April 28, 2026 • 21 mins
The Israelites’ constant complaining showed a lack of trust in God despite His provision and led to painful consequences. We’re called to turn from grumbling and fix our eyes on Jesus, where we find forgiveness and peace. #StJohnsBuffalo #CovertoCoverBible #BookofNumbers #ChooseGratitude #FixYourEyesOnJesus #StopComplaining
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:02):
Hello, this is Pastor Ryan Clark.
You are listening to a message from St.
John's Lutheran Church in Buffalo, Minnesota. 4 00:00:15,964.897959184 --> 00:00:20,609.897959184 Oh Lord open my lips and my mouth shall declare your praises, in the name of Jesus. 5 00:00:21,503.110086176 --> 00:00:22,133.110086176 Amen. 6 00:00:23,813.110086176 --> 00:00:31,583.110086176 When I was in college, I used to work as a waiter at a restaurant called Scooters Cafe and Pizzeria in Saugatuck, Michigan. 7 00:00:32,183.110086176 --> 00:00:38,843.110086176 So if you're ever in Saugatuck, I would not recommend stopping at Scooter's Cafe and Pizzeria at all. 8 00:00:39,203.110086176 --> 00:00:44,243.110086176 It truly was a two star dining experience for three star dining prices. 9 00:00:44,753.110086176 --> 00:00:46,583.110086176 The service there was always a little slow. 10 00:00:46,583.110086176 --> 00:00:53,723.110086176 In fact, it took a long time for your food to come out, and when it did finally come out, it usually wasn't that good. 11 00:00:54,713.110086176 --> 00:01:00,293.110086176 And of course, this led to a lot of complaining and whining from the customers. 12 00:01:00,593.110086176 --> 00:01:06,563.110086176 And when people complain at a restaurant, usually they complain to, and then ultimately about their waiter or waitress. 13 00:01:08,108.110086176 --> 00:01:17,18.110086176 And there was so much complaining about the waitstaff at Scooters, that when times were slow there, the waiters and waitresses would actually play a little bit of a game. 14 00:01:17,498.110086176 --> 00:01:28,328.110086176 We would go online and look at the various negative reviews about Scooters, often about the waiters or waitresses, and we'd try to figure out which person on the waitstaff is this complainer talking about. 15 00:01:29,468.110086176 --> 00:01:36,353.110086176 And on a whim, the other day, I took a walk down memory lane, and it turns out a lot of those negative reviews, they were about me. 16 00:01:37,553.110086176 --> 00:01:44,303.11008618 One that was absolutely about me, this person said, "Our waiter kept on touching his facial hair nonstop." 17 00:01:44,363.11008618 --> 00:01:45,353.11008618 One star. 18 00:01:45,773.11008618 --> 00:01:47,783.11008618 You know how I know that one was about me. 19 00:01:48,383.11008618 --> 00:01:52,703.11008618 I was the only one on the waitstaff that had anything resembling facial hair at the time. 20 00:01:53,603.11008618 --> 00:01:55,793.11008618 Another one that was absolutely about me. 21 00:01:55,823.11008618 --> 00:01:59,3.11008618 "Our waiter spilled my soda on me twice." 22 00:01:59,63.11008618 --> 00:01:59,753.11008618 One star. 23 00:02:00,413.11008618 --> 00:02:04,703.11008618 There's no way someone else made that same mistake during my time at Scooters. 24 00:02:04,703.11008618 --> 00:02:06,533.11008618 I remember soda lady. 25 00:02:06,563.11008618 --> 00:02:11,993.11008618 She left me along with that one star review, the tip that I deserved for her Scooter's experience. 26 00:02:12,773.11008618 --> 00:02:18,413.11008618 And another one star review for me, "Our waiter brought me the wrong salad dressing several times." 27 00:02:18,623.11008618 --> 00:02:26,123.11008618 That was actually just a little snippet of a much longer negative review, and I do remember salad dressing guy as well. 28 00:02:26,123.11008618 --> 00:02:28,583.11008618 It was a very strange interaction. 29 00:02:29,153.11008618 --> 00:02:35,603.11008618 He ordered blue cheese dressing with his salad and I brought it out to him and he said, this is ranch dressing, not blue cheese. 30 00:02:35,993.11008618 --> 00:02:36,773.11008618 Mistakes happen. 31 00:02:37,73.11008618 --> 00:02:39,113.11008618 So I tried again, brought him his dressing again. 32 00:02:39,113.11008618 --> 00:02:41,183.11008618 He said, you brought me ranch dressing again. 33 00:02:41,603.11008618 --> 00:03:00,143.11008618 So I went back to the kitchen, grabbed the bottle of blue cheese dressing and poured it out right in front of him at the table and he said, "Boy, why did you fill the blue cheese dressing bottle with ranch dressing?" And then as part of this review, he said it was the worst service he's ever had. 34 00:03:00,143.11008618 --> 00:03:00,823.11008618 One star. 35 00:03:02,843.11008618 --> 00:03:06,473.11008618 Now I will point out it wasn't all negative reviews from my time at Scooters. 36 00:03:06,473.11008618 --> 00:03:11,183.11008618 I found one that was absolutely about me as part of a five star review. 37 00:03:12,293.11008618 --> 00:03:13,913.11008618 They referred to their handsome waiter. 38 00:03:14,798.11008618 --> 00:03:21,188.11008618 Now, strangely enough, this person didn't fill out this review until 20, 24, some 10 years after I stopped working there. 39 00:03:21,188.11008618 --> 00:03:27,428.11008618 I don't know why it took them so long to write that, but I'm glad they finally got it off their chest. 40 00:03:27,428.11008618 --> 00:03:28,628.11008618 It was a nice thing to say. 41 00:03:31,178.11008618 --> 00:03:46,208.11008618 Of course, it was mostly complaints from my time at Scooters, and of course, if you have been following along in your two year Bible read through, you are very used to people complaining about long waits and the food and the drink not being good enough. 42 00:03:47,48.11008618 --> 00:04:02,78.11008618 As we follow the Israelites on their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land, it truly is a story of whiners in the wilderness, isn't it? They complain and they grumble, and they complain and grumble some more, and they leave God one star review after one star review. 43 00:04:03,318.11008618 --> 00:04:03,578.11008618 St. 44 00:04:03,578.11008618 --> 00:04:07,628.11008618 John's family, we don't want to be like those Israelites at all. 45 00:04:07,778.11008618 --> 00:04:20,48.11008618 What we're gonna see is that when we become resentful and complain and have hearts of entitlement and grumble towards God, more often than not, it's going to lead to some very bad things for us. 46 00:04:20,378.11008618 --> 00:04:23,918.11008618 Very similar actually to what it led to for the Israelites. 47 00:04:24,428.11008618 --> 00:04:26,738.11008618 Let's watch them learn their lesson the hard way. 48 00:04:26,798.11008618 --> 00:04:34,38.11008618 Numbers 21:4, It says the Israelites traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea to go around Edom. 49 00:04:35,228.11008618 --> 00:04:41,798.11008618 Now at this point, our Israelites have been wandering around the wilderness for 38 years. 50 00:04:42,728.11008618 --> 00:04:47,168.11008618 And if you can imagine their patience, it's starting to grow a little bit thin. 51 00:04:48,788.11008618 --> 00:04:55,178.11008618 And it really reaches a breaking point for them when they reach a little bit of a roadblock on their way to the Promised Land. 52 00:04:55,838.11008618 --> 00:04:57,848.11008618 It said they had to go around Edom. 53 00:04:59,138.11008618 --> 00:05:05,498.11008618 They try to take the most direct route to the Promised Land, but they encounter the Edomites, the descendants of Esau. 54 00:05:06,8.11008618 --> 00:05:11,378.11008618 The Edomites meet the Israelites with their army, and the Israelites say, okay, we'll take another route. 