WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.620 Do you enjoy a close relationship with God? 00:00:05.839 --> 00:00:16.879 I want you to think, do I really enjoy a close relationship with God? 00:00:18.260 --> 00:00:25.600 Now as Christians, all of us can and should, because it's not based on who we are or what 00:00:25.600 --> 00:00:31.280 we've done, it's based on Jesus, the fact that He has paid the penalty for our sins through 00:00:31.280 --> 00:00:36.439 His death on the cross, and He lived the perfect life that is credited to us when we trust 00:00:36.439 --> 00:00:36.660 Him. 00:00:37.660 --> 00:00:42.180 So if we're trusting in Jesus, if we're one with Him, God has forgiven us. 00:00:43.900 --> 00:00:45.439 God considers us His children. 00:00:45.439 --> 00:00:55.340 And in that kind of context, we can have a close relationship with Him. 00:00:56.219 --> 00:00:57.679 But it's not automatic. 00:00:59.380 --> 00:01:06.219 You see, as Christians trusting in Jesus, God wants us to live our lives in a way that 00:01:06.219 --> 00:01:08.079 pleases Him. 00:01:08.079 --> 00:01:14.359 And there's ways we can live that do not please Him. 00:01:14.359 --> 00:01:24.599 Don't answer out loud, but what is the number one character quality needed for a person to 00:01:24.599 --> 00:01:26.239 live close to God? 00:01:26.239 --> 00:01:37.599 And then, what is the number one character flaw that prevents a person from enjoying a relationship 00:01:37.599 --> 00:01:38.140 with God? 00:01:39.599 --> 00:01:41.399 Well, there's a verse of Scripture in the New Testament. 00:01:41.719 --> 00:01:47.719 Actually, there's two verses of Scripture in the New Testament that say the exact same thing 00:01:47.719 --> 00:01:50.579 that tells us the answer to those two questions. 00:01:50.579 --> 00:01:52.539 Look at it on the screen. 00:01:53.439 --> 00:01:57.780 God opposes the proud, but He gives grace to the humble. 00:01:58.679 --> 00:02:02.859 Both James and Peter say the exact same thing. 00:02:02.859 --> 00:02:13.400 The number one character quality for enjoying closeness with God is humility. 00:02:14.479 --> 00:02:26.620 The number one character flaw that will prevent us from enjoying closeness with God is pride. 00:02:26.620 --> 00:02:31.819 I want you to look with me at 1 Peter chapter 5. 00:02:33.060 --> 00:02:37.520 We're going to look at the last part of verse 5 through verse 7. 00:02:39.120 --> 00:02:40.360 I want you to think. 00:02:43.060 --> 00:02:49.140 Doesn't every Christian desire to be close to God? 00:02:49.759 --> 00:02:51.939 To be able to talk with Him in prayer? 00:02:51.939 --> 00:02:59.020 To be able to read the Bible and know that's God's Word and to understand Him better, discover 00:02:59.020 --> 00:03:02.219 how He wants us to live in a way that will please Him. 00:03:02.859 --> 00:03:09.099 Doesn't, don't, let me just put it this way, don't we as Christians, deep down when you think 00:03:09.099 --> 00:03:18.919 about it, don't we desire to have a close relationship with God every day, but we don't every day. 00:03:18.919 --> 00:03:20.060 Do we? 00:03:20.060 --> 00:03:24.020 We don't every day. 00:03:24.979 --> 00:03:26.520 And there's a reason why. 00:03:27.240 --> 00:03:33.840 Our relationship with God is based upon not us, what we do, but our relationship with God 00:03:33.840 --> 00:03:37.180 is based upon what Christ has done for us and we trust Him. 00:03:38.560 --> 00:03:41.659 And so that's how, why God accepts us. 00:03:41.900 --> 00:03:43.180 That's what makes us right with God. 00:03:43.259 --> 00:03:44.539 We don't make ourselves right. 00:03:45.439 --> 00:03:47.400 We don't make God love us more or love us less. 00:03:47.400 --> 00:03:58.939 But as His children, there are ways that we can live that will bring a smile to His face. 00:03:59.599 --> 00:04:04.620 And there's ways that we can live that will displease Him terribly. 00:04:04.620 --> 00:04:09.420 And it's the same way in every relationship, but you think about it with children. 00:04:10.379 --> 00:04:14.080 Your children are yours, good or bad. 00:04:15.140 --> 00:04:17.399 There's some things that they can do. 00:04:17.639 --> 00:04:26.899 It doesn't affect the relationship, but it certainly affects whether it's a good, peaceful, warm, loving relationship. 00:04:26.899 --> 00:04:30.120 That's the way it is when it comes to living a Christian life. 00:04:31.719 --> 00:04:38.459 A lack of humility can make our relationship with God strained. 00:04:40.139 --> 00:04:41.659 Let's look at what Peter says. 00:04:41.660 --> 00:05:11.640 He says, 00:05:11.660 --> 00:05:16.560 Humility has never been popular. 00:05:17.360 --> 00:05:19.060 It wasn't in the ancient world. 00:05:19.760 --> 00:05:26.020 When these words were written in the first century, humility was not even considered a virtue. 00:05:26.620 --> 00:05:28.420 It was not a desired quality. 00:05:29.640 --> 00:05:33.400 Well, the biblical writers did everything they could to challenge that and change that 00:05:33.399 --> 00:05:37.799 by emphasizing that God values humility. 00:05:38.799 --> 00:05:41.019 And God hates pride. 00:05:41.019 --> 00:05:51.560 So, with this in mind, let's look at what Peter is saying from God's, in terms of what He has instructed us, 00:05:51.620 --> 00:05:53.859 how He responds to us on this basis. 00:05:54.000 --> 00:05:56.139 Number one, God commands us to be humble. 00:05:56.859 --> 00:05:58.060 This is not a suggestion. 00:05:59.019 --> 00:06:00.299 This is not an elective. 00:06:00.839 --> 00:06:02.819 God commands us to be humble. 00:06:02.819 --> 00:06:04.980 Look again, the last part of verse 5. 00:06:05.719 --> 00:06:11.019 Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another. 00:06:11.920 --> 00:06:13.800 Let's think about what it means to be humble. 00:06:14.519 --> 00:06:16.219 Some people get it wrong. 00:06:17.579 --> 00:06:23.719 Humility is not weakness, and it's certainly not denying that you have any strengths. 00:06:23.720 --> 00:06:27.720 It's not denying that you have any abilities. 00:06:28.140 --> 00:06:32.000 It's not, excuse me, it's not putting yourself down. 00:06:32.940 --> 00:06:37.900 Some people think to be humble means, well, you just deny that you can do anything, that you are anything. 00:06:38.840 --> 00:06:39.620 Think about this. 00:06:39.740 --> 00:06:44.240 What if Duke's star basketball player, Zion Williamson, 00:06:45.240 --> 00:06:48.000 what if he appeared at a news conference today and said, 00:06:48.000 --> 00:06:53.060 I know that everybody says I'm the greatest thing to come across, come out of college basketball and forever, 00:06:54.240 --> 00:06:56.399 but deep down I know I'm really nothing. 00:06:57.779 --> 00:06:59.480 I can't play basketball. 00:07:00.060 --> 00:07:04.360 I shouldn't be getting all this credit and glory. 00:07:06.839 --> 00:07:09.420 Would that be humility if you know who he is, 00:07:09.720 --> 00:07:13.579 the best college basketball player that's come along in a long time? 00:07:13.579 --> 00:07:17.639 He'll be the number one draft pick in the NBA later on this year. 00:07:19.000 --> 00:07:21.459 For him to say something like that would just be crazy. 00:07:22.399 --> 00:07:24.639 It would be denying reality. 00:07:26.379 --> 00:07:35.100 Humility does not mean you deny reality about yourself, about your abilities, your accomplishments, your talents. 00:07:37.399 --> 00:07:39.879 That's not how God wants us to think of ourselves. 00:07:40.500 --> 00:07:41.439 I want to give you an example. 00:07:41.439 --> 00:07:44.500 From Romans chapter 12, it'll be on the screen in verse 3. 00:07:44.500 --> 00:07:53.240 What we're going to read here, Paul is prefacing what he's going to say about every Christian has a spiritual gift that they need to use. 00:07:53.459 --> 00:07:54.579 Look at it in that light. 00:07:55.240 --> 00:07:58.100 For by the grace given to me, I say to everyone among you, 00:07:58.339 --> 00:08:01.420 not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, 00:08:02.019 --> 00:08:04.040 but to think with sober judgment. 00:08:04.879 --> 00:08:07.560 And then he goes on to say, you have these different gifts. 00:08:08.160 --> 00:08:09.060 Use your gifts. 00:08:09.060 --> 00:08:10.740 Acknowledge that you have them. 00:08:11.740 --> 00:08:13.319 And put them into practice. 00:08:14.439 --> 00:08:15.620 God has given you those. 00:08:16.280 --> 00:08:18.220 They're for the well-being of the church. 00:08:19.259 --> 00:08:25.840 You are used by God, your gifts and talents and abilities, in a very important way. 00:08:27.840 --> 00:08:29.340 Don't think too highly of yourself. 00:08:29.339 --> 00:08:35.220 But don't think nothing of yourself. 00:08:36.759 --> 00:08:37.959 Instead, look at it. 00:08:38.539 --> 00:08:40.419 Think of yourself with sober judgment. 00:08:41.019 --> 00:08:43.860 Think of yourselves realistically. 00:08:45.100 --> 00:08:45.939 Who you are. 00:08:46.379 --> 00:08:47.480 What you have. 00:08:48.740 --> 00:08:49.899 How God made you. 00:08:50.199 --> 00:08:51.259 How he's gifted you. 00:08:53.039 --> 00:08:59.220 Humility is more of a putting others first attitude than anything else. 00:09:00.340 --> 00:09:07.019 Humility is more about putting the other person in your life ahead of you. 00:09:07.720 --> 00:09:11.139 Paul expressed it like this by talking about Jesus. 00:09:11.780 --> 00:09:13.180 Look at this from Philippians 2. 00:09:15.340 --> 00:09:16.160 Excuse me. 00:09:17.220 --> 00:09:20.100 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit. 00:09:20.940 --> 00:09:26.940 But in humility, count others more significant than yourselves. 00:09:26.940 --> 00:09:35.960 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 00:09:36.780 --> 00:09:42.420 And he goes on to point out how Jesus, who has always existed. 00:09:42.419 --> 00:09:47.799 Jesus has always been the Son of God, second person of the Trinity. 00:09:48.299 --> 00:09:54.019 But when he came into this world as a man born in the stable in Bethlehem, he left the glory of heaven. 00:09:54.099 --> 00:10:05.979 He laid it aside and came into this world in the form of a man, a servant, it says, to die for sinful people like us. 00:10:05.980 --> 00:10:10.420 Jesus modeled real humility. 00:10:11.300 --> 00:10:15.259 Not by denying who he was. 00:10:16.320 --> 00:10:19.000 Not by ceasing to be divine. 00:10:19.000 --> 00:10:29.759 But by taking on the form of a man, it says, and humbling himself to serve, to give of himself, to put others first. 00:10:30.220 --> 00:10:37.220 And for him, ultimately, to die for people who didn't deserve him dying for. 00:10:37.220 --> 00:10:48.220 So when God commands us to be humble, he says, don't think of yourself as more important than you really are. 00:10:50.259 --> 00:10:55.560 Don't fail to acknowledge the people around you that have needs. 00:10:55.860 --> 00:11:00.360 Don't not be concerned about people that God's put in your life. 00:11:00.360 --> 00:11:06.600 We should seek to serve the people that God has placed in our home. 00:11:07.960 --> 00:11:10.340 That God's placed in this church with us. 00:11:11.659 --> 00:11:14.919 Seek to serve those who are there where you work. 00:11:16.659 --> 00:11:21.180 We're supposed to look at people, seek to try to discover their needs. 00:11:22.279 --> 00:11:24.159 Not looking down at them. 00:11:25.259 --> 00:11:29.039 Not, in our minds, lowering ourselves for them. 00:11:29.039 --> 00:11:32.199 But look at people as God's put them in our lives. 00:11:34.599 --> 00:11:35.819 Discover their needs. 00:11:36.620 --> 00:11:37.339 Meet their needs. 00:11:37.500 --> 00:11:40.079 Be a servant to other people. 00:11:40.139 --> 00:11:42.799 That's an idea of what it means to be humble. 00:11:43.099 --> 00:11:51.279 Now he goes on, he actually tells us to clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another. 00:11:52.259 --> 00:11:53.179 Clothe yourselves. 00:11:53.179 --> 00:12:03.099 Peter probably has in mind, being humble, being a servant, a servant's apron that somebody would put on to serve. 00:12:04.099 --> 00:12:10.339 Maybe he had in the back of his mind, Jesus put a towel around himself when he washed his disciples' feet. 00:12:10.340 --> 00:12:12.960 But it's a word picture. 00:12:12.960 --> 00:12:13.980 You can understand. 00:12:14.420 --> 00:12:23.620 Peter is saying, make a conscious decision that you're going to clothe yourself with humility. 00:12:25.700 --> 00:12:27.680 As you relate to other people. 00:12:28.220 --> 00:12:29.800 As you relate to your wife. 00:12:30.700 --> 00:12:32.379 As you relate to your husband. 00:12:32.379 --> 00:12:36.820 As you relate to your children. 00:12:38.700 --> 00:12:43.779 And I wish they were in here and I'd look at them and say, as you relate to your parents. 00:12:45.159 --> 00:12:47.620 So I'll just hammer home this to teenagers in here. 00:12:48.899 --> 00:12:50.340 It applies to you as well. 00:12:52.720 --> 00:12:53.659 Clothe yourselves. 00:12:55.139 --> 00:12:55.799 Look at it. 00:12:55.799 --> 00:12:57.539 All of you. 00:12:57.539 --> 00:12:57.899 No exception. 00:12:58.899 --> 00:12:59.939 No exception. 00:13:00.579 --> 00:13:02.439 With humility toward one another. 00:13:03.079 --> 00:13:05.899 You know, we're all equal members of the family of God. 00:13:05.979 --> 00:13:06.639 I want you to look around. 00:13:07.159 --> 00:13:08.359 Literally look around. 00:13:08.419 --> 00:13:08.979 People around you. 00:13:10.219 --> 00:13:11.259 There's people around you. 00:13:14.099 --> 00:13:16.579 No one in this room is lower than you. 00:13:16.919 --> 00:13:17.859 Don't look down at anybody. 00:13:18.479 --> 00:13:21.339 But at the same time, don't look up at anybody. 00:13:22.740 --> 00:13:24.759 No one in this room is better than you. 00:13:25.799 --> 00:13:28.059 When it comes to the kingdom of God. 00:13:28.159 --> 00:13:29.159 The family of God. 00:13:29.219 --> 00:13:29.839 The church. 00:13:30.599 --> 00:13:32.979 There's no high, middle, or low class. 00:13:34.519 --> 00:13:37.019 There's no pecking order. 00:13:38.979 --> 00:13:41.839 We're all the same in terms of our worth and value. 00:13:41.939 --> 00:13:44.939 Because we're all, number one, created in the image of God. 00:13:46.319 --> 00:13:47.599 And if we're Christians. 00:13:49.199 --> 00:13:52.799 We are brothers and sisters in Christ. 00:13:52.799 --> 00:13:59.799 Nobody in this room is your father or your mother or your child. 00:13:59.919 --> 00:14:01.719 They're your brother or sister. 00:14:03.719 --> 00:14:05.879 That's how we relate to one another. 00:14:06.439 --> 00:14:08.419 Now, there are differences. 00:14:09.559 --> 00:14:10.559 A big difference. 00:14:10.679 --> 00:14:14.240 We have different gifts, talents, abilities. 00:14:15.799 --> 00:14:16.459 Capabilities. 00:14:16.460 --> 00:14:20.480 We come from different walks of life. 00:14:20.600 --> 00:14:25.000 And we've left different realms of life to come here. 00:14:25.420 --> 00:14:28.480 We have different responsibilities at work. 00:14:29.660 --> 00:14:31.420 Some people make more money than others. 00:14:31.560 --> 00:14:33.320 Some people have more responsibility than others. 00:14:33.680 --> 00:14:37.560 We are certainly by no means the same. 00:14:38.400 --> 00:14:40.000 God doesn't make clones. 00:14:40.940 --> 00:14:41.960 We have our differences. 00:14:41.960 --> 00:14:45.320 And that's real. 00:14:47.000 --> 00:14:49.420 But we're all members of the same family. 00:14:50.840 --> 00:14:54.879 We're all children who call Almighty God our Heavenly Father. 00:14:56.259 --> 00:14:57.960 And we're supposed to serve one another. 00:14:58.440 --> 00:14:59.980 As brothers and sisters in Christ. 00:15:01.000 --> 00:15:03.700 How many of you ever go, whether you like it or not, 00:15:03.879 --> 00:15:07.139 you go to a big family reunion where there's all kinds of people there. 00:15:07.200 --> 00:15:08.300 Some of them you don't know that well. 00:15:08.340 --> 00:15:09.440 How many of you go to those things? 00:15:09.920 --> 00:15:10.600 Most of us go. 00:15:10.600 --> 00:15:20.000 When you go there, there's a sense that some are sharper than others. 00:15:20.620 --> 00:15:22.500 More talented than others. 00:15:23.180 --> 00:15:25.240 Done better in life than others. 00:15:26.060 --> 00:15:31.139 But what unites you in that gathering is somehow or another your kin. 00:15:32.060 --> 00:15:33.139 You're a family. 00:15:34.480 --> 00:15:36.580 You're extended brothers and sisters. 00:15:36.580 --> 00:15:42.740 When we come together, what unites us is our common faith in Jesus Christ. 00:15:43.780 --> 00:15:46.340 And through faith in Him, we've become children of God. 00:15:47.060 --> 00:15:49.660 And so we really are on the same level. 00:15:50.540 --> 00:15:52.940 We are brothers and sisters in Christ. 00:15:55.120 --> 00:15:56.520 Now I want you to think with me. 00:15:56.519 --> 00:16:05.960 What attitude do you normally clothe yourselves with on a daily basis? 00:16:07.000 --> 00:16:09.819 Is it pride or humility? 00:16:11.480 --> 00:16:13.659 What do you clothe yourself with every day? 00:16:14.259 --> 00:16:16.559 Is it pride or humility? 00:16:16.559 --> 00:16:19.919 Does it matter who you're dealing with? 00:16:19.919 --> 00:16:23.979 If they're wealthy or if they're poor? 00:16:25.299 --> 00:16:30.319 If they're highly educated or if they have minimal education? 00:16:31.179 --> 00:16:33.639 If they're black, if they're white. 00:16:33.639 --> 00:16:39.740 What do you clothe yourself with on a daily basis? 00:16:42.559 --> 00:16:46.960 And does it matter who you're going to be around that day? 00:16:48.939 --> 00:16:52.720 God intends for us to be humble before everyone. 00:16:53.759 --> 00:16:54.639 I want you to note here. 00:16:55.460 --> 00:17:00.039 Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another. 00:17:00.039 --> 00:17:04.859 We're not talking right now, we will later, about being humble before God. 00:17:05.000 --> 00:17:07.059 We're talking about being humble before one another. 00:17:09.319 --> 00:17:11.399 There's never a place to be condescending. 00:17:13.859 --> 00:17:15.420 Never a place to be looking down. 00:17:16.379 --> 00:17:20.960 Never a place to be pointing our finger and thinking they're less than us. 00:17:22.180 --> 00:17:28.279 And of all people, Christians, we should be setting the tone in such humility. 00:17:28.279 --> 00:17:32.599 I want you to look at what else he says in verse 5. 00:17:33.859 --> 00:17:36.680 A good reason for us to listen and heed this. 00:17:37.559 --> 00:17:38.740 God opposes the proud. 00:17:40.059 --> 00:17:41.420 I want to clarify something. 00:17:43.220 --> 00:17:47.440 Every way we use the word pride is not wrong or sinful. 00:17:48.000 --> 00:17:52.759 It's not wrong for you to be proud of your children or your grandchildren because they're yours. 00:17:53.599 --> 00:17:54.200 You ought to be. 00:17:54.200 --> 00:17:59.640 It's not wrong to be proud of them because of something they've achieved. 00:18:00.299 --> 00:18:01.860 That's not sinful pride. 00:18:02.700 --> 00:18:04.940 Now, it's wrong to worship another person. 