IV. Biographical Exposition
DEFINITION - A biographical message seeks to explore the character, reputation, background, contributions, relationships, temperament, and spiritual life of person in the scriptures.
Examples of Biographical Sermon Titles (From Sermons For the Nigerian Pastor)
1). Gideon - How Can the Presence of God Transform a Yielded Person Into Christ’s Likeness? (Jud,6:1-24)
2). Gideon - How Can Someone Experience So Many Triumphs Yet End His Life in Defeat? (Jud.8:22-35)
3). Jephthah - How To Avoid Spiritual Ignorance? (Jud.11:29-40)
4). Samson - How To Avoid Wasting Your Resources (Jud. 14:1-20)
5). Samson - How Not To Avoid Temptations (Jud.16:1-22)
6). Samson - How Can God Restore Us to Usefulness? (Jud.16:21-31)
7). Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar - How To Be a Person God Uses (Jud.3:7-31)
1. Select a Person of Relevant to Your Audiences’ Needs - Select someone or some aspect of a person’s life that is small enough for you to do an adequate study on. The person you speak on should be someone who your audience can identify with. Try to show how the person struggled with similar temptations faced by your congregation.
2. Make a list of the references on the person. Try to use a good concordance for this reference search. Search extra-Biblical sources to supplement your study. Many books have been written describing both the fictional and factual aspects of men and women in the Bible.
3. Ask yourself the following questions about the person:
A. Reputation or Credibility
a). What was the person’s reputation b). Who wrote about the person? Why? c). What did people say about the person? d). What did his friends/enemies say about the person? e). What did the person’s family think or say about the person? f). What did God say about the person g). Why do you think God allowed this person to be mentioned in the scriptures? h). What valuable contribution did this person make? (Warren, p. 235, 1981)
For example, Jacob had a reputation as a deceiver. In fact his name means trickster, heel catcher or supplanter. With his craftiness, Jacob tricked Isaac into giving him the covenant blessing. Jacob developed a reputation quite the opposite of his brother Esau who was a hunter. Instead, Jacob was a quiet, meditative, settled, and well integrated man, who lived in tents. Jacob was always the favorite of his mother, Rebekah.
B. Personal Strengths & Weaknesses
a). What kind of character did this person have? b). What were his aims and motives? c). What was he like at home? d). How did he respond to adversity? e). How did he handle criticism? f). How did he respond to success? g). Did he get discouraged easily? h). How did he respond to the trivial and mundane things of life? i). How quickly did he praise God for the hardships and victories in his life? j). How quickly did he obey God? k). How quickly did he submit to God’s authority figures? l). What was he like when he was alone with God? m). Did he give God the praise and glory for his accomplishments? n). Was this man faithful in the little things? o). How did he treat his wife and children? p). Why did he succeed? q). What were his strengths and weaknesses? For a brief example, Jacob was a man who was willing to try all means to wrestle the blessing away from Isaac and his brother Esau. Even though God had already promised that the older would serve the younger (Gen 25:23), Jacob wanted to trust in his own insights rather than relying on God. Jacob used shrewd foresight to take advantage of Esau at a time of weakness. In Gen. 25:33 we see how Jacob traded a bowl of soup for his brother’s birthright. Jacob lived up to his reputation and name. He deceitfully juggled the truth to gain the right of precedence which his order of birth did not give. But Jacob sowed seeds of family hostility that would plague him for years to come.
Jacob was also guilty of using crass lies and shocking blasphemy, (v.20 ``Because the Lord your God granted me success.’’) to deceive his father into giving him the patriarchal blessing. Jacob was so heartless that he was even willing to cheat his father by taking advantage of Isaac’s blindness. Jacob not only sought the blessing illegally, but believed that it had some magical power to accomplish whatever he pronounced with its blessing. He lived a life of trying to rely on his own insights.
