September 21, 2008 -- "Complaining"

(Exo 16:1 NIV) The whole Israelite community set out from Elim and came to the Desert of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had come out of Egypt.

(Exo 16:2 NIV) In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron.

(Exo 16:3 NIV) The Israelites said to them, "If only we had died by the Lord's hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death."

(Exo 16:4 NIV) Then the LORD said to Moses, "I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions.

(Exo 16:5 NIV) On the sixth day they are to prepare what they bring in, and that is to be twice as much as they gather on the other days."

(Exo 16:6 NIV) So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, "In the evening you will know that it was the LORD who brought you out of Egypt,

(Exo 16:7 NIV) and in the morning you will see the glory of the LORD, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we, that you should grumble against us?"

(Exo 16:8 NIV) Moses also said, "You will know that it was the LORD when he gives you meat to eat in the evening and all the bread you want in the morning, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we? You are not grumbling against us, but against the LORD."

(Exo 16:9 NIV) Then Moses told Aaron, "Say to the entire Israelite community, 'Come before the LORD, for he has heard your grumbling.'"

(Exo 16:10 NIV) While Aaron was speaking to the whole Israelite community, they looked toward the desert, and there was the glory of the LORD appearing in the cloud.

(Exo 16:11 NIV) The LORD said to Moses,

(Exo 16:12 NIV) "I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, 'At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God.'"

(Exo 16:13 NIV) That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp.

(Exo 16:14 NIV) When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor.

(Exo 16:15 NIV) When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, "What is it?" For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, "It is the bread the LORD has given you to eat.

First Service Intro:
A guide at Blarney Castle in Ireland was explaining to some visitors that his job was not always as pleasant as it seemed. He told them about a group of disgruntled tourists he had taken to the castle earlier in the week.
"These people were complaining about everything," he said. "They didn't like the weather, the food, their hotel accommodations, the prices, everything. Then to top it off, when we arrived at the castle, we found that the area around the Blarney Stone was roped off. Workmen were making some kind of repairs." "This is the last straw!" exclaimed one lady who seemed to be the chief faultfinder in the group. "I've come all this way, and now I can't even kiss the Blarney Stone."
"Well, you know," the guide said, "according to legend, if you kiss someone who has kissed the stone, it's the same as kissing the stone itself." "And I suppose you've kissed the stone," said the exasperated lady. "Better than that." replied the guide. "I've sat on it." (Bits & Pieces, January 9, 1992, p. 11.) I’ll let you draw your on conclusion on this one!

Second Service Intro:
A monk joined a monastery and took a vow of silence. After the first 10 years his superior called him in and asked, "Do you have anything to say?" The monk replied, "Food bad." After another 10 years the monk again had opportunity to voice his thoughts. He said, "Bed hard." Another 10 years went by and again he was called in before his superior. When asked if he had anything to say, he responded, "I quit." "It doesn't surprise me a bit. You've done nothing but complain ever since you got here." Source Unknown.

We all know a complainer when we see one. It is interesting that the complaining amongst the Israelites really surfaced in the heat of the dessert.

The same is true for us: be aware that the temptation to complain is greatest when we are in the dessert. Show me a complaining person and I will show you someone who is spiritually dry, malnourished in the things of God, melting in the heat produced from not being in the word, in prayer, in service. Many complainers may be church goers –with little else is happening spiritually.

Charles Spurgeon was, at the age of 21, the most popular preacher in London. He never went to Seminary. Thousands flocked to hear him. He once commented, “A heavy wagon was being dragged along a country lane by a team of oxen. The axles groaned and creaked terribly, when the oxen turning around thus addressed the wheels, "Hey there, why do you make so much noise? We bear all the labor, and we -- not you -- ought to cry out!" Those complain first in our churches who have the least to do. The gift of grumbling is largely dispensed among those who have no other talents, or who keep what they have wrapped up in a napkin. (Charles Spurgeon in The Quotable Spurgeon.) Someone once said, “You will find that, as a rule, those who complain about the way the ball bounces are usually the ones who dropped it.”

The Israelites dropped the ball of God’s glory. They had just crossed the Red Sea. They saw the magnificent power of God. God completely overwhelmed the most powerful army on the earth in its day. And God continued leading them in cloud by day and in the pillar of fire by night. But, we find out all the wonder, all the praise, quickly drowned. They had left what they knew for the unknown. Now they were thirsty and hungry. So, they formed a “back to Egypt committee” and aired their complaints to Moses: We would rather go back to slavery in Egypt than die out here. At least we had plenty to eat and drink in captivity.

