Explore the necessity and benefits of humility, using the example of John the Baptist, who embodied the principle of "He must become greater; I must become less."
Good morning, family! We're going to be diving into some deep waters today, exploring a theme that's as vital today as it was in the time of Christ: humility.
As Andrew Murray once wrote, "Humility is the only soil in which the graces root; the lack of humility is the sufficient explanation of every defect and failure."
Before we delve into today's message on humility, let's take a moment to read the Scripture that will guide our discussion. From the Gospel according to John, Chapter 3, verses 22 through 30:
"After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized. Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were coming and being baptized. (This was before John was put in prison.). An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing. They came to John and said to him, 'Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.' To this John replied, 'A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less.'"
Humility, in its essence, is the conscious recognition of our own limitations and the acknowledgment of our dependence on God. It is the understanding that we are not the center of the universe, but rather, we are part of a grand design orchestrated by our Creator. The necessity of humility in our Christian walk cannot be overstated.
Its role in our relationship with God: The Bible tells us in James 4:6 that "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Pride, the opposite of humility, is a barrier that prevents us from experiencing the fullness of God's grace. It is the root of all sin, as it was pride that led to the fall of Lucifer and subsequently, the fall of man. When we are full of ourselves, there is no room for God. Humility, on the other hand, empties us of self and creates space for God to fill. It is the key that unlocks the door to a deeper, more intimate relationship with our Creator.
Our spiritual growth: The Apostle Peter exhorts us in 1 Peter 5:5 to "clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble." This clothing of humility is not a one-time event but a continuous process. It is a daily choice to die to self, to put aside our own desires and preferences in favor of God's will. This process of self-denial is not easy, but it is the pathway to spiritual maturity. It is through the crucible of humility that our character is refined and we are transformed into the likeness of Christ.
Effective Christian service: In the scripture we read earlier, John the Baptist exemplified this when he said, "He must become greater; I must become less." Despite being a highly respected prophet, John recognized that his role was not to draw attention to himself, but to prepare the way for Jesus. He understood that true greatness in the kingdom of God is not about self-promotion, but about self-sacrifice. It is not about being served, but about serving others. This is the kind of humility that God calls us to as His followers.
Unity in the body of Christ: In a world that is increasingly divided, the church is called to be a beacon of unity. However, unity is impossible without humility. As the Apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:2-3, "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." Humility enables us to put aside our differences and work together for the common goal of advancing God's kingdom.
Not optional for the Christian; it is essential: It is the soil in which the seeds of faith, love, and hope take root and grow. It is the foundation upon which a life of obedience to God is built. It is the lens through which we see ourselves not as the world sees us, but as God sees us - flawed yet loved, broken yet redeemed.
Humility is not just a virtue to be admired; it is a principle that carries profound benefits for the individual and the community ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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