Real Men: A Critic vs. A Coach (Romans 2:1-11)

  • Freshman year state baseball playoffs – critic & coach saying same thing
  • Men – most powerful people in your life were your critics & your coaches

A Critic

Romans 2:1 Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things.

  1. Always the judge, never the judged
  2. Law for you – grace for me
  3. Punishment for you – excuses for me

Types of male critics

  1. Religious Guy
  2. Jock Dude
  3. Military General

Tactics of male critics

  1. In authority but not under authority
  2. Rarely if ever says was wrong or sorry
  3. Hypocrite

= Leadership secrets of Billy Graham, he turned his critics into his coaches

A Coach

Romans 2:4 the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience…is meant to lead you to repentance

Leads through:

  1. Kindness = helpful
  2. Forbearance = patiently working through a problem/issue/need
  3. Patience = calm, level headed, emotionally steady
  4. Repentance = healthy/godly change of head/heart/hands

A Critic                      vs        A Coach

Non-relational                       Relational

Intent to harm                       Intent to help

Goal is perfection                 Goal is progress

Beat you down                     Build you up

Public correction                  Private correction

Run from                                Run to

Group Questions

  1. Do you see God more as a critic or a coach? Why?
  2. Who have been some of the most helpful coaches in your life?
  3. Who has God placed in front of you to help coach them up?
  4. Do you tend to be more of a critic or a coach?
  5. How can we pray for you?

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