Habitudes The Calcutta Paradox Presented by Randy Olsson

Habitudes The Calcutta Paradox Presented by: Randy Olsson

The Calcutta Paradox n Humility is magnetic in a leader. When we “Under-Speak” with regard to our value, others are drawn toward us and our influence increases. When we “Over-Speak, ” others are repelled. When it come to self-description, leaders know people will fill what is lacking and empty what it too full.

The Calcutta Paradox n Humility Modesty n Others focused n Not boastful n Teachable n Lowly n Meek n

Mother Teresa Her order became the largest world wide n Inspired seven other organizations n Won the Nobel Peace Prize 1979 n Harvard Graduation n Before Presidents n Most influential women n

Mother Teresa “I am just a pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to world to the world. ” n “I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish that He didn't trust me so much. ” n

Mother Teresa “Let us touch the dying, the poor, the lonely and the unwanted according to the graces we have received and let us not be ashamed or slow to do the humble work. ” n “We can do no great things, only small things with great love. ” n

John The Baptist n John 1: 23 -26 n John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, "I am the voice of one calling in the desert, 'Make straight the way for the Lord. ' "Now some Pharisees who had been sent questioned him, "Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet? " "I baptize with water, " John replied, "but among you stands one you do not know. He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. "

John The Baptist n John 3: 26 -30 n They came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—well, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him. " To this John replied, "A man can receive only what is given him from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him. ' The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less. ”

Moses n Numbers 12: 1 -3, 13 n Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite. "Has the LORD spoken only through Moses? " they asked. "Hasn't he also spoken through us? " And the LORD heard this. 3 (Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth. )…(13) So Moses cried out to the LORD, "O God, please heal her!"

Moses n Numbers 11 26 -29 n However, two men, whose names were Eldad and Medad, had remained in the camp. They were listed among the elders, but did not go out to the Tent. Yet the Spirit also rested on them, and they prophesied in the camp. A young man ran and told Moses, "Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp. " Joshua son of Nun, who had been Moses' aide since youth, spoke up and said, "Moses, my lord, stop them!" But Moses replied, "Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the LORD's people were prophets and that the LORD would put his Spirit on them!"

George Whitfield n “Though long by following multitudes admired. No party for himself he e’er desired; His one desire to make the Savior known, to magnify the name of Christ alone: If others strove who should the greatest be, no lover of preeminence was he, Nor envied those his Lord vouchsafed to bless, but joyed in theirs as in his own success. ” Charles Wesley

George Whitfield n “Let the name of Whitfield perish, but Christ be glorified. Let my name die everywhere, let even my friends forget me, if by that means the cause of the blessed Jesus be promoted. But what is Calvin, or what is Luther? Let us look above names and parties; let Jesus be our all in all- So that He is preached… I care not who is uppermost.

George Whitfield n I know my place… even to be the servant of all. I am content to wait until the judgment day for the clearing up of my reputation; and after I am dead I desire no other epitaph than this, “Here lies G. W. What sort of man he was the great day will discover. ”

The Calcutta Paradox Winning with humility is sweet n Loose with pride is bitter n

The Calcutta Paradox n Proverbs 25: 6 -7 “Do not exalt yourself in the king's presence, and do not claim a place among great men; it is better for him to say to you, "Come up here, " than for him to humiliate you before a nobleman. ” n Proverbs 27: 2 “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips. ” n People will fill what is lacking and empty what it too full…

Humility is the keynote: n Humility n Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility. --Saint Augustine

Humility is freedom from your own driven ego. -Martha Kilpatrick n Humility is nothing but truth, and pride is nothing but lying. -- Vincent de Paul n Humility is nothing else but a right judgment of ourselves. --William Law n

Humility n There is no room for God in him who is full of himself. --Martin Buber n Humility is offering no resistance to the dealings of the Lord with us. --Chip Brogden n Humility is to make a right estimate of one's self. – Charles H. Spergeon

Humility is the foundation of all the other virtues hence, in the soul in which this virtue does not exist there cannot be any other virtue except in mere appearance. - Saint Augustine n What makes humility so desirable is the marvelous thing it does to us; it creates in us a capacity for the closest possible intimacy with God – Monica Baldwin n

Humility n The meek man is not a human mouse afflicted with a sense of his own inferiority. He has accepted God's estimate of his own life: In himself, nothing; In God, everything. He knows well that the world will never see him as God sees him and he has stopped caring. -- A. W. Tozer

Results of Pride God’s opposition - James 4: 6, Proverbs 15: 25 n God will detest you - Proverbs 16: 5 n Disgrace - Proverbs 11: 2 n Destruction - Proverbs 16: 18 n Dissention- Proverbs 13: 10 n A ruined life -Proverbs 29: 1 n Poverty and shame- Proverbs 13: 18 n

Results of Humility Grace- James 4: 6, 1 Peter 5: 5 n Exaltation- 1 Peter 5: 6, James 4: 10, Luke 18: 14 n Wisdom- Proverbs 11: 2 n Honor - Proverbs 15: 33 n Deliverance from wrath- Zephaniah 2: 3 n Greatness - Matthew 18: 4 n Wealth and life- Proverbs 22: 4 n

Humility n James 4: 6 n n But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. " Luke 18: 14 n "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. "

Signs of Pride (VS) Humility Proud people focus on the failures of others and can readily point out those faults. Humble people are more conscious of their own spiritual need than of anyone else's. n Proud people are self-righteous; they think highly of themselves and look down on others. Humble people think the best of others; they esteem others better than themselves. n

Signs of Pride (VS) Humility n Proud people have a critical, fault-finding spirit. They look at everyone else's faults with a microscope and their own with a telescope. Humble people are compassionate-they have the kind of love that overlooks a multitude of sins; they can forgive much because they know how much they have been forgiven.

