Skyscraper Ministries/Lectures/Annual Baptisms/The Other Seventy Training Academy
Do All Things Without Grumbling
Lesson
Text: Philippians 2:13-15, For it is God which
worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. 14Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 15That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without
rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine
as lights in the world
Life is filled with a plurality of dynamic
changes, riveting shakeups, and life al events. In addition to such nuances,
multiple personality types occupy the globe, not always matching or meshing
with your personal preference. In essence, due to stimuli generated through
elements such as racism, greed, poverty, discrimination, mental health
disorders, violence, theft, and death, life is not always psychologically and mentally
comforting. We all face times of distress and seasons of walking through the
wilderness of life. Through it all,
some have taken the position during their epochs of difficulty, seeking to
blame God, as to acquit themselves from any responsibility of personally owning
or manage the episode.
In watching the last breath taken by my two-day
old son in April of 2006, several individuals approached with the query and
wonderment of how my wife and I refrained from being angry with God. The Bible states in Philippians
2:13-15, For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good
pleasure. 14Do all things without murmurings and
disputings: 15That ye may be blameless and harmless, the
sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation,
among whom ye shine as lights in the world
What does it mean to grumble or murmur? I recall
one preacher stating that it is the filing of a complaint to the wrong person
at the wrong time and for the wrong reason. In addition to that definition, we
must not miss the fact that grumbling and murmuring is the essence complaining.
An not only is it the essence of discretely complaining in some form of a
presumed privatized holy huddle, it is also the grudging words, groans, moans,
and even body language only realized within your personal space and proximity.
A murmur or complaint does not need to be verbalized, a mere shrug of the
shoulders, roll of the eyes, pointing of a finger, balling of the fist, all in
the dissent of a request, is a murmur. The Bible says, Do all things without murmurings and disputings.
To tackle such a feat takes a lifetime of work,
Christian maturity, and something the Bible refers to as transfiguration. For
the Word of God to truly be put into praxis, one must be more than transformed,
he/she must be transfigured. Through the process of transfiguration, the
internal change is at such deep level, outward manifestations cannot help but
be noticed. Digest the example of
Christ.
Mark 9:2-3 And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James,
and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he
was transfigured
before them. 3And his raiment
became shining, exceeding white as snow;
so as no fuller on earth can white them. (Metamorphoo)
Romans 12:2
Mere transformation is not enough, because anyone
can look the part, but to refrain from grumbling and murmuring it will take a
true change at the spiritual core.
2 Corinthians 11:13-15 For such are false apostles, deceitful
workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14And
no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be
transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to
their works. (Metashematizo)
When we are not changed the way God would have us
to be changed, we are like the man in James 1:23-25 who
looked in the mirror and quickly forgot who he was. For if any be a
hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural
face in a glass: 24For he beholdeth himself, and goeth
his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25But
whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being
not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in
his deed.
Look at the paradigm of Paul, when he could have
complained he did not (Read 2 Corinthians 11:24-28). Philippians 1:12 But I would ye should understand, brethren,
that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the
furtherance of the gospel... Paul could have complained but he indicated
that his stressors made him a better and more experienced servant for Christ.
Philippians 2:3-5 Let nothing be done through strife or
vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than
themselves. 4Look not every man on his own things, but
every man also on the things of others. 5Let this mind
be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus
They Agreed & then changed. Matthew 20:11-12 And when they had
received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, 12Saying,
These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us,
which have borne the burden and heat of the day.
Numbers 14:26-28 And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron,
saying, 27How long shall I bear with this evil
congregation, which murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the
children of Israel, which they murmur against me. 28Say
unto them, As truly as I live, saith the LORD, as ye have spoken in mine ears,
so will I do to you