00:18:05.460 --> 00:18:10.900 It's wrong to think that whoever is perfect, they can do no wrong. 00:18:12.019 --> 00:18:13.960 That's willful ignorance, you know. 00:18:13.960 --> 00:18:18.279 It's not wrong to take pride in your work. 00:18:19.480 --> 00:18:22.539 To try to do a good job, do the best that you can be. 00:18:22.880 --> 00:18:29.720 But it is wrong to do it, to call attention to yourself, to seek your own glory in it. 00:18:30.940 --> 00:18:35.600 The pride that God hates and opposes is the opposite of humility. 00:18:35.599 --> 00:18:39.159 In relation to other people, it's an attitude of superiority. 00:18:40.619 --> 00:18:47.679 Thinking of yourself is better than someone else based on, you fill in the blank. 00:18:48.639 --> 00:18:54.740 Looking down at other people because they've not done, achieved, or something like you have. 00:18:54.740 --> 00:19:01.940 This kind of pride could be you don't even think of other people. 00:19:02.660 --> 00:19:04.319 You just think about yourself. 00:19:04.940 --> 00:19:06.059 Everything's about you. 00:19:08.140 --> 00:19:12.240 Now, in relation to God, it's an attitude of self-centeredness and self-sufficiency. 00:19:12.240 --> 00:19:19.660 It may be that this kind of pride causes you to rebel against God. 00:19:20.299 --> 00:19:23.519 But most likely, it can lead us just to ignore Him. 00:19:24.759 --> 00:19:26.279 Leave Him out of our lives. 00:19:28.380 --> 00:19:31.019 If you think of what we're talking about. 00:19:31.059 --> 00:19:34.039 If you think of life in terms of it being a game. 00:19:35.640 --> 00:19:39.160 Do you want to be on God's team or the team that opposes Him? 00:19:39.160 --> 00:19:43.940 Obviously, no one wants to be on a team that opposes God. 00:19:44.000 --> 00:19:47.060 But if you're a prideful person, you are on the opposing team. 00:19:48.740 --> 00:19:52.940 And I don't know about you, but do you really want to be on a losing team? 00:19:55.000 --> 00:19:56.540 You know, you hear these things today. 00:19:57.240 --> 00:19:58.779 Trying to be positive and all. 00:19:59.019 --> 00:20:00.660 That, you know, winning's not everything. 00:20:00.779 --> 00:20:02.380 And winning is not everything for sure. 00:20:02.580 --> 00:20:03.940 But winning is something. 00:20:05.300 --> 00:20:06.500 Who wants to lose? 00:20:08.019 --> 00:20:09.019 Anything that I do. 00:20:09.019 --> 00:20:09.859 I really want to win. 00:20:09.920 --> 00:20:12.379 If I play you in a game of checkers after church, I want to win. 00:20:13.019 --> 00:20:16.240 If we're both going to go to Easley for lunch, I would like to beat you there. 00:20:16.379 --> 00:20:19.960 Even if it's not a declared race, I want to win. 00:20:22.900 --> 00:20:26.460 I mean, there's just some things in most, I think most people. 00:20:27.460 --> 00:20:29.119 I mean, who wants to actually be a loser? 00:20:29.240 --> 00:20:30.059 Who wants to lose? 00:20:30.139 --> 00:20:31.259 Who wants to be on a losing team? 00:20:31.619 --> 00:20:32.619 Sometimes you can't help it. 00:20:33.160 --> 00:20:34.639 You do the best you can, you still lose. 00:20:34.720 --> 00:20:35.639 We're not talking about that. 00:20:36.440 --> 00:20:37.539 You can help this. 00:20:37.539 --> 00:20:45.299 Are you on God's team as a result of you're a humble person? 00:20:45.680 --> 00:20:48.220 The person that he chooses to bless. 00:20:48.879 --> 00:20:52.899 Or are you against God because of your arrogance and pride? 00:20:52.900 --> 00:20:59.720 You're the person that God chooses to oppose. 00:21:01.040 --> 00:21:04.060 And he'll do whatever it takes to humble you if necessary. 00:21:05.460 --> 00:21:08.680 The good news is that God will allow you to switch teams today. 00:21:08.680 --> 00:21:12.400 If you know you're an arrogant person. 00:21:12.880 --> 00:21:14.380 I mean, you're arrogant at home. 00:21:16.000 --> 00:21:20.460 You think your spouse lives to serve you. 00:21:22.240 --> 00:21:26.279 A good way to think about if I'm a prideful or humble person is this. 00:21:27.740 --> 00:21:30.580 How do the people that know you best, what would they say? 00:21:30.660 --> 00:21:31.920 And you pretty much know what they say. 00:21:31.920 --> 00:21:34.019 The people that you live with. 00:21:34.120 --> 00:21:35.019 People that you work with. 00:21:35.140 --> 00:21:37.039 People that you're in church with. 00:21:37.180 --> 00:21:38.320 People you're in school with. 00:21:40.060 --> 00:21:41.000 What do they think? 00:21:41.820 --> 00:21:44.700 Do they think that you're there thinking you're the center of attention. 00:21:45.259 --> 00:21:48.080 And that everybody should revolve around you. 00:21:48.160 --> 00:21:49.320 Everybody should serve you. 00:21:49.319 --> 00:21:57.179 Or do they think wherever you are, you don't think you're better than anyone. 