: "LOOSING A SISTER WAS A LOT BIGGER DEAL THAN WINNING A GOLD MEDAL COULD EVER BE. WINNING THE GOLD CAN NEVER AGAIN BE THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN MY LIFE. 2 YEARS LATER IN 1994 IN LITTLE HAMMER NORWAY, DAN JENSEN DID WIN THE GOLD MEDAL. HOWEVER IT MEANT MUCH MORE TO HIM BECAUSE HE HAD A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE ON WHAT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT IN LIFE.

Prov 23:7

7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink,

saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.

Phil 1:10

10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be

sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;

SO WHAT IS PERSPECTIVE? ITS MY WORLD VIEW. ITS MY VANTAGE POINT OR MY VIEW POINT. ITS HOW I SEE MY CIRCUMSTANCES. ITS HOW I SEE OTHERS AND IT EVEN HOW I SEE GOD. WHAT'S YOUR PERSPECTIVE? IT'S A FRAME OF REFERENCE. ITS HOW I PROCESS MY INFORMATION. IT'S THE WAY I THINK, IT'S THE WAY I AM. WEBSTER DEFINES PERSPECTIVE AS A SPECIFIC POINT OF VIEW IN UNDERSTANDING OR JUDGING THINGS OR EVENTS AS THE ABILITY TO SEE THING IN A TRUE RELATIONSHIP. WHICH BRINGS US TO THE QUESTION, "WHY IS PERSPECTIVE SO IMPORTANT?" ITS BECAUSE PERSPECTIVE GOVERNS YOUR BEHAVIOR AND BECOMES THE GUIDING FORCE OF YOUR ENTIRE LIFE. AS A MAN THINKS IN HIS HEART SO IT HE.

Matt 6:22-23

22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.

23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

HOW YOU SEE THINGS IMPACTS YOUR WHOLE LIFE. OUR VIEWS SHAPE OUR RESPONSES, SHAPE OUR ATTITUDES AND SHAPE OUR ACTIONS, AND ULTIMATELY EFFECT OUR BEHAVIOR. LET ME GIVE YOU SOME COMMON PERSPECTIVES HELD BY OUR WESTERN CULTURE.

I. 81% OF AMERICANS INTERVIEWED SAID THAT THE BIBLE TEACHES THAT GOD HELPS THOSE WHO HELP THEMSELVES. HOWEVER WHEN YOU READ THE BIBLE IT SAYS THAT GOD HELPS ANYBODY WHO LOOKS TO HIM FOR HELP ESPECIALLY THE HELPLESS: LET'S LOOK AT WHAT THE BIBLE ACTUALLY SAYS ABOUT ACQUIRING GOD'S HELP.

Ps 115:1-13

1 Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory,

for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake.

2 Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God?

3 But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.

4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.

5 They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not:

6 They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not:

7 They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not:

neither speak they through their throat.

8 They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.

9 O Israel, trust thou in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.

10 O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.

11 Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.

12 The LORD hath been mindful of us: he will bless us;

he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron.

13 He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small and great.

Ps 37:39-40

39 But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD:

he is their strength in the time of trouble.

40 And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.

Ps 40:17

17 But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.

Ps 46:4-5

4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.

5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved:

God shall help her, and that right early.

Ps 60:11

11 Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.

Ps 70:5

5 But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God:

thou art my help and my deliverer; O LORD, make no tarrying.

Ps 94:17-18

17 Unless the LORD had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence.

18 When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up.

Heb 4:16

16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace,

that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

WE CAN SEE FROM THESE FEW SCRIPTURES THAT GOD DOES IN FACT HELP THE NEEDY, THE WEAK AND THE HELPLESS. WE COME TO THE THRONE OF GRACE TO RECEIVE MERCY AND FIND GRACE TO HELP IN THE TIME OF NEED. GRACE MEANS UNMERITED, UNEARNED AND UNQUALIFIED FAVOR, BLESSING AND HELP. GOD DOE NOT HELP THOSE WHO HELP THEMSELVES, HE HELPS THE HELPLESS. BUT IF I HOLD THE VIEW THAT GOD HELPS THOSE WHO HELPS THEMSELVES WHAT WILL IT DO TO THE WAY I THINK AND BEHAVE?

