Humility – 8

Humility – 8

Subject – Humility and Faith

John 5:39-44 (NLT2)
³⁹  “You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me!
⁴⁰  Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life.
⁴¹  “Your approval means nothing to me,
⁴²  because I know you don’t have God’s love within you.
⁴³  For I have come to you in my Father’s name, and you have rejected me. Yet if others come in their own name, you gladly welcome them.
⁴⁴  No wonder you can’t believe! For you gladly honor each other, but you don’t care about the honor that comes from the one who alone is God. 

--Imagine with you are in a mall and there are displayed in shop windows expensive and beautiful things you would love to have. 

--What if someone told you to just reach out and take them, you would respond, “I can’t because of the thick glass window that separates them from me.”

--In the same way we see great and precious promises in the Word of God like perfect peace, amazing love, joy unspeakable, abiding communion with God, and unmeasurable fruitfulness. Power.

--We see it in the Word and we hear it preached about but there is something that hinders us from being able to obtain them. God’s promises are yes and amen…they are free. What’s the deal?

--What hinders us from the blessings are our pride and lack of faith. Jesus reveals to us in our text today that it is indeed pride that makes faith impossible.

--Jesus…No wonder you can’t believe! For you gladly honor each other, but you don’t care about the honor that comes from the one who alone is God. 

--Pride and faith are at major odds with each other. Also, I hope we are learning that faith and humility are at their core one. We can’t have true faith without having true humility.

--We can have strong intellectual convictions and have an assurance of truth while pride is still in our hearts. But, it makes living faith, which has power with God, impossible.

1. What Faith Is.

Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV) ¹ Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 

Andrew Murray – Faith, is it not a confession of helplessness, the surrender to God that waits to let Him work? Is it not in itself the most humbling thing there can be—the acceptance of our place as dependents who can claim, or get, or do nothing but what grace bestows?

--Humility is simply the heart that prepares the soul for living in trust. Pride assures that we cannot possess the things of the Kingdom. Why? It refuses to allow God to be Who He is. 

--Faith and humility are the means by which we can perceive and apprehend what heaven has to offer and its blessings. Faith seeks the glory that comes when God is all.

1 Corinthians 10:31 (NKJV) ³¹ Therefore, whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

--As long as we seek and take glory from one another (our text), as long as our pride causes us to seek praise, as we hunger for honor from men, we will never receive the glory that comes from God.

--Pride renders faith impossible. When we understand our salvation comes from the humility of Christ as He submitted to the cross, it should make us want to participate in His humility.

2. Humility and Faith.

--As you study the Word of God you can see how humility and faith are allied together. Jesus always took notice when He saw this combination.  Let’s look first at the Centurion.

Matthew 8:5-10&13 (NKJV)
⁵  Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him,
⁶  saying, "Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented."
⁷  And Jesus said to him, "I will come and heal him."
⁸  The centurion answered and said, "Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed.
⁹  For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."
¹⁰  When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, "Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!
¹³  Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you." And his servant was healed that same hour.

--Can you see it? It is humility that brings a person to be nothing before God and it is humility that removes every hindrance to faith. It also removes the fear so we can trust Him completely.

--This Centurion was a man of authority but he was also a man of love and compassion. Many times those in authority are too full of themselves to care about others.

--This Centurion, we are told, had built a synagogue for the Jewish people, and he obviously cared about the lowliest in his house. He could have had the servant replaced. But he cared.

--Faith and humility, made him come to Jesus on a mission. He probably heard about the leper who was healed in this same chapter.

--Love, humility, faith, and compassion make you come to Jesus pleading. When was the last time you pleaded with Jesus for someone? "Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented." 

--Please don’t miss this, Jesus quickly recognized the heart of the man coming to Him, humble, broken, desperate, pleading. “I will come and heal him." 

--Absolute humility must be the core disposition of every prayer and every approach to God, as well as, every relationship with our fellow man. 

--The Centurion comes with love and humility but as he is commended by Jesus, he is recognized for his great faith. When humility and faith get married, miracles are born.