00:21:57.919 --> 00:22:01.319 Wherever you are, you try to relate to people. 00:22:02.099 --> 00:22:07.759 And wherever you are, when you see a need that you can do something about, you get involved. 00:22:07.839 --> 00:22:08.799 You roll up your sleeves. 00:22:09.099 --> 00:22:10.740 You serve other people. 00:22:12.439 --> 00:22:15.919 That needs to be what we're known of, known for in our home. 00:22:16.799 --> 00:22:17.939 With our spouse. 00:22:19.319 --> 00:22:20.200 Where we work. 00:22:22.039 --> 00:22:25.220 Jesus' idea of being a leader is to be a servant leader. 00:22:25.839 --> 00:22:27.139 Jesus is all about leadership. 00:22:27.359 --> 00:22:28.500 He's the ultimate leader. 00:22:29.299 --> 00:22:31.960 Leadership is an important trait in this world. 00:22:32.339 --> 00:22:39.980 Part of the problems in our country today is the lack of good, moral, integrity, wise leadership across the board. 00:22:41.519 --> 00:22:42.279 Leadership matters. 00:22:42.279 --> 00:22:49.920 But in Jesus' perspective, he talked about the importance of being a servant leader. 00:22:49.920 --> 00:22:53.240 I want you to think. 00:22:53.820 --> 00:22:55.620 Which side do I want to be on? 00:22:56.620 --> 00:22:58.740 And if pride is the problem, admit it to God. 00:22:58.860 --> 00:22:59.759 Confess it to him. 00:23:00.380 --> 00:23:01.940 Ask his forgiveness now. 00:23:02.340 --> 00:23:03.500 Humble yourself. 00:23:03.980 --> 00:23:04.960 Look at the next part. 00:23:05.180 --> 00:23:05.660 Verse 6. 00:23:05.980 --> 00:23:08.400 God commands us to humble ourselves before him. 00:23:08.759 --> 00:23:12.480 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand. 00:23:12.480 --> 00:23:15.539 That's what we need to focus on here, under God's mighty hand. 00:23:16.339 --> 00:23:22.579 That's like looking at life, understanding that life is under God's control. 00:23:24.339 --> 00:23:26.680 Under his mighty hand, everything is under his control. 00:23:27.339 --> 00:23:28.720 It means God is sovereign. 00:23:28.819 --> 00:23:29.799 He's in charge. 00:23:31.160 --> 00:23:37.839 At the time, God's hand can be thought of in sort of different ways. 00:23:37.839 --> 00:23:39.799 Think about it. 00:23:39.819 --> 00:23:44.799 Sometimes God's hand is a hand of deliverance where he rescues us. 00:23:45.480 --> 00:23:47.000 Sometimes it's a hand of discipline. 00:23:48.359 --> 00:23:50.240 And sometimes it's a hand of comfort. 00:23:51.279 --> 00:23:53.480 And every one of us in this room, we understand that. 00:23:54.799 --> 00:23:59.220 We've experienced that from our parents or as a parent. 00:24:00.799 --> 00:24:02.559 Think about it in terms of a parent. 00:24:03.220 --> 00:24:06.059 Sometimes a parent's hand is a rescuing hand. 00:24:06.059 --> 00:24:08.599 You pick up a child when they fall. 00:24:09.659 --> 00:24:12.059 Sometimes it's a disciplining hand. 00:24:12.740 --> 00:24:15.779 You swat them on the rear end when they disobey. 00:24:16.899 --> 00:24:18.679 Sometimes it's a comforting hand. 00:24:19.500 --> 00:24:22.659 Maybe when they're sick, you're with them in the bed. 00:24:23.259 --> 00:24:27.099 You put your hand on them just to try to comfort them with your presence. 00:24:28.599 --> 00:24:35.559 Everything comes into our lives ultimately under God's hand in some way. 00:24:36.059 --> 00:24:39.659 He either allows it or he directly causes it. 00:24:40.299 --> 00:24:42.000 What we need to think of is this. 00:24:42.519 --> 00:24:46.359 God will not allow anything to ever separate us from his love. 00:24:46.359 --> 00:24:51.299 That is in Romans chapter 8, verses 31 through 39. 00:24:52.299 --> 00:24:55.459 That is what we're looking at this coming Wednesday night in our Wednesday night Bible study. 00:24:56.179 --> 00:25:01.219 How nothing can ever, no one, no thing can ever separate us from God, 00:25:01.899 --> 00:25:06.719 from his comfort, from his love, from his whatever. 00:25:07.839 --> 00:25:14.619 And then God will use everything for our good and his good purpose, Romans 8, 28 tells us. 00:25:14.619 --> 00:25:22.039 We can trust God to take care of us through our difficulties in life. 00:25:22.759 --> 00:25:25.279 If we understand really he's in control. 00:25:26.000 --> 00:25:29.500 And then God promises to rescue those who humbly trust him. 00:25:29.719 --> 00:25:31.559 He says that he may lift you up in due time. 00:25:32.919 --> 00:25:37.839 There is an end to the difficulties of life for God's humble people. 00:25:38.639 --> 00:25:40.379 Now we don't know when it will be. 00:25:40.380 --> 00:25:45.800 You know, if you're going through a hard time right now, you humble yourself before the Lord. 00:25:46.480 --> 00:25:48.700 At some point he's going to relieve you. 00:25:48.720 --> 00:25:49.620 He's going to lift you up. 00:25:50.460 --> 00:25:51.760 It may be next week. 00:25:52.880 --> 00:25:54.340 It may be next year. 00:25:55.460 --> 00:25:57.700 But it may not be until heaven. 