Humilty

Preacher’s Pulpit by Dr. Joe Tims
Humilty
Luke 14:7-11
“And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them, (8) When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him; (9) And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. (10) But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. (11) For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”
INTRODUCTION
Humility. Before Christ came into the world, the worst thing that could be said about a man was that he was humble.
That was considered to be a quality of a slave, not a free man.
Christ came teaching a new concept.
The way up is down.
Christ illustrated this principle throughout His life and ministry.
One of the characteristics of this world today is selfishness and so few are truly humble.
Today men can talk for hours about themselves and they are always the hero of their own stories.
They never tell the tales about the times when they failed.
This attitude is also found within the local church and its members.
Much is said about what people do for the Lord, but little is spoken of what God has done for them!
Humility is needed in our service to the Lord.
I. The Meaning of Humility.
A. “Not proud or haughty; not arrogant or assertive; a spirit of deference or submission.”
B. It is recognizing that God and others are responsible for the achievements in my life.
(1 Cor 4:7) “For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it.”
C. Humility is a modest estimation of one’s self.
(Rom 12:3) “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”
D. This goes against the philosophy of this world.
1. The world tells us that we must sell ourselves if we want to get ahead.
2. We must learn to be assertive or we will be walked on by everyone else.
3. Could it be that God’s Word is wrong or maybe out of date now?
E. It has been said, “If I could buy that man for what he is worth and sell him for what he thinks he is worth I could make a fortune!”
II. Examples of Humility.
A. The Apostle Paul.
1. He boasted about one thing and one thing only: the Cross of Christ.
2. He certainly could have boasted in his heritage, and in his service for Christ.
3. He said little about what he had done for Christ, but much about what Christ had done for him.
B. The Lord Jesus Christ.
1. He was the central figure in heaven, but He humbled Himself and took upon Himself the form of a servant.
2. On the night before He died He taught His disciples a tremendous lesson of humility as He began to wash their dirty feet as a servant.
3. His ultimate expression of humility is seen as:
(Phil 2:8) “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
III. What Does it Take to Develop Humility?
A. Right attitude toward God.
(Isa 6:1, 5) “In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. (5) Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.”
B. Right attitude toward God’s Word.
(2 Tim 3:16-17) “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (17) That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”
C. Right Attitude Towards God’s Grace.
(1 Cor 15:10) “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”
CONCLUSION:
When a believer is truly humble before God and His Word, he will also be humble about his own gifts, abilities, and attainments.
He will realize and gratefully acknowledge that all that he is and all that he has comes from the hand of God.
We have to be careful we do want to claim some credit for what we have accomplished for the Lord since being saved!
Remember (1 Co. 15:10a) “But by the grace of God I am what I am…”
Are we truly humble? The opposite of the spirit of humility is the spirit of pride. That doesn’t come from God!
Oh, how we need to learn humility!
(1 Peter 5:5-6) “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. (6) Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:”
Are you taking the credit that belongs to God for the blessings and accomplishments in your Life?

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