Complainers always see things worse than they are. God was not about to let them starve to death. You would think that they would know that after the graphic display of God’s power at the Red Sea. But it is human nature to grumble when our needs aren’t met. It is human nature – but not God nature. Let’s find out what is at the root of most complaining.

Number one on our outline identifies what may be at the root of most complaining.

1. Complaining is often the result of leaving our comfort zones.

The Israelites were traveling in an uncharted land. Nothing was familiar. They didn’t know where the food was; they didn’t know where the springs were; they didn’t know who their friends or enemies were. They longed for the routines of their slavery. They wanted the comfort of what they knew even though it was not a good situation. Little wonder, then, that abused spouses stay with their abuser. Little wonder, then, that drug addicts stick with the same dysfunctional crowd. Little wonder that we settle for a safe, stale religion versus a religion that might expect something from us.

How many times have church leaders heard those infamous words, “We ain’t never done it that way before, preacher!” The fear of the unknown – will it work, how will it be received, what if it falters, what if it works and I have to do more.
We are not so different from the Israelites.

Complaining is often the result of forgetting what we learned on the way. The Israelites forgot about the power of God in Egypt, so they complained about their treatment. The Israelites forgot about the power of God in the desert, so they complained about the lack of nourishment. The same think happened yesterday at Commission Possible. Nearly 1200 people were making their way out of the parking lot after an incredible, 2-day experience. One of my colleagues carried some supplies to his car and was coming back to help clean-up, and he turned to me and said, “I can’t believe it. People are gripping and complaining about the traffic not less than a few minutes after leaving this great event. What a sad witness!” Yep. They forgot what they learned about God on Friday and Saturday as they were entering back into the world.

What does complaining do?
2. Complaining affects the leadership; ultimately, the complaint is really against God.

Complaining sinks the spirit of the leadership in any institution. It also affects the relationship between people – whether co-workers, family or friends. Those with whom the complaints are lodged get depressed, angry, frustrated, and sometimes fence themselves in as a way to protect themselves. It creates a bad mood and it renders feelings of inferiority and ineffectiveness. Before long, leaders shut-down and find ways to move on to another area to do ministry or drop out altogether. You can see how one might take it personal. The thing is, the complaint is really registered with God. Leaders are the collatoral damage. The real target is God. You know why? Look at number 3 on your outline.

3. Complaining is selfish; it also shows a lack of faith.

Complainers really are fixated on self. For a complainer, it is about number 1 and the lack of satisfaction of self. Ultimately, it shows a lack of faith in God. A complainer is really saying, “God, if you really loved me, it wouldn’t be this bad.” How could you let me down, God? I deserve better!” “You aren’t doing your job. I know better!”

Complaining is a dead give away of a dry dessert – a lack of spiritual growth: “In the desert, the whole community grumbled.” So what do we do?

1st: Pause. Ask yourself what is at the heart of your complaint. Is it due to self-centeredness or genuine concern?

Second: if your complaint is a genuine concern, bring a solution with it.
Turn your complaints into solutions: You know worship leader, the music is really loud, but I am going to try these new earplugs. You Deacon, those kids really seem to be acting up; how about I go sit with them and get to know them. You know pastor, things are getting a little messy around here; how about I come down tomorrow and do a little bit of cleaning. These are powerful responses to genuine concerns, taking us from a complaining heart to a servant’s heart.

It was Mark Twain who said, “Don't complain and talk about all your problems--80 percent of people don't care; the other 20 percent will think you deserve them.”

Third: realize that complaining has consequences. The Israelites had no food or water. God had a solution; He would supply the food. For the next 40 years, He sent quail and manna! Great, you say. Did you hear how long? For forty years. Now, I like leftovers, but after the 3rd or 4th day, I am ready for something new. Can you imagine the same old same old for 40 years?

That was the first consequence. The second began with a test of obedience. The people had to collect enough just for the day and on the 6th day they had to collect twice as much so that they could rest on the 7th day – what is known as the Sabbath rest. Some didn’t listen; they collected too much and tried to save it; the extra spoiled – a 2nd consequence. And some didn’t collect extra on the 6th day. They went hungry – the 3rd consequence.

The Israelites saw the light. They realized that God gives us what we need in His timing. When we realize this too, complaining diminishes and eventually ceases altogether. The back to Egypt committee quits. The dessert is navigated. Vison becomes clear and one can see beyond the desert - all the way to the promised land!