00:25:59.220 --> 00:26:00.660 It's all according to God's schedule. 00:26:01.060 --> 00:26:02.420 And we don't know what that is. 00:26:03.140 --> 00:26:04.400 We don't know how he's going to do it. 00:26:04.400 --> 00:26:10.620 God may lift you up and reward you with some kind of tangible blessing. 00:26:10.900 --> 00:26:11.680 Something material. 00:26:11.880 --> 00:26:13.040 Something financial even. 00:26:14.160 --> 00:26:17.460 God could lift you up emotionally. 00:26:19.040 --> 00:26:21.920 You just need to be relieved about a certain thing. 00:26:21.980 --> 00:26:24.440 And he just sort of lifts that burden on the inside. 00:26:25.560 --> 00:26:29.360 But again, it may be that God doesn't relieve that until you're in heaven. 00:26:29.460 --> 00:26:30.759 When everything is going to be perfect. 00:26:30.759 --> 00:26:36.500 But if we truly humble ourselves before God, recognizing he's in control, 00:26:37.640 --> 00:26:42.400 we'll trust him to work in our lives in the right way. 00:26:42.960 --> 00:26:44.140 At the right time. 00:26:44.920 --> 00:26:46.099 It may not be easy. 00:26:46.359 --> 00:26:47.879 It may not be what we would choose. 00:26:48.940 --> 00:26:51.900 But if we really understand that God is our heavenly father and he's in control, 00:26:52.259 --> 00:26:53.180 we'll trust him. 00:26:54.019 --> 00:26:57.720 That he will do what is best for us, his children. 00:26:57.720 --> 00:26:59.859 One thing quickly we need to look at before we leave. 00:26:59.980 --> 00:27:00.559 Verse 7. 00:27:01.000 --> 00:27:04.119 God calms the anxieties of his humble people. 00:27:04.799 --> 00:27:09.160 It says, casting all your anxieties on him because he cares for you. 00:27:09.839 --> 00:27:12.220 This is really continuing the thought of verse 6. 00:27:12.839 --> 00:27:17.019 The idea that is that as we humble ourselves under God's mighty hand, 00:27:17.240 --> 00:27:20.019 we can cast our anxieties on him. 00:27:20.019 --> 00:27:25.879 I want you to think about something that maybe you are anxious, worried about right now. 00:27:26.139 --> 00:27:27.180 It may be in your life. 00:27:27.240 --> 00:27:28.819 It may have something to do with your family member. 00:27:30.259 --> 00:27:34.559 But there's something like a weight around your neck right now. 00:27:34.559 --> 00:27:38.940 Peter says, cast them. 00:27:38.940 --> 00:27:39.799 So I want you to think. 00:27:39.879 --> 00:27:41.960 Whatever that is that's got you weighted down. 00:27:42.960 --> 00:27:43.799 You're anxious about it. 00:27:43.799 --> 00:27:48.200 I want you to take it off in your mind and cast it on God. 00:27:51.200 --> 00:27:54.619 Trust him to help you. 00:27:54.619 --> 00:27:56.899 To give you wisdom. 00:27:56.899 --> 00:27:58.739 To give you patience. 00:27:59.379 --> 00:28:02.699 To give you the strength to continue on, to persevere. 00:28:02.700 --> 00:28:08.140 But trust him to take care of you. 00:28:09.019 --> 00:28:10.440 His way and his time. 00:28:12.220 --> 00:28:14.600 Don't just hang on to it. 00:28:15.640 --> 00:28:19.220 Don't deal with it as if God doesn't exist. 00:28:20.360 --> 00:28:21.080 Look to him. 00:28:21.220 --> 00:28:22.039 Depend upon him. 00:28:22.319 --> 00:28:23.160 Call upon him. 00:28:25.299 --> 00:28:26.620 Ask him right now. 00:28:27.240 --> 00:28:29.759 The question is, do you trust God enough to do this? 00:28:29.759 --> 00:28:36.279 If we truly humble ourselves under his mighty hand, we'll be able to do it. 00:28:37.599 --> 00:28:41.619 If we trust that he is powerful enough to take care of our problems, we'll do it. 00:28:42.379 --> 00:28:47.660 If we trust that he cares enough about us, we'll do that. 00:28:49.279 --> 00:28:53.940 You know, one of the major reasons why we don't cast our anxieties on God is pride. 00:28:55.039 --> 00:28:57.700 We think we can take care of everything. 00:28:57.700 --> 00:29:04.559 I want you to think about something maybe that you've been dealing with in the recent past or even today. 00:29:05.680 --> 00:29:08.799 It's something that's really been a burden to you, weighted you down. 00:29:09.519 --> 00:29:11.000 You have thought about it. 00:29:11.420 --> 00:29:12.980 You've maybe talked to other people about it. 00:29:13.200 --> 00:29:16.120 But let me ask you, have you really and truly talked to God about it? 00:29:16.119 --> 00:29:22.879 Have you searched his word to maybe see if there is already an answer given? 