Blueprint for Life(Discipleship)

Humility, The Prerequisite to Knowing God

The Key to Truly Knowing God is “Humility”

This Evening’s Objective in Discipleship:

1) To Learn the Definition of Humility

2) To Learn How to Acquire Humility

3) To Learn the Application Humility

I Peter 5:5

“In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders; clothe yourselves with humility towards one another, for God opposes the proud but shows grace to the humble.”

I Peter 5:5

Matthew 23:12

“For those who exalt themselves will be humbled and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Matthew 23:12

Jonah 2:8

“They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.”

Jonah 2:8

According to the Word of God,Humility is demonstrated in submission to all Authority

(See Ephesians 5:21-33 & 6:1-9, Exodus 19:5, Deut. 11:1,

John 14:21, Hebrew 13:7, John 14:15 & 21, I Peter 5:5)

God’s Definition of Humility

“Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God

something to be used to His own advantage;

Rather, He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant,

being made in human likeness.

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself

by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!”

(Philippians 2:5-11)

Jesus Christ, The Ultimate Example of Humility

“He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open his mouth; He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth.“

(Isaiah 53:7, NIV)

“Then Pilate said to Him, "Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?" And He did not answer him with regard to even a single charge, so the governor was quite amazed.”

(Matthew 27:14)

• Moses (Numbers12:3-8)

• Abraham (Genesis 15:5-6)

• Daniel (Daniel 6:10)

• Esther (Esther 4&5)

• Ruth (Ruth 1-4)

• Saul (I Samuel 10:21)

• David (2 Sam.7, Psalm 63)

• Abigail (I Samuel 25)

• Solomon (I Kings 3:4-14)

• Josiah (2 Chron.34:1-8)

People in the Bible Who Exhibited Humility

• Mary (Luke 1:38)

• Joseph (Matthew 1:20 - 24)

Others Who Exhibited Humility

Moses • Learns Humility After 40 years in the Desert,

Shepherding (Exodus 3, 3:5-6 & Num.12:3)

• Reacts in Anger and is Not Allowed to Enter Promised Land (Num. 20:7-12)

• Repents (Ps. 90 & Deut. 32)

I. Biblical Characters Who Start Out in Humility, Disobey & Repent

II. Biblical Characters Who Start Out in Humility, Disobey & Repent

David • A Man after God’s Heart• Loved God’s Law (Ps. 119)• Wrote Approx. Half of all Psalms• Kills Goliath (I Sam. 45 - 50)• Given Saul’s Daughter• Placed as Saul’s High Ranking Army Officer• Becomes King (2 Sam. 5)

• David Neglects His Responsibility

• Commits Adultery• Has Uriah Killed• Nathan Confronts David• David Repents• David is Forgiven (2 Sam.12:13)• David’s Consequences Are Devastating

* See Proverbs 17:13

David’s Disobedience (2 Samuel 11, I Kings 2)

• Submits to Authority (Ps. 119, Rom. 13-1-7)

• Penitent Heart (Ps. 51:10-17)

• Teachable & Pliable (I Peter 5:5, Pr. 13:18, Ps. 25:9)

• Quickly Admits and Amends Wrongs (Pr. 6:1-5 and 2 Peter 3:9, Rev. 2:5)

• Forgives & Seeks to Restore (Gal. 6:1-5)

Characteristics of Humility

• Does Not React to Accusations, Criticism or Slander (Pr.19:11, Mt. 5:43-45)

• Is Silent and Waits Upon the Lord for Rescue

(Is. 41:10, 53:7)

• Prays for Others and Enemies (Mt. 5:44-48)

• Walks in Obedience (Phil. 2:8, Jn.14:15, 15:14)

More Characteristics of Humility

• Children of Israel (Ex. 6:7-8, Numbers 14:38, Joshua 1)

• Nebuchadnezzar (4:30-31)• Haman (Esther 6:6, Proverbs 11:2)• Nabal (1 Samuel 25)• King Saul (I Samuel 15)• Solomon (I Kings 11:4) • King Herod (Acts 12:23)• Sapphira and Ananias (Acts 5:1-11)• Lucifer (Isaiah 14:12-13)

Those Who Lost Much Because of a Lack of Humility

“For I came down from Heaven not to do my own will, but the will of Him that sent Me” (John 6:38)

“For I did not speak of My own but that which the Father who sent Me commanded me to say all that I have spoken.” (John 12:49)“Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me, yet not My will, but Yours be done.” (Luke 22:42)

Jesus Submitted in Every Way

When We Choose to Not Submit to Authority, We Place Ourselves

on “The Throne of Idolatry”

When We Say, “Yes Lord, I Will Honor You,”

“…God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers,… I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.”

