LOOK UP: Folks

(Part 3)

Psalm 121

¹I will lift up my eyes to the hills—from whence comes my help? ²My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.

Def. Perspective. – A particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view.

Synonyms: outlook, view, viewpoint, standpoint, position, stand, stance, angle, slant, attitude, a frame of mind, a frame of reference, approach, a way of looking, interpretation.

Perspective Changes Your Outlook.

Proverbs 23:7

⁷ For as he thinks in his heart, so is he…

I.                   WHAT IS A VERTICAL PERSPECTIVE

When our attitude or point of view, a frame of mind or reference is derived from what is on God’s mind rather than what we see, think, feel or wish.

II.                A VERTICAL PERSPECTIVE RESULTS IN BETTER RELATIONSHIPS

Success in life has a lot to do with people knowledge

In fact, leading an organization is about 95% people and 5% organizational knowledge

Learning to deal with people is the most important asset you can develop.  Success is 87% people knowledge and 13% product knowledge. 

“You can take my factories, burn up my buildings, but give me my people and I’ll build the business right back again.”

~ Henry Ford

III.             THE WORD OF GOD ON DEALING WITH PEOPLE

1.     Various relationships

Colossians 3:18-25

¹⁸ Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. ¹⁹ Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them. ²⁰ Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord. ²¹ Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. ²² Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. ²³ And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, ²⁴ knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. ²⁵ But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality

1 Peter 5:5

⁵ Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Romans 12:10

¹⁰ Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;

Romams12:16

¹⁶ Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

Ephesians 4:32

³² And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

Romans 14:13

¹³ Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way

IV.             TEN TYPES OF DIFFICULT PEOPLE

1.     The Tank

A pushy, loud, and aggressive type that will attack others to get what he/she wants.

2.     The Sniper

Attacks others from a hiding place with tactics, for example, gossip and put-downs.

3.     The Know-It-All

“Knows 98% of everything,” feels superior, and refuses to listen to others.

4.     Think-They-Know-It-All

They don’t know much but would mislead and throw people off track because of the need for attention.

5.     The Grenade

Loses control of emotions and explodes with anger to gain attention.

6.      The Yes Person

Agrees with people quickly, but hardly fulfills promises and commitments.

7.      The Maybe Person

Delays decision-making until it’s too late.

8.      The Nothing Person

Shows no response, (verbal or nonverbal) with the intent to avoid mistakes

9.        The No Person

Squeezes the energy out of others by using negativity.

10.  The Whiner

Complains constantly without doing anything to solve the problem. The complaints are not of any benefit to the listener or the complainer.

V.                LOOKING UP HELPS YOU DEAL WITH DIFFICULT PEOPLE

1.     Think about what you need from the Lord on a daily basis

Lamentations 3:21-23

²¹ This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. ²² Through the Lord’s mercies, we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. ²³ They are new every morning; Great is your faithfulness. ²⁴ “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!”

Luke 18:1-8

Then He spoke a parable to them; that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, ² saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. ³ Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying. ‘ Get justice for me from my adversary’ ⁴ And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, ⁵ yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ ” ⁶ Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. ⁷ And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? ⁸ I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”

2.     Think about the fact the Lord is watching how we treat people

a.     Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses

Numbers 12:1-12

Then Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married; for he had married an Ethiopian woman. ² So they said, “Has the Lord indeed spoken only through Moses? Has He not spoken through us also?” And the Lord heard it….⁵ Then the Lord came down in the pillar of cloud and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam. And they both went forward…⁹ So the anger of the Lord was aroused against them, and He departed. ¹⁰ And when the cloud departed from above the tabernacle, suddenly Miriam became leprous, as white as snow. Then Aaron turned toward Miriam, and there she was, a leper. ¹¹ So Aaron said to Moses, “Oh, my lord! Please do not lay this sin on us, in which we have done foolishly and in which we have sinned.

b.     Jacob who didn’t like Leah

Genesis 29:28-31

²⁸ Then Jacob did so and fulfilled her week. So he gave him his daughter Rachel as wife also. ²⁹ And Laban gave his maid Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as a maid. ³⁰ Then Jacob also went into Rachel, and he also loved Rachel more than Leah. And he served with Laban still another seven years. ³¹ When the Lord saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb, but Rachel was barren.

c.      How husbands treat wives

1 Peter 3:7

⁷ Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.

d.     Cup of Cold Water to a little one

Matthew 10:42

⁴² And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.”

3.     Think about the fact that actions are seeds

a.      Judgment

Matthew 7:1-2

Judge not, that you be not judged. ² For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.

b.     Mercy

Matthew 5:7

⁷ Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.

c.      Forgiveness

Mark 11:25-26

²⁵ And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. ²⁶ But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.

d.     Giving

Luke 6:38

³⁸ Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”

e.      Deeds

Matthew 7:12

¹² Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

4.     Think About the fact that God made everyone and loves humanity

Genesis 1:26

²⁶ Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

                        Psalm 8:4-6

⁴ What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him? ⁵ For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor. ⁶ You have made him have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet.

THE POWER OF ONE

John 17:21-22

That they all may be one even as…so that the world may believe.

Jesus understood the Power of Unity

He also understood that disunity is Satan’s most lethal weapon against the church

So He Prayed – for our unity

I.                   Unity Evokes Power

For good or for evil!

 Acts 2:1- 3

 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. ² And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. ³ And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

Act 4:29-31

²⁹ And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, ³⁰ By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. ³¹ And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

Genesis 11:1-6

And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. ² And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there. ³ And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had them for mortar. ⁴ And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we are scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. ⁵ And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men built. ⁶ And the Lord said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.

