Anti-Complaining, Pro-Thanksgiving

Anti-Complaining Meditation.

Philippians 2:14–16 NIV

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.

Hey, How’s it going? The response, “I Can’t Complain. It will not do any good anyway.”

I have to admit, I can have a tendency to complain. Perhaps it is a way to get frustrations off our chest.

- Perhaps their is a difference between getting things off our chest and complaining. Getting things off our chest is a way to name difficult realities so that the Lord will help us carry our burdens. We might share things with others, but not so they can carry the burden, but they can help lift it to the Lord.

- Complaining and grumbling does not seek to lift the burden at all, but seeks to hold on to the frustration, nor does it seek help. but to make to inflict the frustration on to others.

Philippians 4 tells us what to do, do not be anxious about anything, but in everything and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

A monk joined a monastery and took a vow of silence. After the first 10 years his superior called him in and asked, "Do you have anything to say?" The monk replied, "Food bad." After another 10 years the monk again had opportunity to voice his thoughts. He said, "Bed hard." Another 10 years went by and again he was called in before his superior. When asked if he had anything to say, he responded, "I quit." "It doesn't surprise me a bit. You've done nothing but complain ever since you got here."

Source Unknown.

Paul’s Reason for not complaining.

vs. 13 The Gospel - God is at work in us for His good pleasure.

vs. 15 - The purpose is so we reflect who God is - to be a child of God - to reflect the Gospel to other.

“So right now you have trouble. That’s okay. Jesus said that you would (John 16:33). And Jesus really understands (Hebrews 4:15). In fact, the trouble that you endure has a purpose: in it you are displaying the reality of Jesus to the world in a unique way. The kingdom of God is most clearly shown on earth when Christians gratefully suffer present trouble because they see a future weight of glory coming that makes everything this world throws at them as ‘light momentary afflictions’ in comparison (2 Corinthians 4:17). So, how can you give thanks in all circumstances? There’s only one way: Jesus way. Look to the joy set before you. Look to the joy! If the future joy Jesus promises is real and you believe him, there is no circumstance that can steal your thanksgiving” (Jon Bloom, “How Can We Give Thanks In All Circumstances?,” Desiring God, November 22, 2013, <http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/how-can-we-give-thanks-in-all-circumstances>)

- So what are you Not Complaining about?

-For me I am not complaining about how busy I am going to be this Holiday Season. - Why, because every task is an opportunity to share God’s Love.

Pro-Thanksgiving Meditation.

Philippians 2:17–18 NIV

But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

The first American Thanksgiving didn't occur in 1621 when a group of Pilgrims shared a feast with a group of friendly Indians. The first recorded thanksgiving took place in Virginia more than 11 years earlier, and it wasn't a feast. The winter of 1610 at Jamestown had reduced a group of 409 settlers to 60. The survivors prayed for help, without knowing when or how it might come. When help arrived, in the form of a ship filled with food and supplies from England, a prayer meeting was held to give thanks to God.

1. Paul’s connection between prayer and choosing thankfulness (Philippians 4:4–7) is also reflected in his letter to the Thessalonians where he says, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18). It’s important to note that he doesn’t say we should give thanks forall circumstances. But in the midstof them, we can be thankful for Jesus, for what he has accomplished for us, for our untouchable inheritance that is waiting for us in heaven, and for God’s unchanging character.

vs. 17 - Again to mention that Paul is in prison here - being poured out like a drink offering.

The Philippians are experiencing sacrifice and are serving sacrificially.

- Even so, he is rejoicing and suggesting they do and we do as well - even if the circumstances are not great.

Paul did write this on Thanksgiving Day. Who knows what day he wrote this. Thanksgiving day should not be the one day we give thanks. The Gospel compels us not just to speak thanks to God, but to offer our entire life as an offering of thanksgiving to God.

Heidelbergh Catechism: Structure Grief - we are Sinners, Grace - Jesus saved us from our sin. Gratitude - we now live our lives in Gratitude for our salvation.

Q&A 86

Since We have been delivered from our misery by grace through Christ without any merit of our own, why then should we do good works?

Because Christ, having redeemed us by his blood, is also restoring us by his Spirit into his image, so that with our whole lives we may show that we are thankful to God for his benefits, so that he may be praised through us, so that we may be assured of our faith by its fruits, and so that by our godly living our neighbors may be won over to Christ.

So, what are you thankful for?

One thing I am Thankful for is the Gospel. That Jesus came in the flesh, that he showed us a foretaste of his kingdom, and equips his disciples to do the same, that He died for my sins, that he rose from the dead defeating sin and death, that he now has all authority and leads me through his spirit that he gave me, and that he will make all things right when he comes again.