55 00:05:11,438.11008618 --> 00:05:20,348.11008618 And they backtrack south down that thicker red line, and then they have to go all the way around Edom, all the way around Moab to approach the Promised Land. 56 00:05:21,803.11008618 --> 00:05:31,973.11008618 And you can see why they'd be so upset about this, right? This is not the simple matter of you having to drive an extra four minutes to Aldi, because Minnesota 25 is closed right now. 57 00:05:32,993.11008618 --> 00:05:38,873.11008618 They had to walk that whole way and their frustrations, they bubble over. 58 00:05:39,113.11008618 --> 00:05:51,473.11008618 They spoke against God and against Moses and said, why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread, there is no water, and we detest this miserable food. 59 00:05:52,163.11008618 --> 00:05:53,33.11008618 One star. 60 00:05:54,713.11008618 --> 00:06:02,903.11008618 Now, if you look closely at their review of the wilderness experience there, you might say, Pastor, there seems like there's a couple of things wrong with what they're saying. 61 00:06:03,653.11008618 --> 00:06:06,503.11008618 In fact, a couple of those things, they aren't even true. 62 00:06:06,503.11008618 --> 00:06:11,33.11008618 They're more delusional than salad dressing guy was at Scooter's Cafe and Pizzeria. 63 00:06:11,993.11008618 --> 00:06:20,243.11008618 As I was looking at some of those reviews about Scooters, by the way, I found what I thought was just a little bit of a funny feature that these websites can do. 64 00:06:20,813.11008618 --> 00:06:30,713.11008618 Oftentimes when someone fills out a one star review, the owner can actually respond personally to that person and apologize or explain what happened. 65 00:06:31,133.11008618 --> 00:06:37,343.11008618 Now, you probably can't read that, but the one star review up here said, "Whatever you do, don't waste your time at this place. 66 00:06:37,583.11008618 --> 00:06:40,703.11008618 The service and employees are terrible, very rude, and aggressive. 67 00:06:41,33.11008618 --> 00:06:44,13.11008618 The pizza was distasteful and tasted old even after being heated up." 68 00:06:44,873.11008618 --> 00:06:46,748.11008618 To which the owner responded. 69 00:06:46,748.11008618 --> 00:06:49,898.11008618 "Sorry to hear that, but this is only your personal opinion." 70 00:06:49,988.11008618 --> 00:06:52,478.11008618 I'm sure that smoothed everything over very nicely. 71 00:06:54,998.11008618 --> 00:07:04,988.11008618 It would be well within God's purview, by the way, to respond to this one star review that the Israelites are giving to him because it's full of lies. 72 00:07:05,888.11008618 --> 00:07:18,458.11008618 He could say, what do you mean one star? And what do you mean no bread? If there's no bread that you've eaten, how do you explain Exodus 16:15, which says, Moses said to the Israelites, it is the bread the Lord has given you to eat. 73 00:07:19,58.11008618 --> 00:07:28,418.11008618 That's talking about the manna that God rains down on the Israelites from heaven, bread from heaven, and not only do they get bread from God, they get it every day. 74 00:07:28,418.11008618 --> 00:07:31,448.11008618 God is giving them their daily bread, if you will. 75 00:07:32,798.11008618 --> 00:07:44,948.11008618 And God might say, if you thought it tasted so bad, if it was so miserable, as you said in your review, how do you explain Exodus 16:31, where some of you were overheard saying that bread tastes like wafers made with honey. 76 00:07:45,518.11008618 --> 00:07:49,718.11008618 Sorry about that delicious honey bread that I give to you every single day. 77 00:07:50,768.11008618 --> 00:07:56,288.11008618 And did somebody say there was no water? Israelites, what chapter are we in right now? Numbers 21. 78 00:07:57,113.11008618 --> 00:08:00,363.11008618 Well, let's take a step back all the way to Numbers 20. 79 00:08:00,493.11008618 --> 00:08:05,3.11008618 If you recall, Israelites, I gave you unlimited water from a rock. 80 00:08:05,903.11008618 --> 00:08:08,963.11008618 So your complaints about no water, it holds no water. 81 00:08:09,683.11008618 --> 00:08:21,563.11008618 And as far as not being excited or eager to eat anything that I've given you, how do you explain Numbers 11 and all that quality quail I gave you in such great quantity? And it's true. 82 00:08:21,563.11008618 --> 00:08:26,513.11008618 If you look at this story, the Israelites we're very excited to eat all of that quail. 83 00:08:27,308.11008618 --> 00:08:38,138.11008618 In fact, they were so excited that much like my fantasy baseball team this year, it says in Numbers 11:33, that not one of them gathered less than 10 homers of those quail. 84 00:08:39,248.11008618 --> 00:08:42,188.11008618 Now, a homer in the Bible was a unit of measurement. 85 00:08:42,698.11008618 --> 00:08:44,288.11008618 It was a unit of volume. 86 00:08:44,678.11008618 --> 00:08:48,38.11008618 It equated to about six and a half gallons. 87 00:08:48,608.11008618 --> 00:08:49,268.11008618 So picture it. 88 00:08:50,198.11008618 --> 00:08:56,318.11008618 These Israelites were so excited to gather and eat that quail that the ones that go and gather it up. 89 00:08:56,858.11008618 --> 00:09:03,308.11008618 Each one of them gathers at least 13 of those five gallon buckets full of that quail. 90 00:09:04,478.11008618 --> 00:09:06,698.11008618 They were eager to eat that food. 91 00:09:06,878.11008618 --> 00:09:09,618.11008618 They were eager to eat what God had provided aplenty. 92 00:09:09,698.11008618 --> 00:09:10,828.11008618 And why wouldn't they. 93 00:09:11,648.11008618 --> 00:09:16,418.11008618 Delicious honey bread, tasty quail, and water from God to wash it down. 94 00:09:16,418.11008618 --> 00:09:17,918.11008618 Not bad at all. 95 00:09:17,918.11008618 --> 00:09:21,278.11008618 And yet, what do they say? One star. 96 00:09:23,198.11008618 --> 00:09:25,778.11008618 Unfortunately, as we look at their story today. 97 00:09:26,63.11008618 --> 00:09:32,123.11008618 We see that this generation of Israelites has become an awful lot like the generation that came before them. 98 00:09:32,603.11008618 --> 00:09:34,163.11008618 That generation before them. 99 00:09:34,493.11008618 --> 00:09:46,13.11008618 They left Moses eight, one star reviews if you look back at the story, Of course, this generation, they take it up a notch, don't they? They're not just complaining about Moses. 100 00:09:46,13.11008618 --> 00:09:53,393.11008618 They spoke against Moses and against God himself, didn't they? The same God, who by the way, has done so much for them. 101 00:09:53,963.11008618 --> 00:10:12,863.11008618 Who's freed them from Egypt, who's fought their battles for them? Who's defeated their enemies for them? Who's provided for them again and again and again? Who's led them and guided them, who's truly given them the five star treatment, and yet, what do they say? One star. 102 00:10:14,18.11008618 --> 00:10:14,408.11008618 And St. 103 00:10:14,408.11008618 --> 00:10:26,348.11008618 John's family, let's call a spade a spade here, right? When we whine, when we grumble, when we have entitled, resentful attitudes towards God, that complain again and again, and again, that is sin. 104 00:10:28,178.11008618 --> 00:10:34,268.11008618 And sin has consequences, and we see those consequences firsthand in our reading today. 105 00:10:34,478.11008618 --> 00:10:39,98.11008618 In Numbers 21:6, it says that God sends serpents amongst the Israel. 