Listen to Ezra Engle share a message Titled, “The Humble”
Readings: Exodus 18:8-11; James 4:10
Watch the Full 80-minute full church service video:
Point 1: God uses the humble
Numbers 12:3
“(Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.)”-Numbers 12:3 (NIV84)
Point 2: God humbles the proud
Daniel 4:27
“Therefore, O king, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue. ”
-Daniel 4:27 (NIV84)
Daniel 5:22
“But you his son, O Belshazzar, have not humbled yourself, though you knew all this.”-Daniel 5:22 (NIV84)
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
“To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. ” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
-2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (NIV84)
Point 3: God appreciates our praise
God (through the Holy Spirit) uses our testimony about His work in our life to change the hearts of others. Share and give God credit, praise His name using your own words. Let your only pride be in what He has done in your life, don’t point to yourself and take credit for what God has done. This is easy to forget, so regularly get back on track and focus on Him. Celebrate what He has done in your life.
Exodus 18:8-11
“Moses told his father-in-law about everything the Lord had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians for Israel’s sake and about all the hardships they had met along the way and how the Lord had saved them. Jethro was delighted to hear about all the good things the Lord had done for Israel in rescuing them from the hand of the Egyptians. He said, “Praise be to the Lord, who rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians and of Pharaoh, and who rescued the people from the hand of the Egyptians. Now I know that the Lord is greater than all other gods, for he did this to those who had treated Israel arrogantly.”-Exodus 18:8-11 (NIV84)
Point 4: Let God work out His plan, not yours
Luke 1:38
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.”-Luke 1:38 (NIV84)
Point 5: God hears the prayers of the humble
Daniel 10:12
“Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.”-Daniel 10:12 (NIV84)
Bonus point: Jesus was humble too!
Philippians 2:4-9
“Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name” -Philippians 2:4-9 (NIV84)
James 4:10
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” -James 4:10 (NIV84)
Conclusion: Pray for opportunities to share your story, be patient, and let God use you. Whenever He asks, pray about it. Once you know it’s Him asking you, always say yes! He will do what He wants to get done, so let us not get in the way, either with our pride, or with our insecurity.
Where do I currently land on this spectrum?
Pride 5—4—3—2—1—0—1—2—3—4—5 Insecurity
This week’s action:
Commit to praying for God’s help to see you as He sees you, as you really are.
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