THE POWER OF HUMILITY
(9:00 a.m. Service)
I. THE IMPORTANCE OF HUMILITY
1. The meek shall inherit the earth.
Matthew 5:3-5
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
2. Humility is the standard by which greatness is measured in the kingdom
Matthew 18:1-4
At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever, therefore, shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
3. Humility is the key to Promotion
Matthew 23:12
And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased, and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
4. Humility is the path to Grace
James 4:6
But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”
1Peter 5:5-6
Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” 6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.
a. Grace is the one essential element in the Kingdom of God. Jn
1:17; Ephesians 2:8-9
5. God chooses to dwell with the humble.
Isaiah 57:15
15 For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, With him who has a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
6. Honor supports the humble Prov. 29:23; Prov. 18:12; Prov. 22:4
Proverbs 29:23
A man's pride shall bring him low: but honor shall uphold the humble in spirit.
7. It is of Great price in the sight of God.
1Peter 3:3-4
Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
II. WHAT IS HUMILITY
1. Humility is something we must be able to recognize even in ourselves.
a. Moses wrote that he was humble. (Numbers 12:1)
b. Paul humbled himself before people (2 Corinthians 10:1)
2. What Humility is not – Counterfeit Humility
a. Being poor
b. Belittling yourself
c. Chronic Illness
d. Weakness
e. Allowing others to walk over you
f. Seeing yourself as a worm
g. Shyness
-Dictionary definition – not proud or arrogant; modest; to be humble although successful
h. It’s not perfection
i. It’s not absolute (There is a range – Can’t be compared)
3. Humility is a sense of entire nothingness, which comes when we truly see that God is all in all. 2 Corinthians 3:5
4. Humility is a mindset- Philippians 2:5-7
Philippians 2:5-7
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
5. Choices (you make yourself)- Philippians 2:6-7
6. It’s a Condition of heart.
Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
7. Resting in God.
Psalms 131: 1-2. LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me. Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child.
III. HOW TO WALK IN HUMILITY
1. Handle your enemies with mercy. Numbers 12:1-10
2. Tremble at God’s Word
Isaiah 66:1-2
Thus says the Lord: “Heaven is My throne, And the earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest? 2 For all those things My hand has made, And all those things exist,” Says the Lord. “But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, And who trembles at My word.
3. Possessing a gentle demeanor.
Isaiah 42:1-3
Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.
4. Embrace suffering and mistreatment meekly.
Isaiah 53:3-7
He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our grief, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes, we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way, and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep, before her shearers are dumb, so he opens not his mouth.
a. Don’t harden your hearts Heb 12:
b. Be careful about the nuances of your language
c. Don’t dredge up past failures
d. Never say I told you so
5. By relating in submission to others
1Peter 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
6. By giving preference to our social demeanor. Luke 14:7-11
7. By serving those under us. John 13:1-14
8. By realizing that everything you receive is from God. 1 Corinthians 4:7
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