Introduction:
A man dreamed of joining a monastery. His goal in life was to become a monk. So one day he went to a monastery and talked to the head monk and said, “What do I need to do to join.” Was told that it was more difficult that what he thought. In our monastery monks are only allowed to say two words every year.” He said, “That sounds a bit extreme, but I’ve wanted to be a monk for so long, I’m going to give it a try.” So he was shown to his room. And so for the next twelve months the man never said a word. At the end of his first year he was taken to the head monk, and was told he could now say his two words. Guy said, “Food’s bad.” He went back to his room, and was silent for another twelve months. At the end of his second year he again was taken to the head monk for his two words. This time his two words were, “Bed’s hard.” Head monk said, “OK.” And the man went back to his room. Another twelve months of silence passed, and he was brought again to the head monk for his annual two words. This time the guy said, “I quit.” The head monk said, “Well, it doesn’t surprise me. All you’ve done is complain ever since you got here.”
We all have had reasons in our life to complain about something. The questions is… did we yield to the temptation?
Answer some important questions about complaining:
1. Is complaining always wrong? 2. What is complaining? 3. What does God think about it? 4. How does it affect those around us?
Text: Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.
Proposition: Understanding why Complaining is unacceptable Christian Behavior.
1. Complaining is displeasing to the heart of God- Demonstrate through a brief chronology of the nation of Israel’s wilderness journey how complaining is displeasing to God. Numbers 11:1-10.
a. What is complaining? We may know it by different terms -- such as griping, grumbling, whining, or belly-aching. In the King James Version of the Bible, the common term used was “murmuring.” But regardless of the word we use to describe it, complaining always has the same symptoms. The dictionary defines it as “an expression of unhappiness, dissatisfaction, or discontent.” Complaining is the outward expression of discontent from within.
b. What makes complaining a so Displeasing to the Lord? :
i. Because it is a statement of discontent about my life- When I complain I am drawing a circle around my life. And, when I take a look inside my circle what do I say? This is not good enough. The people of Israel were saying Our God is not big enough, He is not caring enough. But, what do we do when bad circumstances do come our way?
I must resist the temptation to look for the negatives in my life. A chronic complainer seems to just seek to find the negative in everything. A lady who was an incurable grumbler complained about everything and everybody. But, finally, the minister thought he had found something about which she could make no complaint: the old lady’s crop of potatoes was certainly the finest for miles around. “Ah, for once you must be pleased,” he said with a beaming smile as he met her in the village street. “Everyone is saying how splendid your potatoes are this year.” The old lady glared at him as she answered, “They are not so bad, but where are the rotten ones for the pigs?”
Transition: We must learn that when we complain it is not is it a sin that is displeasing to God, but much more is at stake; when I complain I Stain the image of God
2. Complaining is destructive to the image of God- We need to understand that those who do personally know Christ, only have one way of evaluating the reality of His goodness, His power, His very existence. They evaluate God according to you and me. Because we say we know him. Our lives become a window to the very image of God. When I claim to be a Christian yet my speech is littered with constant complaining what will those who hear me say of the God I claim to know? If that is what it means to be a Christian, then what am I missing?
a. Complaining is Spiritual misdirection
b. The story of the Philippian Jailer.
19 But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities. 20 And they brought them to the magistrates, and said, "These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city; 21 and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe." 22 Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. 23 And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. 24 Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. 27 And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. 28 But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, "Do yourself no harm, for we are all here." 29 Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 And he brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"
Imagine yourself in Paul’s situation, would you be strong enough not to complain? Because of his Positive outlook, because of his joy, the Pj saw something that he wanted.
I must learn to stay positive even in difficult situations. In order to make more positive comments I must look for the positives. Where will I find them? Hold fast to the Word.
Out West, a cowboy was driving down a dirt road, his dog riding in back of the pickup truck, his faithful horse in the trailer behind. He failed to negotiate a curve and had a terrible accident. Sometime later, a highway patrol officer came on the scene. An animal lover, he saw the horse first.
Realizing the serious nature of its injuries, he drew his service revolver and put the animal out of his misery. He walked around the accident and found the dog, also hurt critical. He couldn’t bear to hear it whine in pain, so he ended the dog’s suffering as well. Finally he located the cowboy --who suffered multiple fractures--off in the weeds. “Hey, are you
okay?” the cop asked. The cowboy took one look at the officer with pistol still in hand and said, “Never better, sir.”
Imagine the difference. No longer would unbelievers look at your life and doubt the reality of God, but rather they would look and longingly for whatever could allow you to be content even in spite of desperate circumstance. What could strengthen you when you are week. Who could bring you hope, when all seems hopeless.
3. Complaining is Discouraging to the Servants of God.- Moses was ready to give up. 10 Then Moses heard the people weeping throughout their families, everyone at the door of his tent; and the anger of the Lord was greatly aroused; Moses also was displeased. 11 So Moses said to the Lord, "Why have You afflicted Your servant? And why have I not found favor in Your sight, that You have laid the burden of all these people on me? 12 Did I conceive all these people? Did I beget them, that You should say to me, ’Carry them in your bosom, as a guardian carries a nursing child,’ to the land which You swore to their fathers? 13 Where am I to get meat to give to all these people? For they weep all over me, saying, ’Give us meat, that we may eat.’ 14 I am not able to bear all these people alone, because the burden is too heavy for me. 15 If You treat me like this, please kill me here and now-
a. Why? Complaining is a sign of spiritual decline
Leaders dedicate a portion of their lives for the purpose of seeing growth in them that they are entrusted.
3 John 4 For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
b. Our responsibility
Hebrews 13:17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.
I must focus on presenting the positive elements of my life.
Conclusion
Cure for Complaining
Readjust your Focus
1. Stop looking for the negative
2. Start looking for the Positive
3.Focus on reporting the Positives