C. HISTORY & ACCOMPLISHMENTS
a). What kind of background did he have? b). What can you learn about the man’s family and ancestry? c). What does his name mean? d). Why was the man given that name and did he live up to the expectations of his name? e). What was his home life like? f). How did his parents treat him? g). Did his parents influence him for good or evil? In what ways? h). What were the characteristics of his parents? What were their occupations? i). Was there anything special about this man’s birth? Death? j). What was the condition of his country - economically, politically, socially, culturally, or spiritually at the time of his life? k). What kind of training did this man have? Did he have any schooling? What kind? l). How long did he live? M). What did he accomplish with his life? For example, Jacob joined with his conniving mother to gain the covenant blessing. However, when the facts were revealed, Jacob was sent away to his relatives in Haran. While on his way, the wearied, guilty, and sinful fugitive met with God. In a vision God revealed Himself to Jacob. God confirmed His blessings from Gen. 12:7; 13:14- 17;26:3-5. (Protection, provision, land, purpose, prosperity, multiplication, and blessings) on Jacob and his offspring. (Warren, p. 236, 1981)
When he arrived in Haran, Jacob fell in love with Rachel at first sight. However, in Jacob’s haste to consummate his love for Rachel, he was deceived by Laban into sleeping with weak-eyed Leah. His deceitful uncle Laban was equal to Jacob’s anger forcing him to agree to work another seven years for Rachel. Jacob now had the tables of deceit turned on to himself. Whatever a man sows that will he also reap. (Gal. 6:6)
D. Contributions
a). What were his most outstanding significant contributions? b). Was there any great crisis in this person’s life? c). How did the person handle the crisis? d). What are the great accomplishments for which he is remembered? e). Did this person have a divine call f). How did he discern the will of God? g). Did any recurring problem keep coming up in his life? h). What crucial decisions did he have to make? How did they affect him and others? i). Where did this man succeed/fail? Why? j). How did the environment and the surrounding circumstances influence this man? Why? k). How did this man respond to temptations? l). What part did he play in the history of God’s plan? m). Did he believe in the sovereignty of God? n). What are some of the areas that he could have contributed toward the cause of Christ but did not? For example, Jacob fathered 12 children. God opened Rachel’s womb and she bore Joseph and later, Benjamin. Jacob won God’s favor by praying to God (Gen. 32:9-12) that He would combine past promises with present needs and the promises of the future. In the midst of desperation, fearing the wrath of his brother, Jacob called on God for deliverance. God answered that prayer by granting a reconciliation of the brothers with tenderness and affection. (Warren, p. 99, 1981)
Jacob is a picture of God’s redeeming grace. In himself, he was a coarse, selfish, deceitful manipulator. But he had time in his heart for God. Because of his sensitivity to the Lord, he became a greater patriarch. He dreamed dreams, had visions, coveted the best from God, developed fixed religious principles for Israel, and he became fixed in his habits. He gives us a picture of how man can be fraught with conflicts, but by God’s grace conquer. He is a picture of an overreacher who is remembered as Israel, the ``one who persists with God.’’
E. Relationships
a). How did he get along with other people? b). Was he a loner or did he like to be around others? c). How did he treat his family, friends, relations, strangers, dignitaries, and enemies? d). What was his relationship with his wife like? His children? His parents? e). How did his wife influence this man? f) How did this man’s parents influence him f). How did his children turn out? What kind of influence did he have on his children? g). Who were this man’s closest companions h). How did this man let his friends influence him i). Who were this man’s enemies? How did they influence him? Why? j). What influence did he have on others? k). Did he take care of his family? How? Why? What evidences of neglect was there? l). Did his friends and family hinder or help him in the work of God? m). Did he train anyone to take his place? did he leave disciples behind him to carry on the work?
For example, we know how Jacob built his relationships on what others could do for him. Even his children took after his deceitfulness in their efforts to sell the favorite son Joseph into slavery in Egypt. When Jacob desired to return to Palestine, Laban pursued him and overtook him in a furious seven day chase. There, Laban charged Jacob with three things: 1). He ran away in secret 2). He kidnapped his daughters 3). He stole Laban’s household gods. Not to be outdone, Jacob argued that he had already served Laban for 20 years. He scolded Laban for tricking him into hard labor with deceit. He even told Laban that he had defrauded him in his wages. Both men’s true colors are display in the open to show us how the men were not opposed to exaggerations of wrongs endured. Laban eventually suggested a truce, indicating how stubborn Jacob was. Jacob and Laban then built a pillar and a mound of stones which climaxed with a covenant feast. All of this is to point out how Jacob built his relationships around selfish interests until he met God. Jacob’s inter-personal skills allowed him to think that he could use people rather than love them unselfishly. He demonstrates a poor self image until he meets with God intimately. Without God’s intervention, Jacob would have probably been killed by the many whom he offended. Jacob was a boy that took on many of his mother’s characteristics. (Warren, p. 236, 1981)
F. Temperament
a). What type of person was he? What made him the way he was? b). Was his temperament choleric, melancholic, sanguine, or phlegmatic? c). What were the outstanding strengths of his character? d). What traits does he most often exhibit? e). Did his life show any development positively or negatively through the years? f). Were there any reasons for this person’s increasing or decreasing maturity? g). What were this man’s faults and weaknesses? Why? h). What were his particular sins? What steps led to those sins? i). What areas were this person’s greatest battles in? What were the results of his sins and weaknesses? j). Did this man ever gain victory over his sins? k). What qualities make him succeed or fail? l). Was he any type of Christ? m). How did he resemble or fall short of Christ’s image? (Warren, p. 237, 1981)
For example, Jacob’s melancholy nature led him to be critical of everyone except himself. However, his sensitive nature also led him to intimate fellowship with God. His glaring weakness of deceit, trickery, and underhanded tactics come back to haunt him. He continually battles with using people for his own purposes. In several ways, Jacob obtained the victory over his sins. Perhaps, more than anything, his persistent clinging to God allows him to triumph when others might have failed. He is a model of how God can use a man prone to error who looks to God for his ultimate blessings.
G. Spiritual Interactions
a). What personal encounters did he have with God that are recorded in scripture? b). What ways did he use to determine the will of God? For Himself as well as for others? c). Did he generally follow his own teaching? How? d). What was his purpose in life? Did he try to bring glory to God in all things? e). Did this person do everything in love? f). How did this man exhibit or fail to show the fruits of the Spirit? How did this man show the works of the flesh? (Gal. 5:19-23) g). How did man live a separated and holy life? h). What did this man believe? What great lessons did God teach him? i). Why do you think God dealt with him in the manner in which He did? j). What was this man’s attitude toward the word of God? k). What kind of prayer life did he have? Did he have close fellowship with God? l). Was he bold in sharing his testimony? Was he a courageous witness in times of persecution? m). How big was his faith in God? How did he show it? Did God give him any specific promises? n). Was he a good steward of what God had given him: talents, wealth, time, personnel, gifts, etc.? o). Was he filled with the Spirit? What were his spiritual gifts? Did he use them? p). Was he eager to do God’s will, willingly and without question? (Warren, p. 237, 1981)
For example, Jacob has several personal encounters with God. First, Jacob has a dream at Bethel. This was a sign that God wanted to be Jacob’s Lord. God assures Jacob of His blessings, but appeals to Jacob’s need to be in tight fellowship with God. From this experience, we see a new Jacob. Now Jacob has new outlooks, new vision, new faith, and new energy to serve God. Jacob now is able to play the role as the one who Israel can look to for spiritual leadership. Jacob would now lead Israel as he pointed them to God as their king. Then in Gen. 32:22-32 we see how Jacob learned that only God holds his destiny in His hands. Jacob learned that he must persist with God. However, God also showed Jacob that He could disable him at will. God rewarded Jacob’s persistance as He will reward ours. (Rom. 5:1-5) It is here that we see that Jacob acknowledges God as His only real source of blessings. As Jacob is about to enter the promised land we see how God changes Jacob’s name to Israel which means ``He persists or struggles with God.’’ Jacob/Israel becomes synonymous with the nation of God’s chosen people. Jacob/Israel is chosen to characterize God’s chosen nation. What a tribute to a man who, without God, would have been remembered as a deceiver, liar, and a cheater! Now Jacob was remembered as a great father of the overcomers! Jacob was able to say I Gen 32:30, ``I saw God face to face . . . Let us learn from Jacob’s spiritual weaknesses as well as his strengths! (Warren, p. 237, 1981)
OBSERVATIONS -
1. Reputation - Jacob was known for his trickery, deception, & yet his
blessings from God.
