Sermon Central
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"the Importance Of Humility" Series
Contributed by John Bright on Jun 22, 2023 (message contributor)
Summary: Working through the Gospel of Luke using consecutive expository preaching. Teaching sheet included at end of text.
"The Importance of Humility"
Pastor John Bright
Luke 14 7 When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: 8 “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. 9 If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. 10 But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests. 11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
12 Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
Pause right there. Those words I just read; they were “Breathed by God”! God wants you to hear His Word right now! So, what is your response? Do you want to transformed by that Word or do you want to be informed about the words? You must choose.
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A very proud scientist told God, “Now that we have all our innovative technological developments, we can make a human being just as well and easily as you can.”
God said, “You're on.” So God reached down and out of a handful of dirt created a new human being.
The scientist, thinking well of himself, said, “Now watch me.” And so, he reached for some dirt.
“Hold on,” said God. “Go and create your own dirt.” 😊
To talk about humility, I have to talk about pride. To talk about pride, I have to talk about the beginning of the human race – Adam and Eve. In Genesis 3, satan is tempting them and says, “5 “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” They fall for that lie of satan – the same way folks today fall for the same lie. It fills them with so much pride they proclaim, “I don’t need God because I can take care of myself.” We see all kinds of pride in the world and in the church.
In his book, “Being with God,” Pastor AJ Sherrill addresses how the practices of contemplative prayer help the Believer see what’s going on inside: we are so caught up in our inner dramas that we lack the clarity to know what to pray for. Surrendering to the indwelling Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26-27) brings us into a conversation in our prayers that exposes 2 truths (pg. 87-88):
• We are probably less important than we think.
• We definitely more loved than we know.
Being important in the eyes of others and in our eyes – that’s the kind of pride Jesus is speaking to in this text today.
Take the Humble Place, v.7-11
Luke 14 7 When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: 8 “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. 9 If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. 10 But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests. 11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
I need to clarify one thing about humility – you can fake it. False humility is when a person acts humble while still filled with pride on the inside. Humility is a disposition of the heart and God knows exactly what is in your heart and my heart. AMEN!
In Jesus’ day, a dinner with many guests would be served at tables arranged in a U-shape. The host would sit at the base and the most honored guests would sit close to the host. The most honored guests would often arrive late. (NIV Application Commentary – Luke, pg. 392) This a picture of the how Jesus and the disciples would be seated at the Last Supper.
