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Grace, Gratitude, and Grumbling
Sunday, August 15, 2021
Pastor Jojo Ma
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Exodus 15:22-27
22 Then Moses made Israel set out from the Red Sea, and they went into the wilderness of Shur. They went three days in the wilderness and found no water. 23 When they came to Marah, they could not drink the water of Marah because it was bitter; therefore it was named Marah. 24 And the people grumbled against Moses, saying, "What shall we drink?" 25 And he cried to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a log, and he threw it into the water, and the water became sweet. There the LORD made for them a statute and a rule, and there he tested them, 26 saying, "If you will diligently listen to the voice of the LORD your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, your healer." 27 Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees, and they encamped there by the water.
So the big idea is this: The Israelites had been saved, but they still needed to be sanctified.
I. From gratitude to grumbling
II. From triumph to testing
III. From bitterness to blessedness
I. From gratitude to grumbling
22 Then Moses made Israel set out from the Red Sea, and they went into the wilderness of Shur. They went three days in the wilderness and found no water…24 And the people grumbled against Moses, saying, "What shall we drink?"
23 When they came to Marah, they could not drink the water of Marah because it was bitter; therefore it was named Marah. 24 And the people grumbled against Moses, saying, "What shall we drink?"
God invites us to humbly, reverently, lovingly go to Him and ask Him to provide. But Scripture never says we should demand or be sarcastic or complain. No matter how hard the circumstances, sinful man is never to presume upon God’s grace. We are to ask in humble faith, not with a raised fist.
We have to watch for this kind of sinful spirit of grumbling and complaining and whining. Why? Because if you think about it, grumbling is really the opposite of gratitude. Or you could say that a grumbling heart is an ungrateful heart.
He who has been forgiven much, loves much. And by extension, he who has been forgiven much is thankful much. The gospel is the only hope for the chronic complainer. Look to Jesus.
Groaning vs Grumbling
Rom 8:22-23 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
We are not walking by faith but by sight. We are not looking at our Savior but at our circumstances. We are not grateful so we grumble.
II. From triumph to testing
25 And he cried to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a log, and he threw it into the water, and the water became sweet. There the LORD made for them a statute and a rule, and there he tested them.
26 saying, "If you will diligently listen to the voice of the LORD your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, your healer."
We don’t (normally) go from grace straight to glory. We have to face trials and hardship so that we can be tested and mature in faith and grow as believers in Christ.
Brothers and sisters, will you keep worshiping God when life gets hard? Will you keep the faith when the triumph turns to testing?
III. From bitterness to blessedness
23 When they came to Marah, they could not drink the water of Marah because it was bitter; therefore it was named Marah. 24 And the people grumbled…27 Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees, and they encamped there by the water.
The 12 springs and the 70 palm trees meant this: God satisfies His people. God cares for His people. God provides for His people.
And what about those of you who have not trusted Jesus? I invite you to come to the true and better Elim.