Maintaining The Mindset of Jesus- Do All Things Without Murmuring and Disputing
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Handout
Broadly in this series of sermons we are talking about the need for patient endurance in our obedience. Last week I used the illustration of not only loosing weight, but keeping or maintaing that weight loss.
After the sermon I was talking with a brother and he shared another good illustration of our need for endurance. It is like riding a bike up a hill. It is hard and demanding and requires that we constantly apply energy to the peddles. And the moment we stop peddling, there may be a small amount of store inertia that propels us forward, but it doesn’t last very long does it? And as soon as that inertia runs out what happens? We don’t just stop going up the hill, we start the process of being pulled back toward the bottom. Our progressive sanctification is very similar to this. Seeking to put into practice the mindset of Jesus is like this!
You might have a good day or week or month of putting into practice the mindset of Christ. But how do you maintain it over a lifetime?
This the imperative that governs this whole section of Philippians 2
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Mindset of Jesus-
“Did not consider equality with God as something to be used for His own advantage.”
“He emptied Himself by taking on the form of a servant”
“He humbled Himself by becoming obedient unto death, even the death of a cross.”
That kid of mindset might be easy to put on for a day or a week, but how do we maintain it? How do we grow in it?
How do we continually put on the mindset of Jesus?
How do we grow in the area of sacrificial gospel ministry?
I. Enduring obedience mingled with fear and trembling
I. Enduring obedience mingled with fear and trembling
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
How else do we grow in the area of sacrificial gospel ministry?
Or how else do we continually put on the mindset of Jesus?
II. Enduring obedience devoid of grumbling and disputing
II. Enduring obedience devoid of grumbling and disputing
14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing,
“There is nothing that leads to such havoc in the Christian life, there is nothing that so ruins life, as this spirit of murmuring and disputing. It ruined the whole story of the ancient people, it has ruined the Christian life and experience of many a Christian in this world. It makes you ill at ease; you become despondent; you do not understand anything; you feel your lot is the only difficult one in the world. It leads not only to that, but to a poor testimony; it brings disgrace and disrepute upon the Christian name. That is why the Apostle urges the Philippians to avoid it at all costs...” —Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Nothing will kill your opportunities of sacrificial gospel ministry more than a grumbling and a disputing spirit!
A. What is the significance of the command?
A. What is the significance of the command?
This verse is an imperative.
14Πάντα ποιεῖτε χωρὶς γογγυσμῶν καὶ διαλογισμῶν,
All things you must do without grumbling and disputing / arguing
Grumbling
Murmuring (like the Israelites in the wilderness) a complaint uttered in a low and indistinct tone. Behind-the-scenes talk.
Illustration:
Did you ever do that when you were a kid? You parents tell you to do something and you comply, but in an undertone or an indistinct tone you murmured. You complained. You argued under your breath as to why you were right and your parents were wrong? That is grumbling.
The Children of Israel did it while they were wandering through the wilderness.
1). How seriously does God view murmuring according to I Cor. 10:6-11?
1). How seriously does God view murmuring according to I Cor. 10:6-11?
6 Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did.
We are not to desire EVIL like the Israelites did in the wilderness. Paul gives three examples of EVIL!
7 Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.”
Here Paul lists the evil of idolatry. What was the consequence of the Israelites that turned back to worshiping idols?
8 We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day.
Here the evil of sexual immorality. What was the consequence of those who indulged in sexual immorality?
9 We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, 10 nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer.
Here the evil of putting Christ to the test or grumbling- and this evil is mentioned in the same breath as the evils of idolatry and sexual immorality! What was the consequences for those who grumbled?
Do we normally put the sin of grumbling on par with the sins of idolatry or sexual immorality? We normally classify grumbling as a lesser evil don’t we? How does God classify grumbling?
11 Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.
2). How does grumbling affect your ministry according to I Pet. 4:8-11?
2). How does grumbling affect your ministry according to I Pet. 4:8-11?
8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.
You might be heavily invested in serving other people. You might be sacrificing your life for the sake of gospel ministry, but if you also have a spirit of grumbling what is your service devoid of? It is devoid of love! So Paul says, ABOVE ALL, keep loving one another EARNESTLY! What does that look like? It means serving one another without grumbling!
10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Notice what is at stake! If we have a spirit of grumbling in our service to others what does NOT happen? God is NOT glorified! But if our service is mixed with love and fueled by God’s grace (end of v.10 “as good stewards of God’s varied grace), then the result is that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To Him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Disputing
Arguing- verbal exchange that takes place when conflicting ideas are expressed.
3). What is the root cause of an argumentative spirit according to Luke 9:46-48?
3). What is the root cause of an argumentative spirit according to Luke 9:46-48?
46 An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest. 47 But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put him by his side
The disciple’s hearts were filled with pride, they were comparing themselves among themselves. They were not counting others as more significant than themselves. They were not giving the bulk of their interests to others, they were looking only to their own interests, and so were arguing about which of them was the greatest. This has no place in the life of a Christian!
Do you remember how the Lord expertly answered them? Jesus took a child and put him by his side,
48 and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great.”
35 And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”
Arguing / disputing reflects a heart that has no interest in putting others first- it has no interest in sacrificing and becoming a servant, and thus it quickly kills a Christlike mindset of sacrificial gospel ministry.
Imagine if Jesus had gone to the cross and the whole time he was grumbling. There was a low undertone and his whispers were overheard, “I can’t believe I have to sacrifice myself for a bunch of lousy sinners! I can’t believe that I, the creator of everything, has to bear the sins of the world.” But, what was the attitude of Jesus?
7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.
