The Excellence of Humility

Q: What does the Bible say about humility?

The Bible teaches that humility is a Christ-like virtue, essential for receiving God's grace and recognizing our dependence on Him. The biblical concept of humility is vividly illustrated in 1 Peter 5:5-7, where it is stated that God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Humility involves a just estimate of oneself, recognizing one's sinfulness and utter reliance on God's grace for salvation. In Philippians 2:3, Paul instructs believers to consider others more significant than themselves, which reflects a posture of humility. Humility is foundational for the Christian life and is beautifully exemplified in the Lord Jesus Christ, who described Himself as 'meek and lowly in heart' (Matthew 11:29). As believers, we are called to be clothed with humility, understanding that our worth comes not from ourselves but from God's grace. This genuine humility leads to a life of service, gratitude, and dependence upon God, allowing us to cast our cares upon Him, as indicated in 1 Peter 5:7.

Q: How do we know humility is important for Christians?

Humility is critical for Christians because it aligns us with God's will and enables us to receive His grace. The importance of humility in the Christian life is underscored throughout Scripture. James 4:6 states that God gives grace to the humble, indicating that humility is not merely a personal virtue but a condition for receiving God's help and favor. Furthermore, in Galatians 5:22, humility is described as a fruit of the Spirit, highlighting its divine origin and significance in the life of a believer. Jesus taught that 'whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted' (Matthew 23:12), indicating that true greatness in the kingdom of God comes through humility. This principle is reflected in the life of the humble publican in Luke 18, who went home justified rather than the self-righteous Pharisee. Thus, humility is a prerequisite for acceptance before God and plays a crucial role in our relationships with others, fostering a spirit of love and unity within the body of Christ.

Q: Why is grace essential for humility?

Grace is essential for humility because it allows us to recognize our unworthiness and dependence on God for salvation. Grace is at the heart of humility as it reveals our true condition before God. The humble soul recognizes that all good things, including salvation, come solely by grace—an undeserved favor from God. Romans 12:3 teaches us not to think of ourselves more highly than we ought, emphasizing the importance of a sober self-assessment grounded in grace. When we understand that our righteousness is not from ourselves but received through Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21), we are driven to a deeper humility. Moreover, genuine humility flows from the realization of one's total depravity and need for a Savior. When contemplating God's majesty and our sinfulness, as illustrated in Psalm 8, we naturally respond with humility. This acknowledgment leads to a grateful heart that seeks to glorify God rather than oneself, fostering a posture of humility that pleases Him. As noted in Ephesians 2:8-9, we are saved by grace through faith, not of our own works, affirming that understanding grace directly influences our humility.

Q: What are the signs of true humility in a believer?

True humility in a believer is signified by a low view of self, a high view of others, and an eagerness to serve. Signs of true humility in a believer include a disposition of servanthood and a readiness to place the needs of others above their own, as indicated by Philippians 2:3-4. A humble person acknowledges their limitations and weaknesses while giving credit to God for any strengths or accomplishments. They resonate with Paul's statement in 1 Corinthians 4:7, recognizing that everything they have is a gift from God. Additionally, true humility manifests itself in teachability and a willingness to learn from others. Believers who are humble can receive correction and are open to growth, much like the Ethiopian eunuch who sought guidance (Acts 8:31). This humility naturally leads to gratitude and a life that reflects the grace received from God, further emphasizing the interconnectedness of humility with other Christian virtues. Ultimately, genuine humility enhances community and fellowship within the body of Christ, as believers live in harmony and love one another.

Would you turn with me to 1 Peter
5, beginning in verse 5. Likewise, ye younger, submit
yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one
to another, and be clothed with humility. For God resisteth the proud. and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore unto
the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time,
casting all your care upon him, for he careth for you." I have entitled this message
The excellence of humility. The excellence of humility. When the Lord Jesus Christ, the
uncreated, eternal, sovereign Son of God, the only wise God,
our Savior, When the Lord Jesus Christ describes his own heart,
listen to his description. He says, I am meek and lowly
in heart. The Lord Jesus Christ is always
has been, and always will be. Humble. That's an incredible concept,
isn't it? The Lord Jesus Christ is meek and lowly in heart. And His humility is a whole lot
different than ours for this reason. We have reason to be
humble. If I take the lowest seat in
the house, it's not an act of condescension on my part. It's
where I belong. But this is the one who thought
it not robbery to be equal with God that humbled himself. Now, the fact that the Lord Jesus
Christ is, was, and always will be humble. That
gives us some glimpse of the excellency of humility. Somebody once asked John Calvin,
what are the three greatest Christian graces? He said, first, humility. Second, humility. And third, humility. What is more beautiful than genuine
humility? And note I said genuine humility
because it can be counterfeited so easily. Paul spoke in Colossians
chapter two of a voluntary humility. And that's a phony humility.
If I volunteer to be humble, it's phoniness and nothing more. but it is so beautiful in a believer. The loveliest are the lowliest. Peter said, be clothed with humility. God resists the proud, but he
gives grace unto the humble. Paul said in Colossians chapter
3 verse 12, put on therefore as the elect of God, humbleness
of mind. Now what is humility? Somebody once gave this definition
and I believe it's as good a definition as I've ever heard. Humility
is a just estimate of oneself. A just estimate of oneself. Turn with me for a moment to
Romans chapter 12. Paul says in verse 1, I beseech
you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you
present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto
God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed
to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind,
that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect
will of God. For I say through the grace given
unto me to every man that's among you, not to think of himself
more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly according
as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith." Now when
Paul tells us to prove that good and acceptable and perfect will
of God, the first thing he says to us is not to think of ourselves
more highly than we ought to think. Here's another scriptural
way to say this. Paul said, by the grace of God,
I am what I am. What are you, Paul? I am a sinner. And I say that with shame. And
it's only by the grace of God I know that. I wouldn't know
that if it were not for the free grace of God. I am what I am
by the grace of God. I'm a saint. And that's by the grace of God.
I understand that. Only by the grace of God. I'm
justified. I stand without guilt before
God. And that's by the grace of God. You see, humility has
an appreciation of grace. I'm sanctified, that's by the
grace of God. I'm redeemed, that's by the grace
of God. I'm not what I would be. I would
be right now an absolute monster and the only reason I'm not acting
that out right now is by the grace of God. I'm not what I
was and that's by the grace of God. Salvation is of the Lord. Humility believes that. Humility
rejoices in the grace of God. Humility is honesty. Remember
it's a just estimate of yourself. Humility is honesty and anything
else is a lie and deceitful. Lying before men and most especially
lying before God. Anything other than a truly humble
attitude. Listen to this scripture from
Galatians chapter 6 verse 3. When a man thinketh himself to
be something. When he is nothing, he deceiveth
himself. What in the world do you have
to be proud about as far as what comes from you? Paul said in
1 Corinthians chapter 4 verse 7, who makes you to differ from
another? And what do you have that you
didn't receive? Now, if you received it, why
do you glory as if you didn't receive it? A proud person is
dishonest to the core. He's deceived himself. And you
know, we can't stand being around proud, arrogant people. Can't
stand it. Proud man, your pride is delusional. Arrogant man, they that walk in pride, he knoweth
how to abase. Humility is honesty before God. That's why Barnard said, honest
people don't go to hell. Now, what did he mean by that?
When you're honest before God regarding what you are as nothing
but sin, you're going to look to the Lord Jesus Christ. You're
going to believe the gospel. Honest people, people who are
honest about what they are before God, they're believers. All believers are humble people. Now where does this humility
come from? God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Where does this humility come
from? Well, it's not found in the heart of the natural man.
You will not find a natural man who's humble before God. It's
not going to happen. This is the product of the Spirit
of God. This is what God does for somebody
when He saves them. He gives them a humble heart. In Galatians 5, verse 22, when
we read of the fruit of the Spirit, Part of that fruit is meekness
or humility. Now, this humility comes from
a sight of the majesty of God. Turn with me to Psalm 8. Psalm 8, I want you to look at
this. David says in verse 1, O Lord,
our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth, who has
set thy glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babes and
sucklings has thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that
thou mightest still the enemy in the avenger. When I consider
thy heavens, The work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars
which thou hast ordained. What is man? That thou art mindful
of him and the son of man, that thou visitest him. What is man? Humility comes from a side of
the majesty of God and humility comes from a side of the sovereignty
of God. What is the sovereignty of God?
The Lord reigneth. The Lord reigneth. The Lord has
absolute dominion and control. He reigns over everything. That
means that everybody is in His hands. And He can do with you
whatever He's pleased to do. He can do with me whatever He's
pleased to do. And whatever He does is right. He's all powerful. He's got a will. And He's got
the power to make sure His will comes to pass. And He always
does make sure that His will comes to pass. The Lord reigneth. Let the earth tremble. You know,
you've never worshipped God unless you've worshipped a sovereign
God. You're in His hands. He's not
in yours. You have no control over Him. He has absolute control over
you. Let the earth tremble. It comes from a sight of the
holiness of God. You see God's holiness. Glorious
in holiness. Fearful in praises. And you can't
help but be humble. Before Him, it comes from a side
of my own personal sinfulness. Paul said in 1 Timothy 1, verse
15, this is a faithful saying and it's worthy of all acceptation
that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom
I am the chief. Paul said, I'm the worst man
alive. If I have a humble attitude,
I look at everybody in this room and in my heart I know they're
better than I am. I'm more sinful than they are. Now, here's the interesting thing
about the flesh. I really believe in my heart
that I'm the worst man in this world. I believe it. And if you agree with me, I know
I'll get mad. That's just amazing that we're
like that. I mean, I believe that about
myself. I really do. As the Lord is my witness, I
know myself. I know myself a lot better than
you know me. And I know something about how sinful I am. And I
believe myself to be the worst man here. Oh, that wretched flesh
that is still there. You see, the Lord has set up
this way. The gospel is only gospel to
the humble. The humble shall hear thereof.
and be glad. You can't hear the gospel apart
from humility, a just estimate of yourself. Seeing that you
in and of yourself, you're nothing but a sinner. That's the only
way you can hear the gospel. And when you hear the gospel
as a sinner, you hear the gospel as gospel. You hear the gospel
as good news. Turn with me to 1 Corinthians
chapter 1. 1 Corinthians chapter 1. Verse 26, for you see your calling brethren,
how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not
many noble are called. But God hath chosen the foolish
things of the world to confound the wise, and God hath chosen
the weak things of the world to confound the things which
are mighty, and the base things, the low birth of the world, and
the things which are despised hath God chosen, yea, and things
which are not to bring to naught the things that are, that no
flesh should glory in His presence." Now God fixed it this way. No
flesh is going to glory in His presence. Now who's this good
news to? Somebody that's a naught. Somebody that's a nothing. Somebody
that's lowborn in Adam. Somebody who's base. This is
good news to them. These are the people God has
chosen. That's good news to me. But if I'm highborn, if I'm something,
this is not good news to me. Now let's consider for a few
moments the excellency of humility. Now here's the first thing I
want to say about the excellency of humility. It's from our text. God gives grace to the humble. You see, the humble soul ascribes
all of salvation to the grace of God. Amen? You know it. You see, a humble
soul really believes it's totally depraved. Utterly unable to do
anything good. Total and complete sinful. A humble soul believes that about
itself. And because of that, a humble
soul sees the absolute necessity of divine election. I'm so sinful
that I'll never choose Him unless He chooses me. I need election.
The humble soul needs Christ's effectual redemption. The only
hope I have is that Christ died for me. If you tell me that He
can die for me and I can wind up in hell anyway, you've taken
away my only hope. A humble soul needs the effectual
redemption of Christ. A humble soul needs grace to
be irresistible and invincible because if it's not, I'll resist
it. I'm so bad. You see, a humble soul delights
in salvation by grace. And it's only the humble soul
that really believes it has no personal righteousness. There's a real belief in that.
Now, if you're humble, and believe me, if you think you're humble,
you're not. Don't get messed up there, boy,
I'm really... I've overcome my pride. No, you haven't. But if
you think you're humble, you're not hearing right. But understand
this, a truly humble soul, and every believer is a truly humble
soul, a truly humble soul believes it has no personal righteousness. And it's easy to trust Christ
as your righteousness before God if you really believe that
you don't have any personal righteousness. The humble soul is the thankful
soul. You see, pride is never thankful.
Pride thinks everything comes to it by way of entitlement.
But the humble soul is the thankful soul, just like that Syro-Venetian
woman who was grateful for any crumbs of mercy that would come
her way. Oