Benefits 39 The Attitude of Christ

Benefits of the Son of God no. 39

The Attitude of Christ

March 6, 2005

Brian Kocourek

This Morning I would like to take a study on the attitude of Christ. Therefore if we could open our Bibles to the book of Philippians and read from Chapter 2.

PHILIPPIANS 2:1 ¶ If [there be] therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, [being] of one accord, of one mind. 3 [Let] nothing [be done] through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of [things] in heaven, and [things] in earth, and [things] under the earth; 11 And [that] every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ [is] Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12 ¶ Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of [his] good pleasure. 14 ¶ Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; 16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. 17Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. 18 For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me. 19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. 20 For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. 21 For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's. 22 But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel. 23 Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me. 24 But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly. 25 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. 26 For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick. 27 For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. 29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation: 30 Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.

Let’s just bow our heads one more time. Dear Father we have seen where the Apostle Paul was speaking of the attitude of Christ and of the brethren that placed the needs of the people even above their own needs, and we pray that the attitude that was in Christ would be in us as we ask it in Jesus own Name. Amen.

This morning I would like to focus our thoughts on five points to consider when we think of our attitude and how it either reflects the attitude of Christ or not.

I) I want to show what having the right mental attitude is.

II) I want to show what the right mental attitude will produce.

III) I want to show why we must have the right mental attitude.

IV) I want to show how our mental attitude affects those around us.

V) I want to show how a wrong attitude can cripple our walk, and the walk of those we have influence over.

Now, to begin with, we must first know what a right mental attitude is, and in order to know what the right mental attitude is, we must first understand what an attitude is.

I) What having the right mental attitude is.

Now, Webster’s New World Dictionary: defines attitude as aptness, or inclination, and further states, the position or posture assumed by the body in connection with an action, feeling, or mood, etc. The word attitude is also defined as a manner of acting, feeling or thinking that shows one disposition or opinion. Now, if you caught the main points in each of these definitions, The first stating that attitude is the posture or position of the body in reference to or in connection with an action, feeling, or mood, and the other is the action, feeling or thinking that shows your opinion, disposition or mindset.

So we are looking at the position or posture of the body, and those attributes that show when you are thinking, felling or that express your mood.

Therefore, attitude is not just a mental cognizance, or a mental understanding, or a mental leaning, but rather attitude is an outward expression of our disposition, it is an outward expression of our feelings, it is an outward expression of our thoughts, it is the connection of the body to those thoughts, and how the body expresses those thoughts. That’s what attitude is.

Remember, Paul told us that we are written epistles, written in our flesh to show the world the attitude of Christ. And the key is that it SHOWS how we feel, it SHOWS just what we think about something, etc.

The Bible tells us that God would send forth an angel, to mark those that would sigh and cry because of the abominations done in the city. The sighing and crying is the bodies response to what was being done in the city, and that is an outward expression of what their attitude was inside their soul.

Your attitude then shows outwardly what you are thinking inwardly. You can not hide an attitude, it shows, it manifests. You might be able to hide your thoughts but an attitude goes beyond inner thoughts. Attitude speaks of the expression of your disposition. The way you show it in your body language; in your eyes, in your facial expression, in your tome of voice, and in your posture.

Therefore attitude is the expression of your opinion, and your disposition. Now the word disposition comes from two words, dis, and position. Together they speak of the putting in order and refers to the normal aspects of ones nature. Therefore what we see in attitude is the disposition or the setting in order or the outward reflection of ones true nature.

Now, point #I) What is the right mental attitude is. Well, to have the right attitude means you would first have to have the rights thoughts about whatever the object of your thinking is. And that means you must have the right opinion, and there is only one right opinion and that is God’s opinion. What does God think about it, Because His thoughts are not our thoughts, for His thoughts are higher than our thoughts, and if we are to have a right thinking about anything, it must be what God thinks about it. And in order to know what God’s thoughts are about anything, it must come through the instrument of His Word, for out of the abundance of the mouth the heart speaketh.

Therefore if we are to have the right attitude then we must have the attitude that was in Christ Jesus.

The Apostle Paul said, PHILIPPIANS 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: And the word mind here has the same Greek word Phroneo that is used for the word likeminded. Let this mind that was in Christ be in you. That’s the key that Paul is bringing to us here, and it is a gift from God that only those whom God chooses can receive that gift.

