Category: Humility
Subject: Humility
What Does it Mean to Submit?
The call to be submissive is made constantly in scripture. In 1 Peter 5:5, the apostle wrote, “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.'”
The term submit is defined by Thayer: to subject one’s self, obey; to submit to one’s control; to yield to one’s admonition or advice; to obey, be subject.
This term teaches us two things: First, authority exists. Second, you are not that authority! The idea that men are free to do what they wish, without consequence, is flawed. Jesus said, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18).
As Peter indicated earlier in our text, even those who have been delegated positions of oversight must realize their position as servants. “nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock” (3).
Ultimately, submission becomes natural when humility is present. Humility in turn comes from a sense of selflessness. It is not about you, it is about others. Paul used Jesus as the ultimate example of such selflessness, and admonished the Philippians, “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”
Be definition, any departure from the Biblical pattern, any presumption that God is accepts our innovations, denies this concept of submission. It is not our place to make the rules. It is our place to humbly obey (submit to) the rules that have been established by our Lord.
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Sermon: Respect
Paul described himself, prior to becoming a Christian, as an insolent man. Pride and selfishness lead to disrepect of others. We must show respect to God, and our fellow man.
Sermon: God’s Wisdom
A discussion of how to implement the wisdom of God into the relationships we sustain in our lives. The key is humility, shown first in our acknowledgement of God, then in the selflessness we exhibit in our response to others.
Sermon: Gaining the Father’s Reward
From the Preacher’s Pen: Greatness Through Service
In Philippians 2:8 we read that as our Lord came to earth as a man, He humbled himself to the point of dying on the cross. We are so thankful for that humility, as it is the basis of our own reconciliation with God.
Interestingly, Paul wrote that because Jesus did what He did, the Father in heaven rewarded Him. “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (2:9-11). This is in keeping with what scripture teaches us concerning God. “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6).
It is a lesson we would do well to learn. It is a lesson Jesus taught His disciples by example (by washing their feet), and by His words, “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them” (John 13:14-17).
In the Kingdom of Christ, “he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves” (Luke 22:26). Greatness is found through service, and glory is found through humility before God and men.
Invitation: The Character of the Elect
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
Colossians 3:12-15 Paul describes the proper character of the elect. Three things are noteworthy: Love, Humility and Peace.
Sermon: The Mind of Christ
Sermon by Brantley Gallman
The text of Philippians 2:1-11 to explain what it means to have the mind of Christ.
Invitation: Receive the Kingdom as a Little Child
Invitation delivered by: Armando Vera
In Luke 18:16-17, Jesus commented on the innocence of the little children, noting the importance of becoming as a child to enter the kingdom of God.
Invitation: Diversity in the Body
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
The apostle notes that each child of God has a part and importance in the working of the body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:14-25. So, we should recognize the value of all, and humbly seek to encourage one another.
From the Preacher’s Pen: We Need God!
In my study of the Thessalonian epistles, I came across a concise statement of God’s sovereignty written by David Lipscomb, dealing with the passage of 2 Thessalonians 1:5-7. The comment is located under verse six, which states, “since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you.”
While God permitted them to suffer persecution as a means of testing and strengthening their faith and love, He recompenses tribulation on those who troubled them. God uses wicked men to try the faith and love of His servants, to test their worthiness, and then so orders that these wicked persecutors are punished for the evil they brought on His servants. God works in and through His people, and overrules and controls the courses of the wicked (emphasis mine, SC).
(Gospel Advocate Commentary, page 88)
It is a lesson we should always keep before us, God is in control. Paul affirmed this fact in Acts 17, in his sermon on Mars Hill, “God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things” (24-25). God does not need us, we need Him! What a humbling thing to know and remember!
From the Preacher’s Pen: Be Humble!
“But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave — just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:25-28).
We have been studying the subject of humility quite a bit in our Wednesday evening class. You might remember the point I made about pride being a characteristic of the world. Jesus establishes that truth in the text above. “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them.” Not much has changed in the intervening centuries.
Our Lord’s attitude toward pride and oppression has not changed either. 2,000 years ago Jesus said, “Yet is shall not be so among you…” 2,000 years later He expects the same thing of His people. His example as our Savior, coming to earth in the service of man, is a compelling one.
Do you want to please God? Do you want to be exalted in the final day? Then live a humble and consecrated life of service to others! “Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:5).
Sermon: Selflessness – Love’s Foundation
The sermon identifies God’s definition of Love in its highest expression. Agape love is founded upon the principle of selflessness. It is expressed in God’s sending His Son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. It must be mirrored in our expressions of love to others.
Invitation: The Light We Are to Shine is not Our Own
Invitation delivered by: Armando Vera
Armando uses the text of Christ’s sermon (Matthew 5 & 6) to point out that we are to be the lights of the world, but not to bring attention to ourselves! The point is that good works are to be done, but we must take care both of our motivation, and the way in which we do those works.
Sermon: The Tri-Fold Character
Sermon 1 of 9
Gospel Meeting May 5-10, 2012
Speaker: Chip Foster
The sermon examines the character of the Centurion in Luke 7:1-10, as it is assessed by those who witnessed his behavior, as he humbly assessed in himself, and finally as assessed by the Savior. The applications are obvious, and clearly established by brother Foster.
You Offend Me!
I can’t count the number of times I have come across someone who freely used profanity in my presence, only to apologize upon learning that I am a preacher. While the apology is appreciated, it is also somewhat curious. First, why make an exception for a preacher? Is the denominational clergy/laity distinction really so strong in our society today that people feel a different set of rules apply when in the presence of a preacher? No such distinction exists in scripture, and it is interesting that it affects even the most profane of individuals in our culture. Second, as the offender obviously realizes that such language is inappropriate, why is he so quick to use profanity even around people he does not know? Does he think it acceptable to offend people, as long as they are not clergy? When did it become O.K. to act so offensively in public?
