Matthew 5:16

John 13:35

Matthew 5:44

I John 3:10 – practicing righteousness

Romans 6:3-7

I Corinthians 9:27 – Continued self-discipline is required.

I Corinthians 10:1-11

Deuteronomy 1:27; Exodus 15:24; 17:3; Numbers 16 – Grumbling of the Israelites.

I Corinthians 10:12

We have a problem with complaining!

• I Corinthians 10:9 – The Israelites put God to the test by complaining. They challenged His existence and goodness.

• Psalms 106:24

• Exodus 16:11 – If we grumble against God’s anointed, we are grumbling against God.

Complaining is a poison and a cancer.

• Numbers 11:10

• Proverbs 16:28; 18:8; 26:20

• Deuteronomy 14:7

• I Thessalonians 5:16

• James 5:9

• I Peter 4:9

• I Timothy 6:3

Is there ever a time we can air our grievances?

• Psalms 55:16-18; Luke 18:1-8

• Have the right attitude. Hebrews 5:7

• Leave room for God’s will. Luke 22:42

• Make your request in faith. Numbers 21:5

Strategies to avoid complaining

• Recognize we have a problem.

• Find an accountability partner.

• Identify your areas of temptation.

• Pray instead of complaining.

• Find good examples. II Corinthians 12:10; Philippians 4:11

• Pursue something greater. Colossians 3:16

We should be:

• Thankful

• Trusting in God

• Rejoicing – Philippians 4:4

• Considering our effect on others

• If it’s worth bringing up, bring it up to God. Bring a request, not a demand. Philippians 4:6

Philippians 2:12-16

Is there joy in your life because you’re a Christian?

• Deuteronomy 12:18 – rejoice

• Luke 6:22-25 – glad … leap

• Romans 14:17 – joy

• Philippians 4:4; I Thessalonians 5:16 – rejoice

Problems to watch out for:

• Despondent brethren

• Chronic critic and grouch

• Easily offended / cry babies

• Possessive

• Gossip, backbiting, bickering

  • Galatians 5:15

• “Yes” people and “no” people

• Haughty, “holier-than-thou”

• “Someone else will do it”

• Guilt-ridden

• “40 years ago”

  • Matthew 6:9-15

Ephesians 6:10-17 – Putting on the armor of God.

We are part of the conflict between good and evil.

• Philippians 2:25; Philemon 1:2; I Peter 2:11; II Corinthians 6:7

We have to define victory.

• I Timothy 1:18

• I Timothy 6:11

• II Timothy 2:1-10 – Salvation for ourselves and as many others as possible is the objective!

We have to fight the enemy.

• II Corinthians 10:1-6 – This warfare is spiritual in nature, waged in the hearts and minds of men.

• I Peter 5:8

• Ephesians 6:12

• We are not fighting against a cartoon version of Satan. We are fighting against his influence and temptations in the world.

We have to train new recruits.

• Ephesians 2:3-5

• Ephesians 3:13-19; 4:11-13

• Ephesians 6:19-20

• Younger generations are less religious. More and more people think its wrong to try to teach and convert others.

• The power of God in the gospel can still convert people!

II Timothy 4:7-8