Bragging Believers

Introduction

It is no secret that I love movies. I would rather watch a feature length film than a bunch of TV shows any day. But just because I love movies does not mean that I am all that interested in celebrity culture. I honestly don’t care who’s dating who, or what so and so wore to a basketball game. I love movies because I love a good story. So to be honest I would rather read the book.

Celebrity culture has always been a little weird to me. Many of you know I used to be an actor. I even acted professionally for a while. You wouldn’t have seen me in anything unless you happened upon the Western Stunt show at Six Flag America in Bowie Maryland, or maybe you saw one of our appearances on the local DC or Richmond news. But even while I had a dream to make it big, my thoughts were never on being a famous person but rather I loved to entertain people.

So this fascination with celebrities has always been a little weird to me. Even more so is how celebrities are so fascinated with themselves. And no where is this more evident than in the awards show. Think about what an awards show is. Its a bunch of famous people dressing up and patting themselves on the back for how famous they are. Celebrity culture is really a culture based on boasting.

Bragging is just part of our human nature. If we do something well or if we have an accomplishment we like to brag about it. We brag about ourselves, us parents love to brag on our kids. It seems like bragging is just part of life. But the question is should we, as believers brag? Should we be boastful?

Can Believers Boast In Self?

Self Boasting = Pride

Pride is a sin

because it assumes the glory that belongs to God

because it deceives us

Obadiah 3 NIV

The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks and make your home on the heights, you who say to yourself, ‘Who can bring me down to the ground?’

It leads us to disgrace

Proverbs 11:2 NIV

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

It leads to fighting and arguments

Proverbs 13:10 NIV

Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.

Pride is the greatest sin because Pride leads to an unrepentant nature

Prideful people do not ask for forgiveness because they they can’t admit or even recognize their sinful condition.

Solomon, Uzziah, Hezekiah, Pharisees, ect.

Believers Boast in Father

Romans 5:2 NIV

through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.

We boast in the Father as creator

We boast in the Father as sustainer

We boast in the Father as Initiator of our salvation

Believers Boast in Son

We boast in the Son as perfect example

We boast in the Son as sufferer

We boast in the Son as redeemer

Believers Boast in Spirit

We boast in the Spirit as the sign of God’s love

Romans 5:5 NIV

And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

We boast in the Spirit as giver of power

We boast in the Spirit as the transformer

Conclusion

So while as believers we should never boast in ourselves it is good to boast in the glories of God. And not just the in one, but we boast in the three in one, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Because they are one and the same and together they share one will. We boast in the Trinity because it is through the work of God, the saving actions of Christ, and the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit.

So today, Trinity Sunday, let us boast in the God Head; God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Let us pray.