Above all else you must live in a

“Above all else, you must live in a way that brings honour to the good news about Christ. ” (Phil 1: 27) “Pride goes before destruction. . ” (Prov 16: 18) Mark 10: 35 -45, 1 Peter 5: 5 -7

WHAT IS HUMILITY? It is not low self esteem, a martyr complex, weakness, being a doormat or not setting goals to achieve (take pride in your work). Humility is not thinking less about yourself but thinking of yourself less. Humility is the willingness to use the power & resources we have for the good of others. Humility = joy, happiness – not having anxiety of needing recognition & approval.

JESUS GIVES US THE GREATEST EXAMPLE – “He made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant and being born as a human being… he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death on a cross!” (Philippians 2: 5 -8) “At home I am a nice guy but I don’t want the world to know. I have found that humble people don’t get very far. ” (Mohammed Ali) “I have a given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. ” (John 13: 15)

HOW DO WE DO IT? “All of you should dress yourselves in humility. . ” (1 Peter 5: 5) STEP 1 – Own & confess YOUR pride. “The biggest hurdle in life is getting over yourself. Once you get over yourself you can get anywhere. ” (Tony Gaskins, US Life Coach) “Your pride deceives you. ” (Obad 1: 3) = wrong sense of self – deserve to be first. Pride = easily offended, take everything personally, defensive, think people are talking about you.

Pride = my views are the most reasonable. I am right & others need to recognize that. Pride = my desires are the most important. What I want, everyone else should want. Pride = always the other person who needs to apologise or change (speck & the log). Pride = tend to be negative & critical rather than positive and grateful. Pride = I am glad ‘they’ are here or wish ‘they’ were here.

STEP 2 – Get serving. “Whoever wants to be a leader must be a servant. Whoever wants to be first, must be last & willing to be the slave of everyone else. ” (Mk 9: 35, 10: 43 -44) Greatness in God’s kingdom = deliberately, willingly & joyfully choosing to focus on the needs of others and serving them. The real action in God’s Kingdom is at the back of the line. Not seeking recognition or repayment + valuing, affirming & honouring others = doing exactly what Jesus did for us.

STEP 3 - Keep listening, learning & growing. Humility is not something we achieve. It’s something we keep aspiring for. “I haven’t reached perfection… but I press on to get it. . ” (Phil 3: 12) Humility = “Being quick to listen, slow to speak & slow to get angry. ” (James 1: 19 -21) Humility = be teachable, take criticism, don’t be defensive, don’t be controlling/dominating.

STEP 4 – Don’t lose perspective. “When I look at the moon & stars you set in place - what is man that you should think about & care for them? ” (Ps 8: 3 -4) We all needed to be ransomed (Mark 10: 45). “Yet you made them only a little lower than God & crowned them with glory & honour. ” (v 5) = loved, valued, saved, called, sustained. Pride = we hide our weaknesses. Humility = we boast about them. God with us = “when I am weak, then I am strong. ” (2 Cor 12: 9 -10)

Greeks = Be wise & know yourself. Romans = Be strong & discipline yourself. Materialism = Be possessive & please yourself. Humanism = Be capable & believe in yourself. Jesus = Be humble & get over yourself.

Radical, but doable, with Jesus’ example & the Holy Spirit’s help (John 14: 26) 1. Own it & confess your pride. 3. Keep listening, learning & growing. 2. Get serving 4. Don’t lose perspective. “Humble yourselves under the mighty power of God & at the right time he will lift you up in honour. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. ” (1 Peter 5: 6 -7)