106 00:10:40,613.11008618 --> 00:10:43,643.11008618 He says, you think what I'm giving you is one star treatment? Fine. 107 00:10:43,643.11008618 --> 00:10:46,133.11008618 Let's have you actually have one star treatment. 108 00:10:47,303.11008618 --> 00:10:52,283.11008618 And those serpents, they're poisonous, they bite the Israelites, and it says that many of the Israelites die. 109 00:10:53,543.11008618 --> 00:11:00,773.11008618 You say, Pastor Ryan, that seems a little bit harsh, doesn't it? But truly, that is what sin deserves. 110 00:11:00,773.11008618 --> 00:11:03,443.11008618 The wages of sin is death. 111 00:11:04,553.11008618 --> 00:11:15,653.11008618 And the consequences of their sin, it causes the Israelites to repent, doesn't it? And Numbers 21:7, they go to Moses and they say, we sinned when we spoke against the Lord and against you. 112 00:11:16,163.11008618 --> 00:11:19,103.11008618 Pray that the Lord will take the snakes away from us. 113 00:11:19,643.11008618 --> 00:11:23,483.11008618 And God offers a very unique solution to the Israelites. 114 00:11:23,843.11008618 --> 00:11:27,413.11008618 The Lord said to Moses, make a snake and put it up on a pole. 115 00:11:27,893.11008618 --> 00:11:30,113.11008618 Anyone who is bitten can look at it and live. 116 00:11:30,563.11008618 --> 00:11:34,73.11008618 So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. 117 00:11:34,343.11008618 --> 00:11:38,633.11008618 Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived. 118 00:11:39,923.11008618 --> 00:11:51,413.11008618 Very simple, very straightforward, right? All they had to do is trust in God and turn their eyes upon what God had sent, and they were saved. 119 00:11:51,563.11008618 --> 00:11:54,203.11008618 It was as easy as that. 120 00:11:56,393.11008618 --> 00:11:56,813.11008618 And St. 121 00:11:56,813.11008618 --> 00:12:06,563.11008618 John's family, there is a lesson in this story for us today, because believe it or not, when you look in the mirror, you're gonna see somebody that's an awful lot like those Israelites. 122 00:12:07,463.11008618 --> 00:12:12,833.11008618 We too have whining, ungrateful, entitled, complaining hearts. 123 00:12:13,673.11008618 --> 00:12:28,133.11008618 It's not a simple matter of asking God for things, right? God wants us to ask him for things, but often when we don't get what we ask for, we become bitter and resentful towards God, and we complain and complain and complain some more. 124 00:12:29,363.11008618 --> 00:12:31,913.11008618 Well, not me, Pastor, I don't complain that much. 125 00:12:32,243.11008618 --> 00:12:34,343.11008618 Well, then you're a whole lot different than the average person. 126 00:12:34,868.11008618 --> 00:12:40,328.11008618 Because studies show that the average person complains right around 30 times a day. 127 00:12:41,258.11008618 --> 00:12:44,198.11008618 And my friends, that's just the things they say out loud. 128 00:12:44,468.11008618 --> 00:12:57,578.11008618 Can you imagine what's going on in the average person's head? The negative thoughts that are affecting their hearts? And when we complain, it truly does hurt us in body and soul. 129 00:12:58,358.11008618 --> 00:13:02,198.11008618 A study out of Stanford found that complaining actually causes brain damage. 130 00:13:03,233.11008618 --> 00:13:16,13.11008618 When you complain in excess, they found that it shrinks the size of your hippocampus, this little structure in your brain that you can see highlighted up there, and the hippocampus is responsible for memory and even some problem solving. 131 00:13:16,13.11008618 --> 00:13:19,493.11008618 When we complain in excess, that begins to shrink. 132 00:13:20,903.11008618 --> 00:13:23,633.11008618 Well, Pastor Ryan, I'm not complaining, I'm just venting. 133 00:13:23,633.11008618 --> 00:13:25,793.11008618 I'm just blowing off a little steam. 134 00:13:25,793.11008618 --> 00:13:29,393.11008618 I feel better when I get those things off of my chest. 135 00:13:29,393.11008618 --> 00:13:31,823.11008618 All right, I hear you. 136 00:13:32,813.11008618 --> 00:13:33,953.11008618 Complaining, venting. 137 00:13:33,953.11008618 --> 00:13:38,93.11008618 Call it whatever you want, but I promise you, you're not making yourself feel better. 138 00:13:38,363.11008618 --> 00:13:48,803.11008618 You know what venting does? It releases cortisol into your body and that triggers your fight or flight response, and that makes you feel even more worked up than you were before. 139 00:13:49,553.11008618 --> 00:13:55,883.11008618 And why wouldn't you be more worked up than you were before? You're reliving the same negative experience once again. 140 00:13:55,943.11008618 --> 00:13:58,283.11008618 One that caused so many hard feelings. 141 00:13:59,468.11008618 --> 00:14:01,718.11008618 Venting does not make you feel better. 142 00:14:01,718.11008618 --> 00:14:10,988.11008618 Every study out there shows that what it does do is lead to high levels of cortisol, which is associated with heart disease, high cholesterol, and strokes. 143 00:14:11,378.11008618 --> 00:14:12,788.11008618 Those things are not good. 144 00:14:13,28.11008618 --> 00:14:13,298.11008618 St. 145 00:14:13,298.11008618 --> 00:14:23,438.11008618 John's family, and by the way, when we vent like that to another person, we're causing them to have their cortisol levels raised too. 146 00:14:23,528.11008618 --> 00:14:29,303.11008618 So we're hurting ourselves and someone else when we complain, especially in excess. 147 00:14:30,843.11008618 --> 00:14:35,603.11008618 Is it any wonder God says, do all things without grumbling or disputing. 148 00:14:37,193.11008618 --> 00:14:38,753.11008618 Pastor Ryan, you don't understand. 149 00:14:39,623.11008618 --> 00:14:41,3.11008618 I'm having a pretty bad day. 150 00:14:41,63.11008618 --> 00:14:44,273.11008618 I'm having a pretty bad week, month, year life. 151 00:14:45,53.11008618 --> 00:14:46,373.11008618 You haven't met my boss. 152 00:14:46,643.11008618 --> 00:14:48,263.11008618 That is somebody to complain about. 153 00:14:48,263.11008618 --> 00:14:49,73.11008618 That guy's a jerk. 154 00:14:49,73.11008618 --> 00:14:50,693.11008618 I've gotta get that off my chest. 155 00:14:51,173.11008618 --> 00:14:52,463.11008618 And my car, it broke down. 156 00:14:52,463.11008618 --> 00:14:53,783.11008618 I can't pay for that. 157 00:14:54,338.11008618 --> 00:14:57,548.11008618 I can't keep all these feelings inside. 158 00:14:59,558.11008618 --> 00:15:02,918.11008618 Look, I'm not trying to minimize what you have gone through. 159 00:15:03,878.11008618 --> 00:15:13,208.11008618 We go through some pretty horrible things in this sinful and fallen world, don't we? But really, it comes down to a matter of trust. 160 00:15:13,778.11008618 --> 00:15:27,683.11008618 Do you trust that God knows what's best for you and wants what's best for you? If you do, even when it's difficult, even when it's really difficult, you try to do the things that he tells you that he commands you to do, and he says, do all things. 161 00:15:27,923.11008618 --> 00:15:32,33.11008618 That's everything, by the way, without grumbling or disputing. 162 00:15:33,113.11008618 --> 00:15:34,613.11008618 God knows that complaining. 163 00:15:34,613.11008618 --> 00:15:36,893.11008618 It hurts us both physically and spiritually. 164 00:15:37,553.11008618 --> 00:15:38,453.11008618 When we complain. 165 00:15:38,453.11008618 --> 00:15:41,753.11008618 It blinds us so often to the blessings that God has given us. 166 00:15:41,753.11008618 --> 00:15:43,703.11008618 And many times those complaints, you know what they do. 167 00:15:44,768.11008618 --> 00:15:54,338.11008618 They act as a poison that puts distance between us and God no different perhaps than the poison that affected the Israelites from their grumbling back in the wilderness. 