Sermon Central
-
The Sin Of Griping
Contributed by Byron Perrine on May 12, 2020 (message contributor)
Summary: This discourse was originally delivered as a Thanksgiving Eve message. The reader is challenged to recognize that discontent is a sin, if for no other reason than because it is contrary to the thanksgiving that is due the Lord.
Our Christian testimony has a very important impact upon others. Whether we live a life of confidence in the Lord, trusting in Him, giving thanks to God in all circumstances as instructed in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, or, conversely, live a life of ingratitude, makes all the difference in terms of whether we are likely to have a positive or a negative influence upon others. Let us strive to have a positive impact upon the faith of others.
Each of us has been blessed in numerous ways. The more we think about how we have been blessed, the more we will be thankful. So what’s it going to be this year, thanksgiving or ingratitude? I hope that when we sit down at the table tomorrow we will find many reasons for giving thanks. There are reasons to be thankful even if, for example, the weather turns bad and family members are unable to travel. Don’t gripe about it! There are reasons to be thankful even if we, because of advancing age, are experiencing a few aches and pains his year. Don’t gripe about it! There are reasons to be thankful even if we are having difficulty paying the heat bill. Don’t gripe about it! There are reasons to be thankful even if someone has insulted or offended us. Don’t gripe about it! There are reasons to be thankful even if the Thanksgiving feast doesn’t turn out to be all we had hoped it would be. Don’t gripe about it!
The next time you find yourself complaining, remember the three reasons God hates complaining:
1. Complaining is a symptom of ingratitude, and denies God’s sovereignty.
2. Complaining disrupts Christian unity.
3. Complaining discredits our Christian testimony.
Counting our blessings and giving praise to the Lord in thanksgiving for what He has done for us is the best anecdote for discontent. Not only is our praise pleasing to God, it also lifts our spirits, eases our burdens, and brings us closer to God and to each other. So keep on counting your blessings and giving thanks to God. Let us do so tomorrow on Thanksgiving Day, and throughout the coming year.
(If you found this sermon helpful, please visit us at www.HeritageRestorationProject.org)
