Whining or Shining Servants

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Whining or Shining Servants

• Paul is writing a letter of encouragement.
• Why would he have to remind them to do everything
  without complaining?
• This problem is as old as humanity.

2
Israel and the Exodus

• Short memories
• Complained about food- manna.
• Complained about manna- quail until it ran out
  their noses.
• Complained about water- God produced from a rock.
• Complained about the promise land- forbidden to
  enter.

3
We can learn from their example

• 1 Cor 1010-12, And do not grumble, as some of
  them did-- and were killed by the destroying
  angel. These things happened to them as examples
  and were written down as warnings for us, on whom
  the fulfillment of the ages has come. So, if you
  think you are standing firm, be careful that you
  don't fall!
• Are we Whining or Shining?
• Five of Each

4
Whiner

• Wake up negative- They rise and whine.
• Its not fair.
• I dont deserve this.
• Everyone else gets all the breaks.
• Life is not fair- God never said it would be.
• Whining only makes you and others more miserable.
• Why not take positive action instead?

5
Martyr

• Passive Aggression
• Need to have control with the least amount of
  vulnerability.
• No one appreciates me.
• Moses, Numbers 1111-15
• Rather than pity parties, state your grievances
  directly.

6
Cynic

• Nothing will ever change.
• Solomon Eccl 12-4
• Sense of superiority.
• Not satisfied till others agree with them.
• But things CAN change. Jesus says so.

7
Perfectionist

• Nothing is ever right for this person.
• It is never good enough
• Is that the best you can do?
• Complaints by a perfectionist wear you down
• Prov 2715, A quarrelsome wife is like a constant
  dripping on a rainy day
• Look at Phil 215 so that you may become
  blameless and pure, children of God without
  fault
• Paul is not supporting the Perfectionists
  attitude but innocence and integrity.
• We should get rid of obvious faults.
• The emphasis is on our morality, not the morality
  of others.

8
Crusader

• They have a pet cause or belief.
• Guerrilla warfare until they get they way.
• Crusaders express disagreement in unhealthy ways.
• They seldom take the issue to those who can
  resolve it.
• At worst, some want retribution more than
  resolution
• At best, they want everyone to respect them, even
  though they dont show much respect for others.
• Gideon strategy creating the appearance of
  greater numbers.
• Im not the only one who feels this way.
• When pressed, they refuse to speak in specifics.

9
Shiners

• shine like stars in the universe as you hold
  out the word of life
• If we shine our labor is not in vain.
• If we shine we will be glad.
• If we shine we will rejoice.
• Many of the stars in the sky shine because they
  reflect light from some where else.

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Guide

• John 15, The light shines in the darkness, but
  the darkness has not understood it.
• John is speaking of Jesus.
• He is the light that guides out of the darkness.
• We reflect the light of Christ.
• We lead others out of darkness.

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Comforter

• John 535, John was a lamp that burned and gave
  light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his
  light.
• With light fear is driven away.
• We are able to enjoy things because everything is
  made known.

12
Honest

• I Jn 28, Yet I am writing you a new command
  its truth is seen in him and you, because the
  darkness is passing and the true light is already
  shining.
• Truth is in Christ and should be in us.
• True light.
• Jesus is the Way, Truth and Life.

13
Model

• Matt 516, In the same way, let your light shine
  before men, that they may see your good deeds and
  praise your Father in heaven.
• Through our lives people will be drawn to God and
  praise Him.
• Our lives should produce fruit.

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Winner

• 2 Cor 45-6, For we do not preach ourselves, but
  Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your
  servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, "Let
  light shine out of darkness," made his light
  shine in our hearts to give us the light of the
  knowledge of the glory of God in the face of
  Christ.

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Winner

• With Christ his glory never fades.
• Jesus has made his light shine in our hearts.
• Through the knowledge of the glory of God.
• We reflect the face of Christ to others.
• With Christ we are always winners.

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Whiner or Shiner?