00:29:24.559 --> 00:29:28.759 Have you asked other people that you've got confidence in to pray for you? 00:29:28.899 --> 00:29:36.319 Or have you sought the counsel of other people that you know are biblically wise? 00:29:36.319 --> 00:29:44.579 What I'm getting at is, in the past, in the recent past, right now, are you trying to deal with your own issues? 00:29:45.000 --> 00:29:45.740 Are you anxious? 00:29:46.379 --> 00:29:53.599 And as you think about it, you've really never sought God, his wisdom, his help, help from his people. 00:29:55.679 --> 00:30:01.139 It could be that it's because you're just so arrogant that you think you can take care of it yourself. 00:30:01.140 --> 00:30:05.680 But what you found is, that doesn't work. 00:30:06.560 --> 00:30:13.680 If we'll truly humble ourselves under God's mighty hand, we will cast our anxieties upon him. 00:30:15.420 --> 00:30:20.520 And we will know that he will take care of us in his way at his time. 00:30:21.840 --> 00:30:23.360 We will not fail. 00:30:24.240 --> 00:30:25.460 He won't allow it. 00:30:25.460 --> 00:30:30.320 Because he is our loving Heavenly Father who cares for us. 00:30:31.140 --> 00:30:35.900 We can't conclude this message without looking at what may be the most important part of this verse. 00:30:37.200 --> 00:30:38.680 Humble yourselves. 00:30:40.960 --> 00:30:42.520 I don't want God to humble me. 00:30:44.160 --> 00:30:45.820 He will if he must. 00:30:47.100 --> 00:30:51.280 But it will be so much easier if we humble ourselves. 00:30:51.280 --> 00:30:57.060 And not disobey him, run from him, fight him. 00:30:58.220 --> 00:30:59.680 And he'll have to humble us. 00:30:59.680 --> 00:31:09.900 We can humble ourselves by focusing on God, on his greatness and his goodness, his love and his mercy, his holiness and his purity. 00:31:09.900 --> 00:31:22.660 And then at the same time, we think about ourselves and our sinfulness, our weakness, our ignorance. 00:31:22.660 --> 00:31:33.779 And if we'll think about God as he really is and ourselves as we really are, that will help us to understand we need everything God can give us. 00:31:34.040 --> 00:31:36.500 We need everything God can do for us. 00:31:36.500 --> 00:31:38.500 So that's why we can humble ourselves. 00:31:38.500 --> 00:31:42.420 So that's why we can humble ourselves and do it meaningfully. 00:31:43.720 --> 00:31:54.500 And in doing so, we will experience his grace, his forgiveness, his help, and his closeness. 00:31:56.039 --> 00:31:58.920 What we're talking about this morning is something we need to do every day. 00:31:58.920 --> 00:32:02.539 Every day, every day, we need to humble ourselves before the Lord. 00:32:05.200 --> 00:32:10.080 And we need to look to him and expect him to take care of us. 00:32:11.380 --> 00:32:15.600 To enable us to enjoy closeness with him. 00:32:16.640 --> 00:32:20.700 Because as that last line says, he cares. 00:32:21.440 --> 00:32:24.380 God cares for us. 00:32:25.100 --> 00:32:25.840 Let's pray together. 00:32:25.839 --> 00:32:30.859 Dear God, help us to see how we should respond. 00:32:32.299 --> 00:32:35.039 Lord, if we're prideful people, make it clear. 00:32:35.399 --> 00:32:37.339 Or just help us to be honest because we know it. 00:32:39.519 --> 00:32:52.980 Don't let anyone, Lord, be mistaken about whether or not they're relating to you and relating to other people. 00:32:52.980 --> 00:32:56.019 On the basis of pride or humility. 00:32:56.740 --> 00:32:57.680 Make it clear. 00:32:58.500 --> 00:33:01.079 And show us how we should respond right now. 00:33:02.200 --> 00:33:03.500 And that's all in an attitude of prayer. 00:33:03.620 --> 00:33:04.539 Just listen to the Lord. 00:33:05.180 --> 00:33:08.720 And talk to him about that which will help us to draw close to him. 00:33:08.980 --> 00:33:10.360 And stay close to him. 00:33:12.599 --> 00:33:14.839 Humility as an attitude. 00:33:15.539 --> 00:33:17.259 Humility as a way of life. 00:33:18.440 --> 00:33:19.319 Not pride. 00:33:19.319 --> 00:33:21.319 Hum 세 하나. 00:33:21.319 --> 00:33:24.759 Humility as a way. 00:33:25.200 --> 00:33:26.519 Humility as a way. 00:33:26.859 --> 00:33:28.960 mustache. 00:33:28.960 --> 00:33:29.159 Mid-山. 00:33:29.419 --> 00:33:30.659 Is the heart here. 00:33:32.819 --> 00:33:33.559 Are the stitches new for the church. 00:33:33.559 --> 00:33:35.759 You have a person. 00:33:35.980 --> 00:33:36.019 Shouldifie. 00:33:36.299 --> 00:33:38.019 We have a person. 00:33:38.839 --> 00:33:39.539 Tabitha. 00:33:40.059 --> 00:33:40.259 Use Zach. 00:33:40.799 --> 00:33:41.960 Christmas when standing in front of sleep. 00:33:41.960 --> 00:33:43.960 Before it starts with the royal king. 00:33:43.960 --> 00:33:44.399 And we can walk aside at this time. 00:33:44.399 --> 00:33:44.819 Where it happens. 00:33:45.220 --> 00:33:46.099 Human nature. 00:33:46.179 --> 00:33:46.639 Hudson road. 00:33:46.639 --> 00:33:47.539 Holy duty as a montant of the church.