2. Character - Jacob generally trusted in his own shrewdness rather than trusting in God.
3. Background - Jacob’s mother Rebekah influenced her son with her conniving & deceitfulness. Later this would return to them in full measure.
4. Contributions - Jacob is a picture of God’s grace despite man’s greed. God can even use men in spite of their selfish acts. Success does not depend on man, but on God’s intervention.
5. Relationships - Jacob was distrusted by many. Yet, Jacob’s persistence with God is perhaps his most commendable virtue.
6. Personality - Jacob’s melancholy nature allows him to be sensitive to God’s voice. However, his critical nature causes him to commit many underhanded tactics to advance his own interests.
7. Spiritual Life - Jacob’s dream at Bethel sets a precedent for Israel’s worship for hundreds of years. Jacob shows the potential for gaining spiritual perspectives, faith, & selflessness at key times in his life!
INTERPRETATIONS -
1. Reputation - Despite Jacob’s trickery, God shows us that progress does not depend upon power, might, or cunning, but God alone.
2. Character - Because of Jacob’s reliance on his shrewdness, God had to discipline him with Laban & Esau & even his own children. We should be sure that our sins will reap havoc. God wants to discipline His children for their best. He will not let them escape chastisement.
3. Background - Parents must realize that children will learn more from what we do than what we say. Jacob followed the deceitfulness of his mother & the spiritual lethargy of his father Isaac.
4. Contributions - When God changes Jacob’s name to Israel, He gives us a picture of what the Jewish nation’s identity will be like. They will fight with God & God will fight for them. Today, we see many people either in one of those camps or the other. They are either relying on God to fight their enemies or they are taking their struggles in their own hands. We need to let God fight our battles for us!
5. Relationships - We need to learn not to give up on our relationships with God or men too quickly. Jacob showed amazing persistence in his relationships. We need to learn the art of relational maintenance & preventive maintenance.
6. Personality - Sensitivity & criticalness should be balanced. When one trait overshadows the other, people will naturally suffer. The key is to allow Christ’s balance of the two traits to round us out. Also, we need to associate with people who can complement our strengths & weaknesses as God forced Jacob to do.
7. Spiritual Life - Our spiritual perspectives only develop as we see God through His word. Jesus said, Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.’’ When Jacob met with God & worshipped Him, his outlook changed. We cannot expect people to develop unless they learn to meet with God through the scriptures & prayer & worship.
CORRELATIONS -
1. Reputation - David said, ``You lead me in the paths of righteousness for YOUR NAME’S SAKE.’’ We should be more interested in promoting God’s reputation than our own.
2. Character - Samson, in comparison, was also a man who became controlled by his lust. At times, Jacob falls into a lust for success. Both have similar tragedies befall them. In contrast God rescues Jacob because of His covenantal promise to Abraham.
3. Background - We see how the sins of the fathers are visited to the sons also with Eli. His sons Hophni & Phineas committed gross acts in the temple where their father had served as a priest.
4. Contributions - Joshua also contributes to the worship of God when he says, ``But, as for me & my house, we will serve the Lord.’’ Both father & son sets precedents for their people that would be remembered.
5. Relationships - The jealousy, resentment & bitterness seen in Rebekah & Rachel are seen in Jacob. Soon afterwards, those same sins are exhibited by Reuben & his brothers toward Joseph. It almost causes the destruction of their entire people.
6. Personality - Jacob’s sensitivity is seen in Joseph when he cares intensely for his brother Benjamin. Temperament traits have both strengths & weaknesses depending on who is controlling them-the flesh or the Spirit.
7. Spiritual Life - When Paul met with God along the Damascus road as Jacob met with God in his dream at Bethel, everything changed. Our views are focused & how intimate we are with Jesus Christ.
APPLICATIONS -
1. Reputation - I should do more to promote God’s reputation than my own selfish interests. I should share less of my accomplishments & more of Gods’ successes.
2. Character - I need to distinguish wisdom from manipulative attempts to succeed. Before speaking, help me to purify my heart before you oh God.
3. Background - I need to be cautious of repeating the same mistakes of my parents.
4. Contributions - I want to leave a legacy of worship. Help me to model this Oh Lord, before my students in class this term.
