You know, as pastors, we deal with lots of issues. Some issues are serious, and some are less serious. Sometimes, people bring things to you that are no big deal at all. Sometimes, people make much ado about nothing.
Sometimes, you just want to tell people, “Stop it!”
In fact, I encourage you to go home and look up the video “Stop it” featuring Bob Newhart. I don’t have it today because it’s a little long and I didn’t feel comfortable brining into the worship service. However, I really relate to the sentiment of Bob Newhart to simply say, “Stop it!” to some people.
So, here it is: I’m finally saying, “Stop it!” More precisely, I’m saying, “Stop That; Start This!” That’s the title of this short series.
I have to get some things off my chest and tell everyone, “Stop it!”
Actually, I’m hoping to come at this from a caring way. I want to encourage all of us (myself included) to stop something that is not what God wants for us, and start something that is what God wants for us.
Today, we’re going to start with the directive to “Stop Complaining!” I’ll give you the “Stop That” now, and I’ll give you the “Start This” later in the sermon.
Before we go any further, let’s go to God in prayer.
(prayer)
Ok, so what’s the big deal with complaining?
Well, we’re going to see three areas of your life that are hindered by complaining.
First, . . .
I. Complaining hinders your attitude.
Abraham Lincoln is often attributed with saying, “Folks are usually about as happy as they make their minds up to be.”
Now, we’re not certain that Lincoln actually said that, but I really like the feeling behind that statement.
You see, a lot of our attitude is determined by how we choose to think and believe.
Simply put, our minds affect our lives. This is why the Apostle Paul repeatedly spoke about what we think about with our minds.
Paul said in Philippians 4:8:
“Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things.”
So, then, we are to intentionally dwell on positive things. Complaining causes us to dwell on negative things. That’s the opposite of what the Bible tells us to do.
Paul said in Romans 12:2:
“Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.”
At times, our mind may drift to negativity, it may drift to complaining. When it does, it will affect our attitude; it will affect our lives. So, we should not conform to the complaining like the world does. Instead, we are to be transformed by renewing our minds.
When you’re complaining, your attention is naturally on that thing about which you’re complaining. You are dwelling on that thing. Your mind is on that thing.
“The temperature is too hot.” Your mind is on the fact that you’re not comfortable.
“I don’t like this song.” Your mind is on the fact that your preferences aren’t met.
“The mashed potatoes are too lumpy.” Your mind is on the fact that your taste buds are not happy.
“That driver just cut me off.” Your mind is on your displeasure with someone else’s driving skills (or lack thereof).
“The sermon is too long.” Hey, take it easy.
When you complain, your attitude and your mind are focused on that which is earthly rather than on heavenly things.
We ought to remember the words of Paul in Colossians 3:2, which says:
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
So, when you dwell on negativity, when you think selfish thoughts, and when your mind is consumed with complaining, it affects your attitude.
Simply put, your life is negatively affected when you complain.
Next, . . .
II. Complaining hinders your relationship with others.
Listen: Nobody likes being around a grump-a-lump.
You know what a grump-a-lump is, right? Somebody who is constantly grumpy.
Grump-a-lumps are magical creatures who can just suck the joy right out of the room. It’s like a vortex of negativity that seeks to destroy anything that’s happy.
When you complain frequently, you magically transform into a grump-a-lump
People are brought down when you start complaining. It makes their day get worse.
Do you remember this from Proverbs 21:19?
“Better to live in a wilderness than with a nagging and hot-tempered wife.”
By the way, that principle would apply to anyone, not just wives. Nobody likes nagging and hot-tempered people. Nobody likes complaining.
James says in James 5:9:
“Brothers and sisters, do not complain about one another . . . ”
That’s pretty straightforward, right?
Paul says in Colossians 4:6:
“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person.”
Our speech should be gracious and delightful to others. Instead, complaining is un-delightful to people.
Now, some of you may not think your complaining affects others that much. Well, I want to do a little exercise.
Think of the person you know who complains more than anyone else that you know. Now, think about how that person’s complaining makes you feel.
If you’re really like Jesus and you’re always super positive, the best that you could come up with right now is probably, “Well, bless their heart.”
That little exercise probably proves that complaining hinders others around you; it affects them negatively.
Don’t be a grump-a-lump. Your complaining affects others in a negative way.
Third, . . .
III. Complaining hinders your relationship with God.
Think about this for a moment:
Who is in control of all things? God is.
Who gives you everything you need? God does.
Who has planned the end from the beginning? God has.
Who has given you the greatest gift in all the world: His only Son? God has.
In light of all that and more, what do you think it says about God when you complain?
When you complain, you are essentially saying that you are not satisfied with what God has given you and done for you. Really, you’re saying that you’re not satisfied with God Himself.
God takes complaining very seriously. Listen to what the Bible says:
In Numbers 14:26–27, God said:
“How long must I endure this evil community that keeps complaining about me? I have heard the Israelites’ complaints that they make against me.”
We learn here that God was tired of hearing the complaining of His people who were not satisfied with what He had given them.
In 1 Corinthians 10:10, Paul warns:
“And don’t grumble as some of them did, and were killed by the destroyer.”
Paul warned his hearers not to be like God’s people of old, who were actually destroyed because of their grumbling.
In Philippians 2:14–15, Paul tells us:
“Do everything without grumbling and arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world.”
Listen to how angry God was about the complaining of the Israelites in Numbers 11:1. It says:
“Now the people began complaining openly before the Lord about hardship. When the Lord heard, his anger burned, and fire from the Lord blazed among them and consumed the outskirts of the camp.”
In this instance, God was so tired of complaining that He actually destroyed part of the camp of His people.
You see, the Bible makes clear that when we complain, we anger God.
Not only that, when we complain (or grumble), we are not blameless and pure children of God.
We’re like godless people when we complain. God is not pleased.
Instead, God wants us to shine like stars in the world.
Complaining hinders your relationship with God.
So, what should we do instead? I’m glad you asked.
Bottom Line: Stop Complaining; Start Celebrating.
Do you want to end complaining? Well, start celebrating.
Instead of complaining about all the bad things in your life, celebrate the good things in your life and the lives of others.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 says:
“Give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Colossians 3:17 says:
“And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Philippians 4:4–5 says:
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your graciousness be known to everyone.”
Celebrate by giving thanks. Celebrate by rejoicing in the Lord. Celebrate by lifting up others.
Don’t complain; celebrate!
Challenge yourself this week in this one way:
Weekly Challenge: Make a pledge to celebrate rather than complain.
Find something to celebrate about the members of your household.
Find something to celebrate about our church.
Find something to celebrate about your neighbor.
Find something to celebrate about your coworkers or your classmates.
Find something to celebrate about people with whom you disagree.
Find something to celebrate about a different political party than yourself.
Find something to celebrate about other countries.
Stop complaining; start celebrating.
The world has enough complainers! The world has enough grump-a-lumps! We need more celebrators!
May the words of Psalm 118:24 guide you as you celebrate:
This is the day the LORD has made; let’s rejoice and be glad in it.
(Gospel presentation)
(closing prayer)
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