Promotion Cometh to the Humble
I. Consider and contrast two characters:
• Judas – was called a thief, was said of him that he had a devil,
• Peter – flesh ruled, mouth got him into trouble, self-seeking
Both had the same opportunity – both had one of the greatest callings (original 12), Had power to heal and over unclean spirits (Matt 10:1-4)
One became a great man of God the other committed suicide – was the difference the type of sin they had in their lives?
o Because Judas had a devil he had no chance? (Demoniac of Gadera)
o Was it because he was a thief and there is no way a thief can make it right? (guy on the cross – Mark 15:27)
Both were Apostles of the Lamb – one of twelve positions that man can hold – both had Jesus as their personal instructor – both lived in the Presence of God for 3.5 years – both heard all the Words and teachings of Christ – and both had areas in their lives that would keep them from experiencing the purpose of God
Question: What was the difference that caused one to experience total failure and the other to experience powerful success?
Submission (one submitted themselves allowing God to change them – the other didn’t): 1 a : to yield to governance or authority
Interesting point: The one who wouldn’t submit or lower himself is the one that fail and the one who lowered himself is the one who was promoted
Matt 23:12
12 And whosoever shall exalt (to elevate) himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble (to depress) himself shall be exalted. (KJV)
when the Bible deals with any type of issue is it the main focus the natural manifestation or the spirit behind it?
Bible is Spirit and life (John 6:63) – The Bible deals with spiritual laws that govern natural actions
Matt 23:1-3
1 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,
2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: (seat of authority)
3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. (KJV)
Dealing with the heart – what they are saying is correct, but what they are doing is incorrect
If we take what Jesus said in verse 12 about exalting and humbling and apply it to the scribes and Pharisees here what can we conclude?
o To exalt oneself is to not submit oneself to the Word of God
o Important point – Submit to established authority (Moses’ seat) but don’t follow wrong men (contrast with Paul – follow me…)
President Reagan’s acceptance speech 1980:
We need rebirth of the American tradition of leadership at every level of government and in private life as well. The United States of America is unique in world history because it has a genius for leaders -- many leaders -- on many levels. But, back in 1976, Mr. Carter said, "Trust me." And a lot of people did. Now, many of those people are out of work. Many have seen their savings eaten away by inflation. Many others on fixed incomes, especially the elderly, have watched helplessly as the cruel tax of inflation wasted away their purchasing power. And, today, a great many who trusted Mr. Carter wonder if we can survive the Carter policies of national defense.
"Trust me" government asks that we concentrate our hopes and dreams on one man; that we trust him to do what’s best for us. My view of government places trust not in one person or one party, but in those values that transcend persons and parties.
As Christians we have allowed the failures of man to cause us to walk away from the governments of Christ
o Result is that we exalt ourselves above that which God has put in place – free moral agent (only applies to sinners)
Humbling ourselves is bringing ourselves under the Word (it is a submission to God’s system)
Which is His Word for our personal lives and how we should live and His governments (structure)
That humbling or that submission will cause some very specific things to happen (point out how we exalt ourselves):
1. Cause us to assemble ourselves together
2. Cause us to speak to other people as a minister of reconciliation
3. It will cause us to bring to the Lord what is His – a tenth of our increase
4. It will cause us to start changing our manner of thinking (renewing the mind)
5. It will cause us to change the way we talk
List can be very long – point is humbling ourselves changes us – Judas did not humble himself
Matt 18:1-4
1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? (talking about promotion – Ps 75:6)
2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted (turn around or reverse), and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, (obedience) the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (KJV)
• Call someone up and then have sit down - this is what this child did
• To humble is to be obedient
Exod 10:3
3 And Moses and Aaron came in unto Pharaoh, and said unto him, (what was the conversation and problem between Moses & Ph) Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself (how did he refuse) before me? let my people go, that they may serve me. (KJV)
For Pharoah to have let the people go would have been for him to humble himself or submit himself to the Word of God
Isa 57:15
15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also (Eph 1:3,4); that is of a contrite (grieving for sin) and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. (KJV)
Promotion is forward or upward motion – if we want to dwell in the high place we must bring ourselves into subjection of the Word
Next two verses are about promotion:
James 4:10
10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. (KJV)
1 Pet 5:6
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: (KJV)
Question: Under normal (job) circumstances why doesn’t the new person get promoted boss over everyone?
Doesn’t know character – integrity – faithfulness
How does the world find out what is in a persons heart?
o Usually a ladder of promotion to see how the person handles the next level
How does God find out?
Deut 8:2
2 And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. (KJV)
Leads us in ways that makes us make a decision of whether we are going to be submitted to Him or not
Why do many Christians live in the same wilderness the majority of their life… (their like the Israelites – never learning always saying or thinking, “I would be better for us…”
Deut 8:16
16 Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end; (KJV)
God will not promote unless He knows you have the character of heart to handle it.
o Greatest character of all is obedience
Closing theme – there is more life in humbling than there is in exalting
2 Peter 1 – Grace and peace is multiplied through the knowledge of God
o Implied message is that we submit to the knowledge
James 4:6
6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. (KJV)
Prov 16:19
19 Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. KJV)
Last but very important scripture:
2 Chr 7:14
14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (KJV)
Was there dirt sick?
Rephrase: I will heal (mend or cure) your territory (things within your borders ie. Family and finances)
Four things:
1. Humble themselves is first – very few Christians apply this to their lives
2. Pray – many pray, probably is the #1 right thing that Christians do.
3. Seek My face – most seek His hand = filling a need. Seeking His face is relationship
4. Turn from their wicked way – so/so endeavor on what would be called major sins
Promotion comes from the Lord – it takes humbling of ourselves to qualify
