Philippians 2:14-18
"Merry Thanksgiving"

14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing;
15 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,
16 holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.
17 But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all.
18 You too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.

Rom 1:21-23 (ungratefulness is the beginning of the downward trend)
21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.

**1. Do all things without grumbling or disputing**

a. Grumbling or murmuring……

1 Peter 4:9 - Be hospitable to one another without complaint.

Prov 23:6-7
6 Do not eat the bread of a selfish man, Or desire his delicacies;
7 For as he thinks within himself, so he is. He says to you, "Eat and drink!" But his heart is not with you. 8 You will vomit up the morsel you have eaten, And waste your compliments.

b. Disputing is dialogismos—or dialoguing or questioning

Ps 1:1 - How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the **seat of scoffers!**

Isa 45:9 - "Woe to the one who quarrels with his Maker — An earthenware vessel among the vessels of earth! Will the clay say to the potter, 'What are you doing?' Or the thing you are making say, 'He has no hands'?

Sinclair Ferguson--"A complaining or arguing spirit is an expression of ingratitude to God's providence, and of lovelessness and pride towards others. It is a denial of grace; it is working against salvation rather than working salvation into every aspect of our lives"

**2. We are called not to grumble to be a light in the midst of darkness.**

“15 **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,”

Rom 1:21-23 (ungratefulness is the beginning of the downward trend)
21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their **foolish heart was darkened.** 22 Professing to be wise, **they became fools,** 23 and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.

Matt 5:14-16 - "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

2 Cor 4:15 - For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God.

**3. Fight grumbling by holding fast the word of life.**

“16 holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.”

1 Cor 15:1-3 - Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, **in which also you stand**, 2 by which also you are saved, if you **hold fast the word which I preached to you,** unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,

Phil 1:6 - For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

Phil 1:12 - Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel

Phil 3:8 - More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ,

**4. Learn to be thankful especially during difficult times.**

“17 But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all. 18 You too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.”

1 Thess 5:18 - in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Phil 4:11-13 - Not that I speak from want, for I **have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.** 12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.