Imagine if Jesus’ sacrifice was accompanied with disputations or arguments! As he was hanging on the cross imagine if he argued with the crowd that He was the greatest and that they deserved to die and not Himself. How would that diminish His sacrifice? Instead, what words did Jesus utter on the cross?
34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.
So, believers if you are to maintain a Christlike mindset you must …
14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing,
Nothing will kill your opportunities of sacrificial gospel ministry more than a grumbling and a disputing spirit!
Husbands and wives- do you grumble and complain about each other? Do you argue with each other? Worse yet do you do it in front of others? I am grateful that my wife was taught by her mother to never grumble and complain about her husband in front of other people.
Refutation:
The command to do all things without disputing or arguing does not mean that you will never argue about things. There is a time and a place to talk about disagreements. There is a right way and a wrong way. There is a gracious way and a way that is fueled with a prideful heart. What Paul is getting at is a murmuring and a disputing spirit!
Think about what your grumbling and disputing spirit is doing to your testimony of the gospel!
Children- do you grumble and complain about your parents? Do you argue with mom and dad? Have you ever done that in front of other people? Kids, you have all seen another child complain and throw a fit in public haven’t you? What goes through you mind when you see that?
Think about what kind of testimony you are displaying for other people!
Christians- do you grumble and complain in your workplace? Do you have an argumentative spirit? In your conversations with your neighbors and your friends in the community do you complain? Do you complain about the weather? or politics? or your dismal lot in life?
Think about what that is doing to your testimony!
B. What are the reasons for obedience to the command?
B. What are the reasons for obedience to the command?
15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
Do ALL THINGS without grumbling or disputing. Why?
SO THAT you might be blameless and innocent
1). How does obedience to the command cause you to be blameless and innocent?
1). How does obedience to the command cause you to be blameless and innocent?
Blameless- without fault, innocent
9 For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers.
Innocent- Pertaining to being without a mixture of evil and hence to being pure, untainted
19 For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil.
15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
Do ALL THINGS without grumbling or disputing. Why?
SO THAT you might be blameless and innocent
Do ALL THINGS without grumbling or disputing. Why?
SO THAT you might be faultless children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted / perverse generation among whom you are shinning like stars in the world
2). How does obedience to the command impact the effectiveness of your witness?
2). How does obedience to the command impact the effectiveness of your witness?
When, by God’s grace, you no longer have a murmuring spirit or a argumentative spirit, but rather your speech, in an overabundance of the grace given to you by the Spirit, overflows and ministers grace to the hearers, when that happens what effect will it have on the effectiveness of your ministry?
29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
What kind of impact can gracious speech have on unbelievers?
15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
Notice- we have to be in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation for this to make any difference! If we are not in the midst of the world we are like a candle that is hidden under a bushel. But if we GO out into the world and are in their midst what is the effect of lives and speech transformed by grace?
ἐν οἷς φαίνεσθε ὡς φωστῆρες ἐν κόσμῳ,
among whom you are shinning[1] like stars[2] in the world
[1]Pres, Pass, Ind- because of the gospel we are emitting light, the source of the light is not innate to ourselves.
[2]C.f. Rev 21:11- the radiance of light like brilliant stars in the sky; c.f. Matt 5:14-16
10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.
When we get in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, and we so grow in grace that it overflows in our speech (and murmuring and arguing have no part in our spirits), then God’s grace shines like the radiance of the light of brilliant stars in the sky!
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
C. How can you put the command into practice?
C. How can you put the command into practice?
It is one thing to preach from the pulpit or to say while sitting in the comfort and safety of my study- do all things without murmuring and disputing! But, how do you actually work out your own salvation and practically change?
1). What identity is highlighted in v.15 that is crucial to the application of the command?
1). What identity is highlighted in v.15 that is crucial to the application of the command?
15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
Children of God- it must start here, without spiritual new birth you are helpless. You are underneath the power of sin and your sin nature and you cannot root out murmuring and disputing because you do not have access to God’s grace. What you need is first and foremost to be born again- to become a child of God. You must repent of your sin and put your faith in Christ alone to save you from your sin.
2). How does understanding your identity enable you to apply the command?
2). How does understanding your identity enable you to apply the command?
Illustration:
How are you today? I’m blessed!
How are you blessed?
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,
How does this connect to our text? If you are a child of God then you are IN CHRIST! You are united to Christ and because you are united to Christ you have a share in EVERY spiritual blessing in the heavenly place!
Like what?
Ephesians 2:4–5 (ESV)
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—
Ephesians 2:6 (ESV)
6 and raised us up with him
Ephesians 2:6 (ESV)
6 and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
Think about your position as believers- you are children of God! You share in every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places!
What do you have to complain about? What do we have to argue about? Instead what should be our response?
3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.
4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.
One way you can practically stop murmuring and complaining and arguing is to fight the greed in your heart with the grace of thanksgiving.
I challenge each one of you to sit down this week and make a list of the top 10 things you are thankful for! Then, make a list of the top 10 spiritual blessings that are yours in Christ because you are a child of God.
The next time you are tempted to complain or argue, stop, and offer up thanksgiving to God. Open up your lists and pray through them and thank God for them all over again!
I promise you will be amazed at how powerful the grace of gratitude can be in your war against murmuring and disputing.
Illustration:
Septic system overflow
Application:
Are you in the midst of your crooked and twisted generation? Are you in the world?
Is God’s grace radiating from you like the brilliant light of a star?
Do you struggle with complaining and arguing?
Will you determine to grow in grace this week? Will you take the time to make a list for the things that you are thankful for? Will you work out your own salvation by fighting the greed of complaining and arguing with the grace of gratitude?
III. Enduring obedience overflowing with gladness and shared joy
16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.