PERSPECTIVE—3SEEING FROM A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE

Isa 64:4 For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him. (KJV)

WHAT YOU’VE EXPERIENCED DETERMINES WHAT YOU SEE.

• Num 13:17 When Moses sent them to explore Canaan, he said, "Go up through the Negev and on into the hill country. v. 18 See what the land is like and whether the people who live there are strong or weak, few or many. v.19 What kind of land do they live in? Is it good or bad? What kind of towns do they live in? Are they unwalled or fortified? (forty days later)

• Num 13:26 They came back to Moses and Aaron and the whole Israelite community …There they reported to them and to the whole assembly …

Ten saw the obstacles v. 27 They gave Moses this account: "We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! … v. 28 But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large. v.33 We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them."Two saw the opportunity v. 30 Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, "We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it."

I. SEE THE DANGERS OF LEGALISM.

• Phil 3:4 though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more:v.:5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee;v.6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.

• Phil 3:9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ--the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.(Paul’s life as a Pharisee)

Example: • Acts 15:5 Then some of the believers who belonged to

the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, "The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses."

• Acts 15:10 Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? Acts 15:11 No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are."

II. SEE THE DANGERS OF DISTRACTIONS

• Within - Phil 3:7 But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. v.8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.

- what’s thrown to the dogs, refuse, dung

II. SEE THE DANGERS OF DISTRACTIONS

• Without - Phil 3:17 Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. v.18 For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.

v. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things.

III. SEE THE DANGERS OF SPIRITUAL COMPLACENCY.

• Phil 3:12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. v.13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,v.14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

What you believe to be true is true or will become so. Your beliefs control your destinations. Your beliefs affect your way of thinking. Your beliefs affect your feelings. Your beliefs give rise to your actions. Your beliefs have an impact on your perception of events. If you do not change your beliefs, you will always attract the same result.