A Humble Spirit

Introduction:

Here Am I. Series on seeking “4 Attributes of a Person who Hears from God”

Say: “Humble Spirit; Quiet Mind; Open Heart; In Community”

Preaching through Psalm 131.

Each sermon dissecting different idea regarding David’s posture toward/arnd God. Read in a bit…

Title, hwvr, based on the call of Isaiah in ch.6…

Heavenly council; not just view of God’s ‘war room’… invited to partic.!

Isaiah 6:8 “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!””

Surrounded by amazing heav’ly beasts… Is says “Here am I”

Has a dramatic encounter. Want to first remind you:

“We are All Called…

Called to serve, give thanks, tell others, & stay pure:

Auth Hebrews (12:22-24) tells us that we, believers, currently engaged in same sit. as Isaiah.

Bc we are afforded this relat. to YH, we must ‘serve’ Him well.

Hebrews 12:28 NET “So since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us give thanks, and through this let us offer worship pleasing to God in devotion and awe.”

God call us; then the expectation is for us to hear and act; serv’g him!

Peter communicates a similar truth… God’s (universal) call requires obedient response!

1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

And Paul writes to his young ward Timothy:

2 Timothy 1:9 “He has saved us and called us to a holy life.”

Living a pure life is part of our calling!

Out of the abundance of blessings that Christ has given us—

—and if you can’t see the bles’gs, you need to start writing them down; ask others to help U see them; get some prof. help—

—we are, each one of us, called to live out a life that’s special, pure, outward-focused, humble.

The only challenge left with is:

…How will you Respond?”

Are you listening?

“I don’t think you can adequately live your life for Jesus if you’re not listening.” (Romans 10:17)

Romans 10:17 “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.”

Your belief in Christ & your actions of devotion toward him spring from a life attuned to listen to what He is saying.

Scripture, other [HS-fil’d] Saints, Spirit.

Some of you hear the words I say every week, but you don’t listen; certainly not to the Holy Spirit.

NEED Him… lead w/ spouse; parent kids that love JC; treat cowork. w/ love; lead other Xians in ministry…

Subtitled: 4 ATTRIBUTES of someone who hears from God ==

Heartbeat of Xian trying to live a life that honors JC.

TODAY: I hope you’ll join me as we >>

Seek God with a Humble Spirit

C.S. Lewis said:

“Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it's thinking of yourself less.” - C.S. Lewis

You can have a healthy/strong self-img and be humble. Can know your worth & believe that you have value… without being egotistical.

Humility is thinking of others’, say, more often than most of us do now!

I want to preface this msg. today by saying: We should value a healthy self-image; just don’t let that image turn into an idol…

There’s truth to saying: Can’t love others until you better love yourself.

The one who helps us keep it in order is: >>

Jesus is #1

AP sings, in his letter to Roman Xians:

Romans 11:36 “For from him and through him and for him are all things. To [Christ] be the glory forever! Amen.”

What X wants from you more than anything is your time & attn; relat’p!

When U listen for Him 2 speak, you’ll hear the truth!

His stance on sin — opposed! His take on grace— highly enc’d!

AP declares the confession that results in salvation rather succinctly:

Romans 10:9 “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Confessing that ‘Jesus is Lord’ is admitting that we are not in charge of our lives; of what is best in life. (Romans 10:9)

SALVATION CALL {ev’one sins; no one knows what’s best. Jesus came, perfect, died, removes record of sin—bc wants relat. w/ YOU}. PRAY!

So the next time you go to add some $ to the swear jar, the HS will be reminding you— “there’s better ways to get your point across.”

When you tempted to lose patience/temper at kids, HS remind you— “you’re the adult; kids are supposed to be loud and messy; control ‘self & discipline calmly.”

Harass’g U @ work bc of faith, reminded— “Jesus went through worse; don’t understand light; Jesus wouldn’t condemn, but draw them in love.”

THAT’S His VOICE. That’s what U can’t afford 2 ignore!

You know that person that, if said your name in crowded room, could pick it out [SO, child, mom— middle name]!

Jesus wants us to know Him by just His voice! (John 10:2-3,27)

John 10:2–3,27 “The gatekeeper opens the gate for [the shepherd], and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out… 27 “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”

SO, when hear Him, we can obey.

ALSO,

When hear a voice that’s NOT His, we know to stay clear…

Fasting is denying a daily impulse & showing God we care. *(last wk!)

To hear from God, we need a humble Spirit that is looking for Jesus’ ways; for inst’ce… >>

Consider Others before Yourself

Philippians 2:3–4 NLT “Don’t be selfish… Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.”

As humans, we have bad habit of prim. thinking of 'selves!

EJS’s plan to move room to attic; taking all of OMS’s decor— asked, “which would you rather…”

Our stories/ opinions quickly take over a gathering; not considering another’s sched. or appt’s.

We make our voice known w/o regard to the feelings of the person we’re critiquing.

Our wants & comforts take ctr. stage to consid'g a leader's vision/dir., or what’s best to bring more souls to Jesus.

When ministry gets diff., we too often bow out.

Our pressing schedules & commitments reg. push Jesus/fell’ip to the side.

AP presents a very foreign way of doing life… one with our heads on a swivel & not buried in own concerns.

Our issues, problems & trials push us deeper into dwelling on 'self’.

When allow that voice of world to win out, even spouse can take second chair to MY wants & prior. (Don’t line up w JC, turn abusive quickly).

“How can Paul say this?! Doesn’t he know it’s imposs!? Don’t you know that I’m import’t!”

Secondly, AP demonstrated this in his own life (sure failed, but get a pretty great pic. in scrip!).

Primarily, he gives the best example of success… Jesus!

Philippians 2:5–8 NLT “You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he didn't think of equality with God as something to cling to. 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, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.”

“Ok, sure Paul… but he was JESUS! I’m not!”

True, but AP doesn’t care! Scrip. doesn’t care. Challenge is the same!!

If you want to hear Jesus speak: Set your pride aside & regularly ask “how can I serve those around me today?”. (Romans 12:10 ESV)

AP, elsewhere puts it this way (love ESV!):

Romans 12:10 ESV “…Outdo one another in showing honor.”

Proegomai - strive to be the best at living each other up. Compete to see who is the better honorer.

When a choice we make or attitude carry or our speech devalues other img-bearers (worth dying for); God opposes it!

James 4:6 “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.””

Lies, gossip, ad hominem atks & insults, death-wishes, etc.

We put ‘selves in places of pwr or superiority at xpense of another…

TODAY, want to practice >>

A Posture of Humility

Basically, Love God & Love People…

Underline in your Bibles:

Matthew 22:37–39 “Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

You get to practice loving & honoring others every day; I hope you ALSO love God & honor Jesus’ Way every day

I want to practice this first part right now.

Something you can replicate in your own actions in the future; even though imposed & guided by me right now.

Might not be comfortable at first; not what you’re used to…

BUT, these postures can reinforce honest heart pos.

Kneel, Lift Your Hands, Clap, Laugh, Cry, Bow, etc!

Kneeling, raising hands, etc.

Altar open. Altar team available

Strongly encourage you to participate & seek God’s voice.

Really going to do it. Right now. Want you to come along…