168 00:15:56,198.11008618 --> 00:16:03,848.11008618 Of course, just like those Israelites, God gives us a solution to the poison that plagues our hearts caused by grumbling. 169 00:16:05,198.11008618 --> 00:16:08,678.11008618 It's actually a very similar solution to what he gave the Israelites. 170 00:16:09,338.11008618 --> 00:16:16,73.11008618 God says, look upon what I have sent and be saved! It's as simple, it's as easy as that. 171 00:16:16,73.11008618 --> 00:16:17,663.11008618 Turn your eyes upon Jesus. 172 00:16:17,663.11008618 --> 00:16:20,463.11008618 We see that in Hebrews 12: 1-3. 173 00:16:21,23.11008618 --> 00:16:25,913.11008618 It says, Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. 174 00:16:26,273.11008618 --> 00:16:33,503.11008618 And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. 175 00:16:34,163.11008618 --> 00:16:41,33.1100862 For the joy set before him he endured the cross,scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 176 00:16:41,438.1100862 --> 00:16:43,628.1100862 And then our highlighted verse of the day. 177 00:16:43,628.1100862 --> 00:16:44,898.1100862 Hebrews 12: 3-1. 178 00:16:44,918.1100862 --> 00:16:47,528.1100862 That is well worth highlighting, well worth memorizing. 179 00:16:47,828.1100862 --> 00:16:54,818.1100862 "Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." 180 00:16:56,888.1100862 --> 00:17:09,668.1100862 You know what slows us down from running a good race? This race of living out our faith and sharing it with others when we focus on all of the bad things that are going on in this sinful and fallen world. 181 00:17:10,553.1100862 --> 00:17:16,733.1100862 That causes us to become entangled, that causes us to complain and become bitter. 182 00:17:17,633.1100862 --> 00:17:28,703.1100862 But the antidote to that bitterness and that poison is to consider him who endured such opposition from sinners so that we will not grow weary and lose heart to consider all that Jesus has done for you. 183 00:17:29,783.1100862 --> 00:17:38,693.1100862 And what did Jesus do for you, just you? Well, just as the serpent was lifted up on the wilderness in that pole, the Son of man was lifted up on a pole. 184 00:17:38,753.1100862 --> 00:17:47,93.1100862 Jesus Christ crucified on the cross where he died just for you to forgive every sin that you have ever committed, that I have ever committed. 185 00:17:47,693.1100862 --> 00:17:52,823.1100862 To forgive, every single time that we complained and grumbled and said, God not good enough. 186 00:17:53,93.1100862 --> 00:17:53,783.1100862 One star. 187 00:17:55,398.1100862 --> 00:17:58,403.1100862 And by the way, in an ultimate example to us. 188 00:17:59,3.1100862 --> 00:18:03,743.1100862 If anyone ever had any reason to complain it was Jesus while he was on the cross. 189 00:18:03,743.1100862 --> 00:18:11,63.1100862 And yet what does it say in Isaiah 53:7, He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth. 190 00:18:11,243.1100862 --> 00:18:16,283.1100862 Not a single complaint went by his lips as he was dying just for you. 191 00:18:17,543.1100862 --> 00:18:20,423.1100862 In fact, it was just the opposite. 192 00:18:21,533.1100862 --> 00:18:22,673.1100862 There was no bitterness. 193 00:18:23,153.1100862 --> 00:18:24,353.1100862 There was no anger. 194 00:18:24,413.1100862 --> 00:18:28,73.1100862 It says for the joy set before him, he endured the cross. 195 00:18:28,313.1100862 --> 00:18:35,483.1100862 Jesus was full of joy at the thought and as he actually did die, just for you on the cross. 196 00:18:35,633.1100862 --> 00:18:38,573.1100862 What an incredible thing that is. 197 00:18:40,463.1100862 --> 00:18:55,913.1100862 Talk about five star treatment just for you, am I right? And when we consider that five star treatment, we get this promise in Philippians 4: 6-7, That we're no longer gonna be filled with anxiety and worries of this world; they're gonna wash away. 198 00:18:55,913.1100862 --> 00:19:04,973.1100862 But rather as we go to God with Thanksgiving, focusing on all that he has done for us, he fills us with his peace, which transcends all understanding. 199 00:19:06,623.1100862 --> 00:19:09,773.1100862 And by the way, you have a lot of blessings to focus on. 200 00:19:09,773.1100862 --> 00:19:10,673.1100862 You really do. 201 00:19:11,303.1100862 --> 00:19:18,863.1100862 Maybe you can think about the home, the roof that's over your head, the friends that you have, the family that you have, the church family that you have. 202 00:19:19,868.1100862 --> 00:19:25,868.1100862 And if you look at those four bullet points and say, pastor Ryan, I'm not really doing that well in some of those areas. 203 00:19:27,368.1100862 --> 00:19:37,958.1100862 Well, then take my original advice and look all the way back to the cross and focus on what Jesus did just for you and what you win, what he has won for you. 204 00:19:38,678.1100862 --> 00:19:41,408.1100862 A relationship with God that starts now and lasts forever. 205 00:19:41,408.1100862 --> 00:19:44,778.1100862 One where you get his love, his wisdom, his peace, his protection, and more. 206 00:19:46,553.1100862 --> 00:19:46,943.1100862 St. 207 00:19:46,943.1100862 --> 00:19:51,743.1100862 John's family, when you focus on that, it will change your life. 208 00:19:52,43.1100862 --> 00:19:59,453.1100862 That bitterness is gonna be gone, and like I said, and God promised, it's gonna be replaced by his peace that transcends all understanding. 209 00:20:00,953.1100862 --> 00:20:01,493.1100862 And so, St. 210 00:20:01,493.1100862 --> 00:20:03,893.1100862 John's family, I actually have a challenge for you this week. 211 00:20:04,493.1100862 --> 00:20:12,23.1100862 I want you to take stock of your life, watch what you're thinking, watch what you're saying, and see how long you can make it without complaining. 212 00:20:12,413.1100862 --> 00:20:28,163.1100862 See if we can work as a church family to bring down that 30 complaints a day average, single handedly right? And when you sin and complain and grumble because it's going to happen, start the streak over and see how long you can go again. 213 00:20:29,813.1100862 --> 00:20:33,113.1100862 It's gonna change your life as you attempt to do that. 214 00:20:33,173.1100862 --> 00:20:35,663.1100862 And may God work through you to do that. 215 00:20:35,963.1100862 --> 00:20:37,943.1100862 In fact, my prayer for you this week is this. 216 00:20:38,708.1100862 --> 00:20:46,688.1100862 May you be filled with the same kind of joy that Jesus had on the cross as he died for you, as you focus on His death. 217 00:20:46,688.1100862 --> 00:20:47,348.1100862 ust for you. 218 00:20:48,68.1100862 --> 00:20:49,718.1100862 May you turn your eyes upon Jesus. 219 00:20:49,718.1100862 --> 00:20:51,128.1100862 May you do this in Jesus' name. 220 00:20:52,28.1100862 --> 00:20:52,418.1100862 Amen. 221 00:20:55,281.1100862 --> 00:20:56,931.1100862 You've been listening to a sermon from St. 222 00:20:56,931.1100862 --> 00:20:59,11.1100862 John's Lutheran Church in Buffalo, Minnesota. 223 00:20:59,331.1100862 --> 00:21:01,131.1100862 If you would like more information about St. 224 00:21:01,131.1100862 --> 00:21:06,791.1100862 John's and any of our ministries to our community and beyond, you can go to our website, www. 225 00:21:06,881.1100862 --> 00:21:07,121.1100862 stjohnsbuffalo. 226 00:21:08,361.1090862 --> 00:21:08,691.1090862 org. 227 00:21:09,71.1090862 --> 00:21:10,361.1100862 Thank you and God bless you.
