Humbly Grateful or Grumbly Hateful?

--Kalabrics serving in Italy...

--Maytown, KY in Floyd County

Crossroads Missions

Would you stand as I read a practical passage highlighting joy—Listen to what God spoke through the Apostle Paul to the Church at Philippi and therefore to us:

Philippians 2:12–18 (NIV)

12 Therefore, (remember why it is therefore) my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,

13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing,

15 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

16 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.

17 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.

18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

Let me read vs. 14 again.

Philippians 2:14 NIV

14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing,

Got it? a famous kids’ song says are you humbly grateful or grumbly hateful?

Ok....let’s pray and be dismissed.

I am kidding…although some of us would probably not grumble about that or argue.

We are in our series on joy.

We have defined joy (stealing from Sam Storms) as “a deep and durable delight in God that ruins you for anything else.”

Grumbling is really the opposite of joy.

What is grumbling?

—murmuring or muttering or complaining under one’s breath

— “behind the scenes talk” where you are expressing your displeasure

What is arguing?

—certainly it is not always wrong to express your opinion or criticism in a healthy, constructive way...

—but it is this idea of disputing or debating especially from a contentious spirit

so grumbling and arguing involve what we say—but ultimately it stems from the root—from our hearts—the attitude behind it.

Why it’s so dangerous...

It’s a major sin. we are told not to grumble…it’s a command from God. Opposite of this—we are commanded to rejoice…in the Lord! So it violates what God wants from us, what God expects.

illustration—we may not think grumbling is that big a deal—it’s just words; there’s worse things, right? Look at this from 1 Cor. 10:6-10—which actually reminds us of the story of the Israelites…who God rescued from slavery in Israel.

1 Corinthians 10:6-10 6 Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they (the Israelites) did. 7 Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.”  (that’s the golden calf incident when Aaron, Moses’ brother made a golden calf to worship rather than God—Ex. 32). b 8 We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died (Numbers 25). 9 We should not test Christ, d as some of them did—and were killed by snakes (Numbers 21). 10 And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel. (that’s a reference to Numbers 16—where 3 families led a rebellion against Moses and the Lord_

did you notice that grumbling is mentioned in the context of idolatry, and sexual immorality...

that’s because grumbling is not just speech…it is a sin of the heart. Jesus said out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. it is reflective of our heart.

Most of the Israelites grumblings in the OT came after God had saved them, rescued them, did miraculous signs.

Exodus 16:2–4 NIV

2 In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. 3 The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.” 4 Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions.

when we grumble—we are not just complaining—we are growling against the king of kings and lord of lords. we are telling God that something is not ultimately good enough. I deserve better God. You are not doing enough! God just saved them…and they forgot....

we are telling God that He is not good enough; he is not sufficient enough

grumbling is actually a form of unbelief…it’s not trusting that He is good, He will provide; He will do. it’s starting to put our trust in something else other than God—

thinking we know best. we substitute our kingdom in place of God’s kingdom

one writer says: “:There was only one obstacle that prevented Israel from fulfilling God’s mission. It wasn’t Pharaoh or his massive army. It wasn’t the entrenched Canaanite forces. It was the Israelites’ grumbling hearts.” https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/grumbling-sin/

Adam and Eve—the first sin—wasn’t it a form of grumbling in their hearts before they ate from the tree. “I need more—God is holding out on me..He doesn’t love me...”

another reason why grumbling is so dangerous...We miss out on joy in the Lord. I believe joy and grumbling cannot co-exist. especially joy in God. You can one or the other—but not both. We miss out on joy, real joy, that deep and durable delight in God… (and if you are honest, if you constantly grumble, complain, argue, and dispute—that is no way to really live)

we hurt our witness for Christ! look at Philippians 2:14-15

Philippians 2:14-15 14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” u Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky

people who are marked by joy, not grumbling, complaining or disputing against God or others—stick out!

I mean we are taught as a culture to grumble...

everybody has an opinion

especially online!

Paul could have mentioned other markers of the Christian faith that marks us out as followers of Jesus—how we spend our money, how we spend our time, how we witness…but no—if you are not a grumbler or an arguer…then you will shine like the stars in this dark universe.

It’s easier to spot in others than ourselves. just like pride which we talked about last week—it’s easier to notice pride in others than ourselves—so it’s also easier to notice grumbling in others than yourself.

everyone else struggles with pride...

everyone else struggles with grumbling/complaining/disputing…not me...

or it’s easy to justify our grumbling or complaining “I just wanted to make sure they knew.” “Somebody had to tell him or her...” “I was doing it for their benefit...” “I am just speaking the truth.” “I have the spiritual gift of criticism...”

so I have a list here—called

You might be a grumbler if...

This is inspired by comedian Jeff Foxworthy—he used to have a list called “you might be a redneck if...”

and Foxworthy defines a redneck as someone with a glorious absence of sophistication...

which is all of us...

and he says he gets a lot of his inspiration from actually real-life things he or others have observed.

