Category: Humility

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.

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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!

“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).

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.

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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.

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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.

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Powerpoint Slides

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?

Continue reading “You Offend Me!” →

Using Bible examples, the sermon shows the importance of personal humililty, integrity, involvement, concern and risk.

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Even as we pattern ourselves by those who live righteously… (“Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ”, 1 Corinthians 11:1), …ultimately our pattern to follow is the Lord Himself.

What did Christ do for us as our example?

• He suffered for us
• He repelled the tempter through God’s word and prayer
• He forgave sinners seeking His mercy
• He was compassionate
• He exemplified humility

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Being a Christian involves working and worshipping with a sound local congregation of God’s people. In so doing, we must work with others of different backgrounds and personalities. For this reason it is important for us to learn how to better work with others. The sermon establishes five things that must be present for Christians to work well together.

• Mutual Respect
• Love
• Trustworthiness
• Honesty
• Humility

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Micah 6:8: “He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?”

The sermon examines God’s requirements for Christians today to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with Him.

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In James 4:1-10, James points out that pride leads to worldliness. Therefore, the cure for worldliness is humility.

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Philippians 2:1-4

In Philippians 4:2, the apostle admonished two ladies, Euodia and Syntyche, to “be of the same mind in the Lord.” The admonition is the only indication given in the epistle of possible problems in the church in Philippi. The church was strong, but not perfect, and the admonition to unity was timely. Such is certainly needed in our time as well.

In Philippians 2:1-4, the means of obtaining such unity is found. Paul here again exhorts the brethren to be “like-minded”, and indicates that his can be done when each esteems “others better than himself” (vs. 3). In effect, humility is the source of unity.

When people are self-willed, division results. If I want what I want, and am unable to compromise, and you are the same; then our goals will often conflict. Thus, division results.

As Christians, we should look out for the interests of our brethren — it is only then that we will all have the mind of Christ.

It was F.B. Meyer, I believe, who once said that when we see a brother or sister in sin, there are two things we do not know: First, we do not know how hard he or she tried not to sin. And second, we do not know the power of the forces that assailed him or her. We also do not know what we would have done in the same circumstances.

Stephen Brown, Christianity Today, April 5, 1993, p. 17.

The point is not to ignore or tolerate the sin of a brother. Paul admonished the Corinthians for their acceptance of immorality into the church, (cf. 1 Corinthians 5), and instructed them to “deliver such a one to Satan.”

However, that same individual, upon his repentance, received Paul’s pity. “Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him” (2 Corinthians 2:8).

Our approach to the sinner should be one of humility and compassion, even as we seek to discipline him in his sin. “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted” (Galatians 6:1).

AOTS Number 10

God resists the proud, but exalts the humble. Following the example of Christ, the child of God should abase himself before the Almighty.

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