IT'S A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE: 2

OCT.24, 1999

Prov 29:18

18 Where there is no vision, the people perish:

but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

BEFORE I BECAME A CHRISTIAN I HAD A LOT OF MESSED UP VIEWS ON LIFE AS MOST PEOPLE DO BUT WHEN I SURRENDERED MY LIFE TO CHRIST AND SUBMITTED TO THE AUTHORITY OF GOD'S WORD I RECEIVED SOME MORAL ABSOLUTES THAT HELPED ME TO SEE LIFE FROM GOD'S PERSPECTIVE. NOW IF GOD IS THE CREATOR OF HEAVEN AND EARTH AND HOLDS THE POWER OF ETERNITY IN HIS HANDS THEN IT WOULD BE TO MY BEST INTEREST TO GAIN GOD'S PERSPECTIVE.

MANY PEOPLE ARE CAUGHT UP IN THE PRESSURES AND STRESSES OF LIFE TO REALLY SIT DOWN AND CONTEMPLATE THE ETERNAL CONSEQUENCES OF THE SOUL OR THE REAL VALUE AND MEANING OF LIFE. FOR MANY IT TAKES A CRISIS TO BRING THEM BACK TO REALITY. A FAMILY WHO IS PREOCCUPIED WITH MATERIAL THINGS ALL SURVIVE A FIRE IN THEIR HOME ONLY TO REALIZE THE TRANSIENT VALUE OF MATERIAL THINGS BUT THE UTMOST VALUE FOR HUMAN LIFE, ESPECIALLY THEIR LOVED ONES. ITS SAD TO SAY BUT MANY TIMES IT TAKES THE LOSS OF A LOVED ONE, A TRAGEDY OR A CRISIS TO BRING THINGS BACK INTO A RIGHT PERSPECTIVE. I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT GOD HAS A MUCH EASIER PLAN AND THAT'S RECORDED IN THESE 2 PASSAGES OF SCRIPTURE

Micah 4:2

2 And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion,

and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

Isa 55:7-9

7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God,

for he will abundantly pardon.

8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your

ways my ways, saith the LORD.

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

THROUGHOUT THE BIBLE THERE IS THE EXPRESSION OF COMING UP INTO THE PLACE WHERE GOD IS. HIS VALUES ARE HIGHER THAN OURS, SO IS HIS HOLINESS AND PURITY. HIS THOUGHTS ARE HIGHER THAN OUR THOUGHTS AND HIS WAYS ARE HIGHER THAN OUR WAYS. IN ORDER FOR US TO GAIN GOD'S PERSPECTIVE WE MUST COME UP TO WHERE HE'S AT. IN THE O.T GOD SUBJECTED HIS MANIFESTED PRESENCE TO A PHYSICAL LOCATION. EVERY TIME GOD CAME DOWN AND APPEARED TO MAN IT WAS ON A MOUNTAIN TOP. THERE WAS MT. SINAI WHERE THE LAW WAS GIVEN, THERE WAS MT. ZION WHERE THE GOVERNMENT AND ARMY OF ISRAEL DWELT. THERE WAS MT. MORIAH WHERE THE TEMPLE IN JERUSALEM WAS BUILT. YOU SEE, WHEN YOUR ON TOP OF A MOUNTAIN LOOKING DOWN, YOUR PERSPECTIVE CHANGES. WHEN WE GAIN GOD'S PERSPECTIVE ON LIFE WE SEE THINGS THEY WAY THE REALLY ARE, WE GAIN GOD'S VANTAGE POINT. ACCEPTING CHRIST AS YOUR PERSONAL SAVIOR IS THE ONLY WAY THAT YOU CAN COME INTO RIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST AND BE SEATED TOGETHER WITH HIM IN HEAVENLY PLACES AND GAIN HIS THOUGHTS, WAYS AND PERSPECTIVE ON LIFE.

Eph 2:1-6

1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now

worketh in the children of disobedience:

3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were

by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with

Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together

in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

PERSPECTIVE IS MY WORLD VIEW. IT'S THE WAY I LOOK AT THINGS, 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. LAST WEEK WE DISCUSSED 3 COMMON PERSPECTIVES HELD BY OUR WESTERN CULTURE. LET ME REVIEW THOSE WITH YOU THIS MORNING AND WE'LL LOOK AT A FEW MORE.

