The Sin of Complaining

Numbers 21:5  –– “And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our should loatheth this light bread.”

Once again, the people of God are complaining about the provision of God.  This complaint is but one, in the litany of complaints that the children of Israel have voiced since they were delivered from Egypt.

The essence of this complaint is that they are tired of God’s provision of manna from Heaven, and they want better food and drinking water.  Yet, have they forgotten the provision of God in recent past.  In order to give them water, God provided water from a rock twice.  Not a single need had gone unmet.  They were God’s people, and they were cared for by God.  All they had to do was look at the tabernacle and see the Pillar of Cloud by day, and the Pillar of Fire by night.  God was among them!

Yet, they despaired of that which was their provision.  They spent their time complaining about what they did not have, instead of being grateful for what they did have.  They had FREEDOM!  No longer were they slaves.  No longer were they the unwilling subjects of cruel taskmasters.  No longer did they feel the crack of the whip upon their backs and the scourge of vicious blows.  No longer were they forced to engage in rigorous labors for the profit of a ruthless master.  They were FREE!  Their labors were labors of their own choosing and for their profit.  They were the chosen people of God.  They had seen the miraculous provisions of God, since leaving Egypt.  Yet, they complained about what they didn’t have!  They complained about what they left behind in Egypt.  Earlier they had mourned and said, “We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlic” (Num. 11:5).  Someone has aptly observed, “They remembered the fish, but they forgot the fetters.”

Lest we be too hard on the children of Israel, we should be a little introspective at this point.  When was the last time we complained about what God had not given us, instead of being grateful for what He has given?  When was the last time we longed for the past, instead of being grateful for the present?  Often, we tend to look at the past through the proverbial rose colored glasses.  We fail to remember it as it was.  Like the children of Israel, we remember the “good” things, but forget the bad things.  The result is that we become dissatisfied with our present condition.  Such dissatisfaction will ultimately give way to complaining to God.

It should be remembered, that anywhere in the presence of God is to be preferred over the slavery of this world.  In Israel’s circumstance, it would seem that someone might have spoken up and said, “Well, we may not have much, but at least we are not slaves anymore!”

The provisions of God are always sufficient when we are living in His presence.  Let us never long for the former bondage of this world.  Let us never be guilty of complaining about the provision of God not being enough, or not being what we want.

 

In recent weeks I have begun an in-depth study of the calling of The Twelve.  On Sunday mornings, I have been preaching in expositional fashion through the book of Matthew.  Upon reaching chapter ten, we arrived at the higher calling of twelve disciples to become apostles.  The listing of their names began to intrigue me as I compared the accounts of the three synoptic gospels.  This week marks the third week of an exposition of the first five verses of Matthew chapter ten.

Since the role of The Twelve is such an integral part of the earthly ministry of Christ, it would be prudent to look closer at the individual men who comprised this group of disciples.  These men are ordinary and common when the Master calls them.  These are not young recruits who have just graduated high school.  These are all men who are seasoned adults.  They have already established their careers for earning incomes.  Some have already acquired a family (cf. Matt. 8:14).  These men are already hard workers and, yet, everything changed when they heard the call of Christ!

I began to examine how many times Peter is referred to in the New Testament, and how few times Thaddæus is mentioned.  As I pondered on this issue, I began to realize an important truth.

As illustrated in the above table, Peter is mentioned the most in the New Testament.  The others are mentioned much fewer times, and some are not even mentioned outside of the list of names.  Yet, it is encouraging to know that their seeming lack of publicity did not prevent them from being taught by the Savior.  Also, these twelve men will all equally share in the joys of Christ’s future kingdom.  Jesus assured Peter that all twelve of them, who followed Him, would sit on thrones and judge the twelve tribes of Israel (Matt. 19:28).  All twelve of their names will be visible for all eternity, as their names are embedded into the twelve foundations of the Celestial City that is described by John in Revelation 21:14.  (The discussion of who the twelfth is, i.e. who replaced Judas, is better left for another study).

Even though several of the twelve are barely mentioned, they all share in the same reward in Heaven, because they faithfully followed.  This reminds us of the parable of the Savior concerning the talents (Matt. 25:14-30).   Each of the servants, who faithfully used their talents, was given the same reward even though the amounts were different.

