Humility – Matthew 23:1-12
Intro: In the 2004 Olympics, Matt Emmons was competing in the 50-meter three-position rifle event and was just one shot away from winning the gold medal. As he took his position to fire the final shot, all he had to do was hit the target. He did just that. But it was the wrong target. He was standing in lane 2 but he shot the target in lane 3. Instead of winning the gold medal, he fell to 8th place by hitting the wrong target. (illustration from the sermon, “Missing the Mark” by Jerry Watts in Sermoncentral.com)
I If we go just one verse more. Jesus summarizes his thoughts about the Scribes and Pharisees in the beginning of VS. 13 “Woe to you, teaches of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!”
A My mother told me about an encounter she had with our pastor in the post office. He spoke to her and asked her why she did not come to church with me. She answered, “That church is just full of hypocrites!” To which our pastor answered, “Why don’t you come next Sunday and we will have one more?”
B I’m sure that just slipped out of his mouth. However, it is probably the most common reason people give for not coming to church. So, I ask you, what do you think the word “hypocrite” means?
C The word in Gk is hupokrites / ?p????t?? the simple meaning of the word is deceiver. But, the full definition is to make people think you have a particular feeling, attitude, or condition. It is like pretending to be something you are not. I think what my mother said so long ago may be true in many churches today. I dare say that it could mean to “miss the mark.”
II One thing that is interesting about the words of Jesus can be found in VS. 3 “So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.”
A In the verses that follow, Jesus condemns the practices but not the teachings of the Scribes and Pharisees. I must admit that sometimes it is very difficult to be a pastor. People are quick to criticize what you say or do. The expectation is that preachers must always practice what they preach.
B The 3 criticisms leveled upon the Scribes and Pharisees by Jesus are: 1) They say but do not do. 2) they burden others while failing to act. 3) they act for the wrong reason – to make good impressions on others.
C On of my greatest teachers was Ethel Ora Bailey Hicks. When I asked her why I had to go to church and she didn’t she answered, “Do as I say; not as I do.” This is exactly what Jesus is saying about the Scribes and Pharisees in VS. 3. Do as they say, not as they do.
III What exactly are we to do as followers of Christ Jesus, the Messiah? Jesus gives us the answer to that question in VSS. 11 & 12 “The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
A For a disciple of Christ Jesus one must be willing to be a servant. When we look into the Greek for the word translated as “servant” we find the word diakonos / d??????? which can mean to run errands / attendant / a waiter at table or in other menial duties / pastor / minister / deacon / servant.
B These translations joined together in this context point to the fact that your influence is measured by your willingness to serve others. God is not interested in how great you are but how willing you are to serve others.
C To be exalted, lifted up above the norm, raised in rank, one must be willing to live in true humility. What that means is not belittling oneself, not putting self down or even putting oneself at the end of a line. Humility isn’t something you do. It is the attitude with which you live your life. Humility means your dependence on God that results in trusting and obeying God.
Concl: I want to close with a story I read while preparing this message. I think it is a valid illustration of how we approach humility.
A mother was preparing pancakes for her 2 sons. The boys began to argue over who would get the first pancake. Their mother saw the opportunity for a moral lesson. She said, “If Jesus were sitting here, He would say, ‘Let my brother have the first pancake; I can wait.” The older son turned to his younger brother and said, “You be Jesus!” (Source unknown)
Often, we think of humility and being humble like the older brother. Let others show humility instead of adopting that stance ourselves.
