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Make no mistake about it, you and I live in a NEGATIVE world and the circumstances we encounter lead to being
either positive or negative.
Ø This should NOT take any of us by surprise. Jesus gave us a “heads up” long ago. Listen to John 16:33.
Ø The process of becoming a rejoicing people and the process of becoming a positive influence in our world
means we focus on positive thoughts and praise.
§ We need to focus on things that are true, honest and just.
§ We are to focus on the things that are pure, lovely and of good report.
§ We are to focus only on those things that have virtue and are worthy of praise.
Ø Sadly I must report that NOT all Christians positive.
§ Today you don’t have to go far to find negative Christians.
§ You don’t have to go far to find believers that grumble and complain.
§ For some strange reason there is nothing anyone can do to make them happy.
Ø OK. So how do we keep ourselves from becoming negative? How is it we can stay positive in this negative
world?
1. FIRST, IF YOU WANT TO BE POSITIVE IN A NEGATIVE WORLD YOU MUST RESPOND TO GOD’S
LOVE
i. You see, we see God’s love for us in spite of the circumstances.
ii. We see God’s love for us in creation.
iii. We see God’s love for us in pages of the Bible.
iv. But the place we see God’s love the clearest is in the absolute ugliest place of all and that is Calvary!
v. But another place we see and experience God’s love is through answered prayer.
2. SECOND, IF YOU WANT TO BE POSITIVE IN A NEGATIVE WORLD YOU MUST REPROGRAM YOUR
WAY OF THINKING
C. While we brag about being in “real time” in this age of instant communications there is a significant downside.
i. It means we are constantly aware of the world’s problems instantly.
ii. It means all of the violent acts of our world are instantly reported.
D. There are documented evidence of the psychological dangers of being exposed to constant negative input.
i. If you ever had to work around a negative person for a while you will know exactly what I mean.
F. The road to being positive is built with the bricks of having a regular faith building input in your life.
i. Developing a devotional life.
ii. Daily Bible reading and prayer.
iii. Starting every day thankful.
iv. Expecting God to come through.
APPLICATION: YOU ARE NOT ONLY WHAT YOU EAT BUT WHAT YOU THINK. THINK ABOUT THIS!
3. THIRD, IF YOU WANT TO BE POSITIVE IN A NEGATIVE WORLD YOU MUST RECOGNIZE THE BEST
IN OTHERS
A. This thought is nestled within verse 8 also.
B. The simple truth is, ALL people are imperfect by nature.
i. There are no perfect people.
ii. There are no perfect churches.
iii. You will undoubtedly be shocked at this but there are no perfect pastors either!
C. But as imperfect as people can sometimes be there are positive things about them.
i. There are certainly some that are true, honest and just.
ii. There are some that are well reported of by friends.
iii. In fact, there are even some that do praiseworthy things.
D. When Paul paused to remember the people at Philippi he had this to say:
APPLICATION: THE THINGS WE REMEMBER ABOUT OTHERS AND THE THINGS WE PASS ON ABOUT OTHERS STEM
FROM OUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THEM. THINK POSITIVE THINGS OF THEM AND YOU WILL SPEAK POSITIVE THINGS OF
THEM.
4. FINALLY, IN ORDER TO BE POSITIVE IN A NEGATIVE WORLD WE MUST REACH OUT TO LOST AND
HURTING PEOPLE
B. You see, it is imperative that you and I look out onto the fields that are white unto harvest rather than the
faults of others.
C. Paul pleaded with the people of Philippi to do the very same thing he was doing.
i. You see, Paul was always reaching out to the lost.
ii. Paul willingly loved lost souls and longed for their salvation.
D. Winning people to faith, winning people to Christ is the one thing that will always bring positive joy into your
life.
i. Listen to Psalm 126:6.
He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing
precious seed, shall doubtless come again with
rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
CONCLUSION
v And you can be sure of this it is a positive testimony that will bring others to Christ.