Humility I. Introduction A. Matthew 23:12 B. Humility-- a characteristic we hear of often C. Commanded of us in many passages 1. Ephesians 4:2 2. Philippians 2:3 3. Colossians 3:12 4. 1 Peter 5:5 D. Some confusion exists about what humility is and is not E. Regardless, it represents a crucial attribute of the Christian F. Let us consider what the Scriptures teach regarding humility II. Humility: What it is, What it is not A. What is humility? What isn't humility? B. By definition, freedom from pride and arrogance; humbleness of mind; a modest estimate of one's own worth, lowliness of mind (Webster's) C. Functionally, humility represents recognizing and accepting one's true place D. One's place before God 1. The creation, having no right to question the Creator (Romans 9:20-21) 2. Sinful, not worthy of His righteousness (Romans 3:10-23) 3. Objects of God's mercy, compassion, and grace (Romans 9:22-23, Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:4-8) 4. We can understand why we are to present ourselves as lowly before Him! E. One's place before others 1. Equally sinful (Romans 3:23) 2. Fellow humans for whom Christ died (John 3:16, 1 Timothy 2:1-4, 2 Peter 3:8-9) 3. No better, just forgiven (Titus 3:4-8) 4. We have no basis, therefore, to consider ourselves any better than others! F. Humility involves the recognition that we have no legitimate basis for pride before God or before other people G. Humility also involves ceasing comparisons with others 1. Too often people make themselves feel better or worse about themselves by constant comparison and competition with others 2. If we are humble, we have no more need to make such comparisons or have such competitions 3. Others may have their strengths; so do we 4. Others may have their weaknesses; so do we 5. We must realize that we all will stand or fall before our Master as individual servants (Romans 14:9-12) 6. As opposed to comparing ourselves with others or competing with others, we as humble servants are to seek their good and benefit (Philippians 2:1-4 et al) H. Some claim that humility is "not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less" 1. Not quite true 2. Humility does require us to think of ourselves less... 3. ...but if we are thinking too highly of ourselves, we will not likely think of others! 4. Hence, Galatians 6:3 I. The sentiment does speak, however, to what humility is not J. Humility is not self-degradation, self-abasement, or intentional lack of self-esteem 1. Many think that humility must mean that we think less of what skills or talents we have, or think less of our character 2. Yet God desires us to recognize our talents and to put them to use in the Kingdom (Matthew 25:14-30, 1 Corinthians 12:12-28, 1 Peter 4:10-11) 3. We must, therefore, recognize our strengths and weaknesses! 4. The issue is not in knowing these things, but what we do with that knowledge! 5. We are not to consider ourselves better than others because of our particular mix, but use what we have in God's service! K. We can see, therefore, what humility represents 1. Recognition of our true place 2. Lowliness in mind, as opposed to arrogance 3. Realization of who we are and what we have, but no need to compare that with others III. Humility: Critical Attribute A. We must recognize that humility is a critical attribute for the Christian 1. It often represents the missing piece for many people 2. It is too often lacking in Christians! B. Without humility, it is impossible to please God 1. A strong statement, but borne out by the Scriptures 2. Let us consider why C. Matthew 23:12 1. Those who do not humble themselves will find themselves humbled 2. By implication, one of the faults of the Pharisees! D. Without humility, one cannot truly have faith in God! 1. Faith in God requires trust and confidence in Him 2. To have faith in God requires you to have less confidence in yourself 3. Proverbs 3:5-6, Jeremiah 10:23 4. Do we truly accept this statement? 5. When God charges us to do things that we find difficult to believe or understand, do we end up trusting in Him or in our own wisdom? 6. The humble Christian will trust in God! E. Humility is a necessary attribute of a servant 1. Luke 17:7-10, Romans 6:11-23 2. Servants, almost by necessity, must be humble to accept their estate! 3. It is quite difficult for us to humble ourselves to the point of considering ourselves as owned by another 4. We value our independence and freedom 5. Yet we have been bought with a price and belong to God-- all of us (1 Corinthians 6:20, Galatians 2:20) 6. We are not our own! 7. Until we realize this and be humbled, we will not be able to serve God appropriately! F. Humility makes love work 1. 1 Corinthians 13:4-6: love is not arrogant or rude, does not insist on its own way 2. Love involves humility! 3. Jesus showed His love for us by being humbled (Philippians 2:5-11) 4. Expected, therefore, of us: Philippians 2:3-4 5. If we do not have a humble attitude, we cannot love as we ought! 6. This is as true for our love to God, each other as Christians, and our neighbors as it is for the love between spouses and for children G. The church can only function according to God's intentions if its members are humble and treat each other accordingly! 1. From whence comes strife, contention, hostility, and lack of cooperation among Christians? 2. Arrogance, rivalry, conceit, contentiousness, strife: all indicators of a lack of humility (cf. 1 Corinthians 4:19, Galatians 5:19-21)! H. Christians cannot function in the world according to God's intentions if they are not humble! 1. Smugness, sanctimony, hypocrisy, and arrogance from Christians are the greatest put-offs to the faith 2. Those also all indicate a lack of humility! 3. If we serve others, love others, and esteem our neighbor more highly than ourselves, that will provide an entirely different portrayal of the faith! 4. The essence of Matthew 5:13-16: not on the basis of pride or arrogance, but on the basis of humility and service, as Jesus' example demonstrates (Romans 15:1-3) I. As we can see, the statement is indeed true: without humility it is impossible to please God! IV. Conclusion A. We have examined humility B. It is a critical attribute, one concerning which we all need improvement C. Let us all humble ourselves that we may be exalted! D. Invitation/songbook