Every leader is subject to criticism. Even Jesus was subject to criticism. He was perfect, yet he was hounded all the time by the naysayers. That put additional pressure on him, especially during the final week of his life. Let’s look at what the negative people were saying and how Jesus reacted to it.

HE COPED WITH CRITICISM

I. A look at Jesus’

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.

A. The

of the day were Jesus’ biggest critics.

B. There are three

that determine how much pressure criticism puts on us:

1. The

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   doing the criticism.

2. The

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   of the criticism.

3. The

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   of the criticism.

C. The religious leaders were challenging Jesus openly on the matter of

he was and where he got his

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to do the things he did.

D. Rather than directly answering their question, Jesus

their question right back in their laps.

E. Jesus did not answer the critics the

every time.

1. Sometimes he

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   to answer altogether.

2. Sometimes he answered

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   .

3. Sometimes he

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   the critics
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   and silenced them.

II. Four

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we can learn from Jesus regarding criticism.

A.

criticism

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.

B.

criticism

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.

C. If the criticism is untrue or unfair,

it

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.

D. When it is appropriate,

the critics

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.

Common Criticism Heard About Any Growing Church

• “I like our church just the way it is and don’t think we need to

anymore. Bigger churches are too

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anyway.

• “All your church does is

members from other churches.”

• “The church is like a country club, it’s all

.”

God wants us to be his kind of church: a place where Jesus Christ is

, the Holy Spirit is

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, God is

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among people, the lost are

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, the saved are

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, the hurting are

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, and homes are

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.