Confessions of a Pastor
“Pride”
February 4, 2007
Pride can get you into trouble. (Racing Melanie)
Pride is dangerous to us and displeasing to God.
When we are filled with pride, it has several effects on our lives:
1) Pride cheapens Christ in our lives.
2) Pride damages relationships.
3) Pride tells us lies.
“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.” Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV)
The Biblical Remedy for Pride:
Selfish ambition- put others needs ahead of your own.
Consider others- think about the effect on others
Look to the interests of others- serve
The Model of Christ:
“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.” Philippians 2:5-11 (NIV)
Christ lacked selfish ambition.
“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,”
Christ considered our needs ahead of his own.
“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!”
Christ is exalted because he was humble.
“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.”
Pride is overcome in our lives by acknowledging who Jesus is and who we are not.
