Oh Lord It's Hard To Be Humble Series

Mac Davis wrote and made famous a song that is stilled played on some radio stations today. The songs title is Oh Lord it hard to be humble. Basically the gist of the song says that it is hard to be humble when the song singer gets better looking each day, he perfect in everyway and to know him is to love him.

The problem with this is it is not realistic, and it is far from being Biblical. However, I do believe that it is hard to be humble in our society. As humans we are naturally prideful, selfish and sometimes full of ourselves.

My sister and I had trouble being humble when it concerned each other. If there was one piece of cake and we had to share it we both would try to get the bigger piece when mom cut it. My mother in her great wisdom had ways of dealing with this. If my sister and I were going to share a piece of cake mom would have one of us cut it and the other chose what side they wanted. That way the one cutting made extra sure that both sides were equal.

In the summer of 1986, two ships collided in the black sea off the coast of Russia. Hundreds of passengers died as they were hurled into the icy waters below. News of the disaster was furthered darkened when an investigation revealed the cause of the accident. It wasn’t a technical problem like a radar malfunction – or even thick fog. The cause of the accident was human stubbornness. Each captain was aware of the other ships presence nearby. Both could have steered clear, but according to the news reports, neither captain wanted to give way to the other. Each was too proud to yield first. By the time they came to their senses, it was too late.

Because two individuals were blatantly stubborn and prideful, many lost their lives needlessly.

In Philippians we have a tremendous picture of Christ’s humility, but also a detailed description of how we shall live.

Philippians 2:1 – 11

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Humility is humbleness of mind, lowliness and modesty.

Did you hear about the minister who said he had a wonderful sermon on humility but was waiting for a large crowd before preaching it?

It is not boastful, it is not selfish, it is not haughtiness and it is not prideful

Humility has a concern for the other person; it reaches out and helps others in need with a cheerful attitude and sincerity

Let me ask you a question: What is our attitude to people in our community, in our circles, in our church and how about in other churches in our community? Are we in competition in any way with these people?

The text in Philippians gives us an excellent and clear example of humility, that example is Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Supreme example of humility.

Verse 6 states – Jesus who being in the very nature God – Let’s explore that statement for a moment. Jesus is God, He and the Father are one – In Him is all fullness of the triune God, He was, is and will always be equal with God. John 17:11 states: I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name—the name you gave me—so that they may be one as we are one. Verse 21 states: that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.