Hello, this is Pastor Ryan Clark.
You are listening to a message from St.
John's Lutheran Church in Buffalo, Minnesota. 4 00:00:15,964.897959184 --> 00:00:20,609.897959184 Oh Lord open my lips and my mouth shall declare your praises, in the name of Jesus. 5 00:00:21,503.110086176 --> 00:00:22,133.110086176 Amen. 6 00:00:23,813.110086176 --> 00:00:31,583.110086176 When I was in college, I used to work as a waiter at a restaurant called Scooters Cafe and Pizzeria in Saugatuck, Michigan. 7 00:00:32,183.110086176 --> 00:00:38,843.110086176 So if you're ever in Saugatuck, I would not recommend stopping at Scooter's Cafe and Pizzeria at all. 8 00:00:39,203.110086176 --> 00:00:44,243.110086176 It truly was a two star dining experience for three star dining prices. 9 00:00:44,753.110086176 --> 00:00:46,583.110086176 The service there was always a little slow. 10 00:00:46,583.110086176 --> 00:00:53,723.110086176 In fact, it took a long time for your food to come out, and when it did finally come out, it usually wasn't that good. 11 00:00:54,713.110086176 --> 00:01:00,293.110086176 And of course, this led to a lot of complaining and whining from the customers. 12 00:01:00,593.110086176 --> 00:01:06,563.110086176 And when people complain at a restaurant, usually they complain to, and then ultimately about their waiter or waitress. 13 00:01:08,108.110086176 --> 00:01:17,18.110086176 And there was so much complaining about the waitstaff at Scooters, that when times were slow there, the waiters and waitresses would actually play a little bit of a game. 14 00:01:17,498.110086176 --> 00:01:28,328.110086176 We would go online and look at the various negative reviews about Scooters, often about the waiters or waitresses, and we'd try to figure out which person on the waitstaff is this complainer talking about. 15 00:01:29,468.110086176 --> 00:01:36,353.110086176 And on a whim, the other day, I took a walk down memory lane, and it turns out a lot of those negative reviews, they were about me. 16 00:01:37,553.110086176 --> 00:01:44,303.11008618 One that was absolutely about me, this person said, "Our waiter kept on touching his facial hair nonstop." 17 00:01:44,363.11008618 --> 00:01:45,353.11008618 One star. 18 00:01:45,773.11008618 --> 00:01:47,783.11008618 You know how I know that one was about me. 19 00:01:48,383.11008618 --> 00:01:52,703.11008618 I was the only one on the waitstaff that had anything resembling facial hair at the time. 20 00:01:53,603.11008618 --> 00:01:55,793.11008618 Another one that was absolutely about me. 21 00:01:55,823.11008618 --> 00:01:59,3.11008618 "Our waiter spilled my soda on me twice." 22 00:01:59,63.11008618 --> 00:01:59,753.11008618 One star. 23 00:02:00,413.11008618 --> 00:02:04,703.11008618 There's no way someone else made that same mistake during my time at Scooters. 24 00:02:04,703.11008618 --> 00:02:06,533.11008618 I remember soda lady. 25 00:02:06,563.11008618 --> 00:02:11,993.11008618 She left me along with that one star review, the tip that I deserved for her Scooter's experience. 26 00:02:12,773.11008618 --> 00:02:18,413.11008618 And another one star review for me, "Our waiter brought me the wrong salad dressing several times." 27 00:02:18,623.11008618 --> 00:02:26,123.11008618 That was actually just a little snippet of a much longer negative review, and I do remember salad dressing guy as well. 28 00:02:26,123.11008618 --> 00:02:28,583.11008618 It was a very strange interaction. 29 00:02:29,153.11008618 --> 00:02:35,603.11008618 He ordered blue cheese dressing with his salad and I brought it out to him and he said, this is ranch dressing, not blue cheese. 30 00:02:35,993.11008618 --> 00:02:36,773.11008618 Mistakes happen. 31 00:02:37,73.11008618 --> 00:02:39,113.11008618 So I tried again, brought him his dressing again. 32 00:02:39,113.11008618 --> 00:02:41,183.11008618 He said, you brought me ranch dressing again. 33 00:02:41,603.11008618 --> 00:03:00,143.11008618 So I went back to the kitchen, grabbed the bottle of blue cheese dressing and poured it out right in front of him at the table and he said, "Boy, why did you fill the blue cheese dressing bottle with ranch dressing?" And then as part of this review, he said it was the worst service he's ever had. 34 00:03:00,143.11008618 --> 00:03:00,823.11008618 One star. 35 00:03:02,843.11008618 --> 00:03:06,473.11008618 Now I will point out it wasn't all negative reviews from my time at Scooters. 36 00:03:06,473.11008618 --> 00:03:11,183.11008618 I found one that was absolutely about me as part of a five star review. 37 00:03:12,293.11008618 --> 00:03:13,913.11008618 They referred to their handsome waiter. 38 00:03:14,798.11008618 --> 00:03:21,188.11008618 Now, strangely enough, this person didn't fill out this review until 20, 24, some 10 years after I stopped working there. 39 00:03:21,188.11008618 --> 00:03:27,428.11008618 I don't know why it took them so long to write that, but I'm glad they finally got it off their chest. 40 00:03:27,428.11008618 --> 00:03:28,628.11008618 It was a nice thing to say. 41 00:03:31,178.11008618 --> 00:03:46,208.11008618 Of course, it was mostly complaints from my time at Scooters, and of course, if you have been following along in your two year Bible read through, you are very used to people complaining about long waits and the food and the drink not being good enough. 42 00:03:47,48.11008618 --> 00:04:02,78.11008618 As we follow the Israelites on their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land, it truly is a story of whiners in the wilderness, isn't it? They complain and they grumble, and they complain and grumble some more, and they leave God one star review after one star review. 43 00:04:03,318.11008618 --> 00:04:03,578.11008618 St. 44 00:04:03,578.11008618 --> 00:04:07,628.11008618 John's family, we don't want to be like those Israelites at all. 45 00:04:07,778.11008618 --> 00:04:20,48.11008618 What we're gonna see is that when we become resentful and complain and have hearts of entitlement and grumble towards God, more often than not, it's going to lead to some very bad things for us. 46 00:04:20,378.11008618 --> 00:04:23,918.11008618 Very similar actually to what it led to for the Israelites. 47 00:04:24,428.11008618 --> 00:04:26,738.11008618 Let's watch them learn their lesson the hard way. 48 00:04:26,798.11008618 --> 00:04:34,38.11008618 Numbers 21:4, It says the Israelites traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea to go around Edom. 49 00:04:35,228.11008618 --> 00:04:41,798.11008618 Now at this point, our Israelites have been wandering around the wilderness for 38 years. 50 00:04:42,728.11008618 --> 00:04:47,168.11008618 And if you can imagine their patience, it's starting to grow a little bit thin. 51 00:04:48,788.11008618 --> 00:04:55,178.11008618 And it really reaches a breaking point for them when they reach a little bit of a roadblock on their way to the Promised Land. 52 00:04:55,838.11008618 --> 00:04:57,848.11008618 It said they had to go around Edom. 53 00:04:59,138.11008618 --> 00:05:05,498.11008618 They try to take the most direct route to the Promised Land, but they encounter the Edomites, the descendants of Esau. 54 00:05:06,8.11008618 --> 00:05:11,378.11008618 The Edomites meet the Israelites with their army, and the Israelites say, okay, we'll take another route. 