The culture of pride Habakkuk 2:6-20

Pride defined “A feeling or deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one's own achievements, the achievements of those with whom one is closely associated, or from qualities or possessions that are widely admired.”

Culture? "Culture is an effort to provide a coherent set of answers to the existential situations that confront human beings in the passage of their lives.“ Daniel Yankelovich

Culture? "A genuine cultural revolution is one that makes a decisive break with the shared meanings of the past. The break particularly affects those meanings that relate to the deepest questions of the purpose and the nature of human life.“ Daniel Yankelovich

The culture of pride Habakkuk 2:6-20

Pride is the Source of All Misery The Culture of Pride Pride is the Source of All Misery

Pride is the Source of all misery 6“But soon their captives will taunt them.     They will mock them, saying, ‘What sorrow awaits you thieves!     Now you will get what you deserve! You’ve become rich by extortion,     but how much longer can this go on?’ 7 Suddenly, your debtors will take action.     They will turn on you and take all you have,     while you stand trembling and helpless. 8 Because you have plundered many nations,     now all the survivors will plunder you. You committed murder throughout the countryside     and filled the towns with violence. Extortion: Pride grafted into financial gain. Slavery: the result of pride over the value of another human being

Pride is the Source of all misery 9 “What sorrow awaits you who build big houses with money gained dishonestly! You believe your wealth will buy security, putting your family’s nest beyond the reach of danger. 10 But by the murders you committed, you have shamed your name and forfeited your lives. 11 The very stones in the walls cry out against you, and the beams in the ceilings echo the complaint. Bribery: Pride grafted into security. Slavery: the result of pride over the value of another human being

Pride grafted into culture 12 “What sorrow awaits you who build cities     with money gained through murder and corruption! 13 Has not the Lord of Heaven’s Armies promised     that the wealth of nations will turn to ashes? They work so hard,     but all in vain! 14 For as the waters fill the sea,     the earth will be filled with an awareness     of the glory of the Lord. Corruption: Pride grafted into public office.

Pride is the Source of all misery 15 “What sorrow awaits you who make your neighbors drunk! You force your cup on them so you can gloat over their shameful nakedness. 16 But soon it will be your turn to be disgraced. Come, drink and be exposed! Drink from the cup of the Lord’s judgment, and all your glory will be turned to shame. Debauchery: Pride grafted into entertainment

Pride is the Source of all misery You cut down the forests of Lebanon. Now you will be cut down. You destroyed the wild animals, so now their terror will be yours. You committed murder throughout the countryside and filled the towns with violence. Environmental abuse: Pride grafted into natural environment

Pride is the Source of all misery 18 “What good is an idol carved by man, or a cast image that deceives you? How foolish to trust in your own creation— a god that can’t even talk! 19 What sorrow awaits you who say to wooden idols, ‘Wake up and save us!’ To speechless stone images you say, ‘Rise up and teach us!’ Can an idol tell you what to do? They may be overlaid with gold and silver, but they are lifeless inside. 20 But the Lord is in his holy Temple. Let all the earth be silent before him.” Idolatry: Pride grafted into worship

Pride is the Source of all misery Effects Outcomes Extortion (vv. 6-8) Corruption (vv. 9-11) Slavery (vv. 6-14) Drunkenness and Sex (vv. 15-16) Environmental abuse (v. 17) Idol making (vv18-19) Poverty, unbalanced dispersion of wealth Rule of Law not enforced Value of humankind depleted (slavery and sexual abuse) Environmental consequences Ultimately judged by the LORD for the wrong they have done with their own hands

Pride is the Source of all misery

Pride is the Source of all misery

Litmus of pride Show me a Man full of misery and I’ll show you a Man trying to guard His pride.

Misery or grief?

