Quit Complaining, Start Praising

APRIL 25, 2021 STUDY NOTES PHILIPPIANS 2:14-16 BIBLE TEACHER: CLIFTON JONES QUIT COMPLAINING, START PRAISING INTRODUCTION What do we hear in the general conversations of today? We hear many conversations that are actually no more than a complaint about life People complain about their physical state and about the state of our society People complain about the state of the economy and the state of our government The normal conversation of today is murmuring and disputing, it is time to hear Paul say--QUIT COMPLAINING Php 2:14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: What Paul is telling us to “do” is action based upon what Paul previously taught us To “do” is our choice, we are to make the decision to work out our own salvation, Php 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. We are to “do” that which pleases God, Php 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Something that we cannot “do” without God working in us In our own strength it is impossible to “do,” especially “all things” Not some things or a few things, but “all things” which means “all” without exception Which does not mean some of the time or most of the time, but “all” of the time “Do all things” all of the time “without murmurings and disputings” “Without” means separate yourself from it, stay away from it, we are all better off without it “Murmuring” is complaining coming from dissatisfaction, not happy with the things of life It can be words shared with others or an inward muttering, complaining within yourself It can easily take place anywhere or at any time, it only takes two or more talking together It can be loud enough for all to hear or a whisper so that others won’t hear It often begins with something like this, “I am not complaining, but,” then here it comes Satan has often used complaining within the church to destroy the testimony of the church Murmuring is the most common way of Satan turning believers against each other Satan uses complaining as the beginning of cliques within the congregation Jude gives us an example of what Satan seeks to do to the church through false teachers, Jud 1:16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage. Jude gives a five-fold description of false teachers which can be compared to “murmuring” They are “murmurers” which refers to a “grumbler” who is constantly finding fault in others There is a description of this kind of murmuring found in, Pro 26:21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife. Murmuring keeps a dispute going like live coals keep a fire burning Murmuring is like adding wood to a burning fire They are “complainers” who are never content because of their continual fault-finding The word “complainer” refers to one who is never satisfied, self is never pleased They “walk after their own lusts,” Satan attracts their attention with worldly ways Page 1 of 5 Those who follow after the lust of this world are doomed to disappointment They “speak great swelling words” which describes one who brags and knows more than you do All of which is for personal gain, the words they speak are actually for their own profit Satan will use all-of the above to destroy personal testimonies and bring about “disputing” “Disputing” takes place when murmuring continues, “disputing” is murmuring full grown “Disputing” follows the thinking of self and the complaining about others, Paul has an answer, 1Ti 2:8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. Paul’s prayer is that everyone at all times pray, then he gives us some qualifications for prayer He shares with us three points for praying, first, “Lifting up holy hands” Which is a symbol of dependence upon God, reverence for God, and the spirit of submission Showing forth the desire for a right relationship with God and a right relationship with others “Without wrath” has to do with the attitude toward others, no anger, no resentment “And doubting,” doubting is the same word translated “disputing” in Philippians 2:14 “Disputing” begins with a wrong attitude toward the events of our life or toward others “Disputing” will lead to the wrong attitude toward God and complaining to God That is when your personal testimony has been destroyed by Satan, your light will not shine LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE Php 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; The verse literally begins with “So that,” giving purpose to the previous verse Verse 15 will not be accomplished unless verse 14 is obeyed You can’t be the person described in this verse while you are “murmuring and disputing” The ultimate purpose is that you will be a shining light in the world, your personal testimony Paul identifies three characteristics of a child of God who will be a shining light in the world THAT YE MAY BE BLAMELESS, “Blameless” has to do with our outward conduct Living your Christian life in such a way that no one can honestly accuse you of a sinful act If Christians are going to make a difference in our world, we must live different from the world AND HARMLESS, “Harmless” means a pure inward character, it has the thought of innocence Jesus used the same word in, Mat 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. There should be nothing in our heart that contradicts the life that we live before others Our hearts desire should be to live as THE SONS OF GOD, literally God’s children There should be no stronger motive for living the Christian life than that truth Look in the mirror and tell yourself, “I am a Child of God,” 1Jn 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. Our daily life should be a resemblance of the life of our Father, live according to His will today WITHOUT REBUKE, which means living your life without a spiritual blemish It does not mean spiritual perfection, but living in such a way that others cannot accuse you Don’t live in such a way that someone may say, “I thought you were a Christian” Righteousness must shine through the Christian living in an unrighteous world IN THE MIDST OF A CROOKED AND PERVERSE NATION Paul tells us exactly where we now live as Christians, we live right in the middle of this world He is telling us that we live in the midst of “a crooked” world of people The word “crooked” was used to describe a warped piece of wood, one that was not straight The word was also used to identify with anything that deviated from the standard Page 2 of 5 In scripture it is used to identify that which is wicked, dishonest, deceitful, and not right Peter used the same word to identify the world we live in, Act 2:40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward (same word) generation. Peter’s words are a wake-up call, as Christians we must take immediate action We are in danger because we live among those who are morally and spiritually corrupt As Christians we are