Humble

Humility; God's Choice for Me!

2 Chronicles 7:14

Introduction

You don't have to look far to see a pretty sorry state of the nation.

Did you hear the ruling from the Maine Supreme Court?

It was on CBN-Christian Broadcasting Network.

A couple divorced and the husband sued the ex-wife to prevent her from taking their daughter to church.

Bear in mind that both parents were given custody of the child, joint custody.

So the court had ruled that both parents were fit to make decisions and raise the child.

After the father was mentioned in prayer at Calvary Chapel of Greater Portland, he became concerned about the teaching of the church

The child decided to be baptized and that was the last straw.

The father sued the Mom to gain control over his daughter’s religious contact.

The court ruled that the mom could not take the child to church nor teach her Christian beliefs.

So, my first thought was, what if that happened to me?

In fact she was on the way out the door to go to church when she got the news from her lawyer.

What would I have done in that situation.

It is obvious that our nation has gone far off the rails of Christianity.

The reason I preach on this passage is because this passage places the blame for the woes of this nation squarely on the backs of God's people.

God's people must learn how to behave so as to allow God to hear, forgive and heal the land.

Last week we were reminded of who God was speaking about "My People who are called by My name"

We remembered that those people are God's people

A kingdom of Priests, a holy nation

God's chosen people

A treasured possession.

Today we want to begin looking at what God's people must do to enable God to hear, forgive, and heal.

2 Chronicles 7:14 NASB 95

14 and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Pray

Humble themselves

Why do you suppose God listed humble themselves first in this list of things to do?

In the western world there is a thing called common sense.

A set of commonly held beliefs about people places and things that is believed to be universally true.

Much of our reasoning or logic is based on this common sense.

Often when decisions are made they are made based on our common sense.

When changing jobs. Will this new job improve my situation or make it worse

Then based, often, on common sense we make the decision.

In order to make a decision that is not based on common sense or our own reasoning, we must humble ourselves.

We must deny what we are thinking or reasoning so that God’s plan can work through us.

I.e. Island nation off coast been devoid of Christian witness for decades and is in opposition to our nation.

Common sense, best reasoning says, watch them and if it appears they will strike us, strike them first.

Suppose God wanted them to see Him intervene like He did with Israel in Egypt.

Suppose He was intending for that strike to succeed?

Suppose He was intending to destroy that strike in some other way?

A earthquake or

An asteroid.

When we make a decision how much of that decision is based on what I know vs what God’s word says?

If there is a conflict between what I know and what God’s word says, what would be required to make the correct decision?

humility

Humble themselves

What is Humility?

humble ■ adjective (humbler, humblest) 1 having or showing a low estimate of one’s own importance. 2 of low rank. 3 of modest pretensions or dimensions. ■ verb lower in dignity or importance. ▶ decisively defeat

Practical Word Studies in the New Testament, Volumes 1 & 2 (#2035. Humble—Humbles—Humbleth)

Humility means lowliness of mind.

Practical Application

It is a word that was coined by Christianity.

Before Christ, a humble man was looked upon as a coward: a cringing, unappealing, effeminate type of person.

However after Christ, humility was elevated to the most praise-worthy level. When men looked at Christ, they saw the strength of humility through the influence of One Who was perfect in meekness and lowliness of heart.

Let’s look at Bible for examples,

Garden of Gethsemane Luke 22:40-42

Luke 22:40–42 NASB 95

40 When He arrived at the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” 41 And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and began to pray, 42 saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.”

Jesus humbled Himself before the Father.

He asked the Father to remove this cup.

Yet not My will, but Yours be done.

When Jesus called the Disciples

Luke 5:27–28 NASB 95

27 After that He went out and noticed a tax collector named Levi sitting in the tax booth, and He said to him, “Follow Me.” 28 And he left everything behind, and got up and began to follow Him.

Matthew left everything to follow Jesus

They saw themselves and what they could do as nothing compared to Jesus.

Matthew 4:18–20 NASB 95

18 Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19 And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.

They submitted themselves before Jesus.

immediately they followed.

Not knowing where they were going, nor how long they would live.

They followed.

Paul in speaking to the Ephesians says,

Ephesians 4:1 NASB 95

1 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,

That manner begins with humility.

You have been called, that in itself is humiliating.

Do you remember being called to the principle's office?

Wasn't it humiliating when that person came to the room to get you ?