55 00:05:11,438.11008618 --> 00:05:20,348.11008618 And they backtrack south down that thicker red line, and then they have to go all the way around Edom, all the way around Moab to approach the Promised Land. 56 00:05:21,803.11008618 --> 00:05:31,973.11008618 And you can see why they'd be so upset about this, right? This is not the simple matter of you having to drive an extra four minutes to Aldi, because Minnesota 25 is closed right now. 57 00:05:32,993.11008618 --> 00:05:38,873.11008618 They had to walk that whole way and their frustrations, they bubble over. 58 00:05:39,113.11008618 --> 00:05:51,473.11008618 They spoke against God and against Moses and said, why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread, there is no water, and we detest this miserable food. 59 00:05:52,163.11008618 --> 00:05:53,33.11008618 One star. 60 00:05:54,713.11008618 --> 00:06:02,903.11008618 Now, if you look closely at their review of the wilderness experience there, you might say, Pastor, there seems like there's a couple of things wrong with what they're saying. 61 00:06:03,653.11008618 --> 00:06:06,503.11008618 In fact, a couple of those things, they aren't even true. 62 00:06:06,503.11008618 --> 00:06:11,33.11008618 They're more delusional than salad dressing guy was at Scooter's Cafe and Pizzeria. 63 00:06:11,993.11008618 --> 00:06:20,243.11008618 As I was looking at some of those reviews about Scooters, by the way, I found what I thought was just a little bit of a funny feature that these websites can do. 64 00:06:20,813.11008618 --> 00:06:30,713.11008618 Oftentimes when someone fills out a one star review, the owner can actually respond personally to that person and apologize or explain what happened. 65 00:06:31,133.11008618 --> 00:06:37,343.11008618 Now, you probably can't read that, but the one star review up here said, "Whatever you do, don't waste your time at this place. 66 00:06:37,583.11008618 --> 00:06:40,703.11008618 The service and employees are terrible, very rude, and aggressive. 67 00:06:41,33.11008618 --> 00:06:44,13.11008618 The pizza was distasteful and tasted old even after being heated up." 68 00:06:44,873.11008618 --> 00:06:46,748.11008618 To which the owner responded. 69 00:06:46,748.11008618 --> 00:06:49,898.11008618 "Sorry to hear that, but this is only your personal opinion." 70 00:06:49,988.11008618 --> 00:06:52,478.11008618 I'm sure that smoothed everything over very nicely. 71 00:06:54,998.11008618 --> 00:07:04,988.11008618 It would be well within God's purview, by the way, to respond to this one star review that the Israelites are giving to him because it's full of lies. 72 00:07:05,888.11008618 --> 00:07:18,458.11008618 He could say, what do you mean one star? And what do you mean no bread? If there's no bread that you've eaten, how do you explain Exodus 16:15, which says, Moses said to the Israelites, it is the bread the Lord has given you to eat. 73 00:07:19,58.11008618 --> 00:07:28,418.11008618 That's talking about the manna that God rains down on the Israelites from heaven, bread from heaven, and not only do they get bread from God, they get it every day. 74 00:07:28,418.11008618 --> 00:07:31,448.11008618 God is giving them their daily bread, if you will. 75 00:07:32,798.11008618 --> 00:07:44,948.11008618 And God might say, if you thought it tasted so bad, if it was so miserable, as you said in your review, how do you explain Exodus 16:31, where some of you were overheard saying that bread tastes like wafers made with honey. 76 00:07:45,518.11008618 --> 00:07:49,718.11008618 Sorry about that delicious honey bread that I give to you every single day. 77 00:07:50,768.11008618 --> 00:07:56,288.11008618 And did somebody say there was no water? Israelites, what chapter are we in right now? Numbers 21. 78 00:07:57,113.11008618 --> 00:08:00,363.11008618 Well, let's take a step back all the way to Numbers 20. 79 00:08:00,493.11008618 --> 00:08:05,3.11008618 If you recall, Israelites, I gave you unlimited water from a rock. 80 00:08:05,903.11008618 --> 00:08:08,963.11008618 So your complaints about no water, it holds no water. 81 00:08:09,683.11008618 --> 00:08:21,563.11008618 And as far as not being excited or eager to eat anything that I've given you, how do you explain Numbers 11 and all that quality quail I gave you in such great quantity? And it's true. 82 00:08:21,563.11008618 --> 00:08:26,513.11008618 If you look at this story, the Israelites we're very excited to eat all of that quail. 83 00:08:27,308.11008618 --> 00:08:38,138.11008618 In fact, they were so excited that much like my fantasy baseball team this year, it says in Numbers 11:33, that not one of them gathered less than 10 homers of those quail. 84 00:08:39,248.11008618 --> 00:08:42,188.11008618 Now, a homer in the Bible was a unit of measurement. 85 00:08:42,698.11008618 --> 00:08:44,288.11008618 It was a unit of volume. 86 00:08:44,678.11008618 --> 00:08:48,38.11008618 It equated to about six and a half gallons. 87 00:08:48,608.11008618 --> 00:08:49,268.11008618 So picture it. 88 00:08:50,198.11008618 --> 00:08:56,318.11008618 These Israelites were so excited to gather and eat that quail that the ones that go and gather it up. 89 00:08:56,858.11008618 --> 00:09:03,308.11008618 Each one of them gathers at least 13 of those five gallon buckets full of that quail. 90 00:09:04,478.11008618 --> 00:09:06,698.11008618 They were eager to eat that food. 91 00:09:06,878.11008618 --> 00:09:09,618.11008618 They were eager to eat what God had provided aplenty. 92 00:09:09,698.11008618 --> 00:09:10,828.11008618 And why wouldn't they. 93 00:09:11,648.11008618 --> 00:09:16,418.11008618 Delicious honey bread, tasty quail, and water from God to wash it down. 94 00:09:16,418.11008618 --> 00:09:17,918.11008618 Not bad at all. 95 00:09:17,918.11008618 --> 00:09:21,278.11008618 And yet, what do they say? One star. 96 00:09:23,198.11008618 --> 00:09:25,778.11008618 Unfortunately, as we look at their story today. 97 00:09:26,63.11008618 --> 00:09:32,123.11008618 We see that this generation of Israelites has become an awful lot like the generation that came before them. 98 00:09:32,603.11008618 --> 00:09:34,163.11008618 That generation before them. 99 00:09:34,493.11008618 --> 00:09:46,13.11008618 They left Moses eight, one star reviews if you look back at the story, Of course, this generation, they take it up a notch, don't they? They're not just complaining about Moses. 100 00:09:46,13.11008618 --> 00:09:53,393.11008618 They spoke against Moses and against God himself, didn't they? The same God, who by the way, has done so much for them. 101 00:09:53,963.11008618 --> 00:10:12,863.11008618 Who's freed them from Egypt, who's fought their battles for them? Who's defeated their enemies for them? Who's provided for them again and again and again? Who's led them and guided them, who's truly given them the five star treatment, and yet, what do they say? One star. 102 00:10:14,18.11008618 --> 00:10:14,408.11008618 And St. 103 00:10:14,408.11008618 --> 00:10:26,348.11008618 John's family, let's call a spade a spade here, right? When we whine, when we grumble, when we have entitled, resentful attitudes towards God, that complain again and again, and again, that is sin. 104 00:10:28,178.11008618 --> 00:10:34,268.11008618 And sin has consequences, and we see those consequences firsthand in our reading today. 105 00:10:34,478.11008618 --> 00:10:39,98.11008618 In Numbers 21:6, it says that God sends serpents amongst the Israel. 106 00:10:40,613.11008618 --> 00:10:43,643.11008618 He says, you think what I'm giving you is one star treatment? Fine. 107 00:10:43,643.11008618 --> 00:10:46,133.11008618 Let's have you actually have one star treatment. 