[ ] 6/29/2014 #1065
GOD OF ALL GRACE
THE APRON OF HUMILITY
1Peter 5:5-7 part 29
INTRODUCTION: Do you consider yourself a humble person? In these verses , Peter deals with submission and humility. One of the greatest spiritual virtues in the Christian life is humility. Pride leads to rebellion where submission leads to blessings. A spiritually mature Christian is a humble person.
I. LIFE OF THE CHRISTIAN
A. SUBMISSION OF THE CHRISTIAN.
1. Submission to the government. (1 Peter 2:13-14)
2. Submission of servants. (1 Peter 2:18)
3. Submission in marriage. (1 Peter 3:1-7)
B. SUBMISSION IN THE CHURCH. (1 Peter 5:5-6)
Humility is demonstrated in submitting to authority. Younger people are to submit to the elders. The elders were the pastors, the spiritual leaders of the church. All the church members were to be submissive to their pastors and to one another. They were to voluntarily submit.
The church is to be a group of people who have the attitude of humility. They are willing to serve one another.
Jesus gave His disciples a lesson on humility. He said unto them: "Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (Matt. 18:4)
The person of humility on earth will be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus said to them: "But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant." (Mat 23:11) Truly humble people are servants. They do not have to be asked to serve; they serve out of the humility of their heart. They are not looking for recognition or the applause of men.
Where there is an attitude of humility, there will be no problem with people submitting to authority.
We can never be submissive to each other until we are first submitted to God. Submitting with a humble attitude does not come naturally. This is why we need to be under the control of the Holy Spirit. (Eph. 5:18-21)
Churches deprive themselves of God's blessings when there is a lack of humility among the members. "God resists the proud." (James 4:6)
The Most Humble Button
A church realized the importance of humility, so it formed a committee to find the most humble person in the church. Many names were submitted and numerous candidates evaluated. Finally, the committee came to a unanimous decision. They selected a quiet little man who always lived in the background and had never taken credit for anything he had done. They awarded him the "Most Humble" button for his faithful service. However, the next day they had to take it away from him because he pinned it on.
II. LORD OF THE CHRISTIAN
A. EXHORTATION TO BE HUMBLE.
Kent Crockett: "Pride says to itself, 'My will be done.' Humility says to God, 'Thy will be done.'" The Christian is to follow the example of Jesus who came to earth to do His Father's will.
1. The Christian is to gird himself with humility.
Humility means to havelowliness of mind, the quality or state of not thinking you are better than other people.
The word "clothed" refers to a slave putting on an apron over his other clothes before serving. We are to be dressed with humility. Jesus performed the duty of a slave when He washed the disciples' feet. (John 13:4)
In the Upper Room, Jesus did not hesitate to perform the duty of a servant in washing their feet. The disciples were too busy arguing about who would be the greatest in the kingdom of God. Jesus was busy showing them true greatness.
Humility is showing our dependence on God. It is demonstrated by a person's submission to God. When we trust in God, it blesses His heart. When we submit to God's will and plan for our lives, we have placed ourselves in such a position that God can bless us. What greater blessing can there be than to know God is with us.
"For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones." (Isa. 57:15)
2. The Christian is to guard himself from pride.
The great British preacher Charles Spurgeon was keenly aware of the dangers of pride. After his sermon one Sunday, Spurgeon was met by a woman who exclaimed, “Oh, Mr. Spurgeon, that was wonderful.” “Yes, madam,” Spurgeon replied, “so the devil whispered."
“Proud” comes from two words:aboveandto appear. A proud person shows the attitude of thinking that heis better or more important than others.
Pride is a God-defying sin. Pride is a sin hated by God. He resists the sin of pride wherever it may be found.
The word "resists" means to oppose; set himself against. God places Himself in battle array against those who are full of pride.
We cannot have a relationship with God when our life is controlled by pride. Proud people trust in themselves.
"Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished." (Pr. 16:5)
"Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall." (Pr. 16:18)
Absalom's hair, which was such a source of pride to him that he weighed it annually, was also the cause of his death.
B. EXALTING OF THE HUMBLE.
1. Grace of God. (v. 5) "giveth grace to the humble"
"Exalt” meansto lift up.God gives grace to the humble. The humble person recognizes that everything depends on who God is and what He does. God in His loving kindness lifts up the believer to a higher spiritual state by His grace.
2. Hand of God. (v.6) "under the mighty hand of God"
The "mighty hand of God" reminds us of God's providence. He is the controller of the creation that He created.
God protects and provides for those who humble themselves. In His hands we are safe and from His hand we are fed.
C. ENGAGING OF THE HUMBLE. (v. 7)
God engages those who are humble. The word "care" means to have anxiety, to have a distraction.
The word “Casting” means to throw or place upon. It is like a man carrying a heavy burden and he throws it on to the back of his horse or bed of his truck. He rolls it off his shoulder. God wants us to roll our burdens upon Him. (Ps. 55:22)
"Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved." (Ps. 55:22)
The English dictionary gives the meaning of "care" as fear or nervousness about what might happen; a feeling of wanting to do something very much.
We humble ourselves by casting our anxieties on God. God’s care comes when we humble ourselves anddependon His grace.
Humility is our willingness to cast our cares upon the Lord. Humility is trusting God who has promised to take care of us. (Matthew 6:31-34)
Pride is believing we need to handle our own problems without God's help. Worry is distrusting God. It is a form of unbelief. Unbelief is an exalting of self against God.
God really cares for you. He wants you to cast all your worry and anxieties on Him.
LESSONS FOR LIFE:
1. Faith is believing God is bigger than our burdens. We can roll our burdens over on Him.
2. God cares for you. Give Him all your troubles, the big ones and the little ones.
3. When we are humble before God, we can be assured that God's supply of grace will be sufficient.
4. Peter's word on humility can be summed up by the words of D.L. Moody:"Be humble or you'll stumble."
5. Walk with the Lord. When you can walk no further, He will carry you.
6. Humility begins when you realize your need of salvation. Trust Him today.