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. THE BIBLE TEACHES THAT GOD HELPS THE HELPLESS, THE WEAK, THE POOR AND THE NEEDY AND SO SHOULD WE.

II. 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. THE FACT IS THAT GOD BLESSES US AND MAKES US A BLESSING TO OTHERS JUST AS HE DID WITH THE FATHER OF OUR FAITH, ABRAHAM.

III. 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. THE PRIMARY PURPOSE FOR EVERY CHRISTIAN IS TO SERVE GOD AND TO GLORIFY HIM IN EVERYTHING THEY SAY AND DO.

NOW LET'S LOOK AT A FEW MORE PERSPECTIVES FROM OUR WESTERN CULTURE:

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.

V. 41% OF AMERICANS BELIEVE THAT ALL RELIGIOUS FAITHS TEACH EQUALLY VALID TRUTHS. BUT THE BIBLE TEACHES THAT ONLY BY ACCEPTING JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR PERSONAL SAVIOR CAN YOU COME INTO RIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.

John 6:44

44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

John 6:65

65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.

John 14:6

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

1 Tim 2:5-6

5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men,

the man Christ Jesus;

6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

NOW I REALIZE THAT, THAT IS A VERY NARROW VIEW BUT IT IS THE RIGHT VIEW. ACTS 4:12 TELLS US THIS: NEITHER IS THERE SALVATION IN ANY OTHER, FOR THERE IS NOT OTHER NAME UNDER HEAVEN GIVEN AMONG MEN WHEREBY WE MUST BE SAVED, EXCEPT JESUS. NOW THAT'S PRETTY NARROW MINDED WOULD YOU SAY. NOW ACTS 4:12 IS NOT A MORMAN BIBLE OR A METHODIST BIBLE ITS EVEN IN THE CATHOLIC BIBLE, ITS IN ALL THE BIBLES! NOW I KNOW THAT THROUGH THERE ARE MANY PARAMETERS ABOUT NON-ESSENTIAL TRUTHS ON GOING TO HEAVEN THERE'S ONLY ONE. IT IS EXTREMELY NARROW, IT'S JESUS AND THERE'S NO OTHER. BUT IF MY PERSPECTIVE IS THAT ALL FAITH'S ARE CORRECT THEN MY LOGIC IS IN A LOT OF TROUBLE. IF JESUS SAID HE WAS THE ONLY WAY THEN HOW CAN THAT PERSPECTIVE BE TRUE ESPECIALLY IF I BELIEVE THAT BUDDAH OR HARIKRISHNA IS THE WAY? I WILL NEVER FOCUS ON THE TRUTH I'LL JUST BELIEVE THAT EVERYBODY'S RIGHT. NOW EVERYBODY HAS A RIGHT TO THEIR OPINION BUT OPINIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES. PERSPECTIVE REALLY MATTERS. BE SURE THAT YOUR PER-SPECTIVE IS BIBLICALLY BASED. RIGHT? AND THAT'S WHAT I'M TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH IN THIS SERIES.

HERE'S WHAT I'M TRYING TO SAY: IF GOD'S GONNA JUDGE ME BASED ON THE CONTENTS OF THIS BOOK WE CALL THE BIBLE THEN I BETTER KNOW WHAT'S IN THE BOOK FOR MYSELF. THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN DO THAT IS TO READ IT FOR YOURSELF AND ASK GOD TO REVEAL IT TO YOU. YOU SEE EVERYBODY HAS THEIR OPINION ON WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES BUT YOU NEED TO GET ALONE WITH GOD AND LET HIM COMMUNICATE HIS WORD TO YOU. I REMEMBER I WAS TOLD AS A YOUNG BOY THAT I HAD TO WAIT A 1/2 HOUR TO GO SWIMMING AFTER I ATE OR I'D DROWN. I BELIEVED THAT AND I THOUGHT EATING AND DROWNING WENT TOGETHER. AND THEN YOU'VE HEARD PEOPLE SAY SOMETHING LIKE, "OH YES, THE BIBLES SAYS THAT TOWARDS THE END OF THE AGE THE WEATHER PATTERS ARE GOING TO CHANGE AND YOU'LL KNOW JESUS IS COMING BACK REAL SOON." AND THEN IN THE 50'S WHEN THEY INVENTED THE ATOMIC BOMB PEOPLE SAID THE WORLD WOULD COME TO AND END. AND THEN THEY GOT THE HYDROGEN BOMB AND NOW WE GOT THE NUTRON BOMB AND WE'RE STILL HERE! SO PEOPLE HAD THEIR OPINION ON WHEN THE WORLD WOULD END BUT THEY WERE ALL WRONG….ONLY GOD KNOWS THAT AND THE BIBLE CLEARLY TEACHES THAT NO MAN KNOWS THE HOUR OR THE TIME ONLY THE SEASON.