Signs of Pride (VS) Humility n n Proud people have an independent, self-sufficient spirit. Humble people have a dependent spirit; they recognize their need for God and for others. Proud people have a feeling-conscious or subconscious that "this ministry or organization is privileged to have me and my gifts. " They focus on what they can do for God. Humble people have a heart attitude that says. "I am blessed to have any part in this ministry" they know that they have nothing to offer God except the life of Jesus flowing through them.

Signs of Pride (VS) Humility n n n Proud people have a drive to be recognized and appreciated for their efforts. Humble people have a sense of their own unworthiness; they are thrilled that God would use them at all. Proud people feel confident in how much they know. Humble people are aware of how very much they have to learn. Proud people are self-conscious; they worry about what others think of them. Humble people are not preoccupied with what others think of them.

Signs of Pride (VS) Humility n Proud people can't bear to fail or for anyone to think they are less than perfect. This can drive them to extremes- workaholic tendencies; perfectionism, the tendency to drive others or to place unrealistic expectations on themselves or others. Humble people recognize and live within God-given limits.

Signs of Pride (VS) Humility Proud people keep others at arm's length. Humble people are willing to take the risks of getting close to others and loving intimately. n Proud people are quick to blame others. Humble people accept personal responsibility and can acknowledge where they were wrong in a situation. n

Signs of Pride (VS) Humility Proud people wait for others to come and ask forgiveness when there is a misunderstanding or a breach in a relationship. Humble people take the initiative to be reconciled, no matter how wrong the other party may have been. n Proud people are unapproachable or defensive when corrected. Humble people receive correction with a humble, open spirit. n

Signs of Pride (VS) Humility n n Proud people want to be sure that no one finds out about their sin- their instinct is to cover up. Humble people aren't overly concerned with who knows or who finds out about their sin- they are willing to be exposed if it is for the glory of God. Proud people have a hard time saying "I was wrong; will you please forgive me? " Humble people are quick to admit their failure and to seek forgiveness when necessary.

Signs of Pride (VS) Humility n Proud people tend to deal in generalities when confessing their sin to God. ("Dear Lord, please forgive all of my sins. . . ") Humble people are able to acknowledge specifics when confessing their sin; "Lord I agree with you that I have been ungrateful lately; I confess that I am being selfish; I have a critical spirit; I have resentment. . . "

Signs of Pride (VS) Humility Proud people compare themselves with others and feel worthy of respect. Humble people compare themselves with the holiness of God and feel a desperate need for His mercy. n Proud people find their worth in who they are better than, rather than in what God thinks of them. n

Questions to ASK? How do I handle confrontation and criticism? n Do I focus on peoples failures or their potential? n Do I look down on others? And feed my ego on their failures? n Do I secretly think slanderous thoughts of others? n Do I criticize people? n

Questions to ASK? Am I ready to be judged by God in the same way I judge others? n Do I want mercy for myself, but justice for everyone else? n Have I forgotten all that I have been forgiven for? n Have I let success go to my head? n Do I like exercising authority over others? n

Questions to ASK? Do I feel superior to others? n Do I advertise my successes? Accomplishments? n Do I try to make others walk away feeling like champions or inflate their opinion of me? n Do advertise all your knowledge and experience? n Do you try to win every argument? n Do you always try to get the last word? n

Humility n Matthew 21: 44 n “He who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed. "

Examples of the Paradox n Billy Graham in Kohima n n Nihuli to handle baggage, tea, and whatever else… Booker T. Washington n Head of Tuskegee Institute

Examples of the Paradox After being stalled in Petersburg n Sherman had captured Atlanta n “I have written to John to stop it. I would rather have you in command than anyone else. I should emphatically decline any commission calculated to bring us into rivalry. ” n

Examples of the Paradox n “No one would be more pleased with your advancement than I; and if you should be placed in my position, and I be put your subordinate, it would not change our relations in the least. I would make the same exertions to support you that you have done to support me, and I would do all in my power to make our cause win. ”

Examples of the Paradox I am not, but I know I AM n Windows and Mirrors n

Humility: How to get it? n I am sure that there are many Christians who will confess that their experience has been very much like my own—that we had long known the Lord without realizing that meekness and lowliness of heart should be the distinguishing feature of the disciple, as they were of the Master. Such humility is not a thing that will come on its own. It must be made the object of special desire, prayer, faith and practice. Andrew Murray

Humility 1) Pray for love n 1 Corinthians 13: 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. n 1 John 4: 7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

Humility 2) Focus on Christ n While we are looking at God, we do not see ourselves -- blessed riddance. The man who has struggled to purify himself and has had nothing but repeated failures will experience real relief when he stops tinkering with his soul and looks away to the perfect One. . A. W. Tozer

Humility n The meek man will attain a place of soul rest. As he walks on in meekness he will be happy to let God defend him. The old struggle to defend himself is over. He has found the peace which meekness brings. -- A. W. Tozer

Humility 3) Pray for a deep inner change n There is many a wounded heart without a contrite spirit. – The ice may be broken into a thousand pieces but it is ice still. - But expose it to the beams of the Sun of righteousness, and then it will melt. - Middleton

Humility n Micah 6: 8 “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. ”

The Calcutta Paradox Luke 14: 11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. "