Douglas Baptist Church

When Life is Overwhelming
Numbers 11:10-17
July 26, 2009

1. Introduction-Picking up where we left off

a. Things are going from bad to worse.

b. The People have gone from complaining to wailing

c. The Lord is very angry

d. Moses is very upset

2. When life is overwhelming

a. Moses turned to God

b. Moses began to focus on Himself
SELF-pity (v. 11-12a)
SELF-reliance (v. 12b-13)
SELF-importance (v. 14)

c. Moses came to realize that he couldn’t do it alone

3. God Provided for Moses

a. Just as God provided manna for His people,
God provided relief for Moses

b. God divided up the load

c. Moses was never alone

4. God Provides for Us

a. We often say, “God will never give us more than we can handle.”

Where is that phrase found in the bible?

The Bible says…
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

b. God provides when life is overwhelming.

God gives us grace when life is more than we can handle.

c. God’s provision comes in all shapes and sizes
List some ways God has provided for you…

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:9-10

The Dangers of Complaining
Numbers 11:1-9 (July 19, 2009)

A. Introduction & Background

One of the most asked questions when traveling

How much FARTHER?

You might label this section of the Bible “THE FIRST APPROACH.”

Let the GRUMBLING begin.

B. Complaining is…

• EASY (Numbers 11:1)

• CONTAGIOUS (Numbers 11:4)

• WRONG(Numbers 11:1)

• DANGEROUS (Numbers 11:1)

C. Complaining often happens when…

• we look at life from a SELFISH perspective (i.e. everything isn’t going my way). (Numbers 11:4)

• we make the mistake of thinking life is going to be EASY. (Numbers 11:1)

• we focus on what we DON’T have rather than focusing on what we DO have. (Numbers 11:5-9)

• our view of reality is DISTORTED (i.e. SELECTIVE memory). (Numbers 11:5)

D. Guard against grumbling by…

• focusing on what you DO have not what you DON’T.

• saying THANK YOU more often.

• identifying and refusing to take part in “GROUP GRUMBLING.”

• spending time with GOD on a regular basis.

• spending time HELPING OTHERS on a regular basis.

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe…
Philippians 2:14-16

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18

It has been great to spend some time away over the last couple of weeks but I must admit that it’s good to be home.

Over the last three weekends I’ve had a chance to worship in a variety of ways and settings. On our first weekend away we enjoyed being with a number of other Douglas families at Green Hill Lake Camp. I hear there are some pictures and videos from our time at GHLC making the rounds on facebook  (none of which are overly incriminating but funny none the less). On Sunday morning we gathered there for an informal time of worship and praise.

On the second weekend of our time away we attended a small baptist country church that is only open in the summer. Again an enjoyable experience but very different then we are used to. The kids did very well sitting through the service and I was impressed with all that they took in (as we discussed the message on the way back to the cottage). We were quite well received, being the only family with kids (that filled a “bench”) in the crowd of about 20.

Finally this past weekend Patricia and I attended a large (likely somewhere around 350 in attendance) Baptist Church in New Minas, NS.  Again a wonderful time of worship and fellowship (as we have numerous friends who attend this particular church).

All and all we had a number of different worship experience that we are thankful for but it’s good to be home (we missed our church family!). We are looking forward to worshiping at Douglas this Sunday morning. I pray many of you will be able to join us!