"Resetting Our Attitude"

8-23-20Sermon Notes“Resetting Our Attitude”
I was in the grocery store one day, and I heard a mom talking to her young daughter who was having a hissy fit. The mom said, “Child, you better check yourself before you wreck yourself.” I chuckled to myself. I know what it is like from the parent’s side. And I know what it is like from the fussy child’s side. Sometimes I need to check myself before I wreck myself. Sometimes I need an attitude reset.
I feel like Lucy in the old “Peanuts” cartoon I saw. Lucy announces, “Boy, do I feel crabby.” Linus tries to help her feel better. He fixes her a sandwich. As he gives her the sandwich, he asks, “Now, is there anything else I can get you? Is there anything I haven’t thought of?” Lucy replies, “Yes, there’s one thing you haven’t thought of. I DON’T WANNA FEEL BETTER!”
I certainly have my days like that. What about you? So, as Christians, if we are going to adopt a different attitude, what would that look like? Here’s what the Apostle Paul wrote about the attitude we should adopt:
5 Adopt the attitude that was in Christ Jesus:
6 Though he was in the form of God,
he did not consider being equal with God something to exploit.
7 But he emptied himself
by taking the form of a slave
and by becoming like human beings.
When he found himself in the form of a human,
8 he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death,
even death on a cross.
9 Therefore, God highly honored him
and gave him a name above all names,
10 so that at the name of Jesus everyone
in heaven, on earth, and under the earth might bow
11 and every tongue confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Phil. 2: 5-11 CEB)

“Adopt the attitude that was in Christ Jesus…” Wow. Nobody said this would be easy! It’s easier to have what I call the “Lucifer Diva Attitude.” The Lucifer Diva Attitude is defiant (“I’m always right!). It is proud (I’m always exalted.) It is selfish (I’m always first”). We read in Isaiah 14: 12-15 how Lucifer possessed all three of these “diva” qualities, and wanted to make himself “like the Most High.” His attitude was unchecked…and he was wrecked.

This week, we will talk about the opposite of the Lucifer Diva Attitude. We will talk about the reset that helps us have the attitude that was in Christ Jesus. Join us Thursday night at 5:30 pm for in-person worship in the sanctuary, or online at Facebook Live or YouTube at 9:00 or 11:00 am on Sunday.

Grace and peace,

Pastor Sam