Matt 25:13

13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the

hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

Mark 13:31-32

31 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.

LISTEN, PEOPLE HAVE HAD THEIR OPINION ON WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ON A LOT OF DIFFERENT SUBJECTS BUT ITS NOT OUR OPINION OF WHAT IT SAYS ITS WHAT GOD SAID AND WHAT GOD MEANT WHEN HE SAID IT. THAT'S ONE REASON WE NEED BIBLE PREACHING FUNDALMENTALIST TO HELP US UNDERSTAND THE CULTURE AND TIMES IN WHICH GOD'S WORD WAS WRITTEN SO THAT WE CAN UNDERSTAND HOW IT APPLIES TO OUR LIFE TODAY. NOW I MAKE MY PERSPECTIVE COME OUT OF WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS AND I DON'T FOLLOW ANY RELIGIOUS TRADITION. IF I HOLD A DOCTRINE OR BELIEF THAT YOU CAN PROVE TO ME IS WRONG THROUGH THE BIBLE THEN I'LL CHANGE AND BECOME A BETTER CHRISTIAN.

2 Tim 2:15-18

15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will

increase unto more ungodliness.

17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is

Hymenaeus and Philetus;

18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

2 Tim 3:13-17

13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly

furnished unto all good works.

YOU SEE. WE HAVE TO KNOW WHAT GOD'S WORD SAYS OTHERWISE YOU WILL MAKE VALUE JUDGEMENTS THAT CAN HURT YOU IN THE FUTURE.

VI. NOW, HOW DO WE DISCOVER WHAT GOD'S PERSPECTIVE IS FOR YOUR LIFE? THERE ARE A COUPLE OF WAYS.

1. HOW DO YOU SEE YOURSELF? IN NUM.13 MOSES SENDS 12 SPIES TO SEARCH OUT THE PROMISED LAND. 10 OF THEM COME BACK WITH A BAD REPORT:

Num 13:25-33

25 And they returned from searching of the land after forty days.

26 And they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought back word unto them, and unto all the congregation, and shewed them the fruit of the land.

27 And they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it.

28 Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there.

29 The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south: and the Hittites, and the Jebusites, and the Amorites, dwell in the mountains: and the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by the coast of Jordan.

30 And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.

31 But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.

32 And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature.

33 And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.

NOW HERE'S A POINT OF VIEW HELD BY THESE 10 SPIES THAT WAS A WRONG PERSPECTIVE. THEY THOUGHT OF THEMSELVES AS SMALL AND INFERIOR, SO THEY LOOKED INFERIOR AND SMALL TO OTHER PEOPLE. THE WAY YOU SEE YOURSELF IS THE WAY OTHERS WILL SEE YOU. IF YOU SEE YOURSELF AS , "WE BE NOT ABLE," THEN DON'T GO TO THAT BANK SEEING YOURSELF AS LOW AND UNDESERVING OF THAT LOAN BECAUSE THE BANKER WILL KNOW IT TOO. LISTEN THE DEVIL WILL PRAYER THAT PRAYER OF AGREEMENT WITH YOU ANY TIME YOU WANT TO BELIEVE THAT YOU ARE POOR, LOWLY, UNWORTHY AND NO GOOD FOR ANYTHING OR YOU'LL BLOW IT OR MESS IT UP SOME WHERE BECAUSE, THE "WE BE NOT ABLE" SYNDROME IS WORKING IN YOUR LIFE. THE ENEMY WILL SEE YOU THE WAY YOU SEE YOURSELF AND WILL AGREE WITH YOU AND ENFORCE IT AGAINST YOU. SO WE LIVE DEFEATED AND UNFULFILLED CHRISTIAN LIVES BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHAT GOD'S WORD SAYS AND HOW IT APPLIES TO OUR LIVES AT WORK AT HOME AND IN OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHERS.