--We try so hard to work up our faith trying to receive from God what our petition is. We travel here and there, we sing louder, we sing more, we scream, we shout…we need to change our course.

James 4:8&10 (NIV) ⁸ Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
¹⁰ Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
--The cross for Jesus, His death, and the grave of which Jesus humbled Himself, all were His path to the glory and presence of God. It’s our path too if we can comprehend it.

Murray – Let humility be our one desire and fervent prayer. Let us gladly accept whatever humbles us before God or men—this alone is the path to the glory of God. 

3. Humility and Crumbs.

Matthew 15:22-28 (NIV)
²²  A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession."
²³  Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, "Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us."
²⁴  He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel."
²⁵  The woman came and knelt before him. "Lord, help me!" she said.
²⁶  He replied, "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs."
²⁷  "Yes, Lord," she said, "but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table."
²⁸  Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed from that very hour. 

--Notice the humility that brings this Canaanite woman to be nothing before Jesus, which in turn, removes what would hinder her faith to trust Him completely. Fear and doubt are gone. 

--Notice she was an outsider, a Gentile, a mother who was desperate enough to humble herself before this Jewish Messiah…her humility made her believe she had nothing to lose.

--The wonderful disciples are such an example of the church and how we react to those who are outsiders. Our lack of humility screams to the world, we have no answer…go away.

--We forget we have the same resource this lady had…Jesus. The difference, she came desperate and pleading and we just give up so easily because of our lack of humility and faith. 

--Jesus, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel." A test. Of course! How often are we tested and we fail because of our lack of humility and faith. She cries, Lord help!

--The test continues, Jesus tries to draw out of us that which would cause us to believe and receive. Humility and faith. "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs."

--We would have given up for sure because we have not learned that humility before Jesus is the elbow that knocks the crumbs on the floor.

--"Yes, Lord," she said, "but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table." A Canaanite woman, an outsider found the answer to God’s heart and miracles.

--Faith and humility mixed with a few crumbs from the Master’s table changed her life, her daughter’s life, and the whole situation.

--It’s not over until God says it’s over. Maybe it’s not that the situation is too hard but just maybe our approach to God is not right. Faith and humility mixed with a few crumbs.

Matthew 15:22&25-28 (NIV)
²²  A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession."
²⁵  The woman came and knelt before him. "Lord, help me!" she said.
²⁶  He replied, "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs."
²⁷  "Yes, Lord," she said, "but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table."
²⁸  Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed from that very hour. 

  

Bearing the Fruit of Holy Spirit – 9

Bearing the Fruit of Holy Spirit – 9

Subject: Walking in the Fruit of the Spirit – Self Control

Galatians 5:22-26 (NKJV)
²²  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
²³  gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
²⁴  And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
²⁵  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.  

²⁶  Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

The Fruit of Holy Spirit – Self-control.

Self-control - the ability to control oneself, in particular one's emotions and desires or the expression of them in one's behavior, especially in difficult situations.

Synonyms of Self-control - self-discipline · self-restraint · restraint · control · self-mastery · self-possession · will power · strength of will · composure · coolness · moderation.

--If there is anything missing in the body of Christ, it is the fruit of Holy Spirit – self-control.

Biblical Self-control - the ability to control one’s emotions and behavior in the face of temptations and impulses.

--Self-control, as a fruit of Holy Spirit, lets us know that there is available to us supernatural strength to be able to do what we cannot do without Holy Spirit’s help. John the Baptist:

Matthew 3:11 (NKJV) ¹¹ I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

--The Apostle Paul gives us this command as he encourages us toward self-control.

Ephesians 5:15-18 (NLT2) ¹⁵  So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise.
¹⁶  Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.
¹⁷  Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.
¹⁸  Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, 

--Maybe you do not see it like I do, but I see Paul telling us that if we will have self-control, it will be possible because we are filled with Holy Spirit. It will still be our choice.

