Gratitude vs Complaining

I. Complaining Offends God

• God's anger is aroused when people complain.
• Old Testament people complained despite God's provision after delivering them from slavery.
• Complaining led to the Jews wandering in the desert for 40 years.
• Complaining takes away joy.

II. The Root of Complaining: Self

• Complaining is often rooted in wanting change and feeling frustrated when it doesn't happen.
• It can stem from a lack of humility and a sense of entitlement.

III. Complaining Hurts Witness

• Complaining can make Christians look weak.
• Others may doubt God's blessing.

IV. Overcoming Complaining

• Cultivate gratitude by giving thanks.
• Remember examples such as David, Paul, and Silas.
• Shift focus to God's sovereignty and trust in Him.
• God works for the good of those who love Him.
• Replace complaining with gratitude.
• Practice Lament.

V. Learn to Lament

• Lamenting is expressing sorrow to God.
• It involves coming to God with a humble heart.

VI. Practical Ways to Encourage Others and Be Thankful

• Offer a kind word or prayer.
• Practice gratitude daily.
• Ask God to help see blessings.

VII. The Importance of Attitude

• Shift thinking to change attitude.
• Avoid being a grumpy person.

VIII. Is it Wrong to Complain?

• Complaining to God (lamenting) is biblical.
• Avoid complaining to others.

IX. Challenge

• Try to go 30 days without complaining
• Journal about the good things and blessings in life for a week.
• Encourage others instead of complaining

X. Scripture References

Philippians 2:14-15, 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Numbers 11:1, Exodus 16:8, James 5:9, Proverbs 17:22, Ephesians 4:29, Colossians 3:17, Lamentations 3:22-23, Job 1:21, Romans 8:28

I. Honesty vs. Deceit

• Honesty is equated with truth, integrity, honor, and uprightness.
• Deceit involves lying, trickery, fraud, and duplicity.
• The concept of honesty/deceit involves more than just words.
• Integrity is defined as wholeness.

II. Biblical Perspective on Honesty/Deceit

• Old Testament Examples:
  • The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity (Proverbs 11:3).
  • Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out (Proverbs 10:9).
  • The Lord detests lying lips but delights in trustworthy people (Proverbs 12:22).
• New Testament Examples:
  • Followers of God should not lie to each other (Colossians 3:9).
  • Followers of God should put off falsehood and speak truthfully (Ephesians 4:25).
  • Followers of God should not use deception, nor distort the word of God, but set forth the truth plainly (2 Corinthians 4:1).

III. God and the Truth

• Image of God:
  • Humanity was created as God's imagers, meant to be His representatives.
  • Humans are to be a mirror to reflect God’s image on Earth.
  • As emissaries, humans are to have God's qualities.
  • God is a God of truth.
  • It is impossible for God to lie (Hebrews 6:18).
• The Holy Spirit and the Truth:
  • The Spirit of truth guides people into all truth (John 16:13).
• Jesus and the Truth:
  • Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).
  • God's word is truth (John 17:17).

IV. Results of Honesty/Truth

• Enables people to hear the voice of Jesus (John 18:38).
• Knowing the truth makes people free (John 8:31-32).
• The truth sanctifies people (John 17:17).
• Leads to God’s dwelling place (Psalm 43:3-4).
• Enables people to worship the Father (John 4:23).
• Brings favor from God and people (Proverbs 3:3).
• Gives a piece of armor to resist evil (2 Timothy 2:25-26).

V. Origin of Dishonesty

• The devil is the father of lies (John 8:44).
• There is a spiritual war between the Kingdom of Heaven and the powers of this world (Ephesians 6:12).
• The dragon was hurled down to earth and leads the whole world astray (Revelation 12:7-9).
• The powers of this world work to deceive (2 Thes. 2:10, Rev. 13:14, 2 Cor. 4:4).

VI. Results of Dishonesty

• Liars will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur (Revelation 21:8).

VII. Additional Scripture References:

• Proverbs 12:19, Psalm 15:2, 1 Peter 3:10, Colossians 3:9-10, Psalm 119:160, Proverbs 19:9, Zechariah 8:16

I. Introduction

• The concepts of honor and shame may not be easily understood or fit one's values.
• Goal: Be aware of Honor/Shame.
• The lesson will explore how Honor/Shame contrasts with Innocence/Guilt,
• Honor is essential to God. God values honor and expects it to be pursued.

II. Understanding Honor and Shame

• Honor/Shame is about reputation and community connection, defined by others, and focused on "Us, Others, Community".
• Honor is connected to a good reputation and glory, while shame is connected to a bad reputation and bad behavior.
• Proverbs 22:1 states that a good name is to be chosen over great wealth.

III. Implementing Honor

• Pursue honor from God. Romans 2:6-8 speaks of seeking glory, honor, and immortality.
• Promote and protect the honor of others. Ruth 3 illustrates protecting someone's reputation.
• Honor God and His Community. Romans 2:24 notes that the name of God can be blasphemed because of our actions. 1 Corinthians 6 addresses resolving disputes within the community to avoid shame.
• 1 Peter 2:17 states to honor everyone.

IV. Discussion & Application

• How can I implement honor in my life?
• Will this bring honor to God?
• Does this bring honor to God’s people?
• Interpret 1 Timothy 2:9 and Ephesians 5:3 considering the community.
• Who is influencing your perception of honor/shame?
• Is our community rightly encouraging honor?
• How are we protecting the reputation of the community and those within it?
• Here are the scripture references mentioned or alluded to in the sermon:

V. Scripture References

Proverbs 22:1, Proverbs 10:23, 1 Timothy 3:7, Genesis 2:25, Genesis 3:10-11, Genesis 3:21, Genesis 1:26, Romans 2:6-8, Matthew 6:2, Ruth 3:14, 1 Peter 2:17, Romans 2:24, 1 Corinthians 6:1-5, 1 Corinthians 6:20, 1 Timothy 2::9, Ephesians 5:3

VI. Additional Scriptures

1. Romans 12:10 - "Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves."

2. Genesis 1:27 - "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them."

3. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 - "It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God."

I. Why Submit?

• A. Submission is God’s Love Language
  • John 14:15, 23-24
  • 1 Samuel 2:35
• B. Submission is Christlike
  • John 10:17-18
  • Philippians 2:5-11 

III. What Submission Looks Like: Jesus

• A. Example from Matthew 26:39-43

IV. Danger of Rebellion: God’s Opposition

• A. God Opposes the Proud
  • 1 Peter 5:5
• B. Obedience is better than Sacrifice
  • 1 Samuel 15:22-23

V. Discussion Questions

• What are the benefits of submission?
• What are the challenges of submission?
• What does submission look like to you?
• In what ways have you learned about the perils of rebellion?

• Genesis 1:26
• Genesis 2:15
• Genesis 2:2-3
• Genesis 3:17-19
• Genesis 8:20-21
• John 5:17
• Ephesians 2:8-10
• Romans 12:2
• Colossians 3:17
• Colossians 3:23-24
• Proverbs 22:29
• Daniel 6:3-5
• Galatians 6:4-5
• Titus 2:9-10
• Numbers 21:4-6
• Proverbs 6:6-8