1. COMPASSION WILL BE NON-EXISTENT IN MY LIFE. I WON'T FEEL EMPATHY OR PITY ON ANYBODY. FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE DESTITUTE AND DOWN AND OUT MY ATTITUDE WILL BE INDIFFERENCE AND JUDGMENTAL. IF YOU'D JUST GET UP AND GET A JOB YOU COULD HAVE WHAT YOU WANT. I WOULD HAVE NO MERCY AND I WOULDN'T HELP ANYBODY. I WOULD SAY SOMETHING LIKE, "HE CAN HELP HIMSELF OUT OF THIS FIX AND WALK ON BY. BUT IF I BELIEVE THAT GOD HELPS THE HELPLESS THEN I'M GOING TO HAVE A HEART FOR THOSE KINDS OF PEOPLE AND HAVESOME COMPASSION FOR THEM. I WILL BE LESS CRITICAL AND LESS JUDGMENTAL OF ALL PEOPLE AND I WILL BE FULFILLING GOD'S WILL AS HIS REPRESENTATIVE IN HELPING THE HELPLESS.

Matt 20:26-28

26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be

great among you, let him be your minister;

27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:

28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

1 Pet 4:10

10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

Gal 5:13

13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

Phil 4:3

3 And I ask you, my true teammate, to help these women, for they worked side by side with me in telling the Good News to others; and they worked with Clement, too, and the rest of my fellow workers whose names are written in the Book of Life.

II. 72% OF AMERICANS BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE ARE BLESSED BY GOD SO THEY CAN ENJOY LIFE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. THE BIBLICAL VIEW IS THAT I HAVE BEEN BLESSED TO BECOME A BLESSING TO OTHER PEOPLE. GOD GIVES SEED TO A SOWER NOT TO A KEEPER BECAUSE HE'LL PUT IT IN CIRCULATION. YOU WOMEN GO HOME TODAY AND OPEN YOUR CLOSET: IF YOU HAVEN'T WORN IT IN A YEAR….GIVE IT AWAY!

Gen 12:1-2

1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:

2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:

2 Cor 9:8-10

8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.

10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)

WEE NEED TO LEARN HOW TO BECOME A CONDUIT FOR GOD'S BLESSINGS TO FLOW THROUGH US TO OTHER PEOPLE. GOD HAS BLESSED US LIKE HE DID ABRAHAM TO MAKE US A BLESSING NOT TO SEE HOW MUCH STUFF WE CAN ACCUMULATE. IF GOD CAN ENTRUST YOU TO BLESS OTHERS HE WILL BLESS YOU WITH MORE STUFF SO THAT YOU CAN GIVE IT AWAY TO OTHERS WHEN YOUR DONE USING IT.

1. NOW IF I BELIEVE THAT GOD HAS BLESSED ME SIMPLY TO ENJOY PERSONAL LIFE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE THEN I BECOME SELFISH AND GREEDY, INCONSIDERATE OF OTHERS AND THEIR NEEDS. I WILL ONLY ACQUIRE. BUT IF I BELIEVE MY PERSPECTIVE IS TO HELP OTHER PEOPLE THEN I'LL HAVE A HEART THAT DELIGHTS TO HELP OTHER PEOPLE AND I WILL BE LOOKING FOR WAYS TO BLESS PEOPLE.

Acts 20:35

35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more

blessed to give than to receive.

GOD WANTS US TO LEARN TO BE ON THE GIVING END OF THINGS AND NOT JUST THE RECEIVING. THERE ARE MANY WAYS THAT WE CAN GIVE BESIDES MONEY OR MATERIAL THINGS. IF GOD CAN TRUST ME WITH A LOT THEN I CAN OPEN A DOOR FOR SOMEONE OF INFLUENCE. IF YOU ARE A PERSON OF INFLUENCE OR POWER OR A PLATFORM OF CELEBRITY OR YOU GOT RESOURCES YOU CAN COME ALONG AND HELP OTHERS UP THE LADDER OF LIFE TO SUCCEED. NOW GOD SAYS THAT'S WHY I WANT TO BLESS YOU AND THAT'S WHY I WANT TO PROSPER YOU. SO GET YOUR PERSPECTIVE RIGHT CAUSE ITS NOT JUST FOR SELF.

III. 58% OF AMERICANS THINK THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF LIFE IS PERSONAL ENJOYMENT AND FULFILLMENT. BUT THE BIBLE TELLS US THAT THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF ALL LIFE IS TO GLORIFY GOD WHO MADE YOU. LET'S LOOK AT WHAT THE BIBLE ACTUALLY SAYS ABOUT THIS:

Eph 2:8-10

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:

it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Col 1:16

16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

Rev 4:11

11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

1 Cor 10:31

31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do,

do all to the glory of God.