2. NOW THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COIN IS TRUE IN PROPER SELF EVALUATION.

Rom 12:3

3For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

SO THERE ARE TO BAD PERSPECTIVES ON SELF: 1. WOE I AM BAD, I'M NO GOOD, I'LL NEVER AMOUNT TO ANYTHING, I NEVER HAVE THAT OR I COULD NEVER DO THAT. 2. AND THE OTHER PERSPECTIVE IS ARROGANCE AND PRIDE. THEY DON'T KNOW WHETHER THEY WANT A MEDAL OR A MONUMENT. I'M EVERYTHING, I'M MR. WONDERFUL, I'M ALL FAITHS, I'M THIS OR I'M THAT...ETC. SO THOSE ARE WRONG PERSPECTIVES. JESUS SAID IN LK.15 THAT WITHOUT ME YOU CAN DO NOTHING. SO AS A BELIEVER I CAN DO ALL THING THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME BUT I CAN'T MAKE IT WITH AN INDEPENDENT, SELF-CENTERED, ARROGANT SPIRIT. SO THE BALANCE PERSPECTIVE IS THAT WITHOUT HIM I CAN'T DO ANYTHING SIGNIFICANT OR ETERNAL BUT WITH HIM I CAN DO ANYTHING I'M CALLED TO DO. NOW I KNOW LIFE IN PROPER PERSPECTIVE BECAUSE YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU'RE NOT MADE FOR AND IF YOU ACHIEVE ANYTHING IN LIFE YOU KNOW IT'S BECAUSE GOD HELPED YOU TO ACCOMPLISH….LOOK WHAT THE LOOK HAS DONE! YOU SEE THAT'S A BALANCED PERSPECTIVE THAT WILL KEEP YOU OUT OF PRIDE AND IT'LL KEEP YOU OUT OF SELF PITY.

2. NOW HERE'S THE NEXT THING WE MUST DO TO DISCOVER WHAT OUR GOD GIVEN PERSPECTIVE IS IN LIFE. WE MUST ASK OURSELVES THIS QUESTION: HOW DO I SEE MY CIRCUMSTANCES?

A.L. TODD WROTE: " WE CAN COMPLAIN BECAUSE ROSE BUSHES BEAR THORNS OR WE CAN REJOICE BECAUSE THORN BUSHES BEAR ROSES." ITS JUST A MATTER OR PERSPECTIVE. DO YOU SEE THE GLASS HAVE FULL OR HALF EMPTY? PERSPECTIVE COLORS HOW YOU SEE SOMETHING. SAUL LOOKS AT THE GIANT GOLIATH AND SAYS HE'S TOO BIG TO KILL. DAVID LOOKS AT GOLIATH AND SAYS HE'S TOO BIG TO MISS. YOU SEE, ITS ALL A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE. ITS HOW YOU SEE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES THAT WILL DETERMINE YOUR RESPONSE OR YOUR REACTION TO SOMETHING.

Rom 8:28

28 And we know that all that happens to us is working for our good

if we love God and are fitting into his plans.