Remember that feeling, because you have been called of God.

Colossians 3:12–13 NASB 95

12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.

Finally, we get to the definition of humility.

v.13 bear with each other, forgive one another that my friends is humility.

We are not only to forgive our friends but our enemies as well.

Humility then is recognizing who we are compared to God.

God wants us to be humble

Proverbs 11:2 NASB 95

2 When pride comes, then comes dishonor, But with the humble is wisdom.

Psalm 37:11 NASB 95

11 But the humble will inherit the land And will delight themselves in abundant prosperity.

Matthew 5:5 NASB 95

5 “Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.

Collins Thesaurus of the Bible (A1 about Humility)

What place should humility play in the Christian life?

2 Chronicles 7:14 NASB 95

14 and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Notice the place it plays in this verse of scripture FIRST

Humility is necessary before we can pray.

In order to pray we must recognize that we cannot do it alone.

We begin to pray to one who can do it.

Humility is necessary before we can seek God

Just as we must recognize our own shortcomings to pray so must we to seek God's face.

We're saying we can't do it ourselves.

In our humility we recognize who we are and who God is.

Humility is necessary before we can turn from our wicked ways.

Pride says, "I'm as good as old so and so."

Pride says, "I'm okay for now."

Pride will never allow you to see sin in your life.

Tell story of pharisee and publican (Luke 18:9-14).

To turn from wickedness we must humble self.

What place does Humility play in your life?

Is it at the top of your list of things to do? (I'll become humble today)

More likely it's somewhere on the list of things to do before I die. (near selling off all my worldly possession and going into foreign missions.)

Today I'm asking you to move humility to the top of your list of things to do.

Some of you are saying "well I just don't know how I can get any humbler"

To you I say, "Did you come forward the last time you felt that tug on your heart?

If not you still need to work on humility.

How to humble yourself

Matthew 18:4 NASB 95

4 Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 20:26 NASB 95

26 It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant,

Matthew 20:27 NASB 95

27 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave;

Collins Thesaurus of the Bible (A4b Humbling Oneself)

Beeson & Hunsicker, The Hidden Price of Greatness pp. 105-116

Some of you have read the story of Gladys Aylward in The Small Woman.

Or maybe you have seen the motion picture Inn of the Sixth Happiness which details this missionary woman's daring escape from the Japanese with more than one hundred orphan children in tow.

We know of this woman's success but what do you know of her call to missions?

When she was 28 yrs old she was called before the missionary board.

She dreaded the call for she knew the verdict.

her grades were atrocious.

But no manner of tutoring, study, or teaching could make her learn Chinese.

So the Chairman of the Candidates committee pointed out that she lacked intellectual ability, she was, after all 28, and her background was domestic service.

He suggested that she go into the service of a recently retired missionary couple.

She had China in her heart and on her mind knowing God wanted her there but she was not yet ready.

This couple gave Gladys a card, "Be not afraid, Remember the Lord."

Gladys had many more Parlor maid jobs each teaching her something more to be used eventually in China.

Finally in 1932 Gladys Aylward made it to China God's way paying her own way traveling alone.

She quickly learned the language by mimicking the Chinese.

She won the trust and affection of many in China becoming a naturalized Chinese Citizen.

Gladys became an effective servant of Christ because she Humbled herself before her Lord.

She was not too good to be a parlor maid.

She was not content to wait upon the Lord but she did.

Finally she realized who she was in comparison to who God is.

Conclusion

Will you Humble yourself?

Just think of what God could do with this room full of Gladys'!

Before that can happen we must get down off that high horse of pride.

that pride that each week makes you think first of what others will think before you make a commitment to the Lord.

Maybe you think you are too old to be used of God, just remember Moses was 80 when God called Him

That pride that keeps you in that pew saying I can make a commitment just as well here.

Humility is that which makes us worthy of our calling.

Luke 14:11 NASB 95

11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Our Christ came not as the one who reclined at the table but as the one who served the table.

Pride is what prevents us from Going to God in Prayer.

Humility is God’s choice for me

Pride is what keeps us from Seeking his face.

It is what keeps us in our wicked ways.

Before God will use his church to heal this land His church must humble themselves.

Humility begins with you and me.

Today will you join me at this alter asking the Lord to humble this church?

Today if Pride has kept the Lord out of your life give it up and ask him into your heart.

308 Pass Me Not