Category: Pride
Subject: Pride
Vainglorious
The American Standard version uses an interesting and appropriate word to translate the Greek term kenodoxos in Galatians 5:26. It is a term that is rarely used in our day, vainglorious.
“Let us not become vainglorious, provoking one another, envying one another.”
The King James translation is similar though it translates the word with a phrase “desirous of vain glory.” More modern translations such as the ESV, NKJV and NIV use the term “conceited.” While the word conceited is certainly an accurate translation, it is not nearly as evocative as the more antiquated vainglorious.
Invitation: The Pride of Man
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
In James 4:13-ff, James admonishes the arrogance of the man who believes that he has control of his life. He does not, and is dependent upon God’s will to continue on the earth. As such, we must recognize that today is the day for our salvation!
Invitation: God was not well pleased
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
In 1 Corinthians 10:1-5,11, the apostle Paul refers to the Israelites as an admonition to us, for God was “not well pleased” with them. From this, Paul makes three applications in verses 12-14. 1) Pride is a problem; 2) God is faithful; 3) Flee idolatry.
Taking Stock
In James 4, the Holy Spirit expressed the dangers associated with pride. For example, pride is one reason for strife among brethren. When one is selfish rather than selfless, the basis for conflict is present. James quoted the proverb, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (vs. 4).
Pride is also a contributor to worldliness. Men are wont to do as they desire rather than what God requires. They exalt themselves above the will of the Almighty. We are counseled, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up” (vs. 10).
Pride leads one to unrighteous judgment. Men tend to exalt themselves as judges, and arbitrarily condemn others who do not meet their standards. “There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another?” (vs. 12).
Sermon: Promises to the Lord
In the 101st Psalm, the singer makes five promises to the Lord that we would do well to emulate ourselves.
* Sing praises
* Behave wisely
* Set nothing wicked before my eyes
* Not endure slander and pride
* Bless the faithful
Sermon: Satan’s World
The lesson is concerned with that sphere of influence with Satan as master. John describes this (worldliness) using the terms: 1) Lust of the flesh; 2) Lust of the eyes; 3) Pride of life.
Sermon: Godly Ambition VS Selfish Ambition
In James 3, the Holy Spirit contrasted godly wisdom and the wisdom of the world. A main consideration is the character of the individual. We must not only be right, we must also be good!
Sermon: Remember Shiloh!
Jeremiah 7 records God’s call to Israel to remember Shiloh (cf. 1 Samuel 4:10-11) in their misplaced confidence that Jerusalem was safe because of the temple. The idea of virtue by association was wrong then, and it is wrong today!
Sermon: A Fool for Christ
In 2 Corinthians 11 and 12, the apostle Paul refers to himself as a fool. However, he was willing to be considered as such, that he might preach the gospel of Christ.
No Place for Arrogance
It is interesting the many places from which wisdom may be derived. I was trying to solve the Scram-Lets puzzle in a recent edition of the Fort Worth Star Telegram, and came across the following quote:
“When I was a kid, my preacher told me never to look down on someone unless I’m helping them up.”
Wise words, and worthy of examination. Arrogance is a problem for many, and reminders to be humble are always needed.
Sermon: Characteristics of a Fool
The fool has certain common characteristics he shares with others of his ilk. He denies God’s existence, does not control his base impulses, ignores the dangers of sin, refuses godly counsel because of prideful heart, and never prepares himself for his inevitable death.
Sermon: Hosea’s Seven
Sermon 3 of 9
Gospel Meeting May 5-10, 2012
Speaker: Chip Foster
The sermon uses the text of Hosea to look at the state of Israel during the time of the prophet, and makes seven applications. Today we can be guilty of the same sins of Hosea’s time: 1) Lack of Knowledge; 2) Pride; 3) Instability; 4) Mixing with the World; 5) Corruption; 6) Backsliding; and 7) Idolatry.
Sermon: Dangers Facing the Church
This sermon was adapted from an old bedsheet sermon chart created by Steve Hudgins years ago. The sermon was preached in two parts, AM and PM. I combined the two into a single recording of about 83 minutes. The sermon discusses 9 dangers facing the church: Ignorance, Neglectfulness, Worldliness, Boastfulness, Compromise, Materialism, Indifference, Doctrinal Error and Apostasy.
Sermon: A Little Profit
The sermon uses Paul’s exhortation to godly living in 1 Timothy 4:7-9 as a basis for needed admonitions. Paul contrasted godly living with physical exercise. Things such as physical exercise, money, education and tradition all have a “little profit.” However, they are also subject to abuse. In contrast, godliness is “profitable for all things.”
Inspiring Prose
A couple of Wednesday nights ago, in our lesson discussing the discipline of meditation, I admitted to the fact that poetry holds little appeal to me. My tastes run to the prosaic, (some may say uncouth).
However, I did note that a well formed paragraph can inspire me, and I thought I would share a few with you. For example, the wonderful expression of our victory in Christ, from the pen of the apostle Paul:
“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created things, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:37-39).
