Character Trait: Humility Series

Intro: On Christmas afternoon, the Pastor’s wife dropped into an easy chair saying, "Boy! Am I ever tried." Her husband looked over at her & said, "I had to conduct two special services last night, three today, & give a total of five sermons. Why are you so tired?"

"Dearest," she replied, "I had to listen to all of them."

Pride is not only dangerous it is deceptive and destructive. Pride caused the devils downfall. What is the healthy alternative? Humility! So how do we understand what humility is an what it isn’t?

CS Lewis “True humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less.”

A healthy church goes hand and hand with humility. If we are humble we can see our desperate need for prayer, fellowship, and a healthy diet of God’s word. Those that say that God is a crutch don’t know how close to the truth they are. I couldn’t go one day without leaning on the good and forgiving arms of my heavenly Father.

4) A Healthy church is humble (amazed that God works for us, in us, through us) Acts 2:43

a) Humility opens the way for God’s activity (The fear of the Lord)

Proverbs 1:7 “Start with God—the first step in learning is bowing down to God;

only fools thumb their noses at such wisdom and learning.”

Pride has caused all of the problems of the world. Eve eating the fruit she would know everything. The tower of Babylon we will make a name for ourselves. Isaiah 14:13 “You said to yourself: I will ascend to the heavens; I will set up my throne above the stars of God. I will sit on the mount of the god’s assembly in the remotest parts of the North.14 I will ascend above the highest clouds; I will make myself like the Most high.”

Pride will never allow the bowing of your knee before God. God desperately wants to work your life but any pride will prevent his activity. How do I know this? Listen to Scripture. 1 Peter 5:5 “In the same way, you younger men, be subject to the elders. And all of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because

God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.

God has a better plan! He calls on His people to “humble themselves”. The word “humble” means “to bend the knee; to bring down; to place self under another.” Back to proverbs 1:7 the first step is bowing down to God. Usually it is translated the

fear of the Lord.

Humility comes from agreeing with what God says about you. He tells us that we are sinners in need of His grace. God’s grace has the amazing ability to lift us up without enlarging our ego and humbling us without humiliating us. God’s active grace in our lives is the desire and ability to do God’s will!!

Acts 2:43 “Then fear came over everyone, and many wonders and signs were being performed through the apostles.”

Pride prevents us from bending low enough that God can be active in our lives. Humility is agreeing with God and bowing our life before Him so how do we do that?

Philippians 2:8 says that He humbled Himself(Jesus) by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on the cross.

So humility is bowing our heart before God and giving Him control!! The Parable of the Prodigal Son helps us understand. When the prodigal demanded his inheritance he left his father in pride. He was determined to live life His way. When he returned he was willing to become the fathers servant, willing to live his father’s way!!!!

b) Humility opens the way for healing – 2 Chronicles 7:14, James 5.16

What is the beginning of any kind of healing? “If my people will humble themselves.”

Only the person who knows they are sick will seek out a physician.

So what holds up God’s healing of our lives, and His lands?

1) A wrong perspective – Pride causes us to look at things from the world’s perspective. When we finally bow down before God we see God’s way.

2) A worthless faith -- Our faith should cause us to consider others. Read Philippians 2:3,4.

3) A wicked pride -- Pride promotes self. Pride wants to be seen, heard, and recognized. True biblical humility wants Jesus seen, Jesus heard, and Jesus recognized and received.

c) Humility opens the way for wisdom – Proverbs 11:2

Is Fear Healthy?

During a severe thunderstorm, a mother tucked her child into bed and turned off the light. Frightened by the tempest, he asked, "Mommy, will you sleep with me?" Hugging him, she replied, "I can’t, dear. I have to sleep with Daddy." Stepping out of the room, she heard, "That big sissy!"