| A Sermon by Dr. John G. Githiga, Rector of St Cyprians Anglican Church Amarillo Texas Achieving Inspite of Criticisms Ezekiel 2:1-7, Psalm 123, 2 Coritihians 12: 2-10, Matrk 6: 1-6 |
Pentecost 5 7/9/06
What should be do when we face criticisms?
We learn from Jesus that we must continue doing good We need to retain a
positive attitude. We need to see the glass half full. And then the glass will
eventually be filled and overflow. When we see the glass half empty eventually
the water of vitality evaporates and then the glass is totally dry. We become
dry rivers. We come the valleys of the dry born Instead of becoming vital
antioxidants, we become toxic.
BACK TO JESUS
Jesus has done great things. He has healed the sick. He has turned water into
wine. He has fed five thousand with a picnic lunch of a boy. He has taught, as
no one else ever taught. He is now going to his own country. He is where he
was born. He is now teaching in the synagogue. Everyone is looking at him
with his mouth half open. They are astonished. They are questioning
themselves: Where did this man get all this? What is the wisdom give to him?
What mighty works are done by his hands! Instead of believing in him, they are
belittling him. "We know who he is. We know his brothers. We know his sisters.
Then instead of believing in him, they took offense at him.
LEARNING FROM THE STORY
1.Great achievement does not always result to complement. There will be some
who will have jealousy. Put differently: No great deed goes unpunished. There
are people will be offended by What you are and what you have become and
what you have achieved-particularly the religious snobs who are dry wells. But
like our Master we must continue to move forward. We have to keep on doing
good. We must focus to the goal. We have to say with aloud voice Wacha wa
seme! Let them speak! Never view yourself through the lenses of your critics
2. Let the criticisms encourage us to excavate the best self. Idolize you past
paradise. Remember an episode(s) when you did great thing. You were either
cornered but came out victoriously. You were in deep meditation and then you
were filled with power from on high. Use those past victories to motivate
yourself to face the present challenge. The apostle Paul is reacting to the
criticisms by " excavating his authentic self, to use the words of Sarah Ban
Breathnach in her Something more: excavating your authentic self.(Thanks to
Gale McRae, who traveled with me from Dallas to Little Rock, who gave me the
book when I needed it most.) They are referring to Paul as "a little bow legged
man" Paul is responding with words:( I don't care what you say) "I know a man
in Christ who thirteen years ago was caught in the third heaven- whether in
the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. I know that this man was
caught up in paradise- Whether in the body or out of the body I do not know,
God knows But one things I remember is that "he heard things that cannot be
told, which man may not utter," You may try to put this man down!
But on behalf of this man I boast. As with Paul. Concentrate on God's strength
and your strength. Make the right choice, keep positive attitude. We are really
our choices and our attitude. You may not have control on other things but you
have control on your choices and attitude. I fully agree with Billy Riggs that: "I
fully control the two most important ingredients of a successful and happy life:
my attitude and my choices." Our Master chose to continue doing good works.
He marveled at their unbelief, but didn't quit doing what he was doing. But he
had to move to another territory. Do not force yourself to the people who
cannot receive what you have. Instead move to another territory and continue
doing good.
3. The story tells us that he could do no mighty work there. This tells us that it
is those who refuse what you have to offer who are losers. Jesus did not lose,
his countrymen did. He came to his own home but his own people received him
not, but as many as who received him, he gave them power to be children of
God. They abased Him. Yet God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him
the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every need
should bow, in heave and on earth and under the earth and ever tongue
confess that Jesus Christ is the Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
4. As you keep positive attitude and making the right choice, lift up your eyes
to God. What ever is troubling you, commit to God in prayer. When we turn to
God our challenges become stepping stones rather than a obstacles. We then
here the Lord talking to us as he did to Paul:
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
