Servanthood: Humility

Consecration 2019

It’s almost here, Consecration TIME!

Three times a year God ask his people to convene and honor these holy seasons!

The first is Passover/Easter

The second is Pentecost

The third is coming up in a couple of weeks, The Feast of tabernacles. It happens in the Biblical month of Tishri which coincides with Sept-Oct. It’s a season of remembering what God has done for us and is going to do! It also has the theme of harvesting!

The feast of Trumpets Sept 29th-30th. This is when we will have the shophar blown to signal that our congregation is honoring this holy season. We will participate in the Lord’s Supper that Sunday.

Our fast days will be Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for three weeks.

Why fast? Moses fasted, the prophets fasted, David fasted, Jesus fasted. Isaiah tells us that fasting breaks yokes!

The Lexham Bible Dictionary Other Fasts

Other passages suggest that fasting acted as an aid for prayer (Neh 1:4–10; Pss 35:13; 109:21–24; Dan 6:18; 9:3; 10:1–3). Israelite leaders prayed and fasted during wartime to ask for God’s guidance and intervention (Judg 20:26–28; 1 Sam 7:5–13) and to make requests for success in battle (2 Chr 20:3). Fasting also accompanied prayer when requesting relief from famine (Jer 14:1–12; Joel 1:14).

Many scriptures show the act of fasting as an aid for prayer (; ; ; ; ; ). Israelite leaders prayed and fasted during wartime to ask for God’s guidance and intervention (; ) and to make requests for success in battle (). Fasting also accompanied prayer when requesting relief from famine (; ).

We are going to place ourselves on the altar, our children, our desires, ambitions. We want God’s hand upon our lives!

It’s a time of breakthrough!

The Lexham Bible Dictionary Other Fasts

Other passages suggest that fasting acted as an aid for prayer (Neh 1:4–10; Pss 35:13; 109:21–24; Dan 6:18; 9:3; 10:1–3). Israelite leaders prayed and fasted during wartime to ask for God’s guidance and intervention (Judg 20:26–28; 1 Sam 7:5–13) and to make requests for success in battle (2 Chr 20:3). Fasting also accompanied prayer when requesting relief from famine (Jer 14:1–12; Joel 1:14).

Oct 8th-9th is the tenth days of Tishri, The Yom Kippur, the Holy Day of Atonement.

PP- Opening: We are in the midst of a teaching series entitled, “Servanthood”

PP- Repeat after me… God is calling us to a higher level, God is calling you to a higher level, God and calling me to a higher level.

And what is that level? Servanthood!

PP- Definition: loving acts performed in the power of the Holy Spirit to meet the temporal and spiritual needs of those around us---and leaving the results to God.

loving acts performed in the power of the Holy Spirit to meet the temporal and spiritual needs of those around us---and leaving the results to God.

We’ve talked about rules for serving, our motives while serving, the danger zones for our motives, an today let’s take it further.

PP- (NIV)

1 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed:

2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve;

3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

5 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

Peter here is placing strong emphasis on Christian behavior. It is an intergenerational teaching. In verse 1, we see the elders here are the ones who are generally older, wiser leaders in the church. Then in verse 5 he addresses the younger, (includes youth, teens, and young adults)

This is a relationship teaching. it is an intergenerational teaching. The elders here are the ones who are generally older, wiser leaders in the church. Then you have the younger, (includes youth, teens, and young adults)

There is a lot of instruction Peter is issuing out. but there is a constant theme, Serving & Humility.

Humility doesn’t come naturally for most. And our culture doesn’t promote sincere humility.

There is a lot of instruction Peter is issuing out. but there is a constant theme, Serving & Humility.

You have to be willing to be pliable, flexable.

PP- Today’s Topic is , “Humility”

The bible teaches us to Worship God, Serve People and Use Things!.

In today’s culture we Worship People, Serve Things, and Exclude God!

PP-1. Humility is to be in our relationships

1 Peter 5:5 NIV

In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

5In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

NIV

1. Peter 5:1

In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

Then he says,

This is a relationship teaching. it is an intergenerational teaching. The elders here are the ones who are generally older, wiser leaders in the church. Then you have the younger, (includes youth, teens, and young adults)

Then he says,

“… In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourself to your elders.” Everyone is to exercise humility.

PP- 2. Humility is primarily an attitude of mind.

It is revealed both in attitude and action. He doesn’t ask his readers to feel humble or even pray about it. He said do it. He is not asking them to be something they are not. He is asking them to be what they are!

Romans 12:3 NIV

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.

Have a sane estimate of your capabilities.

PP- C.S.Lewis, the author of “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” said,

“Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less.”

It’s not denigrating yourself either.

PP- NIV

“clothe yourselves with humility toward one another...”

This picture of clothing oneself for service, was a familial activity of a slave in this time. A slave, would prepare themselves for serving by putting on service clothing, an apron or special coat.

