Humilty - James 4:6-17

James 4:6-17

James is answering the question: How do we draw close to God?

Draw close through humble loyalty.

Draw close through blessing the body (words).

Why should we draw close to God?

Draw close in because we’ve received the gift (grace) of The Spirit to live a life of essential wisdom that honors God. The more we draw close, the more of the gift consumes and fuels our loyalty.

Draw close to God through Surrender.

Surrender requires Humility.

Humility admits you have a need (why and how we ask)

some are so needy, we find our identity being shaped by our needs; we’ve grown complacent in our dependence…Jesus wants us to see Him differently….not in a sense of lack, victim and poverty mindset but God’s abundance who longs to be with us.

‌some are so resistant to being needy, you have a hard time admitting you need anything like you’re a bother to others. You’ve spent most of your life being the resource for others problems

humility is authentic honesty around your needs.

‌false humility is a form of hubris. self-deprecation is deception..controlling opinions of others and not misapplying value

‌“Self-degradation is not humility. It’s demonic. God made you. It is not humble to tear yourself down or believe you're not needed in the body of Christ. You have been made in the image of God! “- Francis Chan

Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less often. it also means to put yourself in the lower situation.

Philippians 2:1–8 “1 Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? 2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. 3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. 5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, 8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.”

Often our sarcasm keeps us from humbly stating our needs. we dismiss others and ourselves with sarcasm and cannot be sincere. a lack of sincerity is a form a deception.

​Similarly, there is difference in talking about your shortcoming, sins, and personal weaknesses and being self-deprecating. One speaks to error the other speaks to value. It’s possible to talk about something negative or a failure without ascribing inherent value to yourself that is not God’s perspective.

Humility is obedience.

Jesus knew what the father wanted and obeyed…thus he never sinned.

Surrender requires releasing control.

The issue isn’t in planning.

The issue is in planning and trying to make the outcome yours alone.

The issue is you passing the blame on God and not taking responsibility.

The issue is you being arrogant and not walking, submitted to the Lord.

When did you last pray about the events of your life? How is all the sports helping your kids act, look, and know more about God of the Bible?

Are you submitted to God or submitted to your agenda?

surrender daily to Spirit…make margin, embrace inconvenient people, go slow.

Self-sufficiency is often a mode of pride we silently operate within…when you are wealthy and don’t have a “need” to rely on anyone or God, than we presumptively act with our sovereignty.

What does it mean to depend on God?

SURRENDER THREE AREA OF CONTROL

(1) We try and control comforts.

(2) We try and control opinions of us.

We pretend to be humble, but we are still exuding hubris. Still trying to manage people’s perceptions of us. We don’t trust them to see us correctly. We are still trying to be God.

(3) We try and control outcomes.

like, jesus, clothe yourself in humility‌

• Holy ambition vs unholy selfish - ambition

So live in right ways toward God, and keep the relationship with Him.

Jesus said we could pray about everything.

GOD ISN’T ABOUT OUR CONSUMERISM (BREAD AS A SIGN, JOHN 6)

God longs for us but we long for our selfish agendas. We long to argue and be right, yet He desires to help us live rightly in relationships. We long for comfort in shopping, while His Spirit is the comforter we need. We long for a sense of value and significance from our achievements, Yet God is telling you our value because of the sacrifice His son has made. Our self governed ambition get in the way and pride keeps us at a distance.

We are adulterous because we long for worldliness more than practice godliness.

When things don’t work, we often feel broken.

‌I wonder if the difference between being humiliated and broken is one person holding onto their pride while the other has lets it go? Same experience, different character outcome.

Surrender requires honest repentance.

There are four ingredients to Repentance:

1) Conviction of sin. This is done by the Holy Spirit John 16:18; I Thess. 4:8), and thus we cannot even initiate repentance (Lam. 5:21). God gets all the glory!

2) Contrition for sin. This is our first (and most important) response to the conviction of the Holy Spirit. The word' “contrite" means to be crushed and broken and sorrowful for sin. (Psalm 51:17; 2 Cor. 7:10).

3) Confession of sin. This is where we admit and own and accuse ourselves of transgression and we simultaneously ask for the forgiveness and absolution of Christ. (I John 1:9; James 5:16.

4) Consecration away from sin. This is where we RETURN to righteousness and make reparation for any damage our sin has caused to others and take precaution against relapse in the future. (Luke 19:8; John 8:11)

Confession of sin must be followed by consecration of self.

Whatever we justify cannot be justified by Jesus.

God resists the proud - unbelief expressed in lack of grateful recognition of God’s goodness.

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PRACTICING THE WAY

As disciples of Jesus, we know our allegiance to Him as King is expressed in our daily practice. We are not pursuing perfection but want to practice our faith each day. These practices will point you toward spiritual formation as an apprentice (disciple) to Jesus.

(1) Start the Bible Recap reading plan.

(2) Recite this prayer/liturgy daily: “Almighty and merciful God, we have erred and strayed from your ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against your holy laws and have become bitter at your holy people. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; and we have done those things which we ought not to have done. O Lord, have mercy upon us. We humble ourselves and confess our need for You. Restore us in your mercy. And grant, O merciful God, for Jesus’ sake, that we may live a holy, just, and humble life for the glory of your holy name. Amen.”

(3) Talk it Over (with friends, a spouse, or your Group)

The message was about drawing close to God through humility and surrender. What is one idea from Sunday’s message that impacted you?

Read James 4:6-17. What does this passage teach about God? What should we do in response to the Truth of this text?

On a scale of 1 (silent abyss) to 7 (closer than close), who close do you feel to God today? What is contributing your assessment?

What are some distinctions between humility and false humility in a person’s life?

Read Philippians 2:1-8. What are some truths presented in the text? What are some descriptors of humility in the passage?

We cannot draw close to God without surrender. We talked about surrendering control of outcomes, opinions of others and comforts. Which is the hardest for you to surrender?

What is repentance? Does saying “sorry” count?

Close in prayer using the above prayer of repentance.