So famously…you might be a redneck if...

“you have ever cut your grass and found a car...” (or a golf cart)

“if every day somebody comes to your door mistakenly thinking you are having a yard sale...”

“if you have ever made change in the offering plate...” (we have boxes they are locked)

“if you have ever financed a tattoo...”

Now, you might be a grumbler if…(warning…these are not as funny)...

You might be a grumbler if…if you feel like you always have to speak your criticisms right away. (Yes, it’s ok to have opinions and God calls us at times to share them—but do you have a filter; can you hold back? the fruit of the Spirit is self-control; patience) wisdom is not just knowing what to speak.

You might be a grumbler if…you always focus on the negative...even if 99% of something goes right..you focus on the negative. (certainly excellence is great…but can you find and rest in the positive?)

You might be a grumbler if…you can’t remember the last time you just prayed prayers of thanksgiving to God. (If we lack thanksgiving in our prayer lives—we are grumblers. If we focus more on requests rather than enjoying what God has done and is doing…that’s dangerous…) and chances are if you don’t talk and listen to God—you are a grumbler...

You might be a grumbler if…you focus more on the problems in your life rather than God’s promises or provisions. (Yes life is tough, but can you still see God’s blessing and provision through Jesus on the cross even in dark times? Do you easily forget God’s provisions and promises?)

You might be a grumbler if…you can’t remember the last time you apologized to someone or said “I’m sorry” but demanded it from others.

You might be a grumbler if... you can’t receive thoughtful correction or criticism in your life.

You might be a grumbler if…when trials come, it overwhelms you…b/c you are forgetting God!

you might be a grumbler if you excuse it away. One author says “I was just venting, or being honest, getting something off my chest, or sharing a prayer request.” (Desiring God article by Scott Hubbard https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/do-everything-without-grumbling

As Churches and Christians we can be filled with grumbling...

One pastor says it like this (I relate): “As a pastor, I sometimes feel like a catch basin for grumbling. The congregation’s disappointments and frustrations tend to trickle into my inbox. Programs. Music. Expenditures. Change. Each can be met with grumbling.

But it’s not just them. Too often my own heart grumbles in return, multiplying the cacophonous chorus. If grumbling is to be halted, grumbling in the church mustn’t beget grumbling in my heart. If we’re going to be a grateful, non-grumbling people, I must lead with gratitude and repentance.”

Grumbling is serious…and we should all assume that we can fall into it…and it saps joy in God.

We don’t know why Paul told them to stop grumbling...

it may be because they were suffering—and Paul reminds that God has granted belief and suffering for him (1:29)

it may be they were grumbling b/c Paul’s suffering increased theirs—it led to more persecution

it may be they were grumbling against their leaders and their leaders were grumbling back

it may be they were grumbling against one another-people made in God’s image, threatening the church’s unity...

How to defeat Grumbling:

Work out God’s continual work in your life (vs. 12-13)

that’s weird!

What do I mean?

Philippians 2:12–13 NIV

12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

these verses are getting at a great term—sanctification. say that with me.

There are 3 big words we should know when it comes to our salvation.

Justification

sanctification

glorification

these are referring to the 3 elements of our salvation and right standing with God.

justification = past

sanctification = present or ongoing

glorification = future

what do I mean?

our salvation has 3 tenses—past, present, future.

We have been saved.

We are being saved.

And we will ultimately be saved.

The moment you and I believe in Jesus to save us from our sins. we are justified. declared immediately righteous with God through Christ!

we are saved from the penalty of sin

justification = saved from penalty of sin (death and its curse—physically and spiritually)

but then—begins a life long process of sanctification - present-- where we increasingly are growing to become more like Christ. we are progressively saved from the power and practice of sin. (doesn’t mean we will never sin—but we are growing increasingly like the character of Jesus, gaining victory over the power and practice of sin)

glorification = future = when we die or Jesus comes back we are saved from the presence of sin. where sin will fully and finally be defeated.

these verses are referring to the present—sanctification = growing in holiness.

and it describes this process of sanctification becoming more like Christ as a tension...

Here’s the tension — so we are to work as if God is working it out among us.

Clarification — This does not mean we earn our salvation.

remember our salvation is based on Jesus’ work for us on our behalf. Our trust is in His perfect life for us. His death on the cross as payment for our sins. His resurrection as guarantee of victory. It is not based one bit on our work. Praise God! we trust it by faith.

however, a faith that saves is not a faith that remains alone.

