Humility

Abstract: Humility is a necessary behavior for the faithful under the covenant of Christ. Should we be found favorably in the midst of the Father we will be inheritors of the Kingdom (spiritually). Humility comes with the self-acknowledgment of being incomplete without the knowledge of God (Godhead), the acceptance of the invitation of salvation via the blood of Christ, and the continuous effort to walk the path in accordance to the will of the Father

Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 5:5-7

Introduction:

This morning’s lesson will focus on the importance of humility/humbleness. As Christians we are called to be humble and obedient to God the Father through our faith in his son Christ Jesus. We will look at examples of Humility as well as the scriptural basis for humility.

I. Example of Christ

• 1. Philippians 2:1-8

• 2. Christ gave up his privileges as deity, he lowered or humbled himself, in accordance to the will of the Father so that we might have the opportunity to see the Grace of the Father.

• 3. John 6:35-40

• 4. Some context here; after the feeding of 5,000 with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish the disciples left without Christ across the Sea of Galilee, in the midst of the night while on the waters Christ performed the miracle of walking on water. It is now the next day in the town of Capernaum and the crowd has followed them asking for more food and signs to prove his message. But it is here we notice that Christ has a consistent habit of redirecting people’s attention to the Father, in many passages we can see this. Christ always gave credit where credit is due, and all credit is due to the Father.

II. Humbleness of Self

• 1. 1 Peter 5:5-7

• 2. We are also to humble ourselves not only before the Lord but also before each other, now here Peter is addressing the youth of multiple congregations throughout Asia Minor, or modern day Turkey as is the whole book of 1 Peter, however a good mindset to keep is that even though we may be aged in years and body, in spirit we are always to keep the innocence of our youth not physically but spiritually. We can see the basis of this in Matthew 18:1-5 here Christ is not just talking about children he is also addressing babes in Christ. Another passage that mirrors this point is Philippians 2:12-16 Here the main point is that being blameless is to maintain that innocence as if we were little children. As we are Children in the Faith we are to be obedient to the Father, the same as a child humbles themselves to their parents we humble ourselves to our spiritual parent.

Conclusion: Humility through Obedience

• 1. Romans 6:17-18

• 2. Obeying the Gospel: Becoming a Christian and Remaining a Christian
  • Hear the Word. (Romans 10:17)
  • Believe the word. (Hebrews 11:6)
  • Repent of one’s sins. (Luke 13:3)
  • Confess one’s Faith. (Matthew 10:32-33)
  • Be Baptized for the Remission of Sin. (Acts 2:38)
  • Remain Faithful even into Death. (Romans 12:1)

• 3. Obeying the gospel is to Hear the word, Believe the Word, Repent of our Sins, Confess our Faith, Be Baptized under the Remission of Sin, and Remain Faithful even into Death. These are acts of humility, hearing without thought of bias, believing in something greater than ourselves, repenting and acknowledging our own wrongdoing, confessing before all men we acknowledge the death of an innocent in our stead paired with him being our master and savior, allowing ourselves to be washed in the blood of said innocent as well as trusting someone else to immerse us in the waters, and waking daily in the will of the Father in humble devotion so that we might be saved and see the pearly gates.

• 4. Should you need the help of the congregation or confess a public sin, come forward as we stand and as we sing.