Undermining or Understanding?

New Living Translation Chapter 2

14 Do everything without complaining and arguing,

15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.

New Living Translation Chapter 2

Do everything without complaining and arguing,

New Living Translation Chapter 2

Do everything without complaining and arguing,

COMPLAINING

COMPLAINING CONSTRICTS CONVERSATION

In // In

COMPLAINING COMPROMISES CHARACTER

COMPLAINING CREATES COMPLACENCY

Philippians: An Introduction and Commentary d. Exhortation Applied, and the Example of Paul (2:12–18)

14. A ‘social’ interpretation of these verses is confirmed by the indictment of complaining or arguing, the sins which stained the shield of the people of God in the Old Testament (cf. Exod. 16:7; Num. 11:1).

Q. WHERE HAS COMPLAINING OR ARGUING COST YOU JOY OR RELATIONSHIP?

Opening Up Philippians Shine Forth (vv. 14–18)

When we complain and grumble, we are telling those around us that we believe God is doing a very poor job, and, if given the opportunity, we could do much better

How can a Gospel of Good News be carried by Grumbling People?

WHY PEOPLE COMPLAIN:

Unmet expectations

Sense of Entitlement

Lack of Understanding

Fear & Insecurity

Selfishness

If I consider you above me, and you consider me above you, We’ll have a community where everybody is looked up to, and nobody is looked down upon… God > Others > Self

Curiosity and care cure complaining

“God where are you in this vs God why me”

Grumbling & Gossip: Talking about anything negative with someone else who can’t do anything to help the situation.

Joy is found if self sacrifice not self satisfaction

COMPLAINING CREATES COMPLACENCY

THIS:Gratitude Expands Perspective, Grumbling Exacerbates Pain

THIS:Gratitude Expands Perspective, Grumbling Exposes Pride

THIS:Failing to gain UNDERSTANDING first, UNDERMINES our desire to be UNDERSTOOD

THIS: YOUR FOCUS FORMS YOUR FILTER

THIS:Finding W.I.Ns > Focusing on Wrongs

Working

Inspiring

New

THIS:Failing to gain UNDERSTANDING first, UNDERMINES our desire to be UNDERSTOOD

Music

Preaching

Feeling Connected

Kids Ministry

Talk about money

They

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Do everything without complaining and arguing,15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.

vs15

New Living Translation Chapter 2

15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE WORDS “so that”…

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE WORDS “so that”…

“So That” Introduces WHY vs14 is a command. It’s not about following religious rules or regulations… Its to protect ourselves against one of the fears most people have… BEING CRITICIZED

CAUTIONS OF COMPLAINING:

Philippians: An Introduction and Commentary d. Exhortation Applied, and the Example of Paul (2:12–18)

The verb become, genēsthe, is more precisely ‘show yourselves’

VS16-18

New Living Translation Chapter 2

16 Hold firmly to the word of life; then

WHAT HOLDING FIRMLY IS AND ISN’T…

ISN’T

New Living Translation Chapter 2

16 Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.

17 But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy.

18 Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy.

New Living Translation Chapter 2

16 Hold firmly to the word of life;

New Living Translation Chapter 2

16 Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.

17 But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy.

18 Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy.

COMPLAINING CONSTRICTS COMMUNICATION

The New American Commentary: Philippians, Colossians, Philemon The Purpose of the Command (2:15–16)

Even with their imperfections, they were the light of the world to those in darkness.

New Living Translation Chapter 2

17 But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy.

18 Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy.

Joy is found if self sacrifice not self satisfaction

SACRIFICE: Your Will, Preference, Rightness, Ego, Gain, Comfort, Convenience,

WHEN facing hardship there’s a Difference between asking:

COMPLAINING COMPROMISES CHARACTER

“God where are YOU in this?” AND “God why ME?”

THIS: YOUR FOCUS FORMS YOUR FILTER

THIS:Gratitude Expands Perspective, Grumbling Exacerbates Pain

COMPLAINING CREATES COMPLACENCY

THIS:Gratitude Expands Perspective, Grumbling Exposes Pride

THIS:Finding W.I.Ns > Focusing on Wrongs

COMPLAINING CULTIVATES CONFLICT

Working

WHAT DOES COMPLAINING REVEAL ABOUT OUR FAITH?

Inspiring

“When we complain and grumble,

New

we are telling those around us that we believe God is doing a very poor job,

and, if given the opportunity, we could do much better”

16 Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. 17 But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. 18 Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy.

HOLD FIRMLY TO THE WORD OF LIFE… = JESUS AND ALL HE’S DONE

BEING HONEST NOT FAKE WHEN facing hardship there’s a Difference between asking:

“God where are YOU in this?” AND “God why ME?”

Joy is found if self sacrifice not self satisfaction

“JAMES THE JUST” IMPRISONED >FALSELY ACCUSED > MISTRIAL —> OPENS HIS LETTER WITH… “COUNT IT ALL JOY WHEN YOU FACE TROUBLES & HARDSHIPS…”

19 Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. 20 Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.

WHAT’S BEHIND OUR COMPLAINING?

- Our deep desire to be “RIGHT” & UNDERSTOOD

Failing to gain UNDERSTANDING first,

UNDERMINES our desire to be UNDERSTOOD

“RIGHTNESS” WILL RUIN RELATIONSHIPS

RIGHTEOUSNESS WILL REPAIR RELATIONSHIPS AND RIGHT RELATIONSHIPS RESULT IN JOY

21 So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.

22 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. 23 For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. 24 You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.

YOUR FOCUS FORMS YOUR FILTER

GRATITUDE IS THE CURE FOR GRUMBLING :( Got a Case of the grumbles :(

JOY COMES FROM Finding a W.I.N INSTEAD Focusing on What’s Wrong

W—orking

I—nspiring

N—ew