Eph 1:12

12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

Eph 3:21

21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Phil 1:10-11

10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;

11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

Phil 4:20

20 Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Gal 1:10

10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

1Thes 4:1

1 Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.

Heb 9:14

14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Heb 12:28

28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

WE CAN CLEARLY SEE FROM THESE SCRIPTURES THAT WE ARE TO LIVE A LIFE PLEASING TO GOD, SERVING HIM IN THE CAPACITY THAT HE CALLED US AND CREATED US FOR AND THAT WE ARE TO BRING HONOR AND GLORY TO HIS NAME. NOW IF MY PERSPECTIVE IS THAT ALL OF LIFE IS FOR PERSONAL PLEASURE AND PERSONAL ENJOYMENT THEN I'M GOING TO BECOME SELFISH, SELF-CENTERED, AND SELF ABSORBED. I DON'T GUESS THAT THERE'S A SMALLER PACKAGE THAN SOMEONE WRAPPED UP IN HIMSELF.

NOW IF MY PRIMARY PERSPECTIVE ON LIFE IS TO LOVE AND SERVE GOD COMPLETELY I'LL PROBABLY SPEND MY TIME AND ENERGY IN WAYS THAT DEVELOP RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AND I'LL WANT TO DO LIFE GOD'S WAY. WWJD, WHAT WOULD JESUS DO IN THIS SITUATION. SOMETIMES TO DO RIGHT MEANS THERE'LL BE LOSS. SOMETIMES TO DO RIGHT AND TO SERVE GOD INSTEAD OF SELF THERE'S A LITTLE PAIN BUT THERE'S THE OVER RIDING PLEASURE THAT YOU DID WHAT WAS RIGHT AND YOU SERVED GOD INSTEAD OF YOURSELF. NOW A FELLOW CAN LIVE AND DIE ON THAT WITH A GOOD CONSCIENCE AND FAITH. ITS JUST NOT ALWAYS A GOOD FEELING AS MUCH AS I LIKE A GOOD FEELING AS MUCH AS THE OTHER GUY BUT I'VE HAD A LOT OF BAD FEELINGS AND IT DOESN'T MAKE A BIT OF DIFFERENCE, DID YOU DO THE RIGHT THING. SO MY PRIMARY PURPOSE IN LIFE ISN'T TO FEEL GOOD ITS TO DO THE WILL OF GOD. ALL WE NEED DO IS FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE OF JESUS IN THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE.

Luke 22:39-42

39 And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.

40 And when he was at the place, he said unto them,

Pray that ye enter not into temptation.

41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast,

and kneeled down, and prayed,

42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me:

nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

HOW MANY OF YOU KNOW THAT IT DOESN'T ALWAYS FEEL GOOD TO DO GOD'S WILL AND IF YOUR PRIMARY PURPOSE IN LIFE IS TO FEEL GOOD THEN PEOPLE WILL COME INTO THE CHURCH WITH THE PRIMARY AMBITION OF, "I WANT A GOOD FEELING." THEN YOU GOT WRONG PERSPECTIVE AND WRONG MOTIVATION, WE COME TO CHURCH TO SERVE GOD AND NOT SELF. I THINK MUCH OF THIS HAS LEAD TO THE CONSUMER MENTALITY WE HAVE OF THE CHURCH TODAY. WHAT CAN YOU OFFER TO ME AND MY FAMILY. IF YOU DON'T HAVE MUCH TO OFFER ME THEN I'M LOOKING ELSE WHERE. WELL IF WE DON'T HAVE MUCH TO OFFER WHY DON'T YOU STAY AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND HELP IN AN AREA THAT WE ARE DEFICIENT IN. YOU SEE THE HIGHEST OBJECTIVE IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS DID YOU DO THE WILL OF GOD AND NOT DID YOU FEEL A WARM GOOEY FEELING.

Matt 25:19-21

19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.

20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold,

I have gained beside them five talents more.