5. Relationships - Learn not to associate with people who are given to deception. Guard my lips in speaking like Jacob: a deceiver, critic, & liar.
6. Personality - I must recognize my similarities with Jacob & seek to avoid criticalness.
7. Spiritual Life - Using songs, I will spend 10 minutes each morning worshipping the Lord. This will focus my attention on things above rather than on my problems below.
EVALUATIONS
Use the above examples as criterion by which to measure my own maturity in Christ.
COMMUNICATIONS
Here is a personal example of how to communicate the truths from this biographical lesson on Jacob. I will provide a handout to my students about Jacob. I will show them how to communicate his strengths & weaknesses in relevant culturally appropriate dramas!
SERMON OUTLINE ON JACOB
Title - God’s Grace Despite Jacob’s Deceptions
Problem-Statement or Thematic Question - What can we learn about how God’s grace works despite man’s deceptions?
1. God fulfilled His promise to Abraham through Jacob because He is faithful to His words.
2. God often reverses man’s natural order, for His ways are not man’s ways. (Isa. 55:8,9)
3. Jacob’s life is a depiction of Israel who both fought with God & had God fight for them; protecting, enabling, defending, sovereignly working and allowing them to overcome their enemies & difficulties despite their sins.
4. Jacob developed a REPUTATION as a deceiver. God did not need his deceptions to accomplish His work.
5. Jacob’s CHARACTER is seen in his wrestling bout with God. He was often more interested in success than faithfulness to God.
6. Jacob’s BACKGROUND reveals that he picked up lots of his deceptive ways from his mother Rebekah as well as from his grandfather Abraham. His deception came back on him from his uncle Laban who tricked him into 20 years of labor in Haran.
7. Jacob’s CONTRIBUTION’S are chiefly in spite of himself. God initiates most relational meetings with Jacob. God came to him in dreams, in audible voices, in the form of an angel, and through the covenantal blessings. He is remembered as a great patriarch; one who established a worship center at Bethel; he established some fixed spiritual principles for all of Israel to learn from; he gave Israel her chief identity; he formed boundary lines for his people. He gives us a picture of how man can be filled with conflicts, but by God’s grace still overcome & succeed!
8. Jacob’s RELATIONSHIPS are filled with trouble. He was sent away as a fugitive to Haran to escape the wrath of his brother Esau. He lied to his father Isaac to grab the covenantal blessing for himself. He connived with his mother. He built many of relationships around selfish interests. Jacob generally thought that he could use people rather than love them unselfishly.
9. Jacob’s PERSONALITY reveals a sensitive overachiever. His melancholy nature led him to be critical of nearly everyone except his mother and himself. His underhanded tactics place him in predicaments that only God could rescue him from. His persistence is commendable as he tells God, ``I will not let you go until you bless me!’’ He is a model for those of us who are prone to error, but who are willing to call to God for His ultimate grace, forgiveness, & blessings!
10. Jacob’s SPIRITUAL LIFE reveals many works of the flesh; envy, jealousy, anger, tolerance of idolatry, selfishness, strife, factions, & dissensions. Occasionally we see Jacob exhibit a vision for the things of God, a joy in worshipping the Lord, self-control in not responding to Laban in anger, peace to tolerate 20 years of labor, & love for Rachel. Jacob said, ``I saw God face to face.’’ (Gen 32:30)
V. Topical Exposition
DEFINITION - A topical message seeks to explore the nature, history, proponents, opponents, goals, advantages, disadvantages, problems, identities, roles, responsibilities, and what research reveals about a subject.
Examples of Topical Sermon Titles:
(Found in Sermons For the Nigerian Pastor)
1). What Does God Want Us to Know About Tongues Speaking? (I Cor.14:1-28, 12:8- 10,28,38, Acts 2:4-8)
2). How Can you Tell Who is a Real Friend? (2 Sam.15:1-37)
3). What Does God Want People to Know about the Healing Ministry? (Mark 1:40-45)
1. Explore the nature, purposes, history, proponents, opponents, goals,causes, advantages, disadvantages, quotes, facts, secular research, liabilities, difficulties, problems, complications, parts, characteristics, cross-references, research. (Warren, 1981) Furthermore, one should explore what several other people have taught on the subject. For example, on the topic of How To Handle Criticism:
EXAMPLE OF A TOPICAL LESSON PLAN
TOPIC - HOW TO HANDLE CRITICISM OBSERVATIONS, INTERPRETATION , & CORRELATIONS OF CRITICISM
1. Nature - Finding fault in another person, idea, or action.
2. Purpose - To expose wrong, displeasure, or disagreement. Some people may use criticism to manipulate others into doing what they want them to do. ``Bad bad says the buyer and then he goes away boasting,’’ says Proverbs. Others criticized Jesus because they were jealous, misunderstood Him, and wanted to test Him.
3. Problem - The problem with being critical is that we must not set ourselves as a judge over others. Critical attitudes can divide, cause fights, and generally disrupt unity.
4. History - Tribalism, favoritism, distrust, and selfishness have led to lots of unnecessary criticism. Satan was the first criticizer. He tricked Eve into taken of the forbidden fruit by criticizing God’s regulations.
5. Facts - Many people would rather criticize than do something to correct a problem. When people believe, act, and know the truth, it sets them free from a life of doubt, suspicion, and fear.
6. Promises - Phil. 2:14,15 says, ``Do all things without murmuring or complaining so that you may be children of God above reproach in a crooked and perverse generation among whom you shine as lights in the world.’’ God blesses those who do not give into the temptation to criticize. He seeks to multiply those who are continually thankful, joyful, and believing of God’s truths.
7. Synonyms - Disapproval, accuser, commentator, reviewer, faultfinder, hypocrite, chide, castigate, condemn, judge, discern, analyze,or complain.
8. Advantages - People can avoid being gullible or naive by critically analyzing ideas, people, and actions.
9. Disadvantages - One can be self-righteous, proud, haughty, and arrogant when criticizing others.
10. Causes - Self-protection, selfishness, bitterness, envy, or jealousy can cause critical spirits in people. This can lead to many self- destructive mechanisms in humans.
11. Quotes - Jesus said, ``Before you look at the speck in your brother’s eye first remove the log from your own eye.’’ (Matt. 7:1)
AN APPLICATION, EVALUATION & COMMUNICATION OF CRITICISM
P.S.(Thematic question) - HOW SHOULD WE DEAL WITH CRITICISM AS JESUS WOULD?
1. HOOK
In a book called ``When the Saints Come Storming In,’’ Leslie Flynn tells a story about a farmer who asked an owner of a restaurant a question. ``Do you think you can use 1 million frog legs?’’ ``Certainly, I know the people in this area love frog legs!’’ The farmer answered, ``Great, my lake is overflowing with frogs and I would love to get rid of them. Their constant croaking keeps me awake at night. My wife is insisting that I get rid of the annoyance.’’
Several weeks later, the farmer returned to the restaurant owner to say, ``I was wrong about a million frogs. I guess all that noise was coming from just two large bull frogs. I never knew that two frogs could sound like a million!’’
Several complainers can also make a lot of noise in the church too. Some Pastors, leaders, & Christian workers are usually bothered by a few loud critics who may appear to represent the majority. One member told the Pastor’s wife a false story about her husband’s affair with one of the young girls in the congregation. Although, the story was a lie, the Pastor’s wife was so devastated that she has not been able to attend church for 15 years. Words can scar people psychologically. Regardless of the severity or the quantity of complaints they still hurt.
Legitimate concerns shared in confidence & in prayer are not to be taken lightly. However, Jesus warned his critics in Matt. 7:1,2 by saying, ``Before you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, first remove the log out of your own eye.’’ How should we deal with criticism?
2. BOOK
Jesus lived with criticism constantly from the Pharisees. He heard accusations, words of anger, & gossip from within and from outside of His own circles of friends. Much of the abuse that Jesus took came from jealousy, envy, doubt, suspicion, hostility, & misunderstanding of Him as God. Jesus would never repay an evil for an evil, but He overcame evil with good. He recognized that love conquers all other powers. Let us ponder how Jesus would deal with His critics if He were with us today:
A. He would say, ``The Lord’s servant should not be quarrelsome, but kind to all, able to teach, patient when wrong. In a gentle way, he must correct those who are in opposition in the hope that God would give them grace to repent & come to the knowledge of the truth.’’
