SUNDAY, MAY 8, 2015 TIM CURRY The Sin of Pride

Introduction In Daniel 2, King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream about a statue…  Daniel’s interpretation of the dream produced humility in the heart of Nebuchadnezzar “fell upon his face, and worshipped Daniel” (2:46)  His son, Belshazzar was also prideful and used holy items in the temple for pleasure (5:1-4)  Pride can often pass from generation to generation if not humility is a daily growth in our lives. 3

Introduction Pride is a serious problem today  This is not a new problem that I am talking about. (Eccl. 1:9)  God hates the sin of pride. It was one of the seven things that God hates in Proverbs 6: (cf Proverbs 8:13). Danger of Pride  Pride is not a harmless attribute that one has.  Pride is an area that we ought to mature in and be constantly on guard.  The Bible warns us that “a man’s pride shall bring him low…” and those who have humility “shall obtain honor” (Proverbs 29:23; 2 Samuel 22:28).  Humility is something that we are always learning to grow in and seek, but never arrive at. 4

Introduction “For even if I could conceive that I had completely overcome it, I should probably be proud of my Humility.” – Benjamin Franklin Humility is a work in progress while pride is a step back. Consider the prideful people whom God brought down  Nimrod – Genesis 10:8-9  Pharaoh – Exodus 10:3  Uzziah – 2 Chronicles 26:16  Haman – Esther 3:5 5

(1) Pride Hides in Our Hearts 6 Pride does two things in the hearts of men and women…

Pride Hides in Our Hearts The difficulty with pride is that it can be easily seen by others, but so difficult to see in ourselves. Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly corrupt: who can know it?” 7

Pride Hides in Our Hearts There are at least six types of pride that we need to be aware of:  Intellectual Pride  I have seen Christians “advertise” their educational accomplishments without acknowledging who gave them their degrees or certifications.  Do we forget that God’s strength allows us to do many things (Philippians 4:13)? 8

Pride Hides in Our Hearts There are at least six types of pride that we need to be aware of:  Material Pride  The Bible never says that it is impossible for a rich man to reach heaven, but that path is littered with many who have tried.  The Bible does say that “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” (1 Timothy 6:10) 9

Pride Hides in Our Hearts There are at least six types of pride that we need to be aware of:  Social Pride  People like to feel good about themselves.  We need to incorporate meekness into our lives. 10

Pride Hides in Our Hearts There are at least six types of pride that we need to be aware of:  Talented / Artistic Pride  We like to hear compliments about something good we do.  That is when pride becomes hidden in our hearts.  May we always give God the glory for all that we can accomplish through His word!  When someone compliments you; immediately give God the glory for what you have done before pride has a chance to hide in your heart. 11

Pride Hides in Our Hearts There are at least six types of pride that we need to be aware of:  Pride about one’s Nationality  The Jews despised the Gentiles (Mt. 15:26).  The Greeks considered everyone else Barbarians (Rom. 1:14). 12

Pride Hides in Our Hearts There are at least six types of pride that we need to be aware of:  Pride in Brotherhood Organizations  It has become more noticeable in recent years of the loyalty that brethren have toward man-made institutions.  They place their man-made institutions above the church by planning and providing annual lectureships  Jn. 12:43 “For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” 13

(2) Pride Keeps You From Getting God’s Help 14 Pride does two things in the hearts of men and women.

Pride Keeps You From Getting God’s Help Pride keeps one from obeying God’s Word.  Pharaoh refused God’s help through His servants, Moses and Aaron. (Exodus 14:25)  Naaman wanted to be healed on his terms. Here is a man who felt insulted when the Prophet of God sent a girl out to tell him what he needed to do.  Hezekiah was given three times to swallow his pride and each time in 2 Chronicles 32 and 2 Kings he became prideful. Pride keeps one away from conversion  Jesus used children as an example of how to be humble and that a lack of humility will keep you from Heaven (Mt. 18:1-3)  One must have the proper attitude (Mt. 5:3) 15

Pride Keeps You From Getting God’s Help Pride keeps one from confessing sin  Some are too proud to say: “I was wrong, I have sinned”  Yet, confessions must be made to God (1 Jn. 1:9) and to others (Mt. 5:23- 24) Pride keeps one from contentment  We live in a nation that gets everything they want; buy on credit with no intention to pay for it  We need to learn contentment (1 Tim. 6:6-8)  Pride leads to contention (Prov. 13:10)  Pride will lead to rebellion (Psa. 10:3-4) 16

17 How To Become Humble

God tells us to be “clothed with humility” (1 Peter 5:5) and that he “resisteth the proud.”  In other words, humility will multiply the impact of our talents, while pride will limit the use of our talents!  We need humility so God can honor and bless you.  Pride is not something we simply get over, but it is something that we continue to beat down! 18

Steps We Can Practice In Our Lives We must learn to pass praise, deflect praise, and redirect praise.  Romans 6:17; Glory in the cross – Gal. 6:14  The best example in the Bible of one who never accepted praise is Jesus. (Read John 10:25, 32; 14:28.)  The next time someone praises you remember to deflect and redirect the praise back to God. Engage in daily prayer.  Prayer is a humbling experience. (Psalms 95:6)  Also, praying with your spouse will help you to be humble  Learn to admit your wrongs. (i.e. Nathan and David) 19

Steps We Can Practice In Our Lives Bless those who curse you (Matthew 5:44)  It can be difficult to praise those who hurt us, but we need to swallow our pride. (Also Rom 12:20)  We need to welcome correction and criticism.  Others can see our faults and gently restore us. Remember your own mortality (John 3:27)  All that we have is because of God. I am nothing without Him.  Often sickness, such as cancer, in one’s life reminds one that their life is short and they should begin to get their life right with God. 20

21 Test ARE YOU PRIDEFUL? ASK YOURSELVES THESE QUESTIONS:

Ask Yourselves These Questions: When criticized, do we resent it because our selfish pride has been offended? 2. Have we ever become jealous when someone out-performed us? 3. Have we ever been controlled by pride to the extent that we would not admit that we were wrong? 4. Has pride ever allowed us to miss services and felt justified in doing so? 5. Has our pride ever hindered us in responding to the invitation when we really should have done so to make things right? 6. Has pride made us press our opinions or preferences on others to the point of isolation and disfellowship from them?

Conclusion 23 We need to make humility a lifelong quest.  Removing pride from our hearts is difficult because it hides and it keeps us from getting God’s help.  Humility will make us better Christians while pride will make us ineffective Christians.  There is nothing good about pride and it leads to trouble in our lives. Jesus did not allow pride to prevent his crucifixion.  He allowed cruel men to abuse and crucify him (Lk.22:63-71; 23:1-38)  Jesus came to this earth in a divine demonstration of humility (Phil. 2:3).  Is pride keeping you from accepting Christ as your Savior?

STEPS OF SALVATION 24 HEAR – Rom. 10:17 BELIEVE – Jn 8:24 REPENT – Lk. 13:3 CONFESS – Mt. 10:32 BE BAPTIZED – Mk. 16:16 BE FAITHFUL – Rev. 2:10