The Discipline of Humility

Introduction

Very few if any person is naturally humble.

Pride comes to us as easily as sleeping or smiling. So does arrogance.

In our world today, arrogance is rewarded, and humility is ignored.

Discipline Defined - Training expected to produce a specific character or pattern of behavior, especially training that produces moral or mental improvement.

You cannot ignore humility and be an effective servant of Christ

Luke 9:23 ESV

And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

Christ said if you follow me, 3 things have to take place

note he did not say get a whole lot of knowledge

The first order of business of three is to deny self - then take up your cross, then follow me

Very good definition of humility – Self-denial

Self is public enemy #1

But “self” dies slowly and painfully (Adam and Eve surrendered to self)

1 Corinthians 8:1–3 ESV

Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.

Jesus did not tell them to compromise the truth, but to be loving patient with the weaker brethren

3 Illustrations of Humility

Jesus, Paul, Peter

Mark 10:35–40 ESV

And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized, but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”

James and John great things in mind for themselves

Mark 10:35 ESV

And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.”

Jockeying to see who’s going to sit on the right or who on the left

Jesus you’re Santa and here’s what I want

The enormous logs in your eyes prevent you from seeing the specs in other’s eyes

Paul

Philippians 2:3–4 ESV

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

The world - that’s crazy talk

Stop being selfish

Marriage helps this, and kids

Don’t look out for your own interests

Help others get ahead

Forget yourself long enough to lend a hand

Finally, Peter

1 Peter 5:1–6 ESV

So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 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.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,

Ali said it awful hard to be humble when you’re the greatest

After winning a heavy weight championship, gets on the plane back to NY.

Humility feels unnatural - practice will make it a habit