Learn How To Be Humble

LEARN HOW TO BE HUMBLE (Outline)

October 4, 2020 - Pentecost 18 - LUKE 14:1-11

INTRO.: Our Savior Jesus Christ teaches us how to be humble. Humility is not what the world teaches. There is an obvious difference between what the world thinks and how God thinks. These opposites are called paradoxes. At the end of today’s gospel Jesus said: “…the first will be last and the last will be first.” This is not worldly teaching but God’s teaching. A paradox. Humility. Even Jesus’ disciples struggled with their pride about who was the greatest of the disciples. “Jesus sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, ‘If anyone wants to be first, he will be the last of all and the servant of all’” (MARK 9:35). LEARN HOW TO BE HUMBLE. I. Use compassion. II. Be considerate.

I. USE COMPASSION TO BE HUMBLE

A. Verse 1. Jesus boldly faced those who disliked him. Ate at a Pharisee’s house. Closely watched.

1. Verse 2. A visibly sick man was sitting near the Savior. Time for a teaching moment.

2. Verse 3. “…lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?” Pharisees had added to God’s laws.

3. Verse 4a. “But they were silent.” How sad. Would not / could not answer easy question.

B. Verse 4b. Jesus “took hold of the man, healed him, and let him go.” It was good to heal on Sabbath.

C. Verse 5. Jesus knew that those opposing him needed a clear example to understand compas-sion.

1. Your child or animal falls into a well on the Sabbath. Save them on the Sabbath or not?

2. Verse 6. “And they could not reply to these things.” Sad. Compassion completely absent.

3. The religious leaders loved their man-made laws more than the mercies of the Lord.

D. To know the Lord is to love the Lord. To love the Lord is to enjoy his love for us. And his love for the world. The Holy Spirit has worked faith in our hearts to appreciate the goodness of our God. We love the Lord God because he first loved us. We can only understand what love us be-cause the Lord showers compassion upon us. In the midst of the wickedness of this world we hold firmly to the mercies of our loving, heavenly Father. “By the mercies of the LORD we are not consumed, for his compassions do not fail. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness” (LAMENTATIONS 3:22, 23). Each morning the sun rises. The moon rises at night. God’s creation. We rise from our rest each day. We breathe. Live. Move. God’s mercy is new for us every day. Divine compassion.

E. We have learned the commandments of God. Believers use them as a guideline in our Christian lives. The Ten Commandments give us direction to what is good and right in God’s sight. Good and right in our lives. The Lord God of Armies gave the Ten Commandments out of love for his people. Out of love for the world. Jesus was asked: “What is the greatest commandment?” Jesus answered: “Love God” and “Love your neighbor as yourself.” We might not always remember that love is the fulfillment of the Ten Commandments. "Love does no harm to a neighbor, so love is the fulfillment of the law" (ROMANS 13:10). Godly love for our neighbor is humble, Christian compassion.

F. As Christians we are the only ones in this wicked world who appreciate the goodness of our God. This is one of the blessings of faith. Knowing the Lord’s love for us is a blessing. God’s compassion is also a pleasure. God’s love is an opportunity that is a responsibility. Look at the world. It is selfish. Self-centered. Proud. Arrogant. Wicked. Of course, we see those same features in our own hearts. Our faith distinguishes between what is good and what is wrong. Our faith strengthens us to strive for what is good. "Therefore, as God’s elect, holy and loved, clothe your-selves with heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience” (COLOSSIANS 3:12). Our wicked world desperately needs to see these characteristics. Christian compassion comes with humility.

LEARN HOW TO BE HUMBLE. Christ-like compassion humbly moves us to love others.

II. BE CONSIDERATE TO BE HUMBLE

A. Jesus knew the Pharisees would not change their thinking quickly. Teaches more of humility.

1. Verse 7. Pharisees chose the places of honor. After all, they were the most important.

2. Jesus used a parable to help them understand humility. Earthly example – divine mean-ing.

B. Verse 8. When invited to a wedding do not take the place of honor. Reserved for important.

1. Someone more important might be invited. The obvious will happen.

2. Verse 9. Host will come and ask person to move to lower place. Humiliated. Shamed.