Humility If I were Satan – I would attack this church with issues of pride. There are such talented and hard-working people here – I would try to make that their downfall. I would stir people here to focus on their strengths, their accomplishments, and their insights. I would constantly tell people how far they’ve come in life. How much they’ve earned, and how much others need and depend on them. I would tempt them to compare themselves and determine that they are a little “better” a little “smarter” a little more “correct” than others. Because if I could destroy their humility – I could destroy their cooperation, and I could destroy their mutual love. So tonight I want to be pro-active and strenthen our shield of FAITH to withstand these kind of attacks. In MATTHEW 11:25-30 Jesus declares the importance of HUMILITY. Here, JESUS says… LEARN FROM ME. That’s exactly what we want to do tonight. Humility is defined as “a modest view of one’s own importance.” So if JESUS – the most important person to ever walk the earth – can be humble – surely we can view our importance with modesty as well! He can help us be MORE HUMBLE – and it begins with understanding How GOD thinks of HUMILITY…

Humility Is Treasured By God “He shall save the humble person” Job 22:29 “Though the Lord is on high, Yet He regards the lowly” Psalm 138:6 “The reward of humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, honor, and life.” Proverbs 22:4 “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up” James 4:10

But Not False Humility Humility Is More Than… Doing apparently humble deeds. Saying unflattering things about ourselves. Low self-esteem. Romans 12:3 JESUS GETS IT RIGHT! Humility is not something we do – it is something we are. People will occasionally DO the dirtiest, the lowest of jobs – but only so that they can boast about it later. Only so others can see it, or so they can claim it on their resume. * No doing apparently humble deeds is not guarantee of humility. Humility goes to the HEART. If we serve, so that others see – that just isn’t humility. Secondly, Humility is not something we say – but something we are. We’ve all heard people describe themselves in the most unflattering way. They act as if their contribution to a project was insignificant – when everyone knows they were essential. *I know some speak this way – because they are ACTUALLY humble and don’t know what else to say. For them it is sincere. But there are also people who as they speak about their role only say “Oh, it was nothing” because their ears are burning to hear the praise they think they are worthy of. They can hardly wait for others to say “OH, NO! You’re so great! You’re so special! Etc…” *We need to remember that words alone don’t determine humility – It must be in our HEARTS. Finally, Low self-esteem is not the same as humility. There are some who are not truly humble because they can’t see the value in anything they do or contribute. They can’t see the talents God has blessed them with and they’ve gone beyond humble modesty – they are missing the opportunity to praise God for the abiliities He’s blessed them with. ** There is an EXCESS of false humility, and I imagine many of us have struggled with that to some degree. We need JESUS to really SHOW US AND TELL US how to get this right.. So I want us to answer His call and let Him show us.

Jesus’ Call To Humility He Chose Humble Circumstances. He Chose Humble Obedience. He Chose Humble Friends. He Chose Humble Sacrifice. “obedient to the point of death, even death of the cross” (Philippians 2:8) Circumstances – to be born to a poor family, with rumors of illegitimacy (Jon 8:41) So what about me: Will I choose to spend time in humble circumstances. To be out of the spotlight and do work most people never see? Obedience – Heb. 5:8 * What about me: Will I choose to obey God’s will – Respecting and Honoring His position despite my preferences. Obeying Him and following the Path He has determined. Followers – Fishermen, Samaritans, Gentiles, the poor, women and children – Association with these was not how the proud religious leaders of his day exalted themselves – but Jesus made them his friends. * What about me: Will I spend time with those that society has rejected? Will I lift up those who are down? Will I be a true friend to those who are weaker? Sacrifice – From washing their feet to the ultimate humble death * What about me: Will I sacrifice for my family? Will I give up respect in the eyes of men to be respected in the eyes of God? Of course God’s pleasure if superior! But Satan tries hide that from us! THE POINT: “Let this mind be in us which was also in CHRIST JESUS!”

Humble & Very Active Humility Is Not Weakness Humility Is Not A Lack of Leadership Humility Is Not A Limitation on Rebuking Sin Humility Is Not An Obstacle to Personal Initiative Looking even further into the humility of Jesus – it should be noted that Humility is entirely compatible with a VERY ACTIVE lifestyle of service in God’s kingdom. WEAKNESS: Jesus shows incredible strength, teaching with authority. LEADERSHIP: Jesus was a determined leader who did not stray from His mission. He called others to not only join Him – but FOLLOW HIM! His humility actually made Him the kind of leader people were even more wiling to follow! REBUKING: He rebuked, but he did it on the basis of God’s authority – pointing out the failures of his disciples and of his enemies. INITIATIVE: Humility doesn’t just sit to the side in obscurity – Humility still fully employs the gifts of God and fervently pursues growth in God’s kingdom. Jesus performed miracles that left thousands in awe of Him – but he did not allow the to make him into a national king. *Side note – Paul had the same kind of humility – He considered himself the chiefiest of sinners – but also pursued the mission of spreading the gospel with the Greatest ZEAL! *If we really want to be humble – we will be very active – even doing things worthy of praise – BUT MAINTAINING THAT MODEST VIEW of our importance. So let me leave you with 3 things to meditate on that will encourage this kind of humble service.

Growing In Humility Jesus makes humility a cornerstone in the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew 5:1-3, 6:1-4, 7:1-5 Jesus took humble fishermen and challenged them to be more humble. Matthew 20:20-27, Jesus called out signs of pride. Matthew 23:6-12 Humility – Sees ourselves in light of God’s perfection and is therefore unwilling to be puffed up or boast about personal accomplishment or personal abilities. Humility understands that we are servants of a FAR greater master. Not only does Humility recognize our position of SERVANT under God – but also sees the value of all of God’s servants – knowing our function is just another part of the body God has designed. Humility thus responds – willing to serve others, willing to associate with others.

Humility James 4:10 “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”