Category: Pride
Subject: Pride
Sermon: God Resists the Proud (1 Peter 5:1-7)
God calls us to holiness. This is a primary theme of 1 Peter. One primary way this holiness is shown is through humble submission in accord with God’s will.
Sermon Powerpoint View and Download:
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Mining the Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 1:16-21
The calling in Christ is described by Paul here. In calling, we must determine how we are called. It is through the gospel of Christ. God is not capricious, giving his grace to some, but denying it to others. The reason why so many who are humanly wise, mighty and noble are not of the elect is they choose not to be! They trust and depend upon themselves rather than upon God (cf. Proverbs 16:18).
God champions the humble. What He considers to be valuable differs greatly from the world’s definition of value. God chooses that which indicates man’s dependence upon Him, rather than things which promote selfishness and arrogance. Why? “That no flesh should glory in His presence” (29).
Accepting God’s wisdom, His righteousness (cf. Romans 10:3), and the blessings that accrue from our relationship to Him, this is what God desires for us. Don’t glory in yourself (pride); instead, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord” (31).
The Problem of Pride
The problem of pride is one with which we all struggle. It ultimately causes all sin. We want what we want, and we decide to do what we want rather than what God wants us to do. It is a struggle for all of us, and so the righteous strive to heed God’s admonition, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:5-8). Continue reading “The Problem of Pride”
Are You an Enemy of God?
I don’t think anyone would admit that he is God’s enemy. We each want to consider ourselves “friend[s] of God”, like Abraham (2 Chronicles 20:7; James 2:23). Or one after God’s “own heart”, like David (1 Samuel 13:14). However, it can be safely said that most make themselves enemies of God because they embrace the world rather than righteousness.
“Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God” (James 4:4). Continue reading “Are You an Enemy of God?”
Exaltation through Humiliation
Philippians 2:5-11 contains the ultimate example of God’s reward offered to the humble, in the person of His own Son. It is a strong example of a paradox. What seems to be counter to reason is shown to be God’s way in the text, both for Jesus, and for us as well.
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 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” (Philippians 2:5-11).
Note the instruction, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” (5). God has always blessed the humble, while men have a tendency to reward pride and arrogance. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven… Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:3,5). Also, “But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble’” (James 4:6, cf. Proverbs 3:34; 1 Peter 5:5). Continue reading “Exaltation through Humiliation”
To Boast Or Not To Boast
Fourteen years before writing 2 Corinthians, Paul had be “caught up” (to snatch or catch away) to Paradise. This was a forceful action. In other words, Paul did not work or earn this passage, he was transported. It was a wonderful thing, a blessed gift or privilege. While wonderful, it was not a legitimate thing to boast about because it was a gift from God.
So, while Paul mentioned it as another proof of his choosing by God, he wrote in 2 Corinthians 12:5, “Of such a one (Paul’s oblique reference to himself) I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities.”
Paul’s explanation, though a bit hard to understand, establishes a very important truth. Our standing with God is based upon a given gift, not our own merited works. There is a big difference between required obedience, and the mercy of God. Jesus told His disciples, “So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do’” (Luke 17:10).
Paul was only willing to boast in a way that would bring God the glory. Consider his conclusion, “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10).
The Rise and Fall of Saul
The prophet Samuel served as the last accepted judge of Israel, as recorded in 1 Samuel. In chapter 8 of the text we are told that when he became old he appointed his sons as judges, but their behavior was unacceptable to the people who asked for a king. “Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations” (1 Samuel 8:5).
We find an interesting statement by the Lord in 1 Samuel 8:7, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.” God had established the system of appointing judges, and by insisting for a king, the people basically had rejected God’s design. That in and of itself serves as an important lesson for us. Put simply the churches of today constitute changes to God’s design under the New Covenant. Denominationalism, the Social Gospel, instrumental music, women preachers, etc., all can be explained in this same way. “They have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.” Continue reading “The Rise and Fall of Saul”
Elijah and Ahaziah
The last paragraph of 1 Kings relates the general tenor of King Ahaziah and his reign over Israel. He only reigned two years, and like his father Ahab before him, “He did evil in the sight of the Lord” (1 Kings 22:52). He like his father was one who worshiped the idol Baal and “provoked the Lord God of Israel to anger, according to all that his father had done.” Near the end of Jehoshaphat’s reign in Judah, the text of 2 Chronicles 20:35 refers to Ahaziah as a wicked king who Jehoshaphat foolishly allied himself with, thus tarnishing his reign in his final days.