(2 Tim. 2:24,25)
B. Jesus suggested that critics first consider remedying their own problems before judging another. He declared that judgment belongs to God alone.
C. Jesus would teach that for one man it may be right to eat meat, but for another it may be wrong. (Rom.14) Let each man serve God in a way that does not violate his conscience. For example, one missionary who worked in two villages was criticized for eating dog meat. In one of his villages, the people all ate dog meat, however, the other village thought that one showed his pagan nature when eating dog meat. For the sake of the lost in the second village, he stopped eating dog meat so as not to cause a stumbling block. Sometimes we must minimize offense & change our actions for the sake of the gospel. Other times we must realize that people are trying to impose their values on ours without thought that we are accountable to God alone. (Rom. 14:12)
D. When criticized we should not think in terms of vengeance. (Rom. 12:17) We must look to God as our defender, protector, & vindicator. He is our shield, refuge, & rock where we can find shelter. Ask God to protect you & deal with your attackers in ways that will please Him.
E. Jesus would tell us to replace any feelings of bitterness, wrath, anger, jealousy, envy, malice with attitudes of kindness, humility, gentleness, forgiveness, & patience. (Eph. 4:28-32)
F. Jesus would tell us not to rebuke a scorner or a fool. ``He who rebukes a wicked man brings shame to himself.’’ (Prov. 13:1)
G. Jesus would tell us to fill our thoughts with that which is pure, good, right, just, true, and think about the fine good things in others. We should remember to thank God for all the good things He has done for us. Then to put all these things into practice. (Phil. 4:6-9)
H. Jesus would tell us that as we focus on doing His will, all good things will be added to us. (Matt. 6:33)
I. Jesus would tell us that His food is not to criticize, but to do the will of His Father. (Jn.4:35)
J. Jesus would remind his critics, ``Let him who is without sin, cast the first stone.’’
K. Jesus kept entrusting Himself to God who judges righteously because He knew that it was impossible for any human to be completely without bias, prejudice, or ulterior motive. (I Pet. 1:23)
L. Jesus used a sense of humor in handling criticism. His use of a log in Matt. 7:1,2 was to exaggerate the ridiculous look that someone would have who criticizes without taking thought of his own problems!
M. Jesus often gently warned people of wrong attitudes, perceptions, feelings, & behavior. He also refused to be cast into roles that were not his responsibility. For example, when the man came to Jesus saying, ``Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.’’ (Lk.12:13- 15) Jesus said, ``Who appointed me as a judge & distributor of your goods? Beware & be on guard against every form of greed, for one’s life is not made up of an abundance of possessions.’’
N. We need to learn to develop a thick skin to frivolous criticism as well as to laugh at thoughtless statements. Some people are too sensitive. It is to a man’s credit when he overlooks the fault of another. (Prov. 19:11)
O. Jesus would remind each of us that the fruit of the Spirit is patience, peace, & self-control. (Gal. 5:22,23) Each of these are buffers when criticism comes.
P. Jesus would warn each of us of excessive self- criticism. Paul said, ``The prime requisite of a steward is to be faithful. To me it is of very little importance to be judged by you or by any human court; nor do I even judge myself... the one who judges me is the Lord. So do not pass premature judgment before the Lord comes.’’ Some people who judge themselves too harshly or whose parents have criticized them excessively, have developed a low self-image. (I Cor. 4:2-5)
Q. Jesus would remind people that God will judge the secret motives of men’s hearts. (Rom. 2:16) People should not assume they know the motives of others.
R. Jesus would admonish critics that judged hypocritically. Paul said in Rom. 2:1-3, ``Whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.’’ People must remember that when they point to others, three fingers are pointing back at themselves. This is a reminder of being cautious that our own houses in order before we make a value judgment of another.
S. Jesus would remind us that all judgment must be done by the following criteria: 1). By the truth 2). According to deeds 3). According to the light a person has. (Rom. 2:1-11)
T. Jesus would help the person to see that their criticism may be based on prejudice, misunderstanding, faulty information, their own sins, a tendency to be hypercritical, a self-centered need to be noticed, a lack of love, an envious attitude, a difference in goals, a disagreement over issues, a difference of leadership styles, communication difficulties, some kind of insecurity which comes from feelings of threat, rejection or reluctance to trust others, an unwillingness to open up to others, a failure to recognize individual differences, a failure to appreciate different cultures, backgrounds, or perceptions, or a unforgiving attitude.
U. Jesus would remind us of Prov.15:1 which says, ``A harsh word stirs up strife, but a soft answer turns away wrath.’’
V. Jesus would remind us to say little when criticized for as Prov. 10:19 says, ``Where there are many words transgressions are unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.’’
W. Jesus would remind Nigeria’s youth when criticized, ``Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but in speech, conduct, love, faith, & purity show yourself to be an example to the believers.’’ (I Tim. 4:12)
X. Jesus would instruct people to pray for wisdom before answering a critic. (James 1:5)
Y. Jesus would instruct those who are criticized for the gospel’s sake to not fear for ``I am with you.’’ (Acts 18:9)
Z. Jesus would remind us to consider the sources of criticism. Are they spiritual, carnal, or non- christians criticizing? ``The natural man does not discern the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness to him, but we have the mind of Christ!’’ (I Cor. 2:14-16)
3. LOOK
A wise old man once said, ``If a dog barks at a hill will the hill crumble?’’
Another man commented on criticism against him, ``When you are making your mark in the world, watch out for those with erasers.’’
One Pastor said this about criticism, ``If criticism had any real power to harm, the skunk would be extinct by now.’’
One teacher said, ``The moon could not go on shining if it paid any attention to the little dogs that bark at it.’’
A famous writer once wrote, ``The trouble with most of us is that we would rather be ruined by praise than saved by criticism.’’
Russell Lynes once said, ``The only gracious way to accept an insult is to ignore it, which will probably stop it; if you can’t stop it, laugh at it; if you can’t laugh at it, it’s probably deserved.’’
The Chinese have a good proverb about taking criticism which says, ``Be not disturbed about at being misunderstood; but be disturbed at not being understanding.’’
One preacher had a book on his desk labeled, ``Complaints of members against one another.’’ When one of his members called to tell him the faults of another he would say, ``Well, here’s my complaint book. I’ll write down what you say, and you can sign it. Then when I have to take up the matter officially I shall know what I may expect you to testify to.’’ The sight of the open book frightened most people so that very few complained to the Pastor again. The Preacher said, ``I have kept the book for forty years, opened it a thousand times and never wrote one line.’’
Pay no attention to what the critics say; there has never been set up a state in honor of a critic. (Jean Sibelius)
Paul said, ``Do all things without murmuring or disputing that you may be children above reproach in a crooked & perverse world among whom you shine as lights in the world.’’ (Phil. 2:14,15)
4. TOOK
a. If a criticism has some truth to it, we should learn to admit our mistake, seek reconciliation with a brother, and commit it to God as sin seeking forgiveness. Are you willing to do that today?
b. Let us learn afresh that we are fallible & we need God’s grace & wisdom in dealing with criticism. Are you willing to trust God for such grace & wisdom?
c. Let us learn how to forget the things which are behind & reach forward to our call in Christ. Are you prepared to do that today?
d. What steps are you personally going to take when criticized this week?
e. What errors to avoid can you personally think of the next time you are criticized?
f. What thoughts, emotions, & actions would Jesus take if He were criticized that you want to apply to your life?
g. What is one way that you can reduce the criticisms that you levy against others.
h. How can you learn to focus on the goal & less on the criticism, misunderstandings, & negative influences in your life?
i. What are several key verses that you would like to memorize to help you deal with criticisms & critics?
j. What prayer should you pray the next time you find yourself under a critic’s attack?
SUMMARY
This is an example of a lesson plan for a teacher or a preacher. Many other lessons plans can be developed like this simply using the title, ``What Would Jesus Do With __________’’ Or ``How Would Jesus Act If ________ Happened?’’ Or ``What Would Jesus Say About ________?’’ This gives a new twist to a topical study. Try to envision what Jesus would think about a particular topic and you will have excellent material for helping people to understand the will of God for their lives!
