Sermons on Higher Criticism:

Seeing Jesus' Transfiguration Is Critical! Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Aug 21, 2014

The Disciples seeing Jesus transfigured before their very eyes revealed not only the promise of the Law, the fact that EVERYTHING the Father puts into motion is fulfilled, but it shows us that Jesus really IS the Son of God!

Seeing Jesus Transfigured is Critical Mark 9:1-13 - Jesus is demonstrated in this book as a “servant” -- Key verse: Mark 10:45, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” - IMP: What God says to us here ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Corrosive Talk - Complaining And Criticizing Series

Contributed by David Owens on Oct 24, 2016

In this sermon, we explore what the Bible says about complaining and criticizing, and then look at how we can stop complaining and criticizing.

Introduction: A. Today, we are continuing in our series called: “Speak Life – Speaking Words that Heal, not Hurt.” 1. The Bible tells us that words have the power of life and death. 2. God’s desire is for all of us to learn how to control our tongues so that our words ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:14-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Staring Down Your Critics Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Dec 19, 2024

Behold the glory of the Lord and be bold in your service for the Lord.

There is an old Peanuts cartoon, in which Linus has just written a comic strip of his own, and he wants Lucy's opinion. In the first frame, he tentatively hands Lucy his comic strip and says, “Lucy, would you read this and tell me if you think it is funny?” In the next frame, you see Lucy ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:1-18, 1 John 3:2-3, Jeremiah 31:31-34, Exodus 34:29-30

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Criticizing Leaders (Numbers 12)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 14, 2024

When is it appropriate to criticize church leaders, and when not? Let's look at Numbers 12.

What does God think about a critical attitude towards His leaders? Is it all too common in our churches? Let’s look at Numbers 12. Why did Miriam and Aaron denounce Moses? Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite. “Has the Lord spoken ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Sticking With The Facts When Criticized

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jun 10, 2001

When we are criticized it is essential to stick with the facts rather than to conjecture about matters that we are unfamiliar with

Sticking With the Facts (Acts 24:1-27) Illustration:Two men who lived in a small village got into a terrible dispute that they could not resolve. So they decided to talk to the town sage. The first man went to the sage’s home and told his version of what happened. When he finished, the sage said, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 24:1-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Turn Criticisms Into Motivations

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jun 12, 2001

The Lord teaches us how to use criticisms as motivations for greater godliness, holiness and maturity through the life of Paul

How To Turn Criticisms In to Motivations (Acts 17:1-9) Illustration:How to Bury a Good Idea It will never work, We’ve never done it that way before. We’re doing fine without it. We can’t afford it. We’re not ready for it. It’s not our responsibility. Bits & Pieces, June 23, 1994, p. 10. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What To Do With Your Criticism

Contributed by John Hamby on Jul 24, 2003

Dealing with Criticism in the life of the church.Fighting the Worship Wars.

“What To Do With Your Criticisms!” The title of this message could have been, “What you Can Do With Your Criticism” but that has a couple of interpretations. It could also have been entitled, “What You are Doing with Your Criticism.” But we need to recognize that one of the fundamental ...read more

Scripture: Romans 10:1

Denomination: Baptist

How To Overcome A Critical Spirit

Contributed by Jim Erwin on Dec 13, 2007

You can be someone who steps forward. You can look at the positive and the good and how something could be. This is the right way to handle a critical spirit in your own life.

How to Overcome a Critical Spirit Numbers 13:16-33 Near the end of C. S. Lewis’s "Chronicles of Narnia" Aslan the Lion takes Lucy, Edmund, Peter and everyone to the New Narnia--to what we would call "heaven" or the New Creation. It is a place of astonishing light and beauty; a place where every ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 13:16-33

Denomination: Baptist

The Challenge Of Turning Critics Into Friends

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Mar 13, 2006

Job learned how to handle criticism and with God’s help turned his critics into friends.

The Challenge of Turning Critics into Friends Job 23:10-14 How do you handle criticism? Job had his share of critics. He learned to handle his critics with class. God helped Job turn his critics into friends. In fact God encouraged his critics to become prayer partners with Job. Job ...read more

Scripture: Job 23:10-14

Denomination: Free Methodist

Chains, Critics, Crises, And Courage

Contributed by Mark Roper on Feb 22, 2008

Only he who can say, ‘The Lord is the strength of my life’ can say, ‘Of whom shall I be afraid?’

Chains, Critics, Crises, and Courage Topic: Only he who can say, ‘The Lord is the strength of my life’ can say, ‘Of whom shall I be afraid?’ The apostle Paul was such a man. A man who was no stranger to Chains, Critics, and Crises in his life. A man who learned to be content in Christ, who ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-18

Denomination: Church Of God

Fire Of The Contentious

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 27, 2022

A contentious spirit is like fire which burns up all that is good, and puts families, friends and co-workers at odds. This spirit finds a small fire of strife, kindles it and keeps feeding the issues which cause distrust, hatred or malice.

Fire Of the Contentious The Negative Influences of a Person Who Seeks Strife The King James Bible tells us “As coals are to burning coals, and wood to a fire; So is a contentious man to kindle strife.” (Proverbs 26:21) “Contentious” (?????? ma?ôn) means to be argumentative, a person who is ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 26:21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Dead Dog Syndrome Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Nov 10, 2022

The Dead Dog Syndrome (a critical spirit) can infect us or the people around us and is destructive in whatever direction it is focused.

[the title for this sermon comes from another contributor, but the content is my own] THE VERY RELATABLE LIFE OF KING DAVID DEAD DOG SYNDROME 2 SAMUEL 16:5-14, 19:15-23, PSALM 3:1-8 #kingdavid INTRODUCTION... A Little Quiz (p) I would like to begin this morning with a little quiz. I need you to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 16:5-14, 2 Samuel 19:15-23, Psalm 3:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Dead Dog Syndrome

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 17, 2002

Shimea suffered from a spiritual illness that plagues many Christians. How did it reveal itself and how can we be healed?s

THE DEAD DOG SYNDROME 9/98 ILLUSTRATION: There’s a story about a crazy old woman who was known to be crazy because she would walk down the streets talking to herself. One of her best known pastimes was talk to Jesus... and Jesus would talk back. One day a new preacher came to town and thought ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 16:5-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Criticism Gets To The Top Lesson 26 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Mar 28, 2017

Ten lessons about criticism

A. BE CAREFUL WHO AND WHAT YOU CRITICIZE: NUMBERS 12:1-16 1. Is this a family squabble? “Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses” (12:1). They were Moses’ older sister and brother. 2. Were they influenced by public opinion? “When the people ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 12:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Don’t Be A Bumper Car Christian

Contributed by John Gaston on Jul 25, 2016

Life is a lot like “bumper cars.” Do you want to bump those who bump you? That may be a fun strategy for bumper cars, but it’s a terrible strategy for life. Jesus shows us a better way!

DON’T BE A BUMPER CAR CHRISTIAN Jn. 13:34-35 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: CHURCH BULLETIN 1. An English teacher was at church reading a poster on the wall (not our church) which ended with “Donations Excepted.” 2. She couldn’t resist and marked through the word ...read more

Scripture: John 13:34-35

Denomination: Assembly Of God