Do All Things Without Complaining (Message to Women) -- Annie Poonen -- September 21, 2022
https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/do-all-things-without-complaining River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The message uses the Israelites' grumbling in the wilderness as an example of how discontentment can lead to spiritual failure. The speaker emphasizes that while God provides miraculous provision, the heart can remain discontented with what is present. True freedom from grumbling comes from knowing the Lord personally, which empowers believers through the Holy Spirit to overcome internal complaints, especially those directed at loved ones.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Learning from the Old Testament examplesSecond Timothy explains that Old Testament events and histories are written for our instruction and as examples so we can learn from how God dealt with them.2 Timothy 3:16
The spirit of Egypt remained in the IsraelitesAlthough God delivered the Israelites out of Egypt quickly with great miracles, it took forty years for the spirit of Egypt to leave them because they continually grumbled.
Knowing God personally versus knowing His actsUnlike the children of Israel who only knew about God's acts, Moses knew God personally, which kept him from falling into the trap of grumbling.Psalm 103:7
Directing discontentment at our closest loved onesWhen unexpected things happen, women are often tempted to direct their grumbling and discontentment at the people closest to them, such as husbands and family members.
God's severe judgment on murmuringGod treated grumbling as a very serious sin, punishing the Israelites severely through plagues and judgment because murmuring against leaders is ultimately grumbling against God.
The incubation period of the grumbling diseaseThe disease of grumbling begins with an incubation period when the devil whispers thoughts of self-pity and blame into our minds regarding unexpected hardships.
How the disease spreads and affects othersIf left unchecked, the complaining grows, comes out in words, infects our children and those around us, and ultimately leads to fighting, broken families, and spiritual death.
The Shoemaker story and the stench of deathA Russian story about a Shoemaker illustrates how a complaining, scolding attitude carries the spiritual stench of death, which God views as a terrible sin.
Personal testimonies of God changing a complaining heartRecounting personal experiences in a leprosy hospital and early marriage struggles, the speaker testifies how God's love transforms a negative attitude into joy and thankfulness.
God's command to do all things without grumblingPhilippians 2 gives a clear command to do everything without grumbling and disputing so we can prove to be blameless children of God and appear as lights in a crooked generation.
Practical steps to overcome complainingTo overcome a complaining nature, we must know God intimately as a loving father, surrender daily on the altar, recognize our own unclean lips like Isaiah, and rely on Christ's strength.
Believing that victory is possible through faithVictory over this world's complaining spirit is possible through faith because everyone born of God overcomes the world.
A pure lily among thorns in a dark worldJust as a bridegroom views his bride as a lily among thorns, God sees believers by faith as pure and empowers them to replace complaining with constant rejoicing and thankfulness.
