PURSUING ETERNAL SIGNIFICANCE - CREATING A WINNING ATMOSPHERE
CREATING A WINNING ATMOSPHERE
SCRIPTURES: Philippians 4:8
"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."
OBJECTIVES:
1. To take into consideration the impact of a winning atmosphere in "Doing the Father's Business"
2. To charge the atmosphere with God's power,
enthusiasm and high morale.
INTRODUCTION:
➢ The ambiance or atmosphere of a
certain place affects the mood of people in that location. During prolonged holidays, people would like
to go out someplace or to a resort to find an atmosphere where they can enjoy,
relax, unwind and escape from the routine in their work. Very seldom can you see people taking homework when going on vacation because when they get there, the atmosphere
would be very irresistible for them to enjoy a vacation?
➢ Business people take advantage of
a favorable atmosphere to forge important contract agreements. Everyone needs a good ambiance to capture
their important moment, like debuts, marriages, reunions, and anniversary
celebrations. Atmosphere multiplies the
value of an important event in our lives.
➢ In the Church, praising and
worshiping God sets the spiritual atmosphere to prepare the hearts of people
upbeat in order to receive God's message during Services or Celebrations. It is important to tune up our hearts to the
heartbeat of God first so we can relate to God's message. Atmosphere prepares people to enjoy their
important moments.
WHAT A FAVORABLE
ATMOSPHERE CAN DO:
➢ Atmosphere bear a tremendous
effect on people's attitude, mood, behavior, and action and could greatly affect
one's decision.
➢ A favorable atmosphere affects
our flow of thoughts - the confused and chaotic mind is pacified,
➢ A favorable atmosphere changes
the people's mood and behavior - the angry person can receive instruction and
advise.
➢ A favorable atmosphere influences
our decision making - the negative answer can become a positive one.
➢ It is of utmost importance that
in "Doing our Father's Business", we create first an atmosphere where
people are comfortable making the best decision of their life.
➢ We need to set a favorable,
winning atmosphere during our conquest.
Our Scripture speaks about
meditating on those positive things in order to help us create a
favorable, winning atmosphere: (1) things that are true (makatotohanan); (2)
things that are noble (marangal); (3) things that are just (makatuwiran); (4)
things that are pure (dalisay); (5) things that are lovely (kaibig-ibig); (6)
of good report (mabutingbalita); (7) things that are virtuous (karapat-dapat)
and (8) things that are praiseworthy (kapuri-puri).
TWELVE GOALS TO PURSUE TO CREATE A FAVORABLE,
WINNING ATMOSPHERE:
1. NO SPIRITUAL HINDRANCES.
➢ An atmosphere of the Heavens
being open. We all have seasons when we are pressed on every side when
darkness seems to "abound, and the heavens seem as brass. But, knowing the
absolute victory of our Lord at the cross, there should no longer be any
demonic power that should hinder us.
(Romans 8:31 "If God is for us, who can be against us?... V8:31
"We are more than conquerors through Him...")
2. NO "BUSINESS AS USUAL" SERVICES.
➢ An atmosphere of high and unified
expectancy. Let us come together with excitement believing for great things to
happen. If you announced that Jesus was going to appear in bodily form at your
next service, no doubt the atmosphere around the church would be a lot
different. People would arrive early, the prayer rooms would be filled, lost
loved ones would be physically dragged through the doors.
➢ But in reality, every time we
gather together in His Name, He is indeed in the midst of us! (Mat 18:20 “For
where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of
them.”)
3. AN ATMOSPHERE OF THE
SUPERNATURAL.
➢ “Our God is no common, ordinary God.” Come
expecting, come with the right attitude. When we direct our faith toward God,
he will surprise us. An atmosphere of
expectation is the breeding ground for miracles. Romans 8:26 tells us that the Holy Spirit
"makes intercession " for us.
The atmosphere indicated here is that He is full of excitement, looking
for people who are full of enthusiasm and expectation so that He could meet
their expectation, like the woman with an issue of blood, who by faith came to
Jesus with a high expectation to receive healing and she did (Luke 8:43-44).
4. NO LIMITATIONS TO BE PLACED ON
ANYONE.
➢ An atmosphere of anyone can receive. Ex. - Rahab was a prostitute yet she is
listed in Hebrews chap. 11 Paul was vicious in his persecution of the church.
David committed murder and adultery. Mary Magdalene was filled with demons. Gideon was a coward. We must remember there
is no limit to what God can do with a life committed to Him. No one is too insignificant for God who knows
our potential, for God who alone knows what you and I can do for His Kingdom.
5. AN ATMOSPHERE OF "PEOPLE ARE
IMPORTANT".
➢ Jesus shed blood for all people.
The Gospel is to all people, not just the ones we like or choose. The church is
an open door to all, not a private club. How friendly is our church? How
friendly are you? We hold no distinction
for people who we minister to, as long as they would come to God - family
members, friends, neighbors, even people we may not like are important to God,
and they are important to us as well.
(John 3:16 "... God so loved the world...")
6. NO DEFEATIST SPIRIT.
➢ God is able to deliver anyone at
any time. We need an atmosphere that projects that victorious living is
possible for everyone. Once failed? Get
up, try once more! Never give up nor be
discouraged!
7. NO "HOLD THE FORT"
PHILOSOPHY HERE.
➢ We need to reach our City. We are
not under attack, we are the ones attacking the enemy, and we are not
retreating or holding the enemy. We come
to their territories.
➢ There are times of visitation for
every city. We are currently experiencing a visitation of the Spirit throughout
our entire world, yet many do not recognize God's visitation.
8. AN ATMOSPHERE OF FINANCIAL
BLESSING.
➢ We must stop making excuses for
our disobedience in these areas. Less
than 25% of people in many churches faithfully support the church with tithes
and offerings on a consistent basis. Trust
God! Try God's challenge in Malachi
3:10! Get rid of the poverty mindset in
order to breakthrough! It is high time to serve God through the church with our
time and talents!
9. AN ATMOSPHERE OF COMMUNION WHERE
THE VOICE OF GOD CAN BE HEARD CLEARLY.
➢ In Joel 2:28-31, God promised the
outpouring of His Spirit upon all flesh.
There is a fresh outpouring of his Spirit today He is speaking to those
who have an ear to hear what He is saying.
We should always come to our gatherings with a sense of expectation of
what God has to say. Ask God to speak to
you! And if He didn't, continue on
asking Him, don't just give up!
10. NO NEGATIVE AND PESSIMISM ABOUT
THE FUTURE: GOD IS IN CONTROL.
➢ Have an atmosphere of faith. We
must know that God will fulfill His word.
Our job is too corporate with Him.
If there are things too hard for us to do or comprehend, let God be
God! He is in control of your life. Remember lordship means ownership. He owns you including your problems, He has
an answer to all those problems! Do your
job - Discipleship, and God will do His promise to you!
11. AN ATMOSPHERE OF VISION.
➢ An atmosphere where people can
see the invisible and do the impossible. What do you see when you look at the
The Lord Reigns church? Do you just see all the imperfections or do you see
what God sees? George Barna says, “Vision is the single most important
dimension of a successful ministry.”God saw you and me even before He called
us. He already saw that day when you are
standing before multitudes of people. He
already saw you and you are merely confirming what the Lord saw of you. Don't delay your future, what God saw of
you.
12. AN ATMOSPHERE OF WORSHIP:
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