MiserY when we fail

Misery when We Succeed “I remember winning the Super Bowl that year, and that night after the game I was the first one out of the locker room, the first one to the press conference, and the first one to go home. And I remember my wife, Carolyn, saying to me, “Baby, you just won the Super Bowl! Don’t you have a party downstairs or something to go to?” And I just said, “Nah,” and rolled over and went to sleep. That was the same week I bought myself a brand new $275,000 Lamborghini, and I haven’t even driven a mile before I realized, “No, that’s not it. That’s not what I’m looking for. It’s got to be something else, I’m so hungry.” I tried everything. Parties, women, buying expensive jewelry and gadgets, and nothing helped. There was no peace. I mean I was playing great. I got all this media attention and everything the world has to offer, but no peace, no joy, just emptiness inside. That’s when the Lord was really calling me. There was nobody going through it with me. It was just me, one-on-one with God. I tried running from it and running from it, and even when I was playing baseball the following year in Cincinnati, the Lord kept calling me, pulling me, drawing me along. Deion Sanders – two-sport star in NFL and NBL (Football and Baseball)

The Culture of Pride Pride Will Acquire God’s Judgment Pride is the Source of All Misery Pride Will Acquire God’s Judgment

Pride will acquire god’s judgment 6“But soon their captives will taunt them.     They will mock them, saying, ‘What sorrow awaits you thieves!     Now you will get what you deserve! You’ve become rich by extortion,     but how much longer can this go on?’ 7 Suddenly, your debtors will take action.     They will turn on you and take all you have,     while you stand trembling and helpless. 8 Because you have plundered many nations,     now all the survivors will plunder you. You committed murder throughout the countryside     and filled the towns with violence. God uses other nations to punish the prideful nation.

Pride will acquire god’s judgment 9 “What sorrow awaits you who build big houses with money gained dishonestly! You believe your wealth will buy security, putting your family’s nest beyond the reach of danger. 10 But by the murders you committed, you have shamed your name and forfeited your lives. 11 The very stones in the walls cry out against you, and the beams in the ceilings echo the complaint. Family name shamed Be held accountable for the work they have done.

Pride will acquire god’s judgment 12 “What sorrow awaits you who build cities     with money gained through murder and corruption! 13 Has not the Lord of Heaven’s Armies promised     that the wealth of nations will turn to ashes? They work so hard,     but all in vain! 14 For as the waters fill the sea,     the earth will be filled with an awareness     of the glory of the Lord. The heavens are against the sinful nation.

Pride will acquire god’s judgment 15 “What sorrow awaits you who make your neighbors drunk! You force your cup on them so you can gloat over their shameful nakedness. 16 But soon it will be your turn to be disgraced. Come, drink and be exposed! Drink from the cup of the Lord’s judgment, and all your glory will be turned to shame. Publicly disgraced Judged by the Lord Glory = Shame

Pride will acquire god’s judgment You cut down the forests of Lebanon. Now you will be cut down. You destroyed the wild animals, so now their terror will be yours. You committed murder throughout the countryside and filled the towns with violence. Consequences will creep up on you.

Pride will acquire god’s judgment 18 “What good is an idol carved by man, or a cast image that deceives you? How foolish to trust in your own creation— a god that can’t even talk! 19 What sorrow awaits you who say to wooden idols, ‘Wake up and save us!’ To speechless stone images you say, ‘Rise up and teach us!’ Can an idol tell you what to do? They may be overlaid with gold and silver, but they are lifeless inside. 20 But the Lord is in his holy Temple. Let all the earth be silent before him.” Their idols will never save them, and the one true God will judge in a silent hall.

“Glorious” British Empire

Britain today

Pride leads to God’s judgment For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. Habakkuk 2:14 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. Romans 1:18

We go travel and tour around the world, thinking that “if I visit here, my life is complete” “If I wine and dine in these restaurants, then life would be perfect. But after once, twice, thrice travelling and touring almost all around the world, we come back and still feel like we missed something. That’s pride trying to fill a void which only God can.

The Culture of Pride Pride Can Be Overcome by Grace Pride is the Source of All Misery Pride Will Acquire God’s Judgment Pride Can Be Overcome by Grace

Pride Can be overcome by grace For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. Habakkuk 2:14 Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the one true God, and Jesus the Messiah, whom You have sent. John 17:3

Pride can be overcome by grace The cup from the Lord’s right hand is coming around to you, and disgrace will cover your glory. Habakkuk 2:16 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” Luke 22:42

Pride can be overcome by grace The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him. Habakkuk 2:20 19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” 20 They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” 21 But the temple he had spoken of was his body. 22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken. John 2:19-22

Pride Can Be Overcome by Grace

The Culture of Pride Pride is the Source of All Misery Pride Will Acquire God’s Judgment Pride Can Be Overcome by Grace