21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things:

enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

GOD'S BEEN SPEAKING TO US FOR QUITE SOME TIME THAT LIVING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS NEVER BASED ON OUR EMOTIONS. ITS NOT WHETHER YOU HAVE A GOOD FEELING OR NOT ITS ARE YOU DOING THE WILL OF GOD. IF YOU WILL FAITHFULLY FULFILL THE WILL OF GOD AND HIS PURPOSE FOR YOUR LIFE, WITHOUT COMPARING YOURSELF TO OTHER PEOPLE OR OTHER CHURCHES BUT ARE FAITHFUL TO WHERE GOD HAS CALLED YOU THEN YOU CAN ENTER INTO THE JOY OF THE LORD AND RECEIVE ETERNAL REWARDS. LAY NOT UP FOR YOURSELF TREASURES ON EARTH, JESUS SAID, BUT LAY UP TREASURE IN HEAVEN WHERE NEITHER MOTH NOR RUST CAN CORRUPT. SO MY PERSPECTIVE ON THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF LIFE SHOULD BE TO PLEASE GOD AND TO SERVE HIM.

IV. 55% OF AMERICANS FEEL THAT IF A PERSON IS GENERALLY GOOD OR DOES GOOD ENOUGH THINGS FOR OTHERS DURING HIS LIFE TIME THEY'LL EARN A PLACE IN HEAVEN. 55% OF AMERICANS BELIEVE THAT. BUT THE BIBLICAL VIEW IS THAT NOBODY IS RIGHTEOUS IN GOD'S EYES, THERE IS NO ONE THAT DOES GOOD NO NOT ONE AND THAT SALVATION IS BY GRACE AND GRACE ALONE.

Rom 3:10-24

10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.

12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable;

there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:

14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:

15 Their feet are swift to shed blood:

16 Destruction and misery are in their ways:

17 And the way of peace have they not known:

18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.

19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Eph 2:8-9

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not

of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

1 Cor 13:1-3

1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.

2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,

but have not God's love in me, I gain nothing.

WE CAN CLEARLY SEE FROM THESE FEW SCRIPTURES THAT WE ARE NOT SAVED BY GOOD WORKS BUT EXCLUSIVELY BY THE GRACE OF GOD. BUT IF I HOLD A WRONG PERSPECTIVE THAT I CAN EARN MY SALVATION, MY ATTITUDE WILL BE, "I DON'T NEED GOD" AND I'LL BECOME SELF RIGHTEOUS WHICH A LOT OF THE CHURCH HAS BECOME UNINTENTIONALLY BECOMES. WE MEASURE THAT FACT THE WE HAVE SOMETHING IN GOD BECAUSE OF WHAT WE DON'T DO FORGETTING THAT WE ALREADY MISSED SALVATION CAUSE YOU SINNED EITHER A LITTLE OR A LOT SO THERE'S NOTHING YOU CAN BRAG ABOUT. SO GOD DOESN'T LOVE YOU MORE BECAUSE YOU PERM YOUR HAIR, OR YOU DON'T HAVE A BODY PIERCING OR YOU DON'T WEAR THIS OR YOU DON'T WEAR THAT. HE LOVED YOU WHILE YOU WERE A SINNER AND THE ONLY WAY YOU GOT SAVED AND THE ONLY WAY THAT YOU STAY SAVED AND RIGHTEOUS IN GOD'S EYES IS BY GRACE. YOU SIMPLY BELIEVE THAT JESUS LOVED YOU AND DIED FOR YOU AND THAT'S IT. BUT WE HAVE PEOPLE IN CHURCH JUDGE EVERYBODY BUT HOW MUCH THEY DON'T DO AS IF THAT GIVES THEM PRIVILEGE WITH GOD AND IT GIVES YOU ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. GOD SPITS ON YOUR GOOD WORKS AND TREATS IT LIKE A USED FEMININE HYGIENE PAD.

Isa 64:6-7

6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

7 And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us,

because of our iniquities.