II.                Things That Divide

1.     Envy & Jealousy-

James 3:14-16

¹⁴ But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. ¹⁵ This wisdom descended not from above but is earthly, sensual, devilish. ¹⁶ For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

2.     Offences 

1 Corinthians 6-7  

⁷ Now, therefore, there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? Why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?

3.     Gossip and backbiting

Numbers 12:1-2; 10:14

And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman. ² And they said, hath the Lord indeed spoke only by Moses? Hath he not spoken also by us? And the Lord heard it… ¹⁰ And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow: and Aaron looked upon Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous. ¹¹ And Aaron said unto Moses, Alas, my lord, I beseech thee, lay not the sin upon us, wherein we have done foolishly, and wherein we have sinned. ¹² Let her not be as one dead, of whom the flesh is half consumed when he cometh out of his mother’s womb. ¹³ And Moses cried unto the Lord, saying, Heal her now, O God, I beseech thee. ¹⁴ And the Lord said unto Moses, If her father had but spit in her face, should she not be ashamed seven days? Let her be shut out from the camp seven days, and after that let her be received in again.

III.             HOW TO ENHANCE UNITY

1.     Forgiveness

Matthew 18:15

¹⁵ Moreover, if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

2.     Don’t assume verify

Josh 22:10-12, 16, 24, 30

¹⁰ And when they came unto the borders of Jordan, that are in the land of Canaan, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh built there an altar by Jordan, a great altar to see to. ¹¹ And the children of Israel heard say, Behold, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh have built an altar over against the land of Canaan, in the borders of Jordan, at the passage of the children of Israel. ¹² And when the children of Israel heard of it, the whole congregation of the children of Israel gathered themselves together at Shiloh, to go up to war against them… ¹⁶ Thus saith the whole congregation of the Lord, What trespass is this that ye have committed against the God of Israel, to turn away this day from following the Lord, in that ye have built you an altar, that ye might rebel this day against the Lord?... ²⁴ And if we have not rather done it for fear of this thing, saying, In time to come your children might speak unto our children, saying, What have ye to do with the Lord God of Israel?... ³⁰ And when Phinehas the priest, and the princes of the congregation and heads of the thousands of Israel which were with him, heard the words that the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the children of Manasseh spake, it pleased them.

3.     Communicate

Give Each other the benefit of doubt

Show Genuine Love and Care

He died to free us, for our unity our peace.

We just have to learn to walk in love and unity

IV.             THE POWER OF ONE

1.     Peace within our own souls

2.     You feel at peace when you are free from malice and grudges.

The power of God is free to move through us.

LOOK UP:

Faith (Part 2)

Psalm 121

¹I will lift up my eyes to the hills—From whence comes my help? ² My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.

Def. Perspective. - A particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view.

Synonyms: outlook, view, viewpoint, standpoint, position, stand, stance, angle, slant, attitude, frame of mind, frame of reference, approach, way of looking, interpretation.

Perspective Changes Your Outlook.

Proverbs 23:7

⁷ For as he thinks in his heart, so is he…

I.                   WHAT IS A VERTICAL PERSPECTIVE

When our attitude or point of view, frame of mind or reference is derived from what is on God’s mind rather than what we see, thing, feel or wish.

II.                THE IMPORTANCE OF FAITH

1.     Faith is essential

Hebrews 11:6

⁶ But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

2.     God looks for faith in order to act

Matthew 8:5-13

⁵ Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, ⁶ saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.” ⁷ And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.” ⁸ The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. ⁹ For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” ¹⁰ When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel! ¹¹ And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. ¹² But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” ¹³ Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour.

Matthew 15:21-28

²¹ Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon. ²² And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.” ²³ But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she cries out after us.” ²⁴ But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” ²⁵ Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!” ²⁶ But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” ²⁷ And she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” ²⁸ Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

III.             A VERTICAL PERSPECTIVE IS KEY TO GREAT FAITH

1.     Abraham looked up and obtained strong faith

Genesis 15:2-5

² But Abram said, “Lord God, what will You give me, seeing I go childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” ³ Then Abram said, “Look, You have given me no offspring; indeed one born in my house is my heir!” ⁴ And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “This one shall not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir.” ⁵ Then He brought him outside and said, “Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” ⁶ And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.

2.     Peter looked up and obtained Great Faith (for a moment)

Matthew 14:25-32

²⁵ Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. ²⁶ And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. ²⁷ But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” ²⁸ And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” ²⁹ So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” ³¹ And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” ³² And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.

IV.            HOW TO LOOK UP FOR GREAT FAITH

1.     Look at God’s Ability (What’s Revealed About Him)

a.      Transcendent

Isaiah 55:8-9

⁸ “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says 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.

2 Chronicles 2:6

“But who is able to build Him a temple, since heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain Him? Who am I then, that I should build Him a temple…”

b.     Eternal

Isaiah 40:28

²⁸ Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable.

c.      Omnipotent

Revelations 19:6

⁶ And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thundering, saying, “Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!”

d.     Omnipresent

Jerimiah 23:24

²⁴ Can anyone hide himself in secret places, So I shall not see him?” says the Lord; “Do I not fill heaven and earth?” says the Lord.

Proverbs15:3

³ The eyes of the Lord are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good.

2.     Magnify Him

Psalms 34:3

³ Oh, magnify the Lord with me, And let us exalt His name together.

3.     Psyche yourself up. (Psyche and psuche – Literally program them)

-         Speech

-         Imagination

-         Self Talk

-         Meditate on truth

Philippians 4:8

⁸ Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

4.     Wait on the Lord

Isaiah 40:31

31  But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.