Notice Paul says, Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: (And notice then that it is according to Christ Jesus , the Anointed Jesus. So we see that God has given us a gift to be likeminded, and not only to be likeminded, but likeminded towards one another and notice he tells us, ACCORDING to Christ Jesus. Now, the only way we can be likeminded is if we have the same mind. So he is telling us here the same thing he is telling us in PHILIPPIANS 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.

And we know this can only come as God has ordained it to come.

JOHN 1:12 But as many as received him, (Now the word received here is the Greek word Lambano which means to take to one's self, lay hold upon, take possession of, i.e. to appropriate to one's self 3e) catch at, reach after, strive to obtain) to them gave he power (Now this word power is not the Greek word Dunamis that we associate so often with miraculous power, but it is the Greek word exousia which means 1) power of choice, So we see God gives us a gift, and that gift is the power to make a right decision. And that decision is to become a son, or act like a son ought to act.) ) to them gave he power to become the sons of God,(now this word becomes comes from the Greek word ginomai, and it does not mean that you were a hog, and now you have power to become a lamb. It does not mean that you were a seed of the devil and now you have been given power to become a or a seed of God. No, it means to become fulfilled. In other words, God gives you the power to make the right decision to become what you already are.

Now, that we know what the right mental attitude is, that it is an expression of God’s opinion living itself and expressing itself in your body.

The next thing we must look at is point number II). I want to show what the right mental attitude will produce.

I am the resurrection and life 52-0810A P:61 It's your attitude towards it. Your attitude towards God's Divine gift, will get you just what ask for. Do you understand? Oh, how I'd like to stop right here, Brother Boze, and punch that for about a half hour, but I can't do it. Your attitude: God can send a gift, and no matter what you... Depends on what attitude you take towards it. Look at them who smote His face and spit on Him, and everything, was no virtue there. But a woman that believed the Word touched the hem of His garment, was healed. Is that right? All right. It depends on what you think about it. God sends it. It's your attitude towards any Divine gift, determines what you get out of it. So there...

Hebrews 11: Read all, show how that our faith is a display of our attitude towards God’s Word.

Proving His word 65-0426 P:12 But before we pray for the sick, we've got to get the people in that attitude. It's the attitude that always brings the results. It's the attitude that you take towards God. Here's a woman touched His garment; she was healed with a blood issue. A soldier spit in His face, and put a crown of thorns on His head, and felt no virtue. It's your approach. The attitude is what it takes. And that's what it is tonight, dear friend; it takes the attitude. We are, and believe that we are in the Presence of Jesus Christ, but it's your attitude that brings the results. The mechanics is here and so is the dynamics. If you can just get started, God will do the rest.

In 1 Cor 9:10 we see the farmer plows in hope expecting to reap from his efforts. You see when you are sowing with an expectation you sow with a right heart and a right mind, and thus a right attitude. But if you go through the motions without a true expectation, then your attitude will show.

Romans 8:24-25 if you do not see it then you are still hoping, but when you have seen it, it shows that your hope has become manifested.

Expectations 50-0405 P:13 Just for a little text, if I should call it that, I want to speak for a moment or two on the word of "Expectation. "We always get what we expect. When people expect anything, well then they usually get what you look for. It's the mental attitude that you have. Remember this, and never forget it. The right mental attitude towards any promise of God will bring it to pass, the right mental attitude towards any promise of God. It doesn't take gifts of healing to heal sick people, any person in here has a right to meet Satan anywhere, if you're a Christian, and defeat him on any grounds that he could stand on. When Jesus Christ was here on earth, and in Him dwelled the fullness of the Godhead bodily, all the great powers of God was in His Son, Christ Jesus. For the Scripture tells us that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself. All things was delivered unto Him, though He spoke nothing but what the Father told Him. He healed no one but what He first saw being healed. For He said, "Verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing in Himself, but what He sees the Father doing." That was Saint John 5:19.

Now, brother Branham said you get what you expect. And you know it is not as amazing that Jesus walked on water, because he was the Son of God, but what is truly amazing is that Peter was able to walk on water as well until he lost his focus. He lost his expectation. And the Scriptures tells to be careful not to loose our reward.

