Grumble Or Grow!

2. So Pastor John took them across the street to the 7-Eleven. While they waited outside, John bought them each a sub sandwich, chips, and a Coke.

3. Then he watched as they ravenously attacked the food. The man took a big gulp of his drink and made a face, and spit it out; “What is this, diet?”

4. Pastor John says, “I laughed right out loud because I immediately saw myself. How often I react that way, even to the gifts of God.” (John Beukema, Western Springs, Illinois)

5. DISCONTENTED?

a. Don Kistler put it this way: “The person with the discontented heart has the attitude that everything he does for God is too much, and everything God does for him is too little.” (Don Kistler, Tabletalk, 9-18-01, p.15.)

b. “We have no more right to put our discordant states of mind into the lives of those around us and rob them of their sunshine and brightness, than we do to enter their houses and steal their silverware.” - Julia Moss Seton.

c. Happiness is a choice. So is contentment!

6. BUILD UP the Body of Christ, DON’T TEAR it down.

If you’re a part of something, then SPEAK WELL OF IT. Jesus said, “He who is not WITH ME is against Me.”

7. Earl Banning, Pastor of Braeswood Assembly in Houston once said, “The Pastor is God’s servant to lead the sheep. If you can’t follow me, then don’t call me your pastor. Find you a pastor you will follow.”

B. GRUMBLE OR GROW?

1. In Exodus 20, “Moses said to the people, ‘Do not be afraid. God has come to TEST you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning’” (20:20).

2. You see, God’s tests are designed to keep us from sinning and to improve our character.

C. GROWTH GOD WANTED THEM TO EXPERIENCE:

1. He’s in charge of supplying our needs.

2. Spiritual Growth: Learning to Feed on Christ - is more important than physical needs being met;

3. Submission to the will of God & denying of self is the key to order in the kingdom of God. We can’t all have things the way we want them. Is God in charge of your life?

4. Staying teachable during hardship is essential. God didn’t immediately take the Israelites to Canaan land because they needed to learn to obey Him.

CONCLUSION

A. ILLUSTRATION: The Complaining Monk

1. A guy joins a monastery and takes a vow of silence: he’s allowed to say two words every seven years.

After the first seven years, the elders bring him in and ask for his two words.

2. "Cold floors," he says. They nod and send him away.

Seven more years pass. They bring him back in and ask for his two words. He clears his throat.

3. "Bad food," he says. They nod and send him away.

Seven more years pass. They bring him in for his two words.

4. "I quit," he says. "That’s not surprising," the elders say. "You’ve done nothing but complain since you got here."

B. ILLUSTRATION #2

1. George Frederic Handel had reached the bottom. His right side was paralyzed. He was broke. His creditors threatened him with prison. He was so discouraged that he contemplated suicide.