1. Philippians 2:14-15
Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

2. Murmurings Mutter, grumble, indignant complaining
Frequently illustrated by the Israelites as they left Egypt and traveled toward Canaan
Ex. 14:11-12, 15:22-27, 16:1-4, 17:1-7 and Num. 11:1-6, 14:1-4, 20:2-5, 21:4-5
1 Cor 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, ...

3. Wilderness
of Zin
Edom
Kadesh-barnea
Red Sea
Marah
Wilderness of Sin
Taberah
Rephidim

4. Water
Tired
Enemy
Enemy
Water
Food
Meat
Water

5. Murmuring about Water Ex. 15:22-27 (tree made bitter water sweet)
Three days after celebration song
Quickly forget blessings when we gripe
Ex. 17:1-7 (struck rock to get water)
We blame others for our problems
Num. 20:2-5 (command to speak to rock)
Complainers provoke just men to fail

6. Numbers 20 1 Miriam, Moses’ sister dies
2-5 Murmuring of people for water
6-13 Moses violates God’s command by striking the rock and loses the opportunity to enter into the promise land
14-21 Edom refuses Israel passage
22-29 Aaron, Moses’ brother dies

7. Murmuring about Food Ex. 16:1-4 (in between two water complaints)
Manna and quail provided
Complainers want rewards without restraints 19-30, 35 Unrealistic expectations
Num. 11:1-6 (unknown complaint met with fire)
Mixed multitude lusts, Israel wants meat 4
See past as better, current as inadequate 5-6
God’s irritation , and plague 31-34

8. Murmuring about Enemies
Ex. 14:11-12 (first complaint after leaving)
… Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt? Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.
Claim foreknowledge and innocence in plight

9. Murmuring about Enemies
Num. 14:1-4 (fear to enter Canaan)
God caused that generation to wander in the wilderness for 40 years and die
Complainers reach a point of no return when the blessing is lost to them
Num. 21:4-5 (around Edom, fiery serpents)
Murmuring grows until we lie to ourselves about the blessings and the problems

10. What Happens When We Complain?
We forget about the former blessings
We blame others for our problems
We push good men into failure
We develop unrealistic expectations
We believe the past was the best time
We claim foreknowledge and innocence
We reach a point of no return, blessings lost
We deceive ourselves as the complaints grow

11. Retire
Die
Grandparent
Graduate
Career
Marry
In-law
Children