Humility

Im writing a story about hurricanes and tornados but its only a draft for now....

What rock group has four men that dont sing? Mount Rushmore.

Big Idea: Jesus demonstrated humility by coming to earth from heaven and washing the feet of His disciples. When we choose to exercise humility, we look most like Christ to the world around us

Scripture: John 13:1-11, Philippians 2:1-11, Ephesians 4:2, Micah 6:8,

Romans 12:3

Winston Churchill was reviling a political opponent at a press conference. A reporter interrupted him asking, “But surely, Mr. Churchill, you must admit that he is a humble, modest man?” To which Churchill replied: “He is a humble man, but then he has much to be humble about!”

Ministers are reluctant to preach on humility. How do we promote humility without sounding like we think we’ve attained it? Needless to say, my sermon title isn’t “Humility and how I found it.” I’m still working on it, and I’m preaching to myself. I don’t know if you need this message but I do. Humility is elusive; when you think you have it, you’ve lost it!

Pride is a spiritual cancer. It was once seen as the deadliest of sins, but nowadays it has become a virtue in our culture of self-expression. We admire the proud. The advertising industry feeds our pride: “You deserve this product.” In sharp contrast, Jesus modeled humility. Before Jesus, no one ever used “humble” as a compliment. People desire power and glory; they’re driven by selfish ambition…yet Jesus wore a different kind of glory--the glory of humility. Jesus shows us that it’s not “God helps those who help themselves”, but those who humble themselves. The proud don’t want any help.

Humility is honestly assessing our strengths and weaknesses in light of God’s holiness and our imperfection. Rick Warren says “Humility is not denying your strengths; it is being honest about your weaknesses.” To be humble is to do an honest self-appraisal, by admitting the truth about ourselves. This means that we avoid both bragging and putting ourselves down. Humility is acknowledging the truth about what we are and what we’re not. Humility requires a bit of self-forgetfulness. C.S. Lewis wrote, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.” “Pride makes us artificial and humility makes us real” (Thomas Merton).

Matthew 23:10–12 ESV

10 Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. 11 The greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Once upon a time a man riding a horse came across a few soldiers who were trying to move a heavy log of wood without success. The corporal was standing by just watching as the men struggled.The rider couldn’t believe it. He finally asked the corporal why he wasn’t helping.

The corporal replied: “I am the corporal. I give orders.” The rider said nothing in response. Instead, he dismounted his horse. He went up and stood by the soldiers and as they tried to lift the wood he helped them. With his help, the task was finally able to be carried out.

Who was this kind rider?

The rider was George Washington, the Commander-in-chief.

This is a story, an example of humility, that invites our admiration of George Washington and conversely our disdain for the arrogant corporal. A story like this doesn’t need any explanation because we all understand what’s going on. We know because there are times in our lives when we’ve acted more like the corporal than we care to admit.

We want to be humble, to be helpful, to think of others more so than we think of ourselves.

And today we get an opportunity to learn from the example of Christ. The King of kings and Lord of lords who humbled himself and conquered death so that we might experience abundant life.

What a King;

what a Savior.

As admirable of an example George Washington set in our story, the reality is that we have an even greater example in Christ Jesus for what it looks like to humble ourselves and serve others.

Listen to Paul’s words from Philippians 2;

Philippians 2:3–5 ESV

3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,

Paul’s encouragement is for believers to be like Christ.

For our attitudes to be like His.

Our actions to mirror His.

On the one hand you could say, “Yeah that’s easier said than done, you’re talking about the very son of God!” And on the other hand, Paul goes on to list out for us the attitudes and actions we should model;

Philippians 2:5–8 ESV

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Here are some specifics Paul identifies in Jesus and I believe we can all get on board with them;

● Don’t take advantage of your position. Or said another way, don’t lord yourself over others. Most all of us are leaders in some area of our lives at some point in our lives. We will all have opportunities to take advantage of others, but Paul is reminding us here that Jesus had all the power and opportunity in the universe to use His position to His advantage and instead, He chose to lay it all aside.

● Serve others. When Christ laid aside His royal position He chose instead to become a servant. Throughout His earthly ministry Jesus gave himself to the needs of others. We’ll get into this point more later.

● Give your life away. Jesus’ humility led Him ultimately to the cross. We are all familiar with this story, but what about your story. Where are you holding on too tightly to all the things you want; your kingdom, your things, your dreams and aspirations? What do you need to let go of? Where, or who can you give your life to this coming week?

Humility isn’t as much a destination to be reached as it is an attitude to be embraced.

And, it’s an important attitude, posture, and way of living to God.

Humility is Kind of a Big Deal

It’s odd to say that humility is kind of a big deal… Can you even imagine humility boasting about itself or pointing to its own jersey number like we see athletes do whenever they make a big play. Wouldn’t it seem silly if humility danced around the boxing ring like Muhammed Ali, screaming, “I’M THE GREATEST! I’M THE GREATEST!” Of course it would be silly...

All joking aside, humility is a big deal. As evidenced in the life of Christ and in the number of different times and places the Bible encourages humility and gives warning to the destructive nature of pride.

While I don’t have time today to go through an exhaustive list, I do have time to hit some highlights and encourage you to set aside your own time for further study.

Okay, so here we go.

We already heard from the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Philippians, so here’s what Peter says about humility;

English Standard Version Chapter 5

5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,

James, the leader of the Jerusalem church, quotes the same old testament passage that Peter does when he says;

“ ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’

Both of these New Testament church leaders are encouraging humility and both men quote the same passage from Proverbs 3:34 when they describe God opposing the proud and giving grace to the humble.

Now obviously no one here wants God opposing them, which is a strong enough argument in itself to promote humility and selflessness. But let me take it a step further for you today. Turn with me to Psalm 138:6 which says,

“Though the Lord is on high He looks upon the lowly, but the proud he knows from afar.”

That’s the NIV translation, the NLT gives it even further clarity;

“Though the Lord is great, he cares for the humble, but He keeps His distance from the proud.”

God’s opposition is one thing, and it’s horrible. But the idea in Psalm 138 that God distances himself from the prideful should be terrifying to us. Pride and arrogance are incompatible with humility which means these are attitudes you will only find far away from Jesus. These are heart positions and postures that will keep you at a distance from righteousness. Pride can destroy you.

And it’s a big enough deal that the bible addresses it again and again and again.

Not the least of which is the example, and the exhortation of Jesus himself, which is where we’ll finish up our time today.

John 13:1-17 (Read the entire passage out loud?)

Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet

At the end of verse 13:1 John records Jesus showing them the full extent of His love. Later in the chapter John records Jesus saying,

“Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” John 13:14-17

So Jesus, the King of kings and Lord of lords got down on his knees, filled up a basin of water and washed the feet of his disciples.

The washing of feet was an incredibly lowly act of service, as the feet were considered to be the dirtiest, most unclean part of the body at the time.

There is much to be taken from the example Jesus set here, but here’s where I think it gets incredibly poignant.

Jesus wanted the disciples to know how much He loved them.

So he took the position of a simple house servant and washed their dirty feet clean. He did this to show that no one is too important to get down and serve another. He did this to show His love and care for the disciples.

His example in John 13 is recorded for the church today too. So we can see and know the heart and character of our Savior.

So it begs the question today...

Who do you need to serve this week?

Where might you need to confess your pride? (Proverbs 29:1 says, “Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed--without remedy.” Some people’s pride destroys their lives… pray for them)

How will the example of Christ impact your daily routine starting tomorrow morning?

Do you want to be opposed to God?

Far from God?

Incompatible with the righteousness of Jesus?