True saving faith leads to works (just read the book of James).

works are not the basis for our faith—but the result. so much so that if someone claims to be saved by does not change—we question if they are really saved.

so a person who claims to follow Christ will grow in holiness by not grumbling…and they will work out their salvation as if God is working through them.

these verses may seem like a contradiction—but you need vs. 12 and 13.

verse 12—is our responsibility — we are to work hard

and verse 13 is God’s power and sovereignty behind it—for it is God who works in us...

you need both reminders...

what does that look like? if you are working as if God is working behind you...

surrender—do you surrender your growth in Christ daily— “God I surrender this to your life...” (friend…struggling with sin…I surrender my grumbling to you”) you see here is the psychology of grumbling—something feels unfair “that’s unfair or not right” desires become expectations, expectations become rights. and instead of bringing it to God, and allowing Him to steady us—we let it fester into discontentment and grumbling. (Scott Hubbard 2019 article on desiring God https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/do-everything-without-grumbling

Paul’s life and letter here is remarkable. in prison—he had every right to grumble—but joy dripped from his life and heart.

intentionality and discipline. most of us know that if we are to grow in knowledge in a class, skill at work, get better at a musical instrument or sports—we got to put in a plan, disciplined, go after it. It is hard work to grow in life and in the Lord. In other words—we are not passive or lazy about this. but intentional.

Look at verse 16—Paul describes his work as running and laboring… vs. 12 describes it as fear and trembling—which is strange to us that it exists in a letter about joy—but this is talking about we do this—with a reverent fear and awe of God. one writer says “God is not a kindly spiritual grandfather, sitting in the sky. God is not a teddy bear. God is not a kitten. God is a lion who loves us—we cannot tame him.”

at the same time, we don’t work based on our efforts. we work knowing that God is behind us working. There’s hope! the reason we know that our efforts are not in vain, that we can keep investing, pouring out our lives, even with joy—is because God can actually do something behind it!

because if we think it all depends on us—we will burn out and flame out…God is at work in us—both to will (deep in our hearts) and to act. He is the one who gets the glory. To think it all depends on us—that is not Biblical Christianity. He produces deep change as we call on him to help, depend on him, act in faith that He can actually change us.

on the other hand--if we think it all depends on God so much that it excuses us and makes us passive or lazy “let go and let God...” then we will never grow.

Paul illustrates this tension in 1 Corinthians 15:10

1 Corinthians 15:10 NIV

10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.

so who worked—Paul or God? The answer — both.

who works in our lives to change us—God works in our work.

If we are to defeat grumbling..we must be intentional to grow in our relationship with God but operating from a heart level of trust that God is working in us.

*resource — 60 days of joy.

*it’s like we are setting the altar and sacrifice and God brings the fire...

the 2nd way we defeat grumbling—not only by working as if God is working behind us.

2. Hold firmly to the Word of Life (vs. 16)

Philippians 2:16 NIV

16 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.

What is the Word of Life?

When the Apostle Paul uses the word for “word” elsewhere—He is specifically talking about the Gospel.

the good news of what God has done through Christ to save us through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection...

This is amazing!

b/c we often think the Gospel is for non-believers—and then we move onto deeper things...

but Christians need the Gospel just as much as much as non-Christians.

It’s how we are saved—justified—past.

and we grow—sanctification present.

it’s how we enter glory—glorification.

we hold firmly to the Gospel—this Gospel generates life in us! power in us! fruit in us!

what does it look like to hold firmly to the Word of Life?

we must preach the Gospel to ourselves.

think of how the Gospel applies to our hearts and grumbling...

think of how you can use the Gospel to cut to the very core of your heart as you preach it.

if you are struggling with grumbling this morning…think of Jesus. What if he grumbled and said to the Father, “I am not going to earth to save human beings. They won’t even appreciate it!”

or “I am not going to save it—they will take advantage of my salvation.” Where would we be? but lost—without Christ and hope?

no—but Jesus did not grumble—he humbled himself and became obedient to death even death on a cross...

struggling with appreciating anything good in your life?

The Gospel reminds you that even on your worst days and seasons—God is still for you—HE sent His Son to die for you, loves you, and is preparing a place for you. Though my circumstances are tough, I can rest knowing that God is still working in me to fulfill his good purpose. He started and will finish it.

struggling with others—arguing and disputing--

what if Jesus had argued and disputed with the Father— “I am not going to go to earth. This is a bad plan to save mankind. It’s not worth it.” but we would be lost and hopeless.

no but instead—Jesus did not grumble or dispute—but gladly and willingly poured out his life.

Paul talked about pouring out his life as a drink offering. IN the OT—we often think of animal sacrifices—blood sacrifices to pay for sin.

one of the sacrifices was a drink offering that you could pour out wine on the animal sacrifice on the offering on the alter and it would create steam and a fragrant offering....

as you focus on the one who poured out his life---for you—that enables you like Paul to pour out your life to others

and have joy…deep joy…not grumbling.

so First Missionary Church—do all things without grumbling…yes all things:

“Wake up with a sore throat without grumbling

“receive criticism...”

“Pay a speeding ticket...”

“shovel snow in April...”

“answer emails...”

“sit in the balcony...”

“serve in our church family...”

“help your neighbor...”

“work a job you don’t like and obey a boss you can’t stand...”

The path to joy is not one of grumbling but humbling. just like Jesus.