Replace A Complaining Attitude With An Attitude Of Thanksgiving Series

Introduction: A Kentucky family took a vacation to New York City. The family arrived at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, there the father took his son into hotel in hopes of securing a room; they were amazed by everything they saw, from the rich interior to the bright chandeliers. At the far end of the lobby they noticed the beautiful elevator doors, this really peaked their curiosity.

The boy asked, "Paw what is that?" The father responded, "Son I have never seen anything like this in my life, I don’t know what it is!"

While the boy and his father were watching in wide-eyed astonishment, an old lady in a wheel chair rolled up to the moving walls and pressed a button. The walls opened and the lady rolled between them into a small room. The walls closed and the boy and his father watched small circles of lights above the walls light up. They continued to watch the circles light up in the reverse direction. The walls opened again, and a beautiful 24-year-old blond woman stepped out.

The father turned to his son and said, "Boy, go get your Maw!"

If only change was that easy – just step in room close the door and a few minutes you are transformed.

January seems to be a time when we are open to make changes in our life. We make resolutions to lose weight, get out of debt, and spend more time with the family all in hopes of make the New Year a better then the previous one.

Change does not simply happen because we make resolutions. Change takes effort; it takes sacrifice and purposeful living.

Over the next few weeks I want to challenge you to make a few changes in your life. I am not going to challenge you to lose weight or get out of debt, both of which are admirable goals – I want to challenge you to make a few attitude adjustments.

Paul told the Philippians, Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. As we look to 2007, that is the one resolution we should all make – to have an attitude like that of Jesus.

How does that happen? How do I become more like Jesus? After all he was sinless and we sinners – He was holy and we are defiled – He was God in the flesh and we struggle against the flesh every day.

How do I become more like Jesus?

By following His example and taking on the attitudes of thanksgiving, contentment and love. It is these three topics I want to address in the coming weeks.

To take on these attitudes means we have to replace some of the attitudes we have allowed to shape our life. That is where the change comes from; changing one negative attitude with a God honoring attitude. Today I want to challenge you to change a complaining attitude with an attitude of thanksgiving.

Before we get into our text I want us to note an example of complaining from Israel’s history. I believe it is an important example because of the amount of time scripture devotes to this wilderness account. The account is found in Numbers 13 & 14, but it is repeated in the book of Psalms, 1 Corinthians and Hebrews

The Children of Israel are in one the greatest road trips known to man.

After a period of 400 years of Egyptian slavery they are delivered by Moses and are bound from the Promise Land.

Between Egypt and the Promise Land, the Children of Israel spend a period of time at Mount Sinai, there god gives Moses the 10 commandments. The 10 commandments were the guidelines for a God honoring society. The commandments would shape Israel for centuries

Upon leaving Mount Sinai, the Children of Israel were travel to the Promise Land, a land flowing with Milk and Honey. They are on the very edge of the Promise Land

Then it as that point God calls the people to make a U-Turn and return to the desert and not to return until everyone in the generation over 20 years of age has died.

At first glance we find this unbelievable, God has delivered them from bondage, he has given them the 10 commandments and now He says return to the desert for what will be a death march.

GOD NEVER GETS ANGRY WITHOUT GOOD REASON

God does not simply lose His temper or change His mind, God is about to teach his people a very important lesson

To find out why God told Moses and the Children of Israel to return to the desert look at Numbers 13 & 14. Moses sends 12 spies into the Promise Land to scout out potential hazards. Numbers 13 records the spies’ expedition, Numbers 14 gives us the report. 10 of the spies come back with a negative report of giants, obstacles and fears, while two give a minority report of hope. “The land we traveled through and explored is a wonderful land! And if the Lord is pleased with us, he will bring us safely into that land and give it to us. It is a rich land flowing with milk and honey. Do not rebel against the Lord, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land. They are only helpless prey to us! They have no protection, but the Lord is with us!” Numbers 14:7-9