Let's Talk about Grumbling and Complaining 

It's common to tell kids "to do all things without grumbling or complaining." But who reminds us adults of that? 

Let's talk about it together. 

Bible Passages for this Episode: 

Do all things without complaining or arguments; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world

-Philippians 2:14-15

Numbers 11:1-6

1Now the people became like those who complain of adversity in the ears of the Lord; and the Lord heard them and His anger was kindled, and the fire of the Lord burned among them and consumed some at the outskirts of the camp. 2 The people then cried out to Moses; and Moses prayed to the Lord, and the fire died out. 3 So that place was named Taberah, because the fire of the Lord burned among them.

4 Now the rabble who were among them had greedy cravings; and the sons of Israel also wept again and said, “Who will give us meat to eat? 5 We remember the fish which we used to eat for free in Egypt, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic; 6 but now our appetite is gone. There is nothing at all to look at except this manna!”

Numbers 14:1-4

Then all the congregation raised their voices and cried out, and the people wept that night. 2 And all the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron; and the entire congregation said to them, “If only we had died in the land of Egypt! Or even if we had died in this wilderness! 3 So why is the Lord bringing us into this land to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will become plunder! Would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?” 4 So they said to one another, “Let’s appoint a leader and return to Egypt!”  

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How (NOT) to Read Old Testament Stories 

Narrative, i.e., stories, is the most common form of literature in the Bible. And there are some exciting and even wild stories in the Old Testament. But how do those stories apply to our life? 

The New Testament affirms that they're written for our benefit. 

Romans 15:4 "For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope."

1 Corinthians 10:6 and 11

"Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they indeed craved them."

"Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come."

But how do they instruct us? How can we read Old Testament stories faithfully as the people of God today? 

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Leaders Must be Examples of Christlikeness  

In the New Testament, the most important thing about Christian leaders is their character. There is almost no discussion of what leaders do; the priority is who leaders are.

Key passages for this episode: 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9

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If God is so powerful, then why is there so much evil? 

This question came in from a listener and I decided to address it immediately, because it's important and timely. 

Key Bible passages mentioned in this episode. 

Genesis 3:16-19

16 To the woman He said,

“I will greatly multiply

17 Then to Adam He said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat from it’;

Cursed is the ground because of you;

Romans 8:18-23

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the eagerly awaiting creation waits for the revealing of the sons and daughters of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. 23 And not only that, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons and daughters, the redemption of our body. 

Revelation 21:1-4

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among the people, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, 4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”

For another episode where I explore this topic:

https://www.johnwhittaker.net/podcast-1/episode-151

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Weak but Not Inadequate | Learning Leadership with the Apostle Paul, pt. 3

Paul's leadership and ministry is weak to all appearances, and the Corinthian church isn't impressed. They prefer their leaders with more charisma and credentials and power than Paul has. 

In 2 Corinthians, Paul explains that his ministry takes the shape it does for a very good reason and even though its unimpressive by the standards of the world, it's full of God's power and it doesn't indicate any inferiority or inadequacy. 

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Is Discipleship the Wrong Paradigm for the Church Today? | A Conversation with Kyle Strobel 

Kyle Strobel is a theologian at Biola University focused on spiritual theology, and he is the head of the Institute of Spiritual Formation at Talbot School of Theology. He’s also a teaching elder at his church. He, along with John Coe, has written what I consider to be one of the best books on prayer titled Where Prayer Becomes Real. 

Earlier this year via his Substack, Kyle sent out a blog titled “Why Discipleship Doesn’t Work,” which pointed to the release of a mini-course on his Substack on “Reimagining Discipleship.” In it, Kyle questioned the entire discipleship framework that has been re-emphasized for the last 30+ years. Kyle’s major contention is that the framework of disciple and discipleship is a pre-Pentecost approach to following Jesus, it’s not found in the New Testament after Jesus’ ascension, and it is thus not a paradigm the church is meant to follow. 

I resonated with a lot of what Kyle had to say but also found several things where I think he overstates his case. So we decided to record a conversation exploring the question of whether or not discipleship is the mission of the church today and the paradigm for spiritual growth. 

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What's Paul's Focus as a Leader? | Learning Leadership with the Apostle Paul, pt. 2

The focus of the leadership books, conferences and trainings of the last 25 years or so has been on organizational leadership. This has created a situation where good christian leaders are people who can grow big and impressive orgs. 

But for Paul the standard is different... the way he thinks and talks about leadership as a Christian is focused on developing people not organizations.

Colossians 1:28-29

28 We proclaim Him, admonishing every person and teaching every person with all wisdom, so that we may present every person complete in Christ. 29 For this purpose I also labor, striving according to His power which works mightily within me.

2 Corinthians 11:2-3

2 For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. 3 But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his trickery, your minds will be led astray from sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

Galatians 4:19-20

19 My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you— 20 but I could wish to be present with you now and to change my tone of voice, for I am at a loss about you!

The primary metric Paul used to evaluate effective Christian leadership is people being formed into Christlikeness. 

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How Does Paul Understand Authority | Learning Leadership with the Apostle Paul, pt. 1

How does Paul understand what his authority is for?

2 Corinthians 10:8

For if I boast somewhat more about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be put to shame,

2 Corinthians 13:9-10

9 For we rejoice when we ourselves are weak, but you are strong; this we also pray for, that you become mature. 10 For this reason I am writing these things while absent, so that when present I need not use severity, in accordance with the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.

2 Corinthians 12:19

19 All this time you have been thinking that we are defending ourselves to you. Actually, it is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ; and all for building you up, beloved.

2 Corinthians 1:23-2:4

23 But I call God as witness to my soul, that it was to spare you that I did not come again to Corinth. 24 Not that we domineer over your faith, but we are workers with you for your joy; for in your faith you are standing firm. 2:1 But I decided this for my own sake, that I would not come to you in sorrow again. 2 For if I cause you sorrow, who then will be the one making me glad but the one who is made sorrowful by me? 3 This is the very thing I wrote you, so that when I came, I would not have sorrow from those who ought to make me rejoice; having confidence in you all that my joy was the joy of you all. 4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears; not so that you would be made sorrowful, but that you might know the love which I have especially for you.  

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Two Great Truths about Grace from Romans 8  

Romans 8 teaches two great truths about grace that can change your life: 

Truth #1 - "no condemnation"

Truth #2 - "life in the Spirit" 

Romans 8:1-4

Therefore there is now no condemnation at all for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 3 For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh

Romans 8:12-13

So then, brothers and sisters, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— 13 for if you are living in accord with the flesh, you are going to die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 

Romans 8:31-39

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? 33 Who will bring charges against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; 34 who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, but rather, was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. 35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or trouble, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 Just as it is written:

“For Your sake we are killed all day long;

37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  

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Find Rest in God Alone | Psalms 131 and 62

Psalm 131 

1 My heart is not proud, Lord,

3 Israel, put your hope in the Lord

Psalm 62:5-8

5 Yes, my soul, find rest in God;

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