From Complaining to Praise: A Journey of Faith

 

Summary

In my recent sermon, I began by sharing a personal story from when I was 24 years old, facing a debilitating sickness that had halted my life's progress. I expressed my frustration and confusion to God, questioning why He allowed this to happen and what it was costing me. This moment of vulnerability and desperation set the stage for the central theme of my sermon: the spiritual journey from complaining to maturity in faith.

I then drew parallels between my personal struggle and the Israelites' journey out of Egypt. I explained that, like the Israelites who were delivered from slavery freely by God's grace, we too are saved freely through faith in Jesus Christ. However, after salvation comes the responsibility to grow and mature in our faith. I emphasized that God relates to us in different ways, offering common grace to all but bestowing a special grace and relationship to those who come to Him through Jesus.

I delved into the heart of the sermon, focusing on the sin of complaining. I illustrated this by using a chair to represent arbitrary complaints and demonstrated how we often measure and evaluate situations based on our standards, effectively "puke" our dissatisfaction onto them. I clarified that not all expressions of dissatisfaction are complaints; it's the attitude of distrust in God and the refusal to take action that constitutes sinful complaining.

I further explained that complaining is a sign of unbelief and a refusal to trust in God's sovereignty and plan. It can keep us in a spiritual wilderness, preventing us from seeing God's purposes and blessings. I used the example of the Israelites in the wilderness, who repeatedly failed to trust God and resorted to complaining, which ultimately led to a prolonged journey and the postponement of God's promises.

I also addressed the destructive power of the tongue, as described in James 3:6, and the particularly harmful combination of complaining and gossip. I urged the congregation to resist these temptations, as they can damage the church community and hinder spiritual growth.

As I moved towards the conclusion of my sermon, I highlighted the importance of bringing our complaints to God in a spirit of humility and meekness, as exemplified by Job and Jesus. I shared how God sternly reminded me during my illness that He can do no wrong, teaching me to trust in His goodness and sovereignty even in the midst of trials.

Finally, I encouraged the congregation to praise God in the wilderness, to trust that He is with us in our difficulties, and to believe that He will use our trials for our good and His glory. I concluded by reminding everyone that praise, rather than complaint, is the key to moving forward in our spiritual journey.

Key Takeaways:

1. Complaining is a heart issue that reveals a lack of trust in God's sovereignty and goodness. It's not just about expressing dissatisfaction with circumstances; it's an attitude that reflects our belief system. When we complain, we're essentially saying that we don't trust God to handle the situation. ([09:01])

2. Our journey with God involves tests of faith, and how we respond to these tests—especially the temptation to complain—can either draw us closer to God or keep us wandering in a spiritual wilderness. Choosing to trust and praise God in the midst of trials is the path to spiritual maturity. ([13:09])

3. The tongue has the power to destroy or build up. Complaining and gossip are tools the enemy uses to sow discord and unbelief, not only in our own hearts but also within the church community. We must guard our words and use them to encourage faith and unity. ([21:33])

4. Bringing our complaints to God with a humble and teachable spirit can lead to revelation and a deeper understanding of His character. When we are honest with God about our struggles, He often uses those moments to teach us profound truths about Himself. ([26:29])

5. Praise is a powerful weapon against the spirit of complaint. When we choose to praise God, even for the wilderness seasons, we align our hearts with His purposes and hasten our journey towards the blessings He has in store for us. ([31:06])

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Exodus 16:2-4 (ESV)
> "And the whole congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness, and the people of Israel said to them, 'Would that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.' Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not.'"

2. James 3:6 (ESV)
> "And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell."

3. Matthew 12:34 (ESV)
> "You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks."

#### Observation Questions
1. What were the Israelites complaining about in Exodus 16:2-4, and how did God respond to their complaints?
2. According to James 3:6, what is the impact of the tongue on a person's life and community?
3. In Matthew 12:34, what does Jesus say about the relationship between the heart and the words we speak?

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the Israelites' grumbling in Exodus 16:2-4 reflect their trust (or lack thereof) in God's provision and plan? ([11:22])
2. What does James 3:6 suggest about the potential dangers of unchecked complaining and gossip within a church community? ([21:33])
3. How does Jesus' statement in Matthew 12:34 help us understand the root cause of our complaints and negative speech? ([10:15])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you found yourself complaining. How did your attitude affect your trust in God’s sovereignty? ([09:01])
2. Think about a time when you were tempted to gossip or complain about someone in your church or community. How can you guard your tongue and instead use your words to build up and encourage others? ([21:33])
3. When facing trials, how can you practice bringing your complaints to God with a humble and teachable spirit, as exemplified by Job and Jesus? ([26:29])
4. Identify a specific area in your life where you tend to complain. What steps can you take to replace complaints with praise and trust in God’s plan? ([31:06])
5. How can you create a habit of praising God even in difficult circumstances, and what impact do you think this will have on your spiritual growth and maturity? ([30:35])
6. In what ways can you encourage others in your small group or church to resist the temptation to complain and instead focus on God’s goodness and sovereignty? ([13:09])
7. Consider the destructive power of the tongue as described in James 3:6. What practical steps can you take this week to ensure your words are life-giving and faith-building? ([21:33])

Devotional

Day 1: Trust Overcomes Complaints
Trust in God's sovereignty is the antidote to a complaining heart. When faced with challenging circumstances, it's easy to fall into a pattern of grumbling about what seems unfair or difficult. However, this attitude reveals a deeper issue—a lack of trust in God's perfect plan and His ability to work through every situation for good. Complaining can become a habit that not only reflects a heart of unbelief but also impacts one's spiritual health and growth. It's essential to recognize that every complaint is a missed opportunity to demonstrate trust in God's providence and care.

"Nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer." - 1 Corinthians 10:10 ESV

Reflection: Recall a recent situation where you found yourself complaining. How could you have responded with trust in God's plan instead?

Day 2: Embracing Trials as Faith Tests
Life's trials are not merely obstacles but opportunities to deepen one's faith and reliance on God. The journey of faith is marked by various tests that challenge believers to either trust God more fully or to remain stagnant in spiritual growth. The temptation to complain during these tests is strong, but choosing to trust and praise God in the midst of difficulties is a crucial step toward spiritual maturity. It's in these moments that one's faith is refined and the character of Christ is formed within.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." - James 1:2-3 ESV

Reflection: What trial are you currently facing, and how can you view it as a test of faith that God is using to mature you?

Day 3: The Constructive Power of the Tongue
The words spoken by an individual have the power to either build up or tear down. Complaining and gossip are destructive forces that can erode trust and unity within a community, particularly within a church. It's crucial to be mindful of the impact of one's words and to use them to encourage and strengthen others in their faith. By guarding against negative speech, believers can foster an environment of growth and mutual edification.

"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." - Ephesians 4:29 ESV

Reflection: How can you use your words today to build up someone in your community rather than contribute to negativity or gossip?

Day 4: Humble Petitions Reveal God's Character
Approaching God with complaints is not inherently wrong, but the manner in which one brings these concerns to Him matters greatly. A humble and teachable spirit opens the door to deeper insights into God's character and His ways. When believers honestly present their struggles to God, He often uses those moments to reveal profound truths and to draw them closer to Himself. It's in the posture of humility that one can truly learn and grow in understanding.

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him." - James 1:5 ESV

Reflection: What is one area of struggle you need to bring before God with a humble heart, seeking His wisdom and guidance?

Day 5: Praise as a Pathway to Blessing
Praise is a powerful expression of faith that can transform one's perspective, especially during challenging times. By choosing to praise God, believers affirm their trust in His goodness and align their hearts with His purposes. Praise shifts the focus from one's problems to God's promises and accelerates the journey toward the fulfillment of His plans. It is through worship that Christians can find strength and joy, even in the wilderness.

"I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth." - Psalm 34:1 ESV

Reflection: Identify one aspect of your current 'wilderness' experience for which you can offer genuine praise to God today. How does this act of praise change your outlook?

Quotes

"When you have a complainy attitude, it doesn't really matter what happens; you're going to find a way to measure it and complain about it. That's how you interpret life. You're no longer just complaining about a thing; complaining is how you approach everything. And complaining, it shuts down faith, it messes with our mind, and it's a choice." [14:19]( | | )

"Complaining keeps us in the wilderness. It gets us increasingly lost, reinforcing unbelief. When we complain, we're saying, 'God doesn't have a plan for this; this is just random, God isn't in control, he's not sovereign.' Therefore, I'm just going to measure this and say it's not worth very much." [09:01]( | | )

"Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. When I'm puking this up, this started actually here, this is where it was, and out of the heart, the mouth speaks. We can hear ourselves; we just listen to ourselves, we can hear this is what your heart really thinks about it because it just comes right out." [10:15]( | | )

"Here's what you got to decide to do: I'm not going to roll that way. The way I'm going to pass this test is to not participate in that. I'm going to be a little Joseph, keep my head down, work hard, let blessing come out of my mouth. When people are jumping in to gossip and talk about everything, I'm just going to do what I can to either be quiet or say something positive and encouraging into the situation." [17:34]( | | )

"Complaining really is like, dude, it is a superpowered enemy against us. Complaining shuts down and postpones God's promises. Think about all of a sudden that God, like, he could have gotten them through this wilderness lickety-split. It was an 11-day journey, took 40 years. They could have just, hey, let's just go. Sometimes I'm wondering, God, am I just holding myself up because of my bad attitude?" [19:50]( | | )

"God can do no wrong. He didn't say, 'Oh, there, there, it's going to be okay, come on little champ, buck up.' He didn't feel bad for me, he didn't jump into my victim mentality, he didn't agree that accusing God was right. He said, 'Here's what this young servant needs to know at this stage in his life: Here's what you don't get, Carter, even when stuff is going bad in your life, God can do no wrong.'" [28:54]( | | )

"Praise will make the bitter waters sweet, and one of the most powerful things that we can do, my friends, is recognize really the fastest way for us to get out of the wilderness is to praise God in the wilderness, even for the wilderness. 'God, thank you that you brought me here to teach me this. Someday I don't feel like praising you now, someday I'll do it because I feel like it, right now I'm just doing because it's wise.'" [31:06]( | | )

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Transcript
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