108 00:10:47,303.11008618 --> 00:10:52,283.11008618 And those serpents, they're poisonous, they bite the Israelites, and it says that many of the Israelites die. 109 00:10:53,543.11008618 --> 00:11:00,773.11008618 You say, Pastor Ryan, that seems a little bit harsh, doesn't it? But truly, that is what sin deserves. 110 00:11:00,773.11008618 --> 00:11:03,443.11008618 The wages of sin is death. 111 00:11:04,553.11008618 --> 00:11:15,653.11008618 And the consequences of their sin, it causes the Israelites to repent, doesn't it? And Numbers 21:7, they go to Moses and they say, we sinned when we spoke against the Lord and against you. 112 00:11:16,163.11008618 --> 00:11:19,103.11008618 Pray that the Lord will take the snakes away from us. 113 00:11:19,643.11008618 --> 00:11:23,483.11008618 And God offers a very unique solution to the Israelites. 114 00:11:23,843.11008618 --> 00:11:27,413.11008618 The Lord said to Moses, make a snake and put it up on a pole. 115 00:11:27,893.11008618 --> 00:11:30,113.11008618 Anyone who is bitten can look at it and live. 116 00:11:30,563.11008618 --> 00:11:34,73.11008618 So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. 117 00:11:34,343.11008618 --> 00:11:38,633.11008618 Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived. 118 00:11:39,923.11008618 --> 00:11:51,413.11008618 Very simple, very straightforward, right? All they had to do is trust in God and turn their eyes upon what God had sent, and they were saved. 119 00:11:51,563.11008618 --> 00:11:54,203.11008618 It was as easy as that. 120 00:11:56,393.11008618 --> 00:11:56,813.11008618 And St. 121 00:11:56,813.11008618 --> 00:12:06,563.11008618 John's family, there is a lesson in this story for us today, because believe it or not, when you look in the mirror, you're gonna see somebody that's an awful lot like those Israelites. 122 00:12:07,463.11008618 --> 00:12:12,833.11008618 We too have whining, ungrateful, entitled, complaining hearts. 123 00:12:13,673.11008618 --> 00:12:28,133.11008618 It's not a simple matter of asking God for things, right? God wants us to ask him for things, but often when we don't get what we ask for, we become bitter and resentful towards God, and we complain and complain and complain some more. 124 00:12:29,363.11008618 --> 00:12:31,913.11008618 Well, not me, Pastor, I don't complain that much. 125 00:12:32,243.11008618 --> 00:12:34,343.11008618 Well, then you're a whole lot different than the average person. 126 00:12:34,868.11008618 --> 00:12:40,328.11008618 Because studies show that the average person complains right around 30 times a day. 127 00:12:41,258.11008618 --> 00:12:44,198.11008618 And my friends, that's just the things they say out loud. 128 00:12:44,468.11008618 --> 00:12:57,578.11008618 Can you imagine what's going on in the average person's head? The negative thoughts that are affecting their hearts? And when we complain, it truly does hurt us in body and soul. 129 00:12:58,358.11008618 --> 00:13:02,198.11008618 A study out of Stanford found that complaining actually causes brain damage. 130 00:13:03,233.11008618 --> 00:13:16,13.11008618 When you complain in excess, they found that it shrinks the size of your hippocampus, this little structure in your brain that you can see highlighted up there, and the hippocampus is responsible for memory and even some problem solving. 131 00:13:16,13.11008618 --> 00:13:19,493.11008618 When we complain in excess, that begins to shrink. 132 00:13:20,903.11008618 --> 00:13:23,633.11008618 Well, Pastor Ryan, I'm not complaining, I'm just venting. 133 00:13:23,633.11008618 --> 00:13:25,793.11008618 I'm just blowing off a little steam. 134 00:13:25,793.11008618 --> 00:13:29,393.11008618 I feel better when I get those things off of my chest. 135 00:13:29,393.11008618 --> 00:13:31,823.11008618 All right, I hear you. 136 00:13:32,813.11008618 --> 00:13:33,953.11008618 Complaining, venting. 137 00:13:33,953.11008618 --> 00:13:38,93.11008618 Call it whatever you want, but I promise you, you're not making yourself feel better. 138 00:13:38,363.11008618 --> 00:13:48,803.11008618 You know what venting does? It releases cortisol into your body and that triggers your fight or flight response, and that makes you feel even more worked up than you were before. 139 00:13:49,553.11008618 --> 00:13:55,883.11008618 And why wouldn't you be more worked up than you were before? You're reliving the same negative experience once again. 140 00:13:55,943.11008618 --> 00:13:58,283.11008618 One that caused so many hard feelings. 141 00:13:59,468.11008618 --> 00:14:01,718.11008618 Venting does not make you feel better. 142 00:14:01,718.11008618 --> 00:14:10,988.11008618 Every study out there shows that what it does do is lead to high levels of cortisol, which is associated with heart disease, high cholesterol, and strokes. 143 00:14:11,378.11008618 --> 00:14:12,788.11008618 Those things are not good. 144 00:14:13,28.11008618 --> 00:14:13,298.11008618 St. 145 00:14:13,298.11008618 --> 00:14:23,438.11008618 John's family, and by the way, when we vent like that to another person, we're causing them to have their cortisol levels raised too. 146 00:14:23,528.11008618 --> 00:14:29,303.11008618 So we're hurting ourselves and someone else when we complain, especially in excess. 147 00:14:30,843.11008618 --> 00:14:35,603.11008618 Is it any wonder God says, do all things without grumbling or disputing. 148 00:14:37,193.11008618 --> 00:14:38,753.11008618 Pastor Ryan, you don't understand. 149 00:14:39,623.11008618 --> 00:14:41,3.11008618 I'm having a pretty bad day. 150 00:14:41,63.11008618 --> 00:14:44,273.11008618 I'm having a pretty bad week, month, year life. 151 00:14:45,53.11008618 --> 00:14:46,373.11008618 You haven't met my boss. 152 00:14:46,643.11008618 --> 00:14:48,263.11008618 That is somebody to complain about. 153 00:14:48,263.11008618 --> 00:14:49,73.11008618 That guy's a jerk. 154 00:14:49,73.11008618 --> 00:14:50,693.11008618 I've gotta get that off my chest. 155 00:14:51,173.11008618 --> 00:14:52,463.11008618 And my car, it broke down. 156 00:14:52,463.11008618 --> 00:14:53,783.11008618 I can't pay for that. 157 00:14:54,338.11008618 --> 00:14:57,548.11008618 I can't keep all these feelings inside. 158 00:14:59,558.11008618 --> 00:15:02,918.11008618 Look, I'm not trying to minimize what you have gone through. 159 00:15:03,878.11008618 --> 00:15:13,208.11008618 We go through some pretty horrible things in this sinful and fallen world, don't we? But really, it comes down to a matter of trust. 160 00:15:13,778.11008618 --> 00:15:27,683.11008618 Do you trust that God knows what's best for you and wants what's best for you? If you do, even when it's difficult, even when it's really difficult, you try to do the things that he tells you that he commands you to do, and he says, do all things. 161 00:15:27,923.11008618 --> 00:15:32,33.11008618 That's everything, by the way, without grumbling or disputing. 162 00:15:33,113.11008618 --> 00:15:34,613.11008618 God knows that complaining. 163 00:15:34,613.11008618 --> 00:15:36,893.11008618 It hurts us both physically and spiritually. 164 00:15:37,553.11008618 --> 00:15:38,453.11008618 When we complain. 165 00:15:38,453.11008618 --> 00:15:41,753.11008618 It blinds us so often to the blessings that God has given us. 166 00:15:41,753.11008618 --> 00:15:43,703.11008618 And many times those complaints, you know what they do. 167 00:15:44,768.11008618 --> 00:15:54,338.11008618 They act as a poison that puts distance between us and God no different perhaps than the poison that affected the Israelites from their grumbling back in the wilderness. 