THE NECESSITY OF HUMILITY (Lesson II)

Proverbs 3:34; Micah 6:8; 1Peter 5:6

Boxing Legend Mohammed Ali used to refer to himself as, "The Greatest." The World’s standard of "greatness" is vastly different than the Creator of the world. Jesus said, "... but whosoever would become great among you, shall be your minister; and whosoever would be first among you, shall be servant of all” (Mark 10:43-45).

I.     OBTAIN AND RETAIN

        A.    How can we retain our humility? Note the ground that you now occupy. Now note the ground that remains: State, US, World, Distance to the Sun (93,000,000), Distance to nearest Star from the sun (Centauri is 4.2 light-years). How much space do we really occupy? Not much, huh!

        B.    Quit comparing ourselves to others (Galatians 6:3-4; Luke 18:9-12).

        C.    Quit comparing ourselves to others, unless "others" are the experts.

        D.    “If we set our lives beside the life of the Lord of all good life, if we see our unworthiness in comparison with the radiance of his stainless purity, pride will die and self-satisfaction will be shriveled up” (Barclay). Compare Romans 9:20; Luke 18:13-14.

II.    THE PRACTITIONER’S GAIN

        A.    Justified (Luke 18:13-14).

        B.    Exalted (Luke 18:14; Philippians 2:2-13; 1 Peter 5:6).

        C.    ILL–“The Fall of General George McClellan”

        D.    We are always trying to find the greatest in everything. Yet cf Matthew 18:4; 23:10-12.

III.  FEIGN: faked humility

        A.    Colossians 2:18-23. "... show of wisdom in will-worship, and humility...."

        B.    Be not seen of men (Matthew 6:17-18).

CONCLUSION: As Jesus humbled Himself upon the cross, so must we be humble. As Philippi III’s men said, “You are only a man.”