Importance of a Positive Outlook in Ministry

Conrad Hilario

Hebrews 10:32-35

While holding and presenting a positive outlook is scientifically shown to cause others to thrive, spewing negativity just further feeds our negative attitude. The difference is between effective, motivational leadership and defeatism, which leads to unbelief. If we remain with our negative outlook, we are at risk of becoming cold towards the very people God calls us to love. Thus, we should seek a positive outlook in ministry without running to the other extreme of being overly positive. Finally, we can cultivate a positive outlook through several key steps outlined in this presentation.

Preparing Spiritually to Communicate God's Word

Gary DeLashmutt

Hebrews 10:32-35

When we communicate God's Word to others we need to prepare beforehand. We do this through having gratitude to God for what He has done and all He has given us.

The Last Supper

Scott Risley

Exodus 12:1-14

Jesus teaches his disciples about taking Passover at the Last Supper. He shares this meal and reminds them about the foreshadowing of the Passover lamb in the Old Testament and that he is their Passover lamb that will be sacrificed for them. Both Passover lambs highlight two events: 1) the unrepeatable day God's people were saved from slavery; and 2) the time believers look back in gratitude remembering that day. As believers we can also look forward in anticipation of the first Passover we will eat with Jesus.

Five Things

Dennis McCallum

Luke 17:1-19

In this passage, we focus on 4 of Jesus's interactions with His disciples and end with a miracle. First, Jesus warns His disciples against false teaching and then explains the basis for corrective discipline and forgiveness. When the disciples ask Jesus to increase their faith, He replies that they should focus on the object of their faith rather than the amount of faith. Jesus then tells a parable of a faithful, dutiful servant and rejects the attitude of entitlement. Finally, Jesus heals 10 lepers, but only one returns to say thanks, which illustrates how a lack of gratitude causes spiritual blindness.

Five Memorable Lessons

Scott Risley

Luke 17:1-19

Five lessons from Jesus on how to have successful relationships with others and with God are: 1) Don't be a stumbling block; 2) Rebuke and forgive; 3) Faith; 4) Have a servant's attitude; and 5) Gratitude.

When Yahweh is Your Shepherd

Scott Risley

John 10:11

David the psalmist compares God to a shepherd, who sacrifices His own life to care for and meet all the needs of His flock of sheep (us). In times of prosperity and in times of adversity, God desires to bless our lives with all we need and more. In order to experience His blessings, we must choose to be led by Him.

Grace-Motivated Serving

Jim Leffel

1 Timothy 1:12-17

The grace, mercy, and love of God form the basis for serving others. Understanding these things will result in gratitude, humility, and praise that are necessary to truly love others.

Doing All in the Name of Christ

Mike Sullivan

Colossians 3:17

Doing all in the name of the Lord Jesus is living for God's interests in every part of our lives. This is how we worship God and how we were designed to live. As we surrender ourselves to Him, He works through our words and through our deeds to love people for His glory. This is a supernatural lifestyle that can only be lived out as we develop a lifestyle of gratitude through Jesus to God the Father.\r\n

Loving God Through Thankfulness

Gary DeLashmutt

Colossians 3:15-17

Because of God's great love for us, Paul encourages us to embrace a lifestyle of loving God through thankfulness. Biblical thankfulness is based on God's gift of salvation and is rooted in choice not in feelings. Giving thanks to God is important because it is the only sane response to His incredible grace. It is key to putting aside a self-centered lifestyle and to growing spiritually. Cultivating thankfulness is a lifelong process and many practical ideas are given for thoughtful consideration.\r\n