168 00:15:56,198.11008618 --> 00:16:03,848.11008618 Of course, just like those Israelites, God gives us a solution to the poison that plagues our hearts caused by grumbling. 169 00:16:05,198.11008618 --> 00:16:08,678.11008618 It's actually a very similar solution to what he gave the Israelites. 170 00:16:09,338.11008618 --> 00:16:16,73.11008618 God says, look upon what I have sent and be saved! It's as simple, it's as easy as that. 171 00:16:16,73.11008618 --> 00:16:17,663.11008618 Turn your eyes upon Jesus. 172 00:16:17,663.11008618 --> 00:16:20,463.11008618 We see that in Hebrews 12: 1-3. 173 00:16:21,23.11008618 --> 00:16:25,913.11008618 It says, Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. 174 00:16:26,273.11008618 --> 00:16:33,503.11008618 And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. 175 00:16:34,163.11008618 --> 00:16:41,33.1100862 For the joy set before him he endured the cross,scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 176 00:16:41,438.1100862 --> 00:16:43,628.1100862 And then our highlighted verse of the day. 177 00:16:43,628.1100862 --> 00:16:44,898.1100862 Hebrews 12: 3-1. 178 00:16:44,918.1100862 --> 00:16:47,528.1100862 That is well worth highlighting, well worth memorizing. 179 00:16:47,828.1100862 --> 00:16:54,818.1100862 "Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." 180 00:16:56,888.1100862 --> 00:17:09,668.1100862 You know what slows us down from running a good race? This race of living out our faith and sharing it with others when we focus on all of the bad things that are going on in this sinful and fallen world. 181 00:17:10,553.1100862 --> 00:17:16,733.1100862 That causes us to become entangled, that causes us to complain and become bitter. 182 00:17:17,633.1100862 --> 00:17:28,703.1100862 But the antidote to that bitterness and that poison is to consider him who endured such opposition from sinners so that we will not grow weary and lose heart to consider all that Jesus has done for you. 183 00:17:29,783.1100862 --> 00:17:38,693.1100862 And what did Jesus do for you, just you? Well, just as the serpent was lifted up on the wilderness in that pole, the Son of man was lifted up on a pole. 184 00:17:38,753.1100862 --> 00:17:47,93.1100862 Jesus Christ crucified on the cross where he died just for you to forgive every sin that you have ever committed, that I have ever committed. 185 00:17:47,693.1100862 --> 00:17:52,823.1100862 To forgive, every single time that we complained and grumbled and said, God not good enough. 186 00:17:53,93.1100862 --> 00:17:53,783.1100862 One star. 187 00:17:55,398.1100862 --> 00:17:58,403.1100862 And by the way, in an ultimate example to us. 188 00:17:59,3.1100862 --> 00:18:03,743.1100862 If anyone ever had any reason to complain it was Jesus while he was on the cross. 189 00:18:03,743.1100862 --> 00:18:11,63.1100862 And yet what does it say in Isaiah 53:7, He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth. 190 00:18:11,243.1100862 --> 00:18:16,283.1100862 Not a single complaint went by his lips as he was dying just for you. 191 00:18:17,543.1100862 --> 00:18:20,423.1100862 In fact, it was just the opposite. 192 00:18:21,533.1100862 --> 00:18:22,673.1100862 There was no bitterness. 193 00:18:23,153.1100862 --> 00:18:24,353.1100862 There was no anger. 194 00:18:24,413.1100862 --> 00:18:28,73.1100862 It says for the joy set before him, he endured the cross. 195 00:18:28,313.1100862 --> 00:18:35,483.1100862 Jesus was full of joy at the thought and as he actually did die, just for you on the cross. 196 00:18:35,633.1100862 --> 00:18:38,573.1100862 What an incredible thing that is. 197 00:18:40,463.1100862 --> 00:18:55,913.1100862 Talk about five star treatment just for you, am I right? And when we consider that five star treatment, we get this promise in Philippians 4: 6-7, That we're no longer gonna be filled with anxiety and worries of this world; they're gonna wash away. 198 00:18:55,913.1100862 --> 00:19:04,973.1100862 But rather as we go to God with Thanksgiving, focusing on all that he has done for us, he fills us with his peace, which transcends all understanding. 199 00:19:06,623.1100862 --> 00:19:09,773.1100862 And by the way, you have a lot of blessings to focus on. 200 00:19:09,773.1100862 --> 00:19:10,673.1100862 You really do. 201 00:19:11,303.1100862 --> 00:19:18,863.1100862 Maybe you can think about the home, the roof that's over your head, the friends that you have, the family that you have, the church family that you have. 202 00:19:19,868.1100862 --> 00:19:25,868.1100862 And if you look at those four bullet points and say, pastor Ryan, I'm not really doing that well in some of those areas. 203 00:19:27,368.1100862 --> 00:19:37,958.1100862 Well, then take my original advice and look all the way back to the cross and focus on what Jesus did just for you and what you win, what he has won for you. 204 00:19:38,678.1100862 --> 00:19:41,408.1100862 A relationship with God that starts now and lasts forever. 205 00:19:41,408.1100862 --> 00:19:44,778.1100862 One where you get his love, his wisdom, his peace, his protection, and more. 206 00:19:46,553.1100862 --> 00:19:46,943.1100862 St. 207 00:19:46,943.1100862 --> 00:19:51,743.1100862 John's family, when you focus on that, it will change your life. 208 00:19:52,43.1100862 --> 00:19:59,453.1100862 That bitterness is gonna be gone, and like I said, and God promised, it's gonna be replaced by his peace that transcends all understanding. 209 00:20:00,953.1100862 --> 00:20:01,493.1100862 And so, St. 210 00:20:01,493.1100862 --> 00:20:03,893.1100862 John's family, I actually have a challenge for you this week. 211 00:20:04,493.1100862 --> 00:20:12,23.1100862 I want you to take stock of your life, watch what you're thinking, watch what you're saying, and see how long you can make it without complaining. 212 00:20:12,413.1100862 --> 00:20:28,163.1100862 See if we can work as a church family to bring down that 30 complaints a day average, single handedly right? And when you sin and complain and grumble because it's going to happen, start the streak over and see how long you can go again. 213 00:20:29,813.1100862 --> 00:20:33,113.1100862 It's gonna change your life as you attempt to do that. 214 00:20:33,173.1100862 --> 00:20:35,663.1100862 And may God work through you to do that. 215 00:20:35,963.1100862 --> 00:20:37,943.1100862 In fact, my prayer for you this week is this. 216 00:20:38,708.1100862 --> 00:20:46,688.1100862 May you be filled with the same kind of joy that Jesus had on the cross as he died for you, as you focus on His death. 217 00:20:46,688.1100862 --> 00:20:47,348.1100862 ust for you. 218 00:20:48,68.1100862 --> 00:20:49,718.1100862 May you turn your eyes upon Jesus. 219 00:20:49,718.1100862 --> 00:20:51,128.1100862 May you do this in Jesus' name. 220 00:20:52,28.1100862 --> 00:20:52,418.1100862 Amen. 221 00:20:55,281.1100862 --> 00:20:56,931.1100862 You've been listening to a sermon from St. 222 00:20:56,931.1100862 --> 00:20:59,11.1100862 John's Lutheran Church in Buffalo, Minnesota. 223 00:20:59,331.1100862 --> 00:21:01,131.1100862 If you would like more information about St. 224 00:21:01,131.1100862 --> 00:21:06,791.1100862 John's and any of our ministries to our community and beyond, you can go to our website, www. 225 00:21:06,881.1100862 --> 00:21:07,121.1100862 stjohnsbuffalo. 226 00:21:08,361.1090862 --> 00:21:08,691.1090862 org. 227 00:21:09,71.1090862 --> 00:21:10,361.1100862 Thank you and God bless you.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by Audiochuck Media Company.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com