YOU SEE, HERE'S THE CRUX OF THE MATTER: THERE ARE MANY CHRISTIANS WHO BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE INITIALLY SAVED BY GRACE BUT AFTER THEY'VE BECOME SAVED THEY STAY SAVED BY THEIR RELIGIOUS PERFORMANCE. AS A RESULT YOU HAVE A LOT OF RELIGIOUS, JUDGMENTAL, AND MEAN CHRISTIANS IN CHURCH. THE ONLY WAY TO REMAIN SWEET, LOVING AND CARING IS TO REMEMBER THAT WE ARE SAVED BY GRACE AND GRACE ALONE ALL THROUGH OUR CHRISTIAN LIFE. NOW YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT SHOULD MOTIVATE YOU TO DO A GOOD THING, ITS NOT TO BE ACCEPTED BY GOD BUT BECAUSE HE LOVES ME EVEN WHEN I FAIL; ITS GOD'S GOODNESS TO A BAD PERSON. THE BIBLE TELLS US THAT IT'S THE GOODNESS OF GOD THAT LEADS US TO REPENTANCE. NOT SOMEBODY BEATING ME OVER THE HEAD. ITS JUST THAT LORD YOU ARE SO GOOD TO ME WHEN I DON'T DESERVE IT AND I WANT TO DO WHAT PLEASES YOU NOT TO EARN ANYTHING BUT SIMPLY TO BE PLEASING TO YOU. YOU SEE, GOOD WORKS NOW AS A BELIEVER IS NOT TO EARN ANYTHING ITS JUST TO PLEASE SOMEBODY WHO PAID AN INCREDIBLE PRICE TO SHOW UNCONDITIONAL LOVE TO ME. YOU SEE THERE'S A BIG DIFFERENCE IN OUR MOTIVATION AND PERSPECTIVE. SO DON'T BECOME RELIGIOUS AND LEGALIST AS A CHRISTIAN OR YOU'LL BECOME CRITICAL, LEGALISTIC AND JUDGMENTAL INSTEAD OF BEING A HUMBLE, LOVING AND KIND PERSON WHO LOVES GOD AND WANTS TO LIVE A LIFE PLEASING TO HIM. THEN I WILL BE LESS APT TO JUDGE YOU HARSHLY BECAUSE I KNOW MY OWN SHORTCOMINGS AND SIN.

IF WE ARE GOING TO LIVE LIFE IN PROPER PERSPECTIVE THEN WE MUST UNDERSTAND THE RIGHT WAY TO LOOK AT THINGS. WHAT'S YOUR PERSPECTIVE? IT'S A FRAME OF REFERENCE. ITS HOW I PROCESS MY INFORMATION. IT'S THE WAY I THINK, IT'S THE WAY I AM. WHICH BRINGS US TO THE QUESTION, "WHY IS PERSPECTIVE SO IMPORTANT?" ITS BECAUSE PERSPECTIVE GOVERNS YOUR BEHAVIOR AND BECOMES THE GUIDING FORCE OF YOUR ENTIRE LIFE AND HELPS SHAPE THE KIND OF PERSON YOU ARE. NOW WE'VE LOOKED AT 4 DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES THIS MORNING:

I. 81% OF AMERICANS INTERVIEWED SAID THAT THE BIBLE TEACHES THAT GOD HELPS THOSE WHO HELP THEMSELVES. IF I ADOPT THIS PERSPECTIVE COMPASSION WILL BE NON-EXISTENT IN MY LIFE. I WON'T FEEL EMPATHY OR PITY ON ANYBODY AND I WON'T REACH OUT WITH A HELPING HAND TO MINISTER TO HURTING PEOPLE.

2. 72% OF AMERICANS BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE ARE BLESSED BY GOD SO THEY CAN ENJOY LIFE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. NOW IF I BELIEVE THAT GOD HAS BLESSED ME SIMPLY TO ENJOY PERSONAL LIFE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE THEN I BECOME SELFISH AND GREEDY, INCONSIDERATE OF OTHERS AND THEIR NEEDS.

3. 58% OF AMERICANS THINK THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF LIFE IS PERSONAL ENJOYMENT AND FULFILLMENT. IF MY PERSPECTIVE IS THAT ALL OF LIFE IS FOR PERSONAL PLEASURE AND PERSONAL ENJOYMENT THEN I'M GOING TO BECOME SELFISH, SELF-CENTERED, AND SELF ABSORBED AND ALWAYS IN PURSUIT OF A GOOD FEELING AT THE EXPENSE OF NOT FULFILLING GOD'S WILL AND PURPOSE FOR MY LIFE.

4. 55% OF AMERICANS FEEL THAT IF A PERSON IS GENERALLY GOOD OR DOES GOOD ENOUGH THINGS FOR OTHERS DURING HIS LIFE TIME THEY'LL EARN A PLACE IN HEAVEN. IF YOU HOLD THIS PERSPECTIVE AS A CHRISTIAN YOU WILL BECOME RELIGIOUS AND PERFORMANCE WILL BE THE MAJOR CRITERIA TO JUDGE OTHERS.

GOD WANTS US TO GET HIS PERSPECTIVE ON LIFE SO THAT WE CAN LIVE A LIFE THAT IS PLEASING TO HIM AND FULFILL HIS DESTINY. NEXT WEEK I'LL SHARE A FEW MORE PERSPECTIVES.