Therefore, the lesser mentioned of the twelve offer great encouragement for those servants of God who remain unknown among the body of believers.  It is not popularity or achievement that produces eternal reward.  Rather, it is faithfulness in following Christ and simply doing what He says.  May we all be faithful!

 

Well, it looks like the nation will pass the long months of Fall and Winter with no NBA.  The news headlines have announced the doom of the 2011-2012 season, due to the failed talks between the player’s union and the team owners.  As I read the headlines, I began to search for the “follow-up” stories on the media outlets.  Surely, there would be the prognosticators and talking heads announcing a massive financial collapse.  Surely, the impact of no NBA season will be felt far and wide.  However, no such stories have been forthcoming.  No warnings of doom or economic collapse.  No suggestions of a government “bail out” for the players.  Just a headline announcing the demise of the season.

Then I realized. . .The NBA does not impact the world.  What they promote is just a game, and nothing more.  Games do not build nations.  Games do not provide a lasting solution to the ills of mankind or the world.  It is just a game.  Basketball is not a lasting contribution to society.  Players play a game that won’t matter in a few months.  There is no lasting value from what they do and they make millions doing it.  So what, if the owners make more. . It’s their business!  If the owners did not have the team for the players to play on, they would still be playing in their local neighborhood, and broke.

Don’t get me wrong.  I will not disagree that the revenue generate by the NBA season is massive.  Yes, jobs are created by the industry such as contraction for the coliseums, vendors at the games, etc.  However, the point here is the chronic complaining by men whose mantra is “come pay to watch me play.”  At its best, it is still just a game.  Society is not better because of a game.  Does it take skill to play?  Yes.  Does it take teamwork to win?  Yes.  However, it is just a game.  While sports training can strengthen certain traits like teamwork, commitment, playing hurt, etc., it must be remember that it is still…Just a game.

Sadly, the players have forgotten that life is not about them.  Their lives have become self-absorbed.  Yes, there are a few who display character and seem to have an understanding that life is not about themselves, but they are the few.  How can anyone justify whining about only making a million dollars a year?  Really?

A number of online comments have tried to compare the NBA players to corporate CEO’s.  However,  Bill Gates, Steve Jobs and others of their caliber, have introduced products into the world that forever changed the way we do business.  On the other end of spectrum is the farmer, the school teacher, the policeman, etc., who contribute to society by the giving of themselves, and they expect little in return.  Those are the one’s whose final epitaph of life will read “They Made a Difference.”  I would hate for mine to read “I Played a Game.”

I’m glad that I have the opportunity to invest my life in that which will last for eternity.  The financial renumeration in this world may be little, but the retirement is out of this world!

 

The Choosing of the Disciples

I am currently preaching through the Book of Matthew on Sunday morning’s at Lighthouse.  As I came to chapter 10, I began to study the selection of the twelve.  It is proving to be a fascinating study.  I thought this particular section, concerning their choosing, may be an encouragement or help.  It was to me.

How were these men chosen? What were their expected qualifications? As we examine this issue we are reminded of Paul’s statement in First Corinthians chapter one.

“For ye see your calling, brethren; how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to con-found the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hat God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.” (1 Cor. 1:26-29)

Although He is the King of Kings, the Savior did not select those who ranked among the social or political elite. Even though He is God, neither did He choose them from among the religious leadership. When selecting those who would change the course of history and impact the world, He chose the common, the ordinary, the unassuming of life. What a joy and blessing it is to know that God uses those who see themselves as unusable. He uses the humble, the despised of this world.

Even though Jesus was fully God, He was also fully man. Thus, He did not use His omniscience to call the twelve. As a man, He demonstrated the biblical process for making decisions. A careful examination of the selection process will reveal three important truths.

First, we see the principle of prayer. Luke records the events prior to the selecting of the twelve. He writes, “And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles” (Lk. 6:12-13, emphasis added). Before the Savior chose the twelve, He spent the night in prayer.

How often do we make poor decisions because the decision Read the rest of this entry »

 

For the recent two weeks, the media frenzy has been focused on groups of protesters in a movement known as “Occupy Wall Street.”  The protest began with no coherent message and has degenerated from that point.  The media has interviewed many of its adherents, but each response has been befuddling to those who are trying to understand what they want.