Now, We are examining what an attitude is and what the right mental attitude is. #1) We find that there is only one right attitude and that is what God thinks about it, and His actions toward the object of the attitude. We found that Jesus Christ came to earth to display to the world God’s attitude towards the world, the sinner and the Seed of God.

#2) We find that the right mental attitude will produce what it is meant to produce. We examined the Scriptures, and took a handful of people in the Scriptures and examined there reaction to the Word of God. Their reaction to the promises of God was their attitude towards God and His Word, for He is the Word. We showed by many infallible Scriptural proofs that the right mental attitude towards any divine promise of God will bring it to pass. Remember the Roman centurion who simply said just speak the word and my servant will be healed. He understood authority and thus he got what he expected.

We examined Hebrews 11: and we read of many examples of men and women who displayed the right mental attitude towards God’s word and we saw how they received the thing God had promised them.

And that brings us to POIINT NUMBER THREE.

We must know “Why we must have the right mental attitude”.

Now there are several reasons why we must display the right attitude towards God’s Word.

1. Our attitude will produce a result, depending on the attitude we display.

2. Our attitude does not create an atmosphere, but rather expresses the atmosphere in which we live. It is the expression of the nature of your soul and thus it creates an atmosphere around you of who you are. You are identified with the attitude you express.

3. And thus you are judged, and will be judged for the attitude you display to others, and the attitude you display toward God.

4. Thus your attitude will not only affect your own self, but has an affect on others.

Now, you might ask, why must we have a right attitude, but remember, it is the attitude that brings the results. If you do not come with the right attitude you will never get anything from God except a rebuke, and hardship. And that is the way it is with anyone in life. You all know that raising children. That is one of the first things you teach your children, is to have a right attitude towards others and to have respect for Mom and Dad, and authority. And that is the way it is with God. The old moral says, “you can get more bees with honey than with vinegar”. And a moral is a point in a story that is there to illustrate a truism.

There is no one that I know that would rather have people treat them like dirt than with respect. Show respect and you will get respect back in return. Show contempt and you will receive contempt. You reap what you sow. To have friends you must show yourselves friendly.

Look If someone is in need and they politely ask, I usually do what I can to help them out. But as soon as they get uppity and start to demand, that is when I just close up and won’t help them any more. I have experienced that in the mission field. There were some pastors overseas that we enjoyed helping, but when some of them got uppity and started demanding we help them, and we owed it to them, it just shut down the compassion I had for them, and left me feeling empty of compassion for them. With no more compassion for them, why should I bust and work three jobs to support them?

When divine love is projected 57-0126E P:19 Then when you become a son or a daughter of God, your disposition changes; your attitude changes; your all, your look towards life and towards others changes.

You are not the only one living on this planet, and the blessing from God that you receive also affect the people in which you associate with. When you are blessed you become a blessing to others. The atmosphere of blessings you live under does not just shine over your head. If it we not for the blessings of God shining down upon the Elect, the whole world would be under a curse right now.

And in Deuteronomy 28 speaks of Blessing and cursing that we can expect to receive depending on our attitude towards God and His Word. If we receive and respect God and His Word, we are blessed, but if we reject God and His Word we are cursed.

DEUTERONOMY 28:1 ¶ And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe [and] to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: 2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.

Notice we are told that we won’t even see them coming, until they are upon us and have overtaken us. One day you just wake up and everything seems to be going your way. That is the blessing of God. Now, I don’t have time to read to you all these blessing, but just open your Bibles at home and study this chapter and see how the blessings of God in just about every aspect of Life are there fore you if only you will hearken diligently, which means to use diligence in paying attention to the Word of God. But the same holds true for those who will not do so, only the same things you are blessed in for hearkening become curses for not hearkening.

DEUTERONOMY 28:15 ¶ But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:

You see, the results you get depends on what attitude you display towards God and His Word.

Now, remember, Your attitude creates an atmosphere, or an environment. God in His people 50-0227 P:20 Your attitude towards the gift will determine your healing.