Humility is something we put on in order to serve those around us. Humility outfits us for the task of being a father, mother, son, daughter, friend!

Too many do not outfit themselves with humility, this is why families are broken, friendships are destroyed.

PP- 3. In humility we discover God’s grace/favor

PP- 5 NIV

In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” (favor-charis - special kindness from a gracious heart, God’s attentiveness to us, favor is being the beneficiary of God’s glory.)

Peter quotes from the Proverbs.

Proud people do not desire the favor of God upon their life. They desire the favor of people! They get feed emotionally by the approval of people!

PP- (NIV)

41“I do not accept glory from human beings,

“I do not accept glory from human beings,

PP- (NIV)

How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?

If seeking glory from people, this world’s system is your satisfaction, how can you believe? You can’t. This is the point of this rhetorical question.

Believing, resting, trusting, in Jesus is the kind of thing that excludes the craving for approval and praise from other people.

Too many people love the praises of others. This is why people will sell out their lives and do unimaginable things to become famous! Actor will sleep with producers to get a role. People will sign contracts that will not ultimately benefits them, just to have a singing career!

If seeking glory from people, this world’s system is your satisfaction, how can you believe? You can’t. This is the point of this rhetorical question.

Too many people love the praises of others. This is why people will sell out their lives and do unimaginable things to become famous! Actor will sleep with producers to get a role. People will sign contracts that will not ultimately benefits them, just to have a singing career!

PP- Selfies

Why do some people take selfies? Some do it so others can like it! Some people love the praise of others. Some just want to be loved! And their self esteem is tied to whether or not they get the praise of people!

Psychologists believe that taking selfies can become a dangerous addiction. More often than not, those addicted to taking and posting selfies are suffering from body dysmorphic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, or depression, all of which can significantly interfere with your daily functioning. British psychologist David Veal, PhD, says selfie-addiction is a “mental health issue with an extremely high suicide rate.” Seek help if you feel yourself needing to snap selfies compulsively.

Why do some people take selfies? Some do it so others can like it! Some people love the praise of others. Some just want to be loved!

But if you’d read your bible, you’d get a healthy daily dose of self-esteem.

God says great things about you!

He tells us that we are the apple of his eye. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. He has loved us with an everlasting love!

Humble yourself and receive the favor, love, kindness of God!

PP- 4. Humility lives under God’s “mighty hand”. This is a phrase that highlights the POWER of God!

Do not become inebriated by the awards, accolades, platitudes and complements of others. This is why every man needs a wife!

PP- 4. Humility lives under God’s “mighty hand”. This is a phrase the highlights the POWER of God!

PP- (NIV)

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

This is a routine phrase in the bible. The Israelites were lead by the “mighty hand of God”. The humble believer knows that he didn’t save himself or make himself. We are dependent upon HIS power! Humility is not the awareness of limitations, it is the realistic.

PP- (NIV)

For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?

It is a rhetorical question… nothing! It is all given to us. And one day it will be taken away!

One beauty of scripture is that it brings us to the end of ourselves in order for us to find our sufficiency in Christ.

Pride doesn’t want to come to the end of itself. Pride doesn’t want to submit to anything.

Illustration: Pride is like a rock. it isn’t pliable. it doesn’t like to submit. it is arrogant, full of itself!

God’s will is like a container. It provides safe keeping, protective boundaries. Humility is like a sponge. It is pliable, especially to God’s will. So it will work to fit within the loving boundaries of God’s will.

rock, sponge, container.

Humility doesn’t come naturally for most. And our culture doesn’t promote sincere humility.

You have to be willing to be pliable, flexible.

Since God’s objective is my dependence, then weakness is an advantage!

PP- (NIV)

8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.

9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

This is the opposite of the cultures pre-occupation.

5. Humility gets exalted.

(NIV)

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

This is not motivation, its an explanation. Peter didn’t say this to prompt you to be humble. If this were the case, people would act out humility without the right MOTIVATION. Peter is telling us that ONLY those who have humbled themselves can God lift up in due time.

This is not motivation, its an explanation. Peter didn’t say this to prompt you to be humble. It this were the case, people would act out humility without the right MOTIVATION. Peter is telling us that ONLY those who have humbled themselves can God lift up in due time.

A lot of what society defines as being lifted or elevated is Satan’s version of exaltation! He lifts up the prideful, selfish, arrogance, conceited.

Worldly success is often a byproduct of satanic exaltation!

Remember in Matthew chapter 4:8-10

PP- (NIV)

“…all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.”

“All this I will give you,

8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.

9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

11Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

People who worship God by living in humility are the only ones God can lift up!

(NIV)

2 Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?” declares the Lord. “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.

Illustration: Which one will you decide to be, like the rock or like the sponge?

Remember Pharaoh's heart became hardened. And we know what happened to him.