Sermon Central
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Don't Be A Complainer
Contributed by Roger Griffith on Oct 18, 2000 (message contributor)
Summary: Some people are ungrateful about their experiences while others experience the same things and are thankful. Some look for the negative and others look for the positive. Some complain and others are complimentary.
DON’T BE A COMPLAINER
INTRODUCTION:
PRETTY GOOD SHOW FOR A NICKEL
A typical American family was driving home from church one Sunday. Dad was fussing about the sermon being too long and he also said it was boring. Mom said the organist played too loud. Sis said the soloist sang off key. Grandma said she couldn’t hear the sermon. As they pulled into the driveway, Junior said, "Yep, but you gotta admit, it was a pretty good show for a nickel."
Some people are ungrateful about their experiences while others experience the same things and are thankful. Some look for the negative and others look for the positive. Some complain and others are complimentary.
TEXT:
Num 11:1
Num 14:27-30
(MURMURING BROUGHT THE FIERY SERPENTS)
I. MURMURING BRINGS GOD’S PUNISHMENT
A. COMPLAINING IS WICKED
1. Numbers 14:27 He said the congregation was evil because of it
2. Hebrews 3:10 "They erred by complaining..."
3. Philippians 2:14 "Do all things without murmuring..."
B. SOME PEOPLE ARE CAMOUFLAGED COMPLAINERS
1. HYPOCRITICAL THANKS
A man sat down to supper with his family. They prayed over the meal, thanking God for the food. But during the meal he complained about the toast, the coffee, and the eggs. His young daughter questioned him, "Dad, do you think God heard your prayer today?" He answered confidently, "Of course." Then she asked, "Well, do you think God heard what you said about the toast, the coffee, and the eggs?" Not so confidently, he answered, "Why, yes, I believe so." The little girl concluded, "Then which do you think God believed, Dad?"
2. Numbers 21:15 The people spake against God and Moses
a) To speak against Moses was to speak against God
b) To criticize Moses was to criticize God
c) God you made a mistake in putting this man here
C. SOME ARE OBVIOUS MURMURERS
1. THE GRUMBLERS
In country, town, or city,
Some people can be found
Who spend their lives a grumblin’
At everything around.
They grumble, grumble, grumble
No matter what we say.
For these are chronic grumblers;
They grumble night and day.
They grumble at the preacher;
They grumble at his prayer;
They grumble at the offering
They grumble everywhere.
They stay away from meetin’
Because it’s hot or cold
Or when it looks like rainin’;
A headache or a cold.
They grumble when it’s rainin’
They grumble when it’s dry;
And if a little chilly, they
Grumble and they sigh.
And when they go out shoppin’
And see the price is high,
They grumble, grumble, grumble,
They’ll grumble ’til they die.
2. YOU FRIED THE WRONG ONE
A man came to breakfast one morning and told his wife he wanted two eggs -- one fried, one scrambled. With no comment, the long-suffering wife cooked each egg to his specifications and then quietly put the plate in front of him. "Oh no!" he groaned, pushing it away. "You’ve fried the wrong egg."
D. COMPLAINERS ARE PIRATES
1. We’re on the OLD GOSPEL SHIP of the CHURCH
2. Pirates are stealing her treasure
3. Stealing her joy, spirit, and virtue with complaining
E. EXAMPLES OF CHURCH PIRATES
1. MICHAL (David’s wife) 2Sam 6:20-22
a) Didn’t like David’s dance before the Lord
b) Criticized his praise and thanksgiving
c) Michals in the church today criticize the way we praise
d) They don’t like it when you get excited
2. QUEEN ATHALIA (Joash’s Grandmother) 2Kings 11
a) She thought she had destroyed all the kings descendants
b) She got furious when the people rejoiced over Joash
c) She criticized their reason for praising the Lord
d) Athalia’s in our church criticize our reasons for praising
e) They don’t like it when you get something and they don’t
3. MRS. JOB (Job’s wife) Job 2:9
a) Why don’t you just curse God and die
b) She criticized the timing of Job’s praise
c) These people are ignorant and short-sighted
d) They don’t want anyone praising the Lord when there is trouble
4. PHARISEES Matt 21:16
a) Do you hear what these children are saying in front of us?
b) They criticize the place where you praise the Lord
c) They are ritualistic and only want you praising in church
d) They look at you strange when you walk down the aisle of store singing hymns
e) They tell you they don’t like your humming and singing
II. PRAISING BRINGS GOD’S BLESSINGS
16 And it came to pass at the seventh time, when t1he priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the LORD hath given you the city...
20 So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and...the wall fell down flat...and they took the city.
2Chr 20:21-22
21 And when he (Jehoshaphat) had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever.