GOD HAS THE ABILITY TO WORK MY CIRCUMSTANCES TOGETHER FOR MY GOOD. GOD CAN TAKE ALL THE POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE INTRACRICIES OF OUR LIFE AND WEAVE THEM TOGETHER TO FORM CHARACTER IN US AND MAKE US A BETTER PERSON. THIS IS WHAT'S SO INTERESTING: THAT SOMETHING GOOD IS HAPPENING NO MATTER HOW I FEEL ABOUT THE CIRCUMSTANCES IN MY LIFE. CIRCUMSTANCES ARE NOT GOING TO DETERMINE THE OUTCOME OF MY LIFE BECAUSE GOD WILL WORK THROUGH THEM TO BRING GOOD. GOD CAN TAKE PAST FAILURE OR PAST BETRAYALS, WHAT SOMEBODY DID TO YOU OR WHAT YOU DIDN'T HAVE OR WHAT YOU WERE DEPRIVED OF TO DEVELOP CHARACTER AND MAKE YOU A BETTER PERSON IN THE END. SO YOU'RE NEVER A VICTIM.

2 Cor 4:15-18

15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish,

yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

17 These troubles and sufferings of ours are, after all, quite small and won't last very long. Yet this short time of distress will result in

God's richest blessing upon us forever and ever!

18 So we do not look at what we can see right now, the troubles all around us, but we look forward to the joys in heaven which we have not yet seen. The troubles will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.

NOW WE SHOULDN'T MAKE THE TROUBLE WE ARE EXPERIENCING RIGHT NOW THE FOCUS OF ALL OF OUR ATTENTION. WHEN YOU DO THAT YOU LOOSE PROPER PERSPECTIVE AND YOU'RE PROBLEM OR YOUR CIRCUMSTANCE BECOMES BIGGER THAN GOD. WE DON'T LOOK AT THE TROUBLE WE CAN SEE RIGHT NOW BUT WE SHOULD LOOK FORWARD TO WHAT WE HAVE NOT YET SEEN BUT RECEIVE BY FAITH. AFTER ALL, FAITH IS GOD'S PERSPECTIVE ON THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF OUR LIFE.

Heb 11:1

1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the

evidence of things not seen.

Heb 11:1 (LIVING)

1 What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead.

HOW MANY OF YOU KNOW THAT FAITH IS THE PROPER PERSPECTIVE ON YOUR PROBLEMS AND CIRCUMSTANCES. NOW FAITH IS THE SUBSTANCE OF PROMISES IN GOD'S WORD FOR EVERY DAY VICTORIOUS LIVING. WHAT DO I MEAN BY THAT? I WANT TO CONVEY TO YOU THAT FAITH IS NOT WISHFUL THINKING OR POSITIVE THINKING ITS COMING UP INTO GOD'S PERSPECTIVE ON OUR CIRCUMSTANCES BASED ON THE PROMISES OF HIS PROVISION AND CARE FOR US IN HIS WORD. HE IS OUR FATHER AND AS OUR FATHER HE HAS COVENANTED TO PROTECT US, HELP US, COMFORT US, TO NOURISH US AND TO SUSTAIN US IN ALL OF LIFE'S PROBLEMS, DIFFICULTIES AND ADVERSE CIRCUMSTANCES.

Isa 63:16

16 Doubtless thou art our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O LORD, art our father,

our redeemer; thy name is from everlasting.

Isa 64:8

8 But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay,

and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.

Rom 8:15-16

15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit,

that we are the children of God:

1 Cor 8:6

6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

Eph 4:4-7

4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are

called in one hope of your calling;

5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to

the measure of the gift of Christ.

II Th 2:16-17

16Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation

and good hope through grace,

17Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.

WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND JUST HOW VITAL AND IMPORTANT IT IS TO POSSESS GOD'S PERSPECTIVE IN OUR LIFE BECAUSE OUR PERSPECTIVE SHAPES OUR THOUGHTS, WHICH SHAPES OUR FEELINGS WHICH SHAPE OUR ATTITUDES AND DEVELOP OUR CHARACTER AND BEHAVIOR. IF OUR PERSPECTIVE IS WRONG IT CAN PRODUCE UNGODLY FRUIT IN OUR LIFE AND IS LIKE BUILDING A HOUSE ON SAND, WITH NO FOUNDATION. WHEN WE HAVE GOD'S PERSPECTIVE IN OUR LIFE WE WILL POSSESS A VISION FOR LIFE THAT TRANSCENDS THE EARTHLY AND PREPARES US FOR ETERNITY. WE MUST HAVE GOD'S PERSPECTIVE WORKING IN EVERY AREA OF OUR LIVES.