What Jesus says about Humility

Day 6

Topic: What Jesus says about Humility?

Text: John 13:12-17/Luke 14:11.

 

Introduction – What is Humility and what does it mean to be humble?

A brief description of Humility

1. “The feeling or attitude that you have no special importance that makes you better than others (lack of pride).”
2. “A modest or low view of one’s own importance (humbleness).”

(Example, acknowledging and accepting that other people’s view counts and may be better than yours – Romans 12:3-4)

I believe to truly understand what humility really is, we must know the opposite (Pride).  

Humility is simply the opposite of Pride. Sometimes we intentionally or unconsciously exhibit this character without even knowing it.

Most people would consider themselves to be humble if they are asked; That is to say that, not many people would admit or consider themselves as proud or vulnerable to pride. Yet, this is one of the major categories of sin that we all have ignored. We may all at a point in time in our lives have shown this attitude of Pride; it’s inside our hearts, especially if we do not guard against it.

Now, what is Humility, and what does it mean to be humble?

The desire to subject ourselves under God’s control and be in the place He has created us to be.

 

LIFE LESSONS (3)

• Jesus, the perfect example of humility – Putting others first.

• God hates pride so we must learn to also hate what God hates and to love what God loves – Humility (John 13:12-17 – Jesus washed His disciples’ feet)
•  Phil. 2:5–8 – Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it [b]robbery to be equal with God, 7 but [c]made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

 

• What is not Humility – Let’s look at a few examples:

• Feeling special or superior because of what you have or do.
• Always desiring to receive credit and recognition for what you do.
• Wants people to be impressed with you; You like to make your accomplishments known and to be recognized.
• You like to demean or put others down and often think people need to conform to your likeness, and so to speak, “put them in their place.”
• Lack of respect for others and don’t think very highly of them – Have a hard time encouraging and honoring others unless they really do something extra ordinary or fit into your model.

 

Esther 6:8   So Haman came in, and the king asked him, “What shall be done for the man whom the king delights to honor?” Now Haman thought in his heart, “Whom would the king delight to honor more than me?” 

7 And Haman answered the king, “For the man whom the king delights to honor, 

8 let a royal robe be brought which the king has worn, and a horse on which the king has ridden, which has a royal crest placed on its head

• Feel jealous or threatened when others get credit; “it should have been me attitude”
•  Always want the spotlight on you. 

 

• Reward of being humble

• “The Lord lifts up the humble; He casts the wicked down to the ground.” Psalm 147:6

• God gives grace to the humble “Surely He scorns the scornful but gives grace to the humble.” Proverb 3:34

• God adorns the humble “For the Lord takes pleasure in His people;
  He will beautify the [b]humble with salvation.” Psalm 149:4

• The Lord hears and answers the humble (2 Chronicle 7:14 ) “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
• God will make the humble great in His kingdom  

Mathew 18:4 – “Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven”

       

LIFE APPLICATIONS (3)

1. God gives grace to the humble — He hates pride and the proud. 

• God would most likely use the humble. We must learn from this most important lesson and cloth ourselves with the garment of humility. We must also learn to walk in humility and serve like Jesus did (Matthew 20:28). 
• In John 13, Jesus showed His true identity when He took off His robe and girded Himself with a towel, washed His disciple’s feet, and declared that a servant is greatest of all. (Matthew 23:10-12).
  

   

   

1. Lack of Humility brings sudden fall and destruction – Pride goes before destruction ….   (Proverb 16:18-19)
   Isaiah‬ 14‬:12‬-14‬  – “How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

 

• Esther 5:11-13 – Then Haman told them of his great riches, the multitude of his children, everything in which the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the officials and servants of the king. 

12 Moreover Haman said, “Besides, Queen Esther invited no one but me to come in with the king to the banquet that she prepared; and tomorrow I am again invited by her, along with the king. 

13 Yet all this avails me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.”

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• Some fruits of Humility – Jesus demonstrated humility

• Humility is sacrifice 
  Matthew 26:53 “Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?”

• Humility is showing love  

John 10:17-18 – 17 “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. 18 No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”

• Humility is showing strength through selflessness – To be humble does not mean you are weak, rather, it shows strength; Our Lord Jesus demonstrated it. Therefore, we must learn from His noble example.
• Humility is Obedience – Though He was a Son [of God], yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. (Hebrews 5:8).
• Think highly of others rather than yourself. (Philippians 2:3 – “Nothing should be done because of pride or thinking about yourself. Think of other people as more important than yourself.” NLV

 

LESSON OF THE DAY: 

God loves the humble and detest the proud; Therefore, we must do all we can to love what He loves – humility and hate what He hates – pride.

 

CONCLUSION: 

There are so many promises in the Bible with wonderful benefits regarding humility. We are encouraged to follow the examples of our Lord Jesus Christ if we want to enjoy these benefits and rewards.  May the Almighty God help us to live a life of humility as our Lord Jesus did.