A. One time after church, a father gripped to his son all the way home. He’d found fault with everything in the service. He criticized the preacher, the sermon, the music, and everything in general. The boy, who had noticed what his father put in the offering plate, said, “Well, Dad, what can you expect for a dollar.”
B. If there is one thing that I can’t stand in relation to the church– it is a negative/critical spirit. I’m under the impression that we should be characteristically positive. Are we not called to share the “Good News”? You can’t do that with a critical tone. Sure, everyone has problems. We all have our issues. There will be sin to confront. There’s issues to address. But our spirit doesn’t have to be negative– does it?
C. If you want to get me uptight, just put me in a pen with the spiritual Eeyors of our day. I’ll go nuts! . “ 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. I just don’t like it.” Someone said: “A Pessimist is someone who complains about the noise when opportunity knocks.”
D. Today, as we continue our summer series, “How To Treat Others”, I’d like for us to learn from Jesus as he deals with a very critical crew. In our story today, Jesus provides an example of how to treat those who are critical and negative.
E. Text: Luke 11:14-20.....14 Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute. When the demon left, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowd was amazed. 15 But some of them said, “By Beelzebub, a the prince of demons, he is driving out demons.” 16 Others tested him by asking for a sign from heaven. 17 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them: “Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall. 18 If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? I say this because you claim that I drive out demons by Beelzebub. 19 Now if I drive out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your followers drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 20 But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you.
F. T.S: In this message, let’s look at five pro-active commitments that will help us be positive in a negative world.
1. Expect Negativity/Criticism in this World! Nothing you can do about it, it’s going to happen. Jesus was going about his business, healing people, casting out demons and that only gave his critics fuel for their fire. And I can warn you right now, if you choose to follow Jesus and do good for the Kingdom, you will be criticized! (In this world, you will either be giving it or receiving it.)
2. Understand the Nature of Negativity.
A. Negativity is an easy trap to fall into. It is much easier to be critical than to be correct.
B. Negativity is contagious. In fact, after being around someone negative, I find myself complaining about his/her negativity. And, a negative spirit is a lot like that one rotten apple in the bunch, it will affect all!
C. Negativity often involves personal criticism. Look at the insult and exaggeration the Scribes used on Jesus. They said that he was “possessed by Beelzebub” - the identity of Beelzebub is found in the Old Testament (II Kings 1) the name meant “Lord of Flies or Lord of Filth or Lord of Manure (the poop)” and came to be another name for Satan. I agree with Kent Hughes when he says in his discussion of this passage that “It is a fitting name for Satan, but a monstrous slander when used for Christ. . .
D. Negativity is a choice! It may be easier for some than others, but it is a choice. In the desert, two very different birds thrive. The vultures see nothing but dead and stinking carcasses. The hummingbirds seek the lovely blossoms of cacti. The vultures live on the dead past. The hummingbirds live on the fragrant present. Each bird finds what it is looking for. So do people. (Let me give reason for warning).
E. Negativity is Indicative! Criticisms often expose more about the critic than anything else. When people try to whip up criticism it is often a reflection of their own heart....
1. Negativity often reveals inactivity. Criticism often comes from those not doing anything. I love that Chinese Proverb: “Him who complains, “It can’t be done!”, needs not interrupt him who is doing it.” Someone said, “A critic is one who points out how imperfectly other people do what the critic does not do at all!”
2. Negativity often reveals a lack of faith. For some reason, Critics have problems with projects that require a GREAT DEAL of FAITH. That’s why they often surface when things start happening.
3. Negativity often reveals a lack of personal time with Jesus. You cannot worship Jesus and stay negative.
4. Negativity often reveals deeper personal problems. A negative spirit in ministry often is a spill over of negativity happening at home. Maybe negativity is a cry for help.
5. Negativity often reveals a heart of selfishness and jealousy. Remember that the source of most conflicts lies within a person’s own selfish desires. James wrote, "What is the source of conflicts and quarrels among you, is it not your own desires that battle within you? You
want something but don’t’ get it. You do not have because you do not ask. When you ask, you do not receive because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures." (James 4:1-4). (Negativity cannot rejoice in other’s success).
6. Negativity often reveals ignorance or misunderstanding. Most people are afraid of things they don’t understand– so they complain and criticize.
3. Refuse to be Infected. I love Jesus’ response. He was calm, logical, positive. He refused to be infected.
A. Maybe you already are infected? Regular Examinations are must. To what degree of negativity exists.
B. Draw your heart: Angel has on occasion asked our children to draw a picture of their heart. And they will draw a picture and will then have to explain why they drew what they did. That’ s a pretty good exercise. Maybe you should consider your heart? How much has been tainted with negativity?
C. Pony: A family had twin boys whose only resemblance to each other was their looks. If one felt it was too hot, the other thought it was too cold. If one said the TV was too loud, the other claimed the volume needed to be turned up. Opposite in every way, one was an eternal optimist, the other a doom and gloom pessimist. Just to see what would happen, on Christmas, their father loaded the pessimist’s room with every imaginable toy and game. The optimist’s room he loaded with horse manure. That night the father passed by the pessimist’s room and found him sitting amid his new gifts crying bitterly. "Why are you crying?" the father asked. "Because my friends will be jealous, I’ll have to read all these instructions before I can do anything with this stuff, I’ll constantly need batteries, and my toys will eventually get broken." answered the pessimist twin. Passing the optimist twin’s room, the father found him dancing for joy in the pile of manure. "What are you so happy about?" he asked. To which his optimist twin replied: "With all this manure, there’s got to be a pony!" He refused to be negative!
D. Refuse: We live in a negative world at times, and Satan would love nothing more than to steal your life. Refuse to let someone else Jealousy jolt your Joy. Refuse to allow their doubt to destroy your determination. Refuse to allow their faithlessness to foil your faithfulness. Refuse to let their sarcasm stop your service. They tried to get Jesus but He refused to be infected!
4. Focus on the Issue at Hand.
A. Often, when someone can’t argue about the issue, they’ll attack the person’s character or motivation.
B. Jesus didn’t respond personally, critically, but calmly dealt with the issue at hand. The issue was that these leaders rejected Jesus as from God. The issue was not evil behavior from Jesus, but the wicked rejection and stubbornness of their hearts.
C. Jesus shows us that we need to Deal with criticism on a rational level, don’t respond personally or emotionally. I understand that on one occasion a preacher was criticized harshly by someone in his congregation who pointed out several faults in him and his preaching. Instead of retaliating, or trying to defend himself, he looked at the woman and said, "If what you say is true, would you mind praying for me?" "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." (Proverbs 15:1)
5. Commit to God’s Purpose.
A. We are called to know, live and share the God’s Truth. Even though He was labeled as Satanic, he held to the truth.
B. We are called to glorify God. The question Jesus raises at the end of this text is one all of us must contemplate, “But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you.” Even when facing extreme negativity, Jesus kept his focus on bringing glory and honor to God.
C. We are called to live positively in this negative world. Because of God’s grace, his love and his Salvation, we can exist in this negative world and be 1) Full of Praise to our God. 2) Full of Thanks to our God. 3) Full of Joy from our God. And those are the attitude that Christ wants his people to display. Totally positive. How’s your attitude this morning? Maybe today, Jesus needs to cast out some negative demons?
“A Builder Or a Wrecker”
As I watched them tear a building down
A gang of men in a busy town
With a ho-heave-ho, and a lusty yell
They swung a beam and the side wall fell
I asked the foreman, “Are these men skilled,
And the men you’d hire if you wanted to build?”
He gave a laugh and said, “No, indeed,
Just common labor is all I need.”
I can easily wreck in a day or two,
What builders have taken years to do.” And I thought to myself, as I went my way
Which of these roles have I tried to play?
Am I a builder who works with care,
Measuring life by rule and square?
Am I shaping my work to a well-made plan
Patiently doing the best I can?
Or am I a wrecker who walks to town
Content with the labor of tearing down?
“O Lord let my life and my labors be
That which will build for eternity!”
