1. Philippians 2:15-16 Part One<br />Charles E. Whisnant, Pastor/Teacher 50.39<br />Always Complaining<br />Last time we spoke on Paul’s command to stop grumbling and arguing. In this message we want to address the reason why we are to quit complaining.<br />BACKGROUND TO THE SOCIAL PROBLEMS THAT CAUSE COMPLAINING: grumble criticize whine nitpick<br />1ANARCISSISTIC SELF-INDULGENT CULTURE:<br />We have always lived in a culture that breeds self-love. We are told ‘YOU CAN HAVE IT ALL.’ <br />We live in a fancy world of Hollywood and TV and Movies and DVD’s and books that lead us to believe we can have all our wishes come true.<br />When we see all this narcissism, and we cannot receive it, we are put into deep despair. We seek to feed on self-indulgence. Having everything we need, nearly, in America, we brood over things we do not have. We complain to the degree that we are never really satisfied.<br />2ADO IT ALL FOR YOURSELF<br />Since in the 60’s we were able to change the social institutions of our country, we have become the materialistic generation of today. Today our society is indulged in things. Society is in the pursuit of their own happiness. And built into this pursuit is a lot of unsettlement and disillusionments.<br />3ATHE MOOD OF OUR SOCIETY OF COMPLAINERS:<br />Typical things that cause people to have increased blood pressures. Things that make people angry, hostile, and sometimes raging and violent. Check out your list of feelings that cause you to lose it.<br />4AAMERICA IS A SOCIETY OF DISCONTENT<br />Mid-life crisis…really? Some people fret about being 40 years old. These have been the best years of my life, as well as the 50’s and now in to my 60’s. Stress! Some people in other countries are spared this crisis of a fortieth birthday, the average age of life is 37.<br />5ATHE PROBLEM OF DISCONTENT<br />This idealistic, socially conscience, materialistic, fashion conscience society feeds the mood and sin of discontent.<br />6AWE ARE DISCONTENT OVER EVERYTHING EXCEPT THE RIGHT THINGS.<br />I wish you could get stressed out over not coming to service on Sunday and Wednesday, (this church we have a 99 percent rate of attendance, so little stress here at ROJBC), rather than the Cable or Dish TV not working. Or you get really frustrated that you don’t have enough money to give to the Lord upon the first day of the week. Are you getting frustrated that you haven’t talked to someone about Christ in the last year?<br />The general principle in Philippians 2:14<br />1AQUIT COMPLAINING AS A WAY OF LIFE<br />Stop the continued outbursts of complaining about the circumstances that we find ourselves in. In the Christian experience we are to live without complaining and arguing all the time, but rather bring out the salvation God has put in us. We are to rejoice.<br />2ATHE REAL ISSUE OF THE COMPLAINING <br />It’s the idea that you direct your murmurs and doubts as toward God. As God is working out your sanctification in your life, we tend to complain about how it’s being done.<br />Paul’s command in verse 14: we are not to have an emotional grumbling heart and no intellectual disputing with God about our situation in life. But rather without complaint we are grateful to live out our salvation.<br />IN TERMS OF ATTTIUDE THAT PERVADES ALL OUR LIVING WE ARE TO STOP COMPLAINING.<br />YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE TO TEACH THESE PRINICPLES / TRUTHS TO YOUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN AND MAKE APPLICATION TO YOUR DAILY LIVING. LET’S NOT BE NOTES RICH, APPLICATION POOR.<br />