Resurrection of Lazarus 50-0813A P:43 Why, she knew if God was in Elijah, surely He was in His Son. Hallelujah. That's right. There, she said, "If I can only get to Him, I'll find out the reason my brother died. So she pressed right on through that crowd of unbelievers. When she got down there to where He was...Now, look, seem like... (Closely now. I'm going to close just in a minute.) Seem like that she had a right to upbraid Him, doesn't it? Say, "Why didn't You come to my brother?" Scold Him. "Why didn't You come to my brother?" If she would've approached in that attitude, she'd have... That miracle would've never happened. It's your attitude of approach, how you approach anything. If you come... Like on the gift here, you've got to approach the gift in the right way. You've got to approach God in the right way... You can't come, say, "Now, Lord, looky here. I've been a pretty good fellow. I've... Get some hand-me-downs. But I'll tell You; I want You to take me tonight and say..." No, no. God don't take it like that. You come God's provided way, or you don't come at all. That's right. That's true.

Wedding supper 56-1006 P:35 God wants a Church that He can lay His hands on. I don't care how little it is. "Two or three gathered in My Name, I'll be in their midst," not just speak it. Then you say, "Well, we gather in His Name." Speaking the Name of Jesus by word is not what He meant, so much as it is the attitude that you're gathered in, the environment of the Name of Jesus. "When you gather in My Name, then ask what you will." It's the motive that you come in, the attitude. It's an attitude instead of so much of a calling a Name. Sinners call that Name on the street, curse it and everything else. But it's the environment that you're in, the attitude that you come, coming in Jesus' Name.

Brother Branham said in the sermon , We would see Jesus 62-0627 P:15 depends on the attitude that we take. Now, God always sends His gifts and things into the generations, into the churches; and whatever attitude the people take, that's the results of what they get. We know that. You... God doesn't push Himself on anyone. You have to want Him.

And in the sermon, GOD IN SIMPLICITY 63-0317M 6-1 {30} he said, When a minister walks into a congregation of people praying in the anointing of the Spirit, you're bound to hear from heaven. That's just all. There's no way to keep from it. But if you walk into confusion, then you're so confused, the Spirit's grieved.

You get what you are looking for. If you come to church looking to hear from God you will, but if you come to find something to criticize you will find that too. So you see the importance of our attitude and the atmosphere that it creates. As I mentioned last night, we set an atmosphere by the attitude we express by our body language, and the tone of our voice, and the way we look and the way we posture our body. Body language means something to people, and it means something to God. It expresses our attitude. It is an expression of the true nature of our soul.

Proving His word 65-0426 P:12 It's the attitude that always brings the results. It's the attitude that you take towards God. Here's a woman touched His garment; she was healed with a blood issue. A soldier spit in His face, and put a crown of thorns on His head, and felt no virtue. It's your approach. The attitude is what it takes. And that's what it is tonight, dear friend; it takes the attitude. We are, and believe that we are in the Presence of Jesus Christ, but it's your attitude that brings the results. The mechanics is here and so is the dynamics. If you can just get started, God will do the rest.

Now, what does he mean by “if you can just get started? “ I believe what he is saying is not that you can produce anything, but if you do the right thing, and say the right thing, it will bring right results. You se, God will do it for you if your attitude is right. After al, God is sovereign and He doesn’t have to do anything for anyone. But if you go to Him with the right attitude, then ask what you will.

JOHN 15:5 I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

God in His people 50-0227 P:3 And then, as I bring Christ to you, He will be on your hand. And you'll have to answer for what attitude you took towards it: if you turned it down, or if you accepted it. God will have you to answer for your attitude of this meeting, so you must realize it's a very sacred thing.

And not only do you receive what you expect, but you will also be judged for your attitude. It is the attitude that expresses what we are, and that you will be judged for. And you will take your attitude with you because your attitude is an expression of your character. It is an expression in your body of the nature of your inner man. And for that you will be judged.

1. Our attitude will produce a result, depending on the attitude we display.

3. And thus you are judged, and will be judged for the attitude you display to others, and the attitude you display toward God.

4. Thus your attitude will not only affect your own self, but has an affect on others.

Let’s just bow our heads in prayer. Father we want to thank you for your word knowing that the attitude that your son displayed is what we want. May our attitude be like that of your son Jesus who was dedicated and consecrated and mat our attitude be thus until you take us up in the rapture.