Examples Of Humility

Text: Matthew 18:1-10

Place Preached - (Mississauga International Baptist Church)

Date Preached - (08/24/03)

Introduction:   

HUMBLE – To make low – Low Lying

Someone has accurately defined humility as “that grace that, when you know you have it, you’ve lost it!”

It has well been said, “True humility is not thinking meanly of oneself; it is simply not thinking of oneself at all.”

It means avoiding two extremes:

Thinking less of yourself than you ought to (as did Moses when God called him, Ex. 3:11ff),

Thinking more of yourself than you ought to (Rom. 12:3).

Humility is to make the right estimate of yourself.  CHARLES SPURGEON

ILLUS: When the funeral cortege of Charlemagne came to the cathedral, they were shocked to find the gate barred by the bishop. "Who comes?" shouted the bishop. The heralds answered, "Charlemagne, Lord and King of the Holy Roman Empire!" Answering for God, the bishop replied, "Him I know not! Who comes?" The heralds, a bit shaken, answered, "Charles the Great, a good and honest man of the earth!" Again the bishop answered, "Him I know not. Who comes?" Now completely crushed, the heralds say, "Charles, a lowly sinner, who begs the gift of Christ." "Him I know," the bishop replied. "Enter!

ILLUS: Ants

Proverbs 6:6  Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:

The world is moved along, not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each honest worker.            HELEN KELLER

HUMOR – What happens to the ant? What is his reward for all his work?  - He gets stepped on!!

ILLUS: How many people live on first street?  Fewer than you’d expect.

Second street is the first street in America. According to R. L. Polk & Co., publishers of city directories, Second Street is the most common street name in this country. Park Street is in second place. Third Street is third, Fourth is fourth, Fifth is fifth, Main is sixth. First Street?—it’s seventh.

I. The Need for Humility

Illustrated in the Glory-Seeking of the disciples. Vs.1

“Which one of us is the greatest?” was a repeated topic of discussion among the disciples, for we find it mentioned often in the Gospel records.

Recent events would have aggravated the problem, particularly with reference to Peter.

After all, Peter had walked on the water, had been on the mountaintop with the Lord, and had even had his taxes paid by means of a miracle.

Situations which reveal our need for humility.

A. Self-centered Living vs.1

LOOK UP & READ Phil. 2:1-5

B. Conflict

Proverbs 13:10  Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.

When Christians are living for themselves and not for others, then there is bound to be conflict and division (Phil. 2:1ff).

C. Anger / Bitterness / Resentment vs.10

Hebrews 12:1515Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

We are never of any use to God until we realize that God did not intend for us to be great!

II. An Example of Humility.

The disciples waited breathlessly for Jesus to name the greatest man among them. But He bypassed them completely and called a little child into their midst.

ILLUS: Sweetest music comes from the smallest birds.

THE FAITH OF A LITTLE CHILD

Proverbs 20:11  Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.

Ecclesiastes 12:1  Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth....

This is a verse that has certainly been abused and misunderstood, but remember, the Lord Jesus is talking about conversion not reversion.

Paul said - "Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil" (1 Tim. 3:6).

But he also said to Timothy – “let no man depise thy youth”.

1 Corinthians 14:20  Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

The Lord is not talking about going back to a former childhood, but rather of going on to a new life.

The important thing emphasized in this verse is the new birth.

You must become a little child in the sense that you must be born again. When you are born again, you start out spiritually as a child.

What kind of faith does a little child possess?

A. Great Faith vs.1 & 4

“Who is the greatest?” vs.1

“The same (as a little child) is the greatest” vs.4

It seems that Jesus is, in these verses, blending two concepts: the human child as an example of humility, and the child of God no matter what his age might be.

Instruct a child simply, but consistently (regularly & by example) and clearly in the things of God and he/she will develop a deep and lasting faith.

B. Unquestioning Faith

The Little child came to Jesus vs.2

Use ILLUSTRATION – Call on child – Reward them $2 or $5 before they sit down.

C. Saving Faith

“enter into the kingdom” vs.3

Interestingly little children can—and do—believe in Jesus!

Children can be saved!

2 Timothy 3:15  And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

D Transforming Faith vs.3

“Except ye be converted”

A child’s character can be molded and formed from a young age.

Proverbs 22:6  Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

2 Timothy 3:15  And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

NOW, it is not possible for you to relive your childhood!

But you can be changed!!

Conclusion:     (Review)

Jesus explained that we can have four different attitudes toward the children and, consequently, toward true humility.

1). We can seek to become like the children (Matt. 18:3–4) in true humility, as to the Lord.

2). Or, we can only receive them (Matt. 18:5) because Jesus told us to.

3). If we are not careful, we will cause them to stumble (Matt. 18:6),

4). And even end up despising them (Matt. 18:10).