Humility is Job One for the Church

Text:  Luke 18:9-14 

Vs. 11 – “God, I thank You…”

• The Pharisee started out well. Giving thanks not only helps us live joyfully in Christ, it is also a privilege.  It is a gift we can give the Lord directly and when it comes from a sincere and humble heart, we can know for certain it is pleasing to Him.

Vs. 9 Confident of their own righteousness

• This is never a good place to be. I pray God continue to protect us from depending on our goodness.
• There is no one who does good, not even one. They have together become worthless.Romans 3:12
• Paul’s example is a beacon for us: “May I never boast, except in the cross of Christ.” (Galatians 6:14)

Also in verse 9 “Looked down on everyone else.” 

We are not better; we have been forgiven.

We are not better; we have been redeemed.

We are not better; we have been justified.

We are not better; we have been sanctified.

We are not better; we have been given the righteousness of Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:30 It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.

Vs. 13 The Tax Collector asked only for mercy.

• Pride is an odor God detests. Humility is a fragrance He cannot resist.

Vs. 14 – For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” 

• Humility is not determined by a certain posture or personality but by accepting the facts of our situation. It comes from accepting that God is the Creator.  It comes from accepting the fact that we did not make ourselves.  It comes from accepting the fact that we move and breathe because of Him.  It comes from recognizing that everything we have comes from Him.
• What would have been a prayer the Lord would have appreciated? I could not think of a better example than David’s words as recorded in 1 Chronicles chapter 29:10-17 when they collected gifts for the building of the temple.
• God did not ask the Israelites to put on a certain face or put on a certain persona when He warned them in Deuteronomy 8 about becoming proud when they entered the Promised Land. He gave them facts to consider “remember the Lord your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth.”
• It would have been perfectly fine for the Pharisee to thank God for his fasting and for his tithing, if he sincerely recognized them as coming from God. God deserves the thanks for our righteous deeds because when they are performed with the right attitude and heart it is from God.

 Not trusting in our own righteousness is liberating and stabilizing for our faith. 

• To trust in our own righteousness is to lose sight of grace and hop on a see-saw of joy and shame. Joy when we are doing well and shame when we do poorly.  Instead, let us fix our eyes on Jesus.
• Spiritual growth is not about us becoming “better,” but Him becoming “more.” It’s about Him increasing and us decreasing.  About “no longer I who live but Christ living in me.”

Humility affects the authenticity of our fellowship.

• The more we depend on the Lord for our righteousness, the less we feel the need to hide from one another.
• So thankful Jesus is the story at Valley Brook and all of you – not just those who shared in August – are contributing authors. He is telling His story through our testimonies, through our fellowship. Stories of His love.  Stories of His compassion.  Stories of His faithfulness.  Stories of His power.  Stories of His grace.