--Paul says we need to be careful how we live…use self-control…don’t live foolishly. He tells us to understand what the Lord wants us to do…we should give great thought to what the will of God is for our lives. 

Proverbs 3:5-7 (NKJV) ⁵  Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;
⁶  In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
⁷  Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil. 

1. To operate in the fruit of the Spirit ‘self-control’ we must understand God is in control.

--Do you trust in the Lord with all your heart that He is in control of every situation? We usually have problems with self-control when we feel things are out of our control.

--There are many times when things are out of our control but there are never times when life is out of God’s control. How you react to life’s trials will be greatly affected by how you trust God or not.

--How you determine to flow in the fruit of Holy Spirit will also be determined by how you make up your mind to trust God with all of your heart. Everyone say, “God is in control!” 

Romans 8:26-28 (NKJV)
²⁶  Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
²⁷  Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
²⁸  And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

A. God knows that we have weaknesses and He is always there to help us.

B. God knows there are times that things are so bad we do not even know how to pray. 

C. God knows Holy Spirit is there making intercession for us as we pray in the Spirit. 

D. God knows what is in our hearts and He knows what Holy Spirit is saying.

E. God knows what His will is so He prays according to His divine will. 

F. God knows what we need and He works all things together for our good. All things.

G. God knows we have all been called according to His purposes, so He works it for our good.

Pro. 19:20-21 (NKJV) ²⁰  Listen to counsel and receive instruction, That you may be wise in your latter days.
²¹  There are many plans in a man's heart, Nevertheless the LORD'S counsel--that will stand. 

--Remember that, it is the Lord’s counsel that will stand…you can trust Him because He is the One Who is in control. Pray for His will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven. 

Joshua 1:8-9 (NIV) ⁸ Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
⁹  Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

2. To operate in the fruit of Holy Spirit ‘self-control’ we must walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh.

Galatians 5:25 (NKJV) ⁵ If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 

 

1 Samuel 24:3-6 (NIV) ³  He came to the sheep pens along the way; a cave was there, and Saul went in to relieve himself. David and his men were far back in the cave.
⁴  The men said, "This is the day the LORD spoke of when he said to you, 'I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish.'" Then David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul's robe.
⁵  Afterward, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe.
⁶  He said to his men, "The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD's anointed, or lift my hand against him; for he is the anointed of the LORD." 

--Let me establish before we move forward with this story that David had blessed Saul in so many ways. He fought and killed the enemies of Saul. He killed his ten thousand and more for his king.

--He would minister music to Saul and the spirit that was sent from the Lord would depart from him and the Bible said he would be refreshed and made well. 

--He even defeated a nine-foot-tall giant who was taunting Israel and Israel’s God. Saul was too afraid to fight him but David trusted God. 

--David is the example of a man walking in the Spirit and Saul is definitely an example of a man walking in the flesh. You would think David would be Saul’s best buddy. See how sin blinds us. 

--Saul threw spears and David while he was playing the harp and trying to pen him against the wall. He chases him like a dog and wants to destroy him. Anger and bitterness out of control. No self-control.

--Saul has the Special Forces of Israel’s army pursuing David with him and he is bent on getting rid of this young guy who was a threat to his kingdom. 

--David never would have been a threat to Saul if he had lived righteously and had been obedient to God’s commands. Many of our problems are our all creations.

--The remainder of this message, let’s look at the self-control that David used in this situation where Saul was in the most vulnerable situation possible.

--Let me point out how incredible of a warrior David must have been to be able to sneak up on Saul in a cave when he is relieving himself and cut the corner of his robe off without him knowing. Maybe noisy! 

A. Recognize David’s self-control when he had his peers encouraging him by using the God card. 

--Many times our so-called friends will encourage us that God is on our side when we want to take vengeance on someone that we have an issue with. Be careful thinking that is the case. God wants you to be happy. Really?

B. Recognize David’s self-control had not allowed the evil of another to cause him to compromise. 

--He immediately felt bad that he had touched the king (his master) in such a threatening way. Trials and persecution never gives you a right of retaliation. 

