I Must Decrease & Jesus must increase

Bible Passage: Proverbs 15:33, Luke 14:7–11, Jeremiah 17:9–13

Summary: These passages collectively explore the dangers of self-righteousness and the deception of the human heart in relation to the concept of deserving honor and recognition.

Application: This sermon aims to help Christians understand the importance of humility and self-awareness in their spiritual journey, reminding them that true value and worth come from God, not from our own perceived merits or desires for recognition.

Teaching: The core teaching is that our worth in the eyes of God is not based on what we think we deserve, but on His grace and mercy. It challenges the audience to examine their motivations and the condition of their hearts.

How this passage could point to Christ: Christ embodies the ultimate humility, having come not to be served but to serve (Mark 10:45). By recognizing our deceitful hearts, we can better appreciate Jesus' selflessness and the grace He offers.

Big Idea: True honor comes from humility and understanding that we deserve nothing apart from God's grace.

Recommended Study: As you prepare this sermon using Logos, consider delving into the original Hebrew and Greek words for 'heart' and 'deceit' present in these texts. Explore commentaries that focus on the cultural context of honor in biblical times, especially in relation to Jesus' parable in Luke 14:7-11. This deeper understanding could help illuminate the textual layers of self-perceived worthiness versus divine grace..

1. Pride Precedes the Fall

Proverbs 15:33

You could highlight that revering the Lord precedes true understanding and honor, contrasting worldly wisdom's focus on self-worth with biblical teaching. Emphasize how humility before God corrects the deceit of feeling 'deserving.' By acknowledging God’s authority, we recognize our dependency on His grace. This shifts our focus from self-merit towards divine honor, demonstrating the need for a humble posture in receiving God’s wisdom and guidance. Connect this to Christ’s teaching on humility, linking wisdom and honor to servanthood as Christ modeled.

2. Preeminence Through Humility

Luke 14:7–11

Perhaps explore Jesus’ teaching on social etiquette as an allegory for spiritual truth. Communicate how self-exaltation leads to humiliation, whereas humility results in exaltation by God. Use this passage to illustrate the unreliability of the heart’s desires for recognition. Connect this lesson with the humility of Christ and how He offers exaltation to those who humble themselves. Encourage the audience to assess whether they seek places of honor for self-worth or genuinely serve others in Christ-like humility.