Critic or Contributor?

Intro:

Today we are beginning a brand new sermon series called Your Move. Over the next five weeks we are going to be taking a dive into front row leadership. A little over a year ago the Lord spoke to me a question in reference to our lives. He simply said, Are you a Critics or a Contributors?

My initial response was to look at and evaluate my own life. Through time spent in the word in study along with personal reflection I observed that in various segments of my life I was both. This personal revelation lead me to observe the culture around me. What I discovered is this.

In America, we live in a culture of critique. While there is certainly room for healthy critique and evaluation that encourages growth what I observed is that most critique is destructive not constructive.

As a culture we critique athletes, sporting officials, movies, restaurants, music, celebrities, and ultimately each other. Typically, the tone of the critique was harsh and negative. I can’t believe they did this or said that.

What a dumb idea. Why would they wear that outfit? Why would that person or leader make that decision? The only reason our team lost is bad officiating.

The only place I observed well deserved criticism was the Dallas Cowboys.

This cultural norm has lead many people beyond the simple act of criticism. Many have stepped into a critical spirit. Where things like gossip, slander, judgmental-ism, and complaining take the forefront. This heart posture is revealed through a negative attitude that seeks to condemn, tear down, and destroy others with words.

Society has gone even to the degree of cancelling individuals and organizations. Many are filled with keyboard courage. They have bold opinions, but are often shallow in investment. If a person is not mindful they will become a back row critic throughout life, and never step into their destiny of being a front row leader.

Sure the back row provides some measure of anonymity. It seems safe. Out of the spotlight and away from the challenges, but is that the place the Lord has called us too?

This observation leads back to the question the Lord presented. Are you a critic or contributor?

In this series we are going to look at the difference between critique and contribution. The price of contribution. How to make a difference. Pitfalls of self care, and how to lead the change. I believe it will be eye opening and challenging.

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Submit:

Culture is like a flowing river and most simply go along with it.

When it comes to criticism many would tell you being critical is your right. We live in America it’s free speech! I can do and say what I want when I want! I don’t care if your offended.

If we have declared Jesus Christ as the Lord our aim is to live according the Kingdom of God not the prevailing culture. Matthew 16:24.

Matthew 16:24 “Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”

The measuring rod and foundation of our lives is not defined by culture, but the cross. Romans 6:10-11. Galatians 2:20. John 17:14-15.

Romans 6:10-11 “For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

The majority of the world lives as back row critics. Sharply cutting down the efforts of front row leaders. Imagine for a moment what would be possible if more people came to the front row of leadership?

Jesus said in John 17:14-15 “I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.”

We are to live in the world, but not of the world. This means that we don’t flow with the current of Culture. In fact it is the opposite. We are called and commanded to express God’s nature to the world.

We are to live from a place of presence and revelation where the nature of God revealed to us in the word transforms us and we then release it to the world around us.

Our aim is to have His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. The born again man or woman is intended to express the nature of God in the earth. Through death to self and obedience to His word we bring the rule of His dominion to the earth.

This revelation and transformation will not come through critique.

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Apply:

What then does the word say about critique and judgement? Matthew 7:1-5.

Matthew 7:1-5 ““Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”

When we read this passage why do you think Jesus uses such strong language? I believe the answer is seen in two places. Romans 3:10. Romans 2:1-3.

Romans 3:10 “As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one;”

Romans 2:1-3 “Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?”

The only time the word instructs us to judge is concerning spiritual fruit in a spiritual leaders life. In Matthew 7:15 Jesus is warning of false prophets. He said we would recognize them by their fruits. Good trees bare good fruits, bad tree’s bad fruits.

What Jesus is confronting is that in most critique is judgement. Not merely judgement but that the person is acting as the judge when they themselves do much of the very same things. The scripture reminds us that there is none righteous, not one.

God wants us to get our eyes off of each other and get our eyes on him. Ephesians 3:14-19. Eph. 4:17-32. Eph. 5:1-7.

Ephesians 3:14-19 “For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

Open to Ephesians 4:17-32 (read), continue with the finality of the thought in Ephesians 5:1-7.

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Closing:

In closing we step out of the flow of culture and step into kingdom by doing as the scripture says.

Bow our knees to the Father.

Let Christ dwell in our hearts though faith.

Become rooted and grounded in love, so that we might be filled with the fullness of God.

We should put on the character of the new man, through the renewal of the mind. Putting to death the nature of the flesh that grieves the Spirit of God.

Ultimately learning to imitate God has dear children.

This morning our aim should be to contribute. Our first step to getting off the back row is to evaluate if we are there. If you find yourself in the place of having a critical spirit is to repent and ask the Holy Spirit to help you.

Recognize your own faults. Become aware of the log in your eye.

Ask the Holy Spirit to help you remove it.

Get into the Word to learn how to imitate God.

Develop a grateful heart by giving thanks. Ephesians 5:20 “giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,”

Grow and Mature in the Love of God. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

If we are kingdom people we will have great impact on the world around us.

Let’s Pray!

Salvation

For the Holy Spirits Help