Proud to Humble Sermon

PROUD TO HUMBLE

We’re glad you’re here. I hope you were able to meet some new people, grab a cup of coffee, and had an easy time dropping your kids off with The Living Stones amazing kids programming. C’mon parents, I know y’all are loving that. It’s ok. I’m with ya. We have four of our own. If you didn’t get a chance to meet somebody new then I hope you stay after and linger and get connected here at The Living Stone.

No matter how you came in, (Slow down) we have a life giving message of hope for you today.

Intro: I want to spend our time together talking about two different types of attributes that we have all experienced at some point in our lives, pride and humility. Now some of you here today would say right out of the gate “I struggle with pride. That’s me! Spare me the lecture, I know I’m proud and that’s just who I am.” Pride is a common identity that all too often creeps into our lives and begins to shape both our actions and our attitude. (Pause)

For the record, I’m not talking about being proud of your son for hitting the ball in a game of little league. I’m not talking about being proud of your accomplishments. Or proud of the fact that you woke up early to come to church this morning! Those are all great things that you should be proud of. I’m talking about pride that makes you the center of the universe. The person that when given a compliment says “Oh yeah, I know I look good.” Or the person that’s willing to do whatever it takes, no matter who they have to hurt along the way, to make their life more pleasurable or successful.

In contrast, I want to propose that the abundant life that God offers is not found in pride and arrogance, but in humility and submission to God.

As for humility, I’m not talking about the person that is always demeaning themselves or deflecting praise constantly for the purpose of appearing humble. “You played great today Tom.” Tom, “No, I’m not really that good. I’ve never really been much of a ball player.” C’mon Tom! Just take a compliment already. Anybody have this person in your life? A humble spirit is found in those that recognize that there are others that are more important than themselves. A humble person can accept praise, but never boasts in the praise. A humble heart seeks to live for something or someone outside of himself or herself.

Big Idea: A proud spirit leads to destruction, but a humble spirit leads to life, life to the fullest.

Passage: We’re going to continue in the book of James and today we’ll be looking at James 4:1-12.

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Read: James 4:1-12

Background: James is writing this letter to first century Christians with the intention to expose wrong behavior and to point people to Jesus and a better way to live.

Main Points:

1. The problem with pride (V1-5)

   1. Conflict arises when we seek our own pleasure over the needs of others. Can I get a witness from any of the married peeps in the house?
   2. War and fights are indicators that pride has creeped in to your life and now you are the center of the universe. Your status, your money, your wants, you, you, you...
   3. Question: Do you know anyone that always seems to be at odds with other people? Or how about this… think of the times that you’ve been most hostile in your life? Were you living with others in mind or were you more focused on yourself?

   4. Illust: I like to fight. Fight or flight.

      1. This has not always worked out so well for me. The times in my life where I’ve been the most hostile is when pride has taken over my life. If I’m on a mission then you better get out of my way or I’m running right through you!

      2. Fighting is not always a bad thing if you’re fighting for the right reasons, but often times we find ourselves in the middle of a battle that we alone have caused.

         5. The Greek word for “pride” is used 5 times in the New Testament and it refers to haughtiness or arrogance in relation to people.

      3. We show our pride by refusing to submit to God and His authority over our lives.

      4. Consequently God resists or opposes the proud that act arrogantly towards the body of Christ.
      5. “All of you clothe yourself with humility toward one another, because God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 1 Peter 5:5

      6. Pride manifests itself in the belittling and demeaning of others. This is destructive behavior that never leads to life, joy, and peace.

         6. James points out 3 problems with the believer’s prayer life:

      7. 1. Not asking. 2. Asking for the wrong things. 3. Asking with the wrong motive.

      8. Question: How do you talk to God? If you do talk to God, what are you asking for? Finally, what are your motives behind your requests?
      9. When you pray, are you only asking for things that make your life “better”?

      10. A prayer that emulates humility is found in Psalm 139:24 that says “Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” This is a prayer of humility and submission to God.

          7. In verse 4 he refers to the proud and arrogant as “You adulterous people!” Adulterous people refers to the believers’ unfaithful behavior towards God. They had become self centered and therefore hostile and in direct opposition to God. They were so focused on their own desires that they forgot about their marriage.

      11. Proverbs 16:18-19 “Pride comes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall. Better to be lowly of spirit with the humble than to divide plunder with the proud.”

      12. When we pursue the desires of our hearts apart from God and seek fulfillment in stuff, career, status, and fortune, then we are left empty, never really finding true fulfillment and joy, but when we realize that God is all that we need and His grace is sufficient then we find value, identity, purpose, and joy in whatever season of life we are in.
      13. Practical: What happens when you have pursued your dream job, you’ve climbed the ladder to the top at whatever the cost, then one day you go to work only to find out that you’ve been replaced? Or when your marriage didn’t turn out quite the way you had planned and now you’re asking yourself “How did I end up here?”
      14. 2 Corinthians 12:9 “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.”
      15. Question: Have you ever said “I don’t need anyone’s help! I’ll do it myself!” That’s pride. And that’s the problem. Can I submit to you today, that you need God’s grace.

2. The gift of grace (V6)

   1. Grace is God’s unfailing, unconditional, relentless love poured out on your life through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

   2. There’s a better way. When we exchange our life for God’s gift of grace, freedom is the result. We find hope, purpose, and the opportunity to live a rich and satisfying life.

      1. John 10:10 says “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”

      2. 1 Peter 5:8 says “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”

         3. Without God’s grace over our lives we don’t stand a chance against the enemy and the desires of the flesh.

      3. Matthew 26:41 “Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!"

      4. Pride says “I got this! I got myself in this mess and I’m going to get myself out!” YOU WILL NEVER GET YOURSELF OUT IN YOUR OWN EFFORT! AND THE ENEMY KNOWS THIS!

         4. There is Good News

      5. Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

      6. Hebrews 4:16 “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”

      7. There’s someone here today that needs to hear this message of hope. Maybe you’re at the end of your rope and you’re desperately looking for answers. God offers you this free gift of grace today.

         5. His Grace is greater!

      8. His grace is greater than your circumstances, fears, and problems. His grace is greater than your ability to fix things on your own. His grace is greater!

      9. Romans 8:31 “If God is for us, who can be against us?”
      10. 1 Corinthians 15:57 “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
      11. In Jesus’ name you can claim victory over sin and death, and He is with you in every circumstance!

3. The posture of humility (V7-12)

   1. 1 Peter 5:5-7 “All of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourself, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your cares on him, because he cares for you.
   2. 5 ways to draw near to God
      1. “Submit to God” Yield to His authority over your life. Release control and trust in His plan for your life. (V7)
      2. “Resist the devil” Run from temptation and don’t give Satan space in your world. (V7)
      3. “Cleanse your hands… purify your hearts” Pursue holiness over happiness. Replace your desires for sin with a desire to know and experience God’s grace on your life. (V8)
      4. “Mourn and weep” with genuine sorrow for the sin in your life. (V9)
      5. “Humble yourself before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” When God builds your platform man cannot tear it down! Humble yourself, stay faithful and watch God take you to places you couldn’t possibly imagine. (V10)