The end of Ahaziah is interesting, and takes up the first chapter of 2 Kings. The chapter reveals how God judged Ahaziah for his idolatry, and took his life. The account also refers to the prophet Elijah, who was such a thorn in the side of King Ahab. Continue reading “Elijah and Ahaziah”
You Do Not Know What Will Happen Tomorrow!
“Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away” (James 4:13-14).
It takes a bit of arrogance (or ignorance) to actually believe that you have power over tomorrow. So often we see lives cut short by disease or accident, always with expressed shock and dismay. This is understandable, but the truth is such events happen often. Continue reading “You Do Not Know What Will Happen Tomorrow!”
Lessons Learned from Job
As the book of Job begins, we find the man to be extremely blessed by God. He had ten children, and was very rich by the standards of the day. It is said that he was “the greatest of all the people of the East” (1:3). More importantly, he was a man of good character: “that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil” (1:1).
But, all of this was taken away by the devil. It is interesting that so many have a problem with what happened to Job. They do not have a particular problem with Satan’s work, as they expect such from the adversary. Their problem is with the fact that God allowed it! “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person” (1:12). “Behold, he is in your hand, but spare his life” (2:6). Continue reading “Lessons Learned from Job”
Subjective Commendation
“For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise” (2 Corinthians 10:12).
Why is it not wise to compare ourselves to other people? The answer is simple, other people are not the standard! This is a very subjective standard that serves to make people feel a bit better about themselves, but in no ways gives insight as to whether they are approved by God!
Take, as an example the Pharisee in Luke 18 who prayed, “God, I thank You that I am not like other men — extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector” (11). Setting aside the numerous problems with the man (he was proud, dismissive, and certainly ignorant of the relative righteousness of the man to whom he compared himself), his relative worth in relation to others had no bearing on whether he was accepted by God!
Our Lord clearly said that the Pharisee was not justified. Which shows another problem with such comparisons, it tends to come from a place of pride. “I am not like other men — extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess” (11-12).
Like Paul, we must recognize the foolishness of such comparisons. Instead, compare ourselves with God’s words, which shall judge us in the last day! (cf. John 12:48).
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Not Self-Willed
The word self-willed comes from the Greek term (authades), that is found two times in the New Testament. In Paul’s list of qualifications for elders in Titus 1:7, it is preceded by the word “not”, i.e. – “not self-willed.”
Thayer defines the term: self-pleasing, self-willed, arrogant. It comes from the root words autos (self) and hedomai (to please).
In 2 Peter 2:10, the word is used to describe the ungodly character of false teachers, and is coupled with the word presumptuous.
W.E. Vine states that it, “denotes one who, dominated by self-interest, and inconsiderate of others, arrogantly asserts his own will.”
Biblical leadership necessitates an attitude of service rather than entitlement. Peter establishes this in his admonition in 1 Peter 5:2-3, that the elder is not to serve “for dishonest gain” nor “as being lords over those entrusted to you.”
The self-willed person is not particularly concerned with how his decision affects others, because he is focused on his own pleasures and desires. It is an inherently selfish characteristic, and has no place in the Christian’s life. God calls us to humble ourselves, and to be selfless in our love for God and man.
There are few things as destructive to the welfare of God’s people than a self-willed man serving as an elder.
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A Stone’s Throw
A few weeks ago my son Jeremiah preached a lesson titled, “The Distance Greater Than a Stone’s Throw.” The principles found in that lesson are worthy of examination, and I would like to adapt his teaching in this article.
The reference is to Jesus’ prayer in the garden of Gethsemane on the night of his betrayal, (Luke 22 & Matthew 26). Matthew reveals that after entering the garden, Jesus, Peter, James and John walked a bit further into the garden. There, Jesus left the three of them, and “He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw” (Luke 22:41), where He began to pray to His Father. He was in agony. After finding them asleep, Jesus said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26: 40-41).
Sermon: The Humbling of Kings
A discussion of kings Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar and Darius when they witness the power of Jehovah God. (Daniel 2-6)
The Problem of Pride
In James 4, the writer discusses sin present in the lives of some Christians — specifically strife and worldliness. Notice verses 1-4:
“Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”
