Scripture: Acts 16:11-15, 22-30

C.I.: The Attitude of a Singular Mind

The church in Philippi was a lot like us with all sorts of people (rich/poor, young/old, local/foreign, etc.).
All were new Christians (but w/old baggage). So Paul teaches how to have a new attitude in Christ.
95% of people's problems are attitude problems – the other 5% is how they feel about things!

•  The Single Mind, (chapter 1)

•  Paul's Attitude Towards His Christian Family, (verses 1:11)

•  “I have you in my mind!” (vs. 1-6)

•  ( v. 3 ), “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you.”

•  Have you ever noticed how often we allow others to be in control of us??!

•  Too often we feel like pin-balls being whacked left & right without having any choices in the matter.

•  Yet we all have one great choice – HOW WE CHOOSE TO FEEL ABOUT THINGS!!!

•  Yet notice, Paul chose an “attitude of gratitude” – in his remembrance of these people.

•  All of us keep “folders” of people – What do you choose to file in yours? (She was mean! Jealous!...)

•  Yet God tells us, “…love does not take into account a wrong suffered,” ( I Cor. 13:5 ).

•  God wants us to look for things for which we can be grateful, e.g., “They never call!” vs. “I'm glad they focus on their kids!” or “He is a hard boss!” vs. “He cares about having the job done right!” etc.

•  “I have you in my heart!” (vs. 7-8)

•  ( v. 7 ), “It is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart….”

•  We may want others under our thumb, or even our heel, but Paul chose his heart!!!

•  Choosing to react to the problems others cause is easy. – Even an amoeba will react to painful stimuli.

•  But choosing to act to others in a loving way – in spite of how they treat you – is divine!!!

•  ( Matt. 5:46, 48 ), “If you love those who love you … even tax-gatherers do the same! …Therefore, you are to be complete in your love, as your heavenly Father is complete in His love.”

•  “I have you in my prayers!” (vs. 9-11)

•  ( v. 9 ), “And this I pray that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge & all discern..

•  Sometimes the only (yet best ) thing we can do for others who are struggling – is prayer!

•  Many people's problems are self-induced: sin (alcohol, drugs, etc.), personality issues (arrogance, jealousy, anger-management, etc.).

•  So Paul prays that they will grow ( abound ) in LOVE (for God & others) and knowledge.

•  This would knowledge in those things that are truly important, i.e., “…so that you may approve of those things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ.”

•  Therefore, the best ways to change our attitudes towards others in 2008: choose to remember only the good in others, seek to love them as God loves them, and pray for them and their needs!!!

•  Paul's Attitude towards Trials Caused by Others, (verses 12-21)

•  Share the Gospel in Spite of Life's Circumstances, (vs. 12-14) – Trials don't change our “job description”!

•  ( vs. 12-13 ), “Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, - so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard d to everyone else.”

•  Praetorians = Caesar's personal bodyguards (16,000 in Rome)! – But who was chained to whom?!!

•  While many may have gone to great lengths to describe the chains & difficulties – PAUL PUT JESUS FIRST IN ALL THESE AREAS!!! – His chains were a means unto an end!

•  ( Acts 26:28-29 ), “King Agrippa said, ‘In a short while you will persuade me to become a Christian!' Paul said, ‘I would to God, whether in a short or long time, not only you but all who hear me this day, might become as I am, except for these chains!'”

•  Some people of faith – have learned to see God's opportunities often come disguised as difficulties!

•  ( v. 14 ), “Most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear.”

•  We can either see the problem – or look through it and see Jesus shining through it!

•  ILLUST.: What's your worst situation? How can Jesus fit into it?! Cancer (MDs, RNs, others get a chance to hear who wouldn't – Mk. 16:15 ). Non-believing husband – I Pt. 3:1.

•  So when we face trials – lets remember to see Jesus through the trial – and to do our job as believers!

•  Choosing Not to Take Trials Personally, (vs. 15-18)

•  ( vs. 15-18 ), “Some to be sure are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some from good will; the latter do it from love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment. – What then? – Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, CHRIST IS PROCLAIMED; - and in this I rejoice, yes, and I will rejoice.”

•  It's been said, “It shouldn't matter who gets the credit – just so long as Jesus gets the glory!”

•  Paul chose to focus on the good being done – and not to take the trials done to himself personally!

•  God has not called for us to be the ones who “balance the books” – He will take care of us and others!!!

•  You are not being paranoid – sometimes people really are out to get you!

•  ( Rom. 12:18-19 ), “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. – Do not take your own revenge, but leave room for the vengeance of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine..!'”

•  ( I Pt. 4:16 ), “If anyone suffers as a Xn, let him not be ashamed, but rather in that name let him….”

•  Paul & Peter both laid their trials before Jesus – and then went out and lived to glorify Him!!!

•  Know Things will Turn Out Okay, (vs. 19-21)

•  ( vs. 19-21 ), “For I know this will turn out for my salvation… Christ shall even now as always be exalted in my body, whether by life or death. – For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

•  What might we say: “To live is work & to die is wealth?” “To live is fun & to die is a bummer?”

•  Paul didn't see himself as a prisoner of Rome, but of Jesus. – Thus, he took every opportunity and circumstance in this life (life/death) to glorify Jesus!!!

•  Jesus died for us – are we willing to live for Him???!!!

•  REVIEW: Earlier we saw our job description… Mk. 16:15-16!