sent forth into “a crooked and perverse nation” “Perverse” means that which is turning in different ways, turning from the standard The standard is the way of God, our present world is people who are corrupt, depraved, twisted As Christians we are to stand right in a world that is wrong We are to present the truths of God to a world that is following false gods We live in a sin sick society, minds are morally warped, hearts are depraved, wills are wicked God has a purpose for the Christian living in this world, actually-it is an opportunity To “shine as lights,” AMONG WHOM YE SHINE AS LIGHTS IN THE WORLD Our Christian life is to be as visible as a light shining in the darkness The stars shine the brightest when the night is the darkest To “shine” refers to our example as a Christian, living as a Christian should live We are to be “as lights” referring to a torchbearer,” holding the torch so that others can see We must live the life that leads sinners out of the darkness and into the light of salvation Listen to Jesus, Mat 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Mat 5:15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Mat 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Listen to Paul, Eph 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: “Light in the Lord” is more than being enlightened, it is a new life and a new nature of life The path of our “New Life” is called “Walking in the Light” We should be shining examples of the transforming power of the gospel of Christ We must hear what Paul said, our light is to shine “in the world” It is easy for us to shine before one another in a Sunday worship service But we must shine on Monday and every day of the week wherever we are in the “world” We are to be a life of praise unto God through all that we say and do every day of our life PRAISE HIM Php 2:16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. Paul tells us that as Christians we must “hold forth,” which means to be a faithful witness We must be a faithful witness to the truth of the Christian faith, the truth of the Gospel “Holding forth” the faith is sharing the Gospel with those who are lost and without Jesus I have often heard it said of some Christians that they are not a witness, but that it not true Every Christian is a witness, they are either a witness for Christ or against Christianity Paul uses the same word translated “holding fast” in, 1Ti 4:16 Take heed (same word) unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. The thought here is to pay attention to what you are doing, watch yourself very closely Do we really realize how important it is to continue in the doctrine? It is the means of salvation, Jesus is the Savior, we are the ones that Jesus uses to share salvation What a responsibility we have, offering the truth of salvation to those on their way to Hell Page 3 of 5 We are sharing THE WORD OF LIFE, the Word, which is Life, the Life which is “The Word, 1Jn 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; 1Jn 1:2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) 1Jn 1:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 1Jn 1:4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. Our responsibility is to share the “Word of Life,” the word about Jesus Christ who is “The Word” It is through the “Word of Life” that we receive eternal life, Col 1:5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; Where is your “hope” today? Is it an earthly hope or a heavenly hope? Worldly hope is a doubt filled hope, the people of our day and the times of our day are doubtfull We cannot be certain about people today, do you have hope in the promises of our world today? Christian hope comes from the “word of truth,” which is the “Word of Life,” it is the “Truth’ It is the truth that brings joy, eternal joy, to the one who shares it and to the one who receives it Paul said, THAT I MAY REJOICE IN THE DAY OF CHRIST Christians can rejoice today knowing that Jesus is going to return Which will be “The Day of Christ,” His day will also be our day, Php 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Paul looked forward to that day, 2Ti 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. Paul daily committed his life to the expectation of the day that Jesus will return He was calling upon the Philippians to do the same thing, he calls upon us to do the same thing Paul had a purpose, THAT I HAVE NOT RUN IN VAIN NEITHER LABORED IN VAIN Paul’s daily goal was to be of an eternal value, he did not want his life to be “in vain” “In Vain” means to be empty, fruitless, of no purpose, of no value, useless and worthless In order to accomplish his goal, he knew that he must labor, put forth an effort But what kind of an effort? That question takes us back to the beginning of this study CONCLUSION Today too much effort is put forth in complaining by too many people, even among Christians There are too many Christians who “whine” and not enough who “shine” The opposite of the attitude of murmuring is the spirit of cheerfulness, we must be joyful Too often people appear to be cheerful outwardly but are complaining inwardly Blessings do not come wrapped up in grumbling, disputing will only dispense disappointment Grumbling and disputing are outward signs of inward hate and hurting What kind of a mood were you in when you got up this morning, were you praising God? What kind of a mood were you in when you got to church this morning? Was complaining to someone on your mind? Or was praising God on your mind? Did you come to church to whine or worship? What if Paul and Silas had griped and complained in their jail cell? What if the guards had heard, we don ‘t belong here, we don’t deserve this? These chains are too tight, this food is awful, it is not fit for the dogs But instead, what did the guards hear? Act 16:25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. Are you ready to praise Him now? Will you leave church today praising God? Page 4 of 5 The words that come from our mouth are the focus and thoughts of our mind If we continually focus on our physical and material problems, we will continually complain We must focus on God, God’s Word, the promises of God and the purpose of God for our life God had a plan for Israel, His plan for them was the “Promised Land” But they couldn’t wait on God, they focused on the now, their present day and circumstances Which resulted in murmuring about everything, study it: Ex. 14:11; 15:23-25; 16:1-12, 17:1-7 Numbers 11:1-6; God chastised them for their grumbling, Numbers 21:6 Now read what Paul tells us about the murmuring and complaining of Israel in 1 Cor. 10:9-11 It is time to quit complaining, it’s time to praise the Lord, listen to Paul, 1Co 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. It’s time to do what the song is going to tell us to do, listen to it Page 5 of 5