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!”
It’s a valid argument, but God still made a way.
That’s why we need to be filled with the Holy Spirit. It’s easy for God to be God. So, if God is in you, ruling you, and directing you, then it’s easy for you to act like God.
Too many of us have this grit your teeth and bare it view of our faith. If we just act right, then God will bless us. We just need to put our nose to the grindstone, buckle up, and grind through this life so we can experience the joy of heaven.
My friends, that’s not what Jesus has for you.
He never tells us to fight. Jesus never tells us to try harder.
Jesus’ command to us during this time is to stand.
Stand in his truth
Stand in his love
Stand in his mercy
And Stand, filled with the very Spirit of God, and then see the salvation of your God.
How can we experience this?
Check out some further words from Paul (Phil 2:5-8)
“Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” Philippians 2:5-8
Here are some specific mindset and attributes that Paul identifies in Jesus and I believe they will help us to stand strong in a servant mindset during these last days-
1. Don’t take advantage of your position. Or said another way, don’t lord yourself over others. Most all of us are leaders in some area of our lives at some point in our lives. We will all have opportunities to take advantage of others, but Paul is reminding us here that Jesus had all the power and opportunity in the universe to use His position to His advantage and instead, He chose to lay it all aside.
Servant leadership
Our hospital just went through a senior leadership transition. Our CEO, who had worked at the hospital for over 40 years retired and a new CEO was hired.
My first meeting with the former CEO was when I had to drop off some HR paperwork to the 3rd floor. The 3rd floor at my hospital is where all of the leadership and administrative offices are. I got off the elevator and walked aimlessly down the hall trying to figure out where the HR department is, and came across the CEO’s office. She was sitting there on a phone call with someone, and she saw me. She placed the call on hold and asked me if I needed help. I asked where the HR offices were and she quickly told the person on the phone she would call them right back, stood up and led me exactly to the person I needed to see, and then introduced me to them.
I didn’t know who she was at that time, but the CEO of the hospital put a very important phone call on hold to help a new employee feel comfortable and served.
That’s servant leadership.
The new CEO, his name is Carl, in his video taped address to the employees actually used the term servant leadership several times his opening message to the employees, so that is very encouraging.
The second thing we can do to be a humble servant like Jesus is-
2. Serve others. When Christ laid aside His royal position, He chose instead to become a servant. Throughout His earthly ministry Jesus gave himself to the needs of others. We’ll get into this point more later.
3. Give your life away. Jesus’ humility led Him ultimately to the cross.
We are all familiar with this story, but what about your story?
Where are you holding on too tightly to all the things you want?
Your kingdom
Your things,
Your dreams and aspirations?
What do you need to let go of?
Where, or who can you give your life to this coming week?
Pause
Here is a big idea-
Humility isn’t as much a destination to be reached as it is an attitude to be embraced.
Humility is simply letting go of you, and letting God be in charge. It’s the death of self, and letting HIS Spirit be in control.
Humility is Kind of a Big Deal
It’s odd to say that humility is kind of a big deal…
We see so much of the exact opposite in our society.
Sports figures pointing at their prowess for being the best.
Politicians tearing others down to elevate themselves.
Whoever behind the scenes is stoking the unrest in our nation and world- ultimately of course that is satan.
This is why humility is a big deal.
That’s why you see it evidenced in the life of Christ.
That’s why the bible has so many references of different times and places where it encourages humility and gives warning to the destructive nature of pride.
While I don’t have time today to go through an exhaustive list, I do have time to hit some highlights and encourage you to set aside your own time for further study. I’ve included some of the references on the back of your bulletin.
Let’s look at a few verses.
We already heard from the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Philippians, so let’s see what Jesus’ best friend on this earth, Peter, had to say about humility.
“ ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” 1 Peter 5:5-6
James- Jesus’ little brother and leader of the Jerusalem church, quotes the same old testament passage that Peter does when he says;
“ ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’
Both of these New Testament church leaders are encouraging humility and both men quote the same passage from Proverbs 3:34.
Now obviously no one here wants God opposing them, which is a strong enough argument in itself to promote humility and selflessness.
But let me take it a step further for you today. Let’s look at Psalm 138:6 which says,
“Though the Lord is on high He looks upon the lowly, but the proud he knows from afar.”
That’s the NIV translation, the New Living Translation to give it even further clarity;
“Though the Lord is great, he cares for the humble, but He keeps His distance from the proud.”
God’s opposition is one thing, and it’s horrible.
But the idea in Psalm 138 that God distances himself from the prideful should be terrifying to us.
Pride and arrogance are incompatible with humility which means these are attitudes you will only find far away from Jesus.
These are heart positions and postures that will keep you at a distance from righteousness. Pride can destroy you.
And it’s a big enough deal that the bible addresses it again and again and again.
Not the least of which is the example, and the exhortation of Jesus himself, which is where we’ll finish up our time today.
Conclusion/Application
John 13:1-17 – Jesus washes the feet of the disciples. We read that at the beginning of the message today.
At the end of verse 13:1 John records Jesus showing them the full extent of His love. Later in the chapter John records Jesus saying,
“Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” John 13:14-17
So Jesus, the King of kings and Lord of lords got down on his knees, filled up a basin of water and washed the feet of his disciples.
The washing of feet was an incredibly lowly act of service, as the feet were considered to be the dirtiest, most unclean part of the body at the time.
There is much to be taken from the example Jesus set here, but here’s where I think it gets incredibly meaningful to us.
Jesus wanted the disciples to know how much He loved them.
So he took the position of a simple house servant and washed their dirty feet clean. He did this to show that no one is too important to get down and serve another. He did this to show His love and care for the disciples.
His example in John 13 is recorded for the church today too. So, we can see and know the heart and character of our Savior.
That should cause us to ask the question today...
Who do you need to serve this week?
Where might you need to confess your pride? (Proverbs 29:1 says, “Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed--without remedy.” Some people’s pride destroys their lives… pray for them)
How will the example of Christ impact your daily routine starting tomorrow morning?
Do you want to be opposed to God?
Far from God?
Incompatible with the righteousness of Jesus?
These are questions I hope you will ponder as you leave here today.
Because the world has no interest in what we are against.
They want to see a better way, lived out by the people who say they follow Christ.
If you are going to use the title of Christian, then your attitude and conduct should reflect the person who’s name you use.
Communion
Altar call.