Matthew 5:44-45 (NKJV) ⁴⁴ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,
⁴⁵  that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

C. Recognize David’s self-control made him hesitate long enough to recognize God’s hand on Saul.

1 Chronicles 16:22 (NKJV) ²² Saying, "Do not touch My anointed ones, And do My prophets no harm." 

D. Recognize David’s self-control gave him the strength to not allow others to attack the king.

Warning: Do not take up an offense of someone else or allow others to take up your offense. Be careful who you share your junk with. You may get over it but someone else will take it to the next level.

E. Recognize David’s self-control caused David to humble himself before the king (his enemy).

--Humbling ourselves before our enemies puts them in a place where they have to deal with God. 

F. Recognize David’s self-control left it up to the Lord to avenge him.

Romans 12:19&21 (NKJV) ¹⁹ Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord.
²¹  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. 

Humility – 7

Humility – 7

Subject – Humility and Holiness

By Rick Welborne

Isaiah 65:1-5 (NLT2)
¹  The LORD says, “I was ready to respond, but no one asked for help. I was ready to be found, but no one was looking for me. I said, ‘Here I am, here I am!’ to a nation that did not call on my name.
⁵  Yet they say to each other, ‘Don’t come too close or you will defile me! I am holier than you!’ These people are a stench in my nostrils, an acrid smell that never goes away. 

--We don’t hear about this like we used to, but there is a movement in the church is called the holiness movement. There are churches who proudly emphasis that they are holiness.

Andrew Murray – The great test of whether the holiness we profess to seek or to attain is truth and life will be whether it is manifest in the increasing humility it produces. In the individual, humility is the one thing needed to allow God’s holiness to dwell in and shine through him or her. In Jesus—the Holy One of God, Who makes us holy—divine humility was the secret of His life, His death, and His exaltation. 

--The one infallible test of our holiness will be our humility before God and others. Humility is the bloom (what people say and smell) and the beauty of holiness. 

--The main way you can tell if holiness is counterfeit is the lack humility. All of us have to be on our guard that as we seek after holiness, we do not allow pride to slip in. Proud of being holy.

--Ladies, your dress can be down to the floor, your hair can be so long you have to put it in a beehive bun to keep it from touching the ground, and you can go without makeup. Paint the barn.

--Men, you can always wear long sleeves all the way to your hands and you can make sure you don’t have facial hair but if you don’t have humility (if you are proud) it accomplishes nothing. 

--We had a couple who came from a church near us. They told us how they had an outreach to the bus kids parents who were coming. The church police stood outside the door.

--Any of the parents who came with tattoos, men with earrings, ladies with dresses not past their knees, a cap, or any other rule made by them were turned away by the Pharisees. So sad.

1. Two Men Go to Pray.

Luke 18:10-13 (NKJV) ¹⁰ "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
¹¹  The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men--extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.
¹²  I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.'
¹³  And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!'

--We mentioned these two last sermon. They both go to pray, one a Pharisee and one a tax collector. The Pharisee (because of his title and position) had access wherever he wanted to go.

--Pride can lift its head even in the temple of God and can make its worship a scene of self-exaltation. Everyone look how holy and wonderful I am. Not like this guy, the tax collector. 

--When I was the youth pastor here, a man stood and prayed to himself. Eloquent, loud, powerful, and with convicting influence. Hard to swallow for sure.

--The pastor told me he was going ask him to let his name run for the Board of Deacons. He was politicking. 

--I tried to discourage the pastor. He asked me, “Did you here that prayer?” Yes, that is why I am saying don’t let him run. He will try to hurt us and the church. He was voted in.

--Within a year, this man brought before the board and the pastors pages and pages of accusations against us. The Pharisee in him came out quick. 

--In this story we see Jesus tells us that the tax collector left their justified.

Luke 18:14 (NLT2) ¹⁴ I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

--Can I give us a caution? The tax collector (the sinner) and the Pharisee (the one who displays his holiness) need to both be on their guard. Why?

