Rejoice-or Grumble
As believers, we should rejoice in God's promises and provisions, even in the midst of suffering and imperfection.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the choice between rejoicing and grumbling in the face of life's challenges, questioning how some Christians can remain negative despite the promises of the Bible. He highlights the Apostle Peter's encouragement to suffering believers, reminding them to focus on God's provisions and the hope of a perfect future. Tozer points out that while we live in an imperfect world, faith allows us to look beyond our current trials to the greater glory that awaits us. He urges believers to embrace joy and gratitude rather than succumb to a grumbling spirit.
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I think all of us meet Christian men and women who always seem to look on the gloomy side and are never able to do anything with life's problems but grumble about them! I meet them often and when I do, I wonder: "Can these people be reading and trusting the same Bible I have been reading?" The Apostle Peter wrote to the tempted, suffering and persecuted believers in his day and noted with thanksgiving that they could rejoice because they counted God's promises and provisions greater than their trials!
We do live in a sinful and imperfect world, and as believers in Christ we acknowledge that perfection is a relative thing now-and God has not really completed a thing with us, as yet!
Peter testified that the persecuted and suffering Christians of his day were looking, in faith, to a future state of things immeasurably better than that which they knew, and that state of things would be perfect and complete!
Sermon Outline
- The Problem of Grumbling
- Grumbling is a common problem among Christians
- Grumbling reveals a lack of trust in God's promises and provisions
Key Quotes
“Can these people be reading and trusting the same Bible I have been reading?” — A.W. Tozer
“We do live in a sinful and imperfect world, and as believers in Christ we acknowledge that perfection is a relative thing now-and God has not really completed a thing with us, as yet!” — A.W. Tozer
“Peter testified that the persecuted and suffering Christians of his day were looking, in faith, to a future state of things immeasurably better than that which they knew, and that state of things would be perfect and complete!” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- We should focus on God's promises and provisions, rather than grumbling about our circumstances.
- Trusting in God's promises and provisions can help us overcome life's problems and cultivate a spirit of rejoicing.
- Looking to a future state of things that is perfect and complete can give us hope and perseverance in the midst of suffering and imperfection.