Sermon snippet – Today Is Still Not a Good Time to Complain about the Sermon – Part III
INTRODUCTION – We know that complaining or murmuring is serious sin. We also know, as we studied last week, that we need to be honest before God. If we are overwhelmed or afflicted, we must bring our concerns to our Lord. However, we do not want to be complainers. How do we know if we are getting close to crossing the dangerous line into complaining?
- IF WE ARE DISCONTENTED WITH GOD, WE NEED TO REPENT
Jeremiah 15:15-21 is a startlingly sobering passage. The prophet accuses God of letting him down, of lying to him. The Lord’s response begins with “return” (verse 19) or repent. If Jeremiah turned from his accusatory attitude, then God would enable the prophet to do his necessary and appointed work. If not, then Jeremiah’s bitterness would render him unfit to be God’s messenger; thus, Jeremiah and the people who needed God’s Word would both miss God’s way of blessing. It is easy to believe that we could never possibly call God a liar, but I John 1:10 says, “If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.” The context of this verse is a call to repentance; verse 9 states, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” When we fail to acknowledge our sin before God, we become like Jeremiah: we are calling our Lord a liar. The only antidote is repentance. The modern mindset is to ignore uncomfortable truths; in so doing, we ignore God the Son, Who said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14:6). Like Jeremiah, let us repent.
- ALL OF US NEED REPENTANCE UNTO SALVATION
In Matthew 3:2, John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus proclaimed, “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Jesus Himself echoed these words in Matthew 4:17. The call to each one of us is turn from our own personal kingdom of pride and selfishness in order to receive the King and His glorious eternal kingdom. Of course, our personal kingdom is not a kingdom at all; it is a private pity party of grievances and grief. We need a Savior Who can deliver us from ourselves and our sin. We need to turn to Jesus.
- THIS REPENTANCE UNTO SALVATION IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ACT OF OUR LIVES
Luke 15:7 and 10 affirm that turning from our own stubborn way to the sweet way of Jesus results in rejoicing throughout heaven. No other human action can result in this widespread joy. This compelling reality must remind us of what is most important – everlasting salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
- THIS REPENTANCE UNTO SALVATION DEMANDS THAT WE RESPOND APPROPRIATELY TO THE REPENTANCE OF OTHERS
Luke 17:3-4 tells us that we need to be ready to forgive when others repent. If this were an easy response, we would not need this specific command.
CONCLUSION – How does all of this tie into the subject of complaining? First, if we, like Jeremiah, attack the character of God, we have crossed the line into complaining; this is a dangerous place to be. Second, if we are tempted to feel that God is distant, let us remember that His salvation of us is secure. Third, if we find ourselves complaining, we should remind ourselves that in heaven the angels are rejoicing in our salvation; the contrast should humble us. Fourth, much of our complaining is about other people; instead of moving in that bitter direction, may we seek the better way of forgiveness. When we fail in any of these areas, we must repent. Surely our Savior will forgive us.