--I believe we have both of these men inside of us. And when we come to church hopefully to pray and seek God, these two come along.

--The tax collector doesn’t have to worry so much about the Pharisee but maybe he should worry about the Pharisee inside of him. Look how I humble myself before God.

--In this story we know this man was sincere but many times we can be guilty of displaying our humility before others. I was such a sinner but look at me know, crying to God.

--The Pharisee needs to be careful he doesn’t become like Satan and the angels coming before God.

Job 1:6 (NLT2) ⁶ One day the members of the heavenly court came to present themselves before the LORD, and the Accuser, Satan, came with them. 

--You see, you can be in God’s House, in God’s presence and be lifted up in pride and arrogance. Satan and Pharisees love accusing others. Can’t see their own pride.

Quote – Sadly, pride is the first thing we see in others and the last thing we see in ourselves. 

2. False Humility and Pride.

Luke 18:11 (NIV) ¹¹ The Pharisee stood up and prayed about (to) himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men--robbers, evildoers, adulterers--or even like this tax collector.

--Sometimes our lack of humility and pride can be revealed by our prayers. Our spoken attitudes.

Murray – Yes, even when the language of penitence and trust in God’s mercy alone is heard, the Pharisee may take up the note of praise and in thanking God be congratulating himself. Pride can clothe itself in the garments of praise or of penitence.   

--Maybe we would never say “I am not like other men.” Because those words would be rejected or condemned, but their spirit may too often be in our feelings and attitude toward others.

--If you struggle to believe if that is true, just listen to how we talk about our brothers and sisters to others. Notice how little of the humility and meekness of Jesus is seen.

--You can see it in the church or any work of the Lord in how the saints are so touchy and impatient, self-defensive and self-assertive, sharp judgment and unkind words. Others better? Nope!

--When we have to have the best seat, access to the mic, be on the platform, recognized for all the wonderful things we are doing, and when “Me” has to be acknowledged. Exalting others?

--Notice the difference of walking thru a time of humility and brokenness, and being clothed with humility.

--There is a big difference of those who truly have a humble spirit and who are constantly counting himself to be the servant of others, and having the same attitude Jesus had.

--We see in our text the parody of holiness. Jesus is the Holy One and He is the humble one. The holiest will always be the humblest. We are holy based on how much of God we have in us.

--Humility is nothing but the disappearance of self and knowing that God is all in all. If you feel you have attained to some level of holiness, it should be evidenced by your humility.

--How you treat the people in the church and how you treat people in the world will reveal if you have the attitude of the Pharisee, “God, I thank you that I am not like other men.”

3. Less Than the Least.

Ephesians 3:7-8 (NIV)                                                                                                                                             ⁷  I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power.
⁸  Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,

1 Tim. 1:15-17 (NLT2) ¹⁵ “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all.
¹⁶  But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.
¹⁷  All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen.

--Please notice the contrast…less than the least. “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all and 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men.

--The one who realizes he is the least and the worst realizes the reason for God’s mercy on him was to give other people hope. All honor and glory to God forever and ever!

--The Pharisee, even in his prayer, reminds God what a great bargain He is getting by having him. Paul and the tax collector show their humility while the Pharisee displays His pride and arrogance.

--Never for a moment could Paul forget that is was a wretched sinner that God had taken up in His arms and crowned him with His love. Maybe we should remember what Christ has done for us.

--Paul cries out in Romans 7…Who shall deliver me from this body of death, this pride, this arrogance, from myself? Thanks be to God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

--Our calling is to bask in God’s holy, redeeming love, endeavoring to always put on the compassion of Christ (Humility), to being filled with Holy Spirit…how can we not be humble?

Psalm 145:1-5 (NLT2)
¹ I will exalt you, my God and King, and praise your name forever and ever.
²  I will praise you every day; yes, I will praise you forever.
³  Great is the LORD! He is most worthy of praise! No one can measure his greatness.
⁴  Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power.
⁵  I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles. 

--Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up!