1. What are (2) steps that will take you DOWN & OUT when CRITICIZED? 
A. Simon Says….
(Luke 7:36-39)

“And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat. 37And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, 38And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. 39Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.”

Here was a GOOD man – a Pharisee, Simon, that needed to be emptied of his goodness that he might be filled with Jesus’ greatness!

Here was a BAD woman that needed to be emptied of her badness that she might be filled up with Jesus’ greatness!

Simon’s problem was he could not see his own self-flaws, but he could see others. (Luke 7:40-43)

“40And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. 41There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. 42And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? 43Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.”

The woman knew she needed forgiveness and mercy instead of justice. ( Luke 7:44-49)

“And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. 45Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. 46My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. 47Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. 48And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.”

Jesus saw the woman’s heart and desperate need for cleansing and restoration.

Jesus rebuked Simon because he was more concerned about the outside rather than the inside.

Criticism.
The woman was willing to risk being REJECTED and CRITICIZED in order to be FREED from the bondage of sin!

Jesus honored her Humility and Brokenness!
Consequently, she was forgiven! SWEET WORDS!!

B. Martha Says…
(Luke 10:38-42)

“8Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. 40But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 41And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

Martha has a complaining & critical spirit. She directed her criticism toward her own sister, Mary. (Luke 10:40)

“But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.”

You know it would have been so much easier if Mary would have jumped up and started helping her critical sister Martha, rather than be the object of criticism.

Lesson: Pleasing Jesus is far more important than being a people-pleaser. Are you willing to be criticized by your family and friends in order to please Jesus?

2. What are the (2) steps that will lead you UP & OVER CRITICISM?

A. EXAMINATION!
(John 8:3-7)

“And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, 4They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. 5Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? 6This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. 7So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.”

Jesus did not “sweep” her sin under the rug. Rather He called her to repentance and a change as well as calling the others to EXAMINE their imperfect life.

B. REALIZATION!
(Luke 18:10-14)

“Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”

What about these two men in the parable? One needed a REALTY CHECK! That is the Pharisee.