Now, the “Occupy Wallstreet” protesters have now been endorsed by the Democrats. Why? Because they have the same socialist agenda. The protesters have been called “progressives” by the media. That is simply a synonym for “socialist.”
The hypocrisy of these protesters is blatant. For instance, they protest the corporations that make the very products they are using. The corporations gave them their SmartPhones, their iPads, their cameras and video recorders. They wear the name brands that are made by the same corporations they are protesting.

Once the veil of their hypocrisy is removed, they can be seen for the socialist that they are. They demand “tax the rich,” because they do not realize that the “rich” corporations will simply pass the tax increase down to the consumer in the form of higher prices.

No, I am not wealthy. I have debt and bills to pay. My income is in the lower ranks of the middle class. Therefore, I am not criticizing the protesters because of my wealth. Rather, I am protesting them because I love freedom, democracy, capitalism, and the free enterprise market. I do not believe anyone or any institution owes me a living. I am not looking for a handout, or the proverbial “hand up.” I still believe that our country still offers the opportunity for success to those who are not afraid of work and are willing to take risk.

I refuse to surrender my liberties and freedoms for the false security of socialism. Government has never provided for the common welfare better than the common people.

Well, in the words of Mr. Gump, “That’s all I’m going to say about that!”

 

The proliferation of carnality in the pulpits of our day has reached an epidemic level in our churches today.  A friend of my made the following comments, and I thought they were worth sharing here. The following is from my friend Shannon Dyess:

“I am fed up to my tonsils with pompous peacocks on stages parading as crude, foul-mouthed miscreants, who want to throw out all of what was in the church’s past and bring in something new and shocking. Music that pulsates the world’s moods, and methods that excites the passions but projects a high view of man and a low view of God.

We do not need some know-it-all, cool dude in a cheap T shirt and faded jeans palavering to gain our admiration. We need some men that have spent time alone in the presence of God to get a message from Him instead of splashing all week in the cesspools of Hollywood and the pornography of the media. Men who will stand in the power of the spirit of God exalting the sovereign God of heaven, preaching the texts of Scripture and pointing sinners to the only Savior, Jesus Christ, in a spirit of meekness and compassion warning all of accountability to the coming King and Judge.”

I will say “Amen” and “Preach It!” to Shannon’s comments.  May the Lord raise up preachers and pastors who learn to walk with God and give themselves to the study of the word.

 

This post is a little different, in that it is not an editorial on current events or issues.  Neither is it a devotional moment.  It is simply an advertisement of the current sermons series being preached at Lighthouse Baptist Church of Columbus, GA.

In a day when consistent, exposition of the Word of God seems to be relegated to the “back burner,” there are still some faithful churches that are committed to making it a priority.  Lighthouse is one of those churches.  We do not seek to entertain or to provide an array of programs to draw people in.  We believe the faithful teaching and preaching of God’s Word must be the priority.  If that does not attract people, then we still will not resort to the “marketing” of church.

There will be some who might argue that other matters of the church are the priority.  For example, some may say “Soul-winning is priority.”  I will fully agree that the winning of lost souls to Christ is to be a vital part of any biblical ministry.  The Great Commission has never been rescinded.  However, if the pulpit has not faithfully preached the Word, then how does anyone know that?  Sadly, because of the dearth of biblical preaching, much of the church’s soul-winning efforts has produced abundant false professions because of the “1-2-3, pray with me” approach.  Biblical conviction and repentance has been tossed out, and it would have been taught if the Bible were being faithfully preached.

Others may argue that praise, or worship, or standards (and the list could go on) are what the priority should be.  Yet, without biblical preaching, all of the aforementioned will fall into unbiblical practices.  Standards will become corrupted and/or legalistic in nature.

Paul’s admonition to Timothy was to “Preach the word” (II Timothy 4:2).   The aged apostle knew that if Timothy focused on that, the other issues of winning souls, giving, missions, standards, etc. would all fall into place.   On the other hand, non of the other matters much if the Word of God is not being faithfully proclaimed.

Preach the Word!

NOTE:  You may listen to any of the sermons from the above series, by going to http://sermon.net/lbcministries.  They may be streamed, podcast, or downloaded in either MP3 or Mobi formats.

 

Today marks the tenth anniversary of the tragic attack on America that took the lives of 3,000 men and women.  America watched in horror as commandeered planes where flown into the twin towers of New York City.  The sights of the fiery towers, the video of people jumping from the towers to their deaths, and the ultimate collapse of the towers will be forever etched upon our memories.

Everyone remembers where they were at that devastating moment.  Words cannot express the bewilderment of the American public that fateful day.  No response from our national leaders could assuage the grief and dismay felt by the average citizen of our country.

The average American wanted to go to battle against the enemy who had attacked our country without any provocation.   Yet, as the facts began to unfold, we realized that the attack was not from a different country.  Rather, it was from a different philosophy.  The religion of Islam had reared its godless head against our professedly “Christian” nation.  We could not declare war on any given country.  Rather, it was obvious that war had been declared on America and its way of life.  War had been declared by the religion of Islam, and that war continues to this day ten years later.

While we must not forget the victims of 9/11 and the first-responders who also perished, we must also never forget the ultimate lesson of 9/11.  That lesson is that all other religions of the world are at conflict with the God of the Bible.  While it is possible for our country to win conflicts and skirmishes in various countries, and it is possible for America to emerge triumphantly from its current battles, we must remember that the ultimate battle must be won in the hearts of men.  This battle can only be won with the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

Let us press forward in our cause of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all the world.  Let us never give up in our efforts to bring lost men, women, boys and girls to a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.   Let us love the Muslim, but never give in to their false and damning religion of Islam.  Let us introduce them to the true God and to His true Word.

 

Due to a busy schedule, it has been a few weeks since I last wrote an article.  However, my ire is up over a news article today.  A Foxnews article on Wednesday, April 10, 2011, reported the story of a New York City law that mandates sex education in classes of 11-year-olds and up.   What foolishness!  What wickedness!  The comments below are from a post I made on their “comments” section of the article.

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This is further evidence that our educational system can no longer be classified as “public schools.”  The days of public influence over the schools have been long gone.  The more accurate term is “government schools.”  They dictated what is taught and what is permissible.  Parents and the the public have little influence over the education of our children.  Only the philosophy of the far left is now considered acceptable fare for the educational system.

The idea that the schools are a place of sexual instruction is appalling!  Their approach is, “Well, they’re going to doing it anyway, so let’s educate them on the safe approach.”  Please note. . .The ONLY safe approach is a wedding ring!  Sadly, Hollywood and the music industry have turned sex into nothing more than a recreational sport.  The lineup of sitcoms is full evidence of such.  Euphemisms such as “hook up,” “friends with benefits,” etc, are all part of a sexual culture that has taken something that is supposed to be sacred between a man and wife, and made it a recreational encounter.

It is no wonder that younger children are engaging in sexual activity.  They watch the continued illicit behavior between the actors/actresses in sitcoms and movies.  The music they listen to, serves as a promoter of the same.  The youth magazines are all geared toward sex, because it is what sells.

The same culture is now being promoted by the educators in New York.  What an insult to moral decency.  (Of course, there are many who will mock such a statement).  Yet, the perpetuation of such moral debauchery will continue to produce an increase of STD’s, pregnancies, and other undesirable results.  Of course, the continued slaughter of innocent babies through the legalized process call “Abortion” will continue to rise.

Those of the Millennial Generation and Generation X will mock and scorn the “Leave it to Beaver” generation.  Yet, in those long-forgotten days, marriages were more stable.  Most children grew up in a home with a mother and dad (who were married to each other) and they knew they were loved.  STD’s were not a major scourge.  AIDS was unknown and unheard of.  The number two cause of teenage death was not suicide.  Those days may be ridiculed by the liberal left, but they were days when our nation had a moral foundation.  The terms “lady” and “gentleman” meant something good.  No, they were not “perfect” days, but they were days when two loving parents taught the children about the “Birds & the Bees” when they felt it was appropriate.  The school stayed out of the bedroom and focused on the classroom.

Yes, bring those days back again.  However, I’ll not hold my breath.