Centennial Park Baptist Church – Sunday July 19th, 2009 – 10:30 am

 

EXPEREINCING GOD’S PRESENCE

THE AMAZING RACE FROM COMPLAINING TO THANKSGIVING

Numbers 11: 1-6

            The People Complain

 1 Now the people became like those who complain of adversity in the hearing of the LORD; and when the LORD heard it, His anger was kindled, and the fire of the LORD burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp.  2 The people therefore cried out to Moses, and Moses prayed to the LORD and the fire died out.  3 So the name of that place was called Taberah, because the fire of the LORD burned among them.  4 The rabble who were among them had greedy desires; and also the sons of Israel wept again and said, "Who will give us meat to eat?  5 "We remember the fish which we used to eat free in Egypt, the cucumbers and the melons and the leeks and the onions and the garlic,  6 but now our appetite is gone. There is nothing at all to look at except this manna."

 

Some observations from this passage:

 

1.         COMPLAINING IS…….. an A______________________________

that if left unchecked will hinder my capacity to experience joy and genuine gratitude.

 

2.         COMPLAINING IS…. A S______  It is expressing dissatisfaction with a circumstance that is not wrong, and about which I’m doing nothing to correct.

 

The children of Israel were:

 

            a. U______________________________ by God’s discipline

 

            b. U______________________________ of God’s benefits

 

c. F_______________________ of past problems.  Dissatisfaction comes when our attitude shifts from what we have to what we don’t have.

 

d. I_______________________________ to their calling

 

3.         COMPLAINING IS… C________________________________

 

            11:1     11:4     14: 1-4     16:3      16: 41      20:3      23:5

 

4.         COMPLAINING IS… S________________________________

 

Instead of rejoicing in all the good things that God has done in our lives, families, and church family, we complain about that one thing, whatever it is.

 

·        It is not satisfied with what is available – vs. 6

·        It wants to be heard by others – vs. 10

 

5.         COMPLAINING IS… D____________________________________ by God

 

            Why?

            a. God gives graciously – Psalm 111: 4-6

            b. God supplies all our need – Philippians 4:19

            c. God gives freely – Romans 6:23 /  James 1:17  /  Romans 8:32 / Matthew 7:11

                 Luke 11:13

 

6.         COMPLAINING IS …. D____________________________!

 

·        Am I a complainer?

·        Am I reaping the consequences of complaining in my relationship with God?

·        Am I willing to repent?

·        Am I willing to replace complaining with gratitude?

·        In everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus

–         I Thessalonians 5:18

 

Philippians 1: 12-14 ; 19

12 Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly. 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.

 

5 things to be thankful for:

 

1. _____________________________________________________________________

 

2. _____________________________________________________________________

 

3. ______________________________________________________________________

 

4. ______________________________________________________________________

 

5. ______________________________________________________________________

 

Today upon a bus, I saw a lovely girl with golden hair.  I envied her she seemed so blessed, And I wished that I was this fair.

When suddenly she rose to leave, I saw her hobble down the aisle. She had one leg, she wore a crutch, But as she passed, a smile.

Oh God forgive me, when I whine.  I have 2 legs this world is mine.

 

I stopped to buy some candy, the lad who sold it had such charm. I talked with him and he seemed so good, that if I were late I don’t think it would do any harm.

And as I left He said to me “I think you have been so  kind. It’s nice to talk with folks like you”.  You see, he said “I’m blind”.

Oh God forgive me when I whine.  I have 2 eyes this world is mine.

 

Later while walking down the street, I saw a child with eyes of blue.  He stood and watched the others play, and he did not know what to do.

And as I stopped a moment and said, “ Why don’t you join the others dear?” He looked ahead without a word, then I knew he could not hear.

Oh God forgive me when I whine.  I have 2 ears, this world is mine.

 

Two feet to take me where I’d go, and eyes to see the sunsets glow, with ears to hear what I would know.  Oh God forgive me when I whine, I’m blessed indeed, this world is mine.