Acts 18:24-28 Criticism, Give and Take – audio

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Text: Acts 18:24-28

Introduction

1. Criticize – To consider the merits and demerits of and judge accordingly; To find fault with; to point out the faults of.

2. I think that if we are honest, we will admit that none of us like to be criticized.

3. If someone criticizes us, it means that they have found, or at least think they have found, a fault in us.

4. None of us like to admit that we have faults.

5. However, regardless of whether we like it or not, we will all face criticism at some point in our lives.

6. Also, at some point, we will find ourselves being the ones who have to do the criticizing.

7. Much heartache and strife has resulted from people either not receiving criticism properly or not giving it properly.

8. Today, let’s think about Criticism – Give and Take.

Body

I. GIVE.

Acts 18:24-26. Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus.  This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.

A. In order to give criticism in a godly manner, we must have the right attitude.

1. Remember our purpose: To help people to draw closer to God so that they will ultimately be saved.

2. Offer constructive criticism only.

3. Constructive – Serving a useful purpose; tending to build up.

a) If it is not going to help the person in some way, keep your mouth shut.

b) Simply telling someone how bad they are without offering them advice or help in some way, will do them no good.

4. Put yourself in the shoes of the one you are about to criticize and ask, “If I were in his shoes, how would I want to hear this?” Matthew 7:12. Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

B. We must offer criticism in the right way.

1. Aquila and Priscilla took Apollos aside to talk to him.

a) When someone is confronted in front of others he often feels the need to stubbornly defend himself even if he knows that he is wrong, for pride’s sake.

b) By taking Apollos aside, Aquila and Priscilla were able to talk to him in a much more effective way.

2. Point out the good as well as the bad.

a) Acts 17:22. Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious”

b) Jesus did it in His letters to the seven churches:

(1) Ephesus: Revelation 2:4. “Nevertheless, I have this against you…“

(2) Pergamos: Revelation 2:14. “But I have a few things against you…“

(3) Thyatira: Revelation 2:20. “Nevertheless, I have a few things against you…“

(4) Sardis: Revelation 3:1. “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.”

3. Do it with tears. 2 Corinthians 2:3-4. And I wrote this very thing to you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow over those from whom I ought to have joy, having confidence in you all that my joy is the joy of you all. For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you, with many tears, not that you should be grieved, but that you might know the love which I have so abundantly for you.

II. TAKE.

A. People respond to criticism in different ways.

1. Anger.

a) This is often the first reaction.

b) Sometimes we react with anger before we really stop to think.

c) Give your first thought a second look.

d) Anger usually comes about from pride. We feel insulted when we are criticized.

2. Feel sorry for themselves.

a) Some view criticism as an attack. (Sometimes it may be.)

b) Rather than using the criticism to better themselves, they throw a pity party.

3. Criticize the critic.

a) People often try to rationalize the criticism away by saying, “Well, that person is always criticizing…”

b) This is obviously not a good response.

c) Regardless of who does the criticism, we must look at the criticism for what it is.

4. Become blind to our own self. Harden our hearts.

a) People will often make excuses in order to justify their selves.

b) They often just brush off criticism and simply do not care.

c) Matthew 13:15. For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.

5. Receive it gracefully. Acts 18:26-28. So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. And when he desired to cross to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; and when he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace; for he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.

a) Don’t get angry.

b) Don’t feel sorry for yourself.

c) Don’t criticize the critic.

d) Don’t brush it off.

e) Thank the critic (Whether their criticism is valid or not).

f) If the criticism is valid, swallow your pride and use it to improve yourself.

g) If the criticism is invalid it may be necessary to arrange a time in private to talk to the individual who made the criticism and explain the matter to them.

B. Jesus and Criticism.

1. Jesus is the only Person who ever lived who can truthfully say that He deserved no criticism.

a) Yet His enemies criticized Him.

b) His friends sometimes criticized Him. Matthew 26:8-9. But when His disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? For this fragrant oil might have been sold for much and given to the poor.”

c) He was criticized by His siblings. John 7:3-5. His brothers therefore said to Him, “Depart from here and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may see the works that You are doing. For no one does anything in secret while he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.” For even His brothers did not believe in Him.

d) He was criticized by people who were ignorant. John 7:41-42. Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Will the Christ come out of Galilee? Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?”

e) He was criticized by people who should have known better. John 9:28-29. Then they reviled him and said, “You are His disciple, but we are Moses’ disciples. We know that God spoke to Moses; as for this fellow, we do not know where He is from.”

2. Sometimes He addressed criticism with truth. John 8:48-49. Then the Jews answered and said to Him, “Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?” Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon; but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me.

3. Sometimes He remains silent. (Hard to know when to keep our mouth shut.)

(1) Jesus knew the heart of the individual speaking; so He knew whether an answer would serve any good purpose.

(2) Matthew 26:62-64. And the high priest arose and said to Him, “Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?” But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, “I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!” 64 Jesus said to him, “It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

(3) Proverbs 26:4-5. Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also be like him. Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes.

(4) We must know the critic. Sometimes an answer will be necessary and sometimes not.

C. Remember what is really important.

1. Am I so interested in being right that I am not worried about doing right?

2. My objective is to bring people closer to Christ. My example and how I handle criticism will have an effect on them.

3. Many times we can win the argument but lose the soul.

Conclusion.

1. At some point, all of us will have to give and take criticism.

2. How are we going to give it?

3. How are we going to take it?

4. The answer to those two questions will tell a lot about your character.

Delivered on: May 1, 2011. Streetsboro.