“…He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” (Luke 18:10)

Humility Vs. Pride

Pride Opens Doors to Other Sins

Unforgiveness Haughtiness Sarcasm

Envy Jealousy Dissension Gossip

Anger Bitterness Rage VengeanceMurder Guilt Shame Lying

Disgrace Deception Separation Delusions Evil Spirits Eternal Consequences

Consequences of Pride

• Moses to Miss the Promised Land• Aaron and Miriam to Miss the Promise

Land• Aaron’s Sons Were Killed• Abraham Created Conflict (Sarah)• Saul Lost God’s Favor & Kingship • David Committed Adultery, Killed a Man,

Did not Execute Justice, Lost 3 Sons, Abandoned His Daughter and Never Rested from the Sword

One Act of Not Submitting Caused:

We All Would Drink This Glass of Purified Water if We Were Thirsty,

Wouldn’t We?

What About This One?

What Is Jesus Telling Us Here?

"Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees." (Matthew 16:6, KJV)

What is Paul Saying?

“Your boasting is not good. Don't you know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough?” (I Corinthians 5:6)

1st yeast = hypocrisy, impurity and corruption2nd yeast = fleshly pride, idolatry

(

Leaven is used 17 times in the Old Testament, (first used in Exodus 12:15),

and is used 22 times in the New Testament

In the Bible, most times when “leaven” is used in a teaching, it is almost always used with a negative connotation . It

represents sin or wickedness. Jesus wants us to know that a little “leaven” has the

potential to destroy us morally and spiritually.

Jesus is Trying to Tell Us Something Significant

“Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens [ferments] the whole lump [of dough]? Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump [fresh dough], as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our paschal Lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us, therefore, celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” (1 Corinthians 5:6-8 RSV)

Narcissism Self Absorption Selfishness

Self-importance Status Position Reputation

Conceit Superiority Smugness Pride

Arrogance Haughtiness

Definition of Vanity

Psalm 24

Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?

He that has clean hands, and a pure heart; who has not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and

righteousness from the God of his salvation.This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek your

face, O Jacob. Selah.Lift up your heads, O you gates; and be you lifted up, you

everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the

LORD mighty in battle.Lift up your heads, O you gates; even lift them up, you everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.

Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.

What Are Some Various Ways In Which Pride is Revealed?

True humility is remaining teachable,

regardless of how much you already know

Quote on Humility

• God’s Favor

• Man’s Favor

• Virtue

• Freedom

• Self Awareness

• Wisdom - Learning

• Long Life

• Health

• Prosperity

• Control

• Display of Honor

• Peace

Benefits of Humility

Our Faith is Proved and Perfected in

Submission

(Romans 12:2, Prov. 12:15; 15:31-32)

1) The First Key is to “Submit” to Authorities. (Rev. 12:1I, Peter 2:13-14, 2 Tim. 3:16, )

I Must Recognize My Sinful Nature & Need to Depend on God and Authorities (Ps. 119:9, Ps. 25:9)

2) Second Key is to Daily Seek God’s Will (Matthew 6:33, Prov. 3:5&6. Jn. 3:17)The Father will reveal His perfect plan for my life and guide me into truth and safety.

3) Third Key is to Maintain a Pure Heart (John 8:31-32, Jas. 4:10)Remain Honest With Self, God, Others 4) Forth Key is to Remain Teachable & Thankful (I Thess. 5:16-18, Psalm 119:105)

5) Fifth Key is to Wear the Clothing of Humility (I Peter5:5, , Ephesians 4:1-3)Walking in Humility is a Daily Choice

How Do I Attain Humility?

Remember God’s Chosen Ones and

Learn From Them; Moreover, Let’s Learn

From Jesus