Humility Series

Humility

From the Ashes Series

CCCAG July 10, 2022

Week 2 – Humility

Scripture: John 13:1-8

Philippians 2:1-11, Ephesians 4:2, Micah 6:8, Romans 12:3,

Matthew 23:10-12

Opening story:

Once upon a time a rider came across a few soldiers who were trying to move a heavy log of wood without success. The rider observed a corporal who was just standing there just watching as the men struggled. The rider couldn’t believe it. He finally asked the corporal why he wasn’t helping.

The corporal replied: “I am the corporal- the senior person in this detail. I give orders.” The rider said nothing in response. Instead, he rode his horse to a nearby tree, tied off the reins and went and helped the soldiers and as they tried to lift the wood. With his help, the task was finally able to be carried out.

Who was this kind rider?

The rider was George Washington, the Commander-in-chief.

This example of humility might make us admire George Washington and conversely have a negative reaction toward the corporal. A story like this doesn’t need any explanation because we all understand what’s going on.

We know because there are times in our lives when we’ve acted more like the corporal than we care to admit.

We want to be humble, to be helpful, to think of others more so than we think of ourselves.

Today we get an opportunity to learn from the example of Christ.

Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords. Jesus is the one who humbled himself- taking the lash, taking the beating, being crucified naked on a rough wooden cross to take the punishment for our sins and finally did what no other man could do- conquered death so that we might experience abundant life.

Let’s look at our scripture that we will be learning from this morning-

John 13:1-8

13 It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.

2 The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"

7 Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."

8 "No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet."

Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me."

Prayer: “God, help me to identify with Jesus by the way I treat people. Whenever I am tempted to think more of myself than I ought, remind me of my position before you. Help me to see others as worthy of my love and service. Remind me that the first shall be last and the last shall be first. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you by serving others.”

Big Idea: Jesus demonstrated humility by coming to earth from heaven and washing the feet of His disciples. When we choose to exercise humility, we look most like Christ to the world around us.

Let’s begin by seeing that Jesus Set the Example

Now, as admirable of an example George Washington set in our story at the beginning of the message, it’s a lesson he learned from someone else.

George Washington followed the teachings and examples of Jesus.

Jesus is our example. Jesus is who we look to model our thoughts, behaviors, and actions around.

We should want to be like HIM, and learn to serve others as HE did.

Here is another scripture that highlights that kind of thinking-

Listen to Paul’s words from Philippians 2:3-5

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:3-5

Paul’s encouragement is for believers to be like Christ.

For our attitudes to be like His.

Our actions to mirror His.

On the one hand you could say, “Yeah that’s easier said than done, you’re talking about the very son of God- God being God is pretty easy for God!”