Sermon # 7 - Time To Stop Murmuring Series

If we as a church today desire to resemble the early church, and if our aspiration is that people should be added in great numbers, then it is only appropriate that we not only evaluate ourselves in the light of God’s word, but also investigate to see what the early church did differently that made this a reality.

In Acts 2:46-47, we read that, “They worshiped together regularly at the temple each day, met in small groups in homes for Communion, and shared their meals with great joy and thankfulness, praising God. The whole city was favorable to them, and each day God added to them all who were being saved.” (TLB)

Here were some key features we note in the functioning of the early church from the above mentioned verses that made people flock to them in huge numbers.

1. They were all with one mind -(We studied this in detail in the previous sermon #6)

2. They gathered together daily – they did not neglect the coming together for prayer and fellowship and did this with regularity.

3. They met in homes for communion and fellowship -They met in homes and broke bread, to constantly remind themselves of the death and resurrection of the Jesus, and were also in constant fellowship with one another. The thought that reigned supreme on their minds was the finished work of Christ on the cross.

4. They were filled with great joy – The believers were rejoicing with the thought that the Lord of the universe had saved them from our sins, adopted them to be His own children, delivered them from eternal death, and had promised them eternal life in heaven. Therefore, the overflowing joy in their lives was so evident to those around them.

5. They had simplicity of heart (NKJV). One of many reasons why Jesus chose ordinary fishermen and others common people to be His disciples was because they were simple in their heart and not complicated. The early believers were a simple lot who knew that being a follower of Jesus was simple and not complex.

6. They were constantly praising God – the reason for their praises and thanksgiving was because their hearts were filled with gratitude for all that the Lord had done for them. Coming together to worship was not a burden but a matter of great Joy.

7. They found favor with everyone – By exemplifying all of the above mentioned qualities, the result was that they found favor with those around them.

It is no wonder then, that the Lord was adding to the church a large number of people daily. However, as the church was growing in numbers, they also started to face certain challenges.

In Acts 6:1, we read, “But in those days, the disciples multiplying in number, there arose a murmuring of the Hellenists against the Hebrews because their widows were overlooked in the daily ministration.” (DARBY)

There was a discord that arose between the Hellenists and the Hebrews over ministry to the widows, and so there was a murmuring among the believers.

If we were to define what murmuring is, it is basically to blame or find fault, and it is usually directed towards a person or some persons.

Most of us are guilty of murmuring and complaining in our daily lives. As husbands and wives we often murmur and find fault with each other, as children we sometimes grumble against our parents, as employees we complain about our employers or about issues at our work place and very often we also end up finding fault with our churches. Especially in a church we must keep in mind that, as the numbers increase there will be several reasons to murmur and complain.

For instance, when a person finds a new job, they are so excited about their prospects in the new endeavor. However, as days go by, they may find things don’t function as they expected, and gradually they begin to compare, find fault, and end up murmuring. The more they complain the more difficult it becomes for them to continue in that place, and also give of their full potential. When one sets out on this path of murmuring and complaining they will find that eventually they will lose their joy and peace. The same is applicable to our life and relationships in family or church too.

God’s response to Murmuring

Our God is a living God who is in constant relationship with us, so when we start murmuring here’s how He responds.

In Numbers 11:1, “And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp.” (JFB)