Centennial Park Baptist Church – Sunday June 6th , 2010

 

THE 3 KEYS TO SUCCESSFUL RELATIONSHIPS

 

 

I           Key # 1 – GENUINE GRATITUDE

 

The key New Testament figure who showed a grateful spirit in all situations was PAUL. 

 

Ephesians 1:16;  Philippians 1:3;  I Thess. 3:9, II Thess. 1:3

 

“ continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name,”  Hebrews 13:15

 

“ In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”  I Thessalonians 5:18

 

“ Be filled with the Spirit… giving thanks always for all things to God.” 

Ephesians 5:18, 20

 

Gratitude is an attitude that displaces my sinful tendency to complain and thereby releases joy and blessing in my life.

 

Proverbs 22:6 -  Train up a child in the way he should go.  Even when he is old he will not depart from it.

 

Blessings / Benefits to Genuine Gratitude

 

            * More successful in life

 

            * Powerful source of health and personal well-being

 

Becoming Grateful – Kids to  Adults

 

            * MODEL it

 

            * MARK it – a journal of gratitude – Family

 

Remember the Lord Jesus Christ notices those who are grateful and those who are

ungrateful – Luke 17: 12-19

 

 

II          Key # 2 – GROWTH in GODLINESS

 

I Timothy 6: 6-10 – “But godliness actually us a means of great gain, when accompanied by contentment.”  vs. 6

 

“I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am in.”  Philippians 4:11

 

Contentment is an attitude of satisfaction with God’s sufficient provision. 

 

Contentment means to rest in what one already has.

 

NOBODY is born with a spirit of contentment!

 

We are living today in an overindulgent culture.

 

* Over EATING - obesity

 

* Over SCHEDULING - activity

 

* Over SPENDING - bankruptcy

 

– 25-35 year olds are the largest demographic group facing personal bankruptcy today.

 

We have raised a whole generation of discontented people.

 

I Timothy 6: 6 -10 tells us:

 

LOOK to eternity

 

LET enough be enough

 

 

How do you foster contentment in kids?  With properly dispensed ALLOWANCE.

 

            * Given for work done, not just for existing

 

            * Given for work done beyond the basic stuff that everyone does as part of a family

 

 

* Given with a view to teaching KEY Biblical principles:

 

           i  Compensation for labor –Luke 10:7 / Proverbs 10:4 / I Tim. 5:18 / II Thess. 3:10-12

 

           ii – Principle of saving – Proverbs 22: 7 / Proverbs 10:5

 

          iii – Stewardship – I Cor. 4:7 / John 3:27 / I Cor. 16:2 

                

     The first portion goes to the Lord

 

Key # 3 -         GOD

 

Only when we acknowledge God as the gracious provider of all blessings, like life and breath, food and shelter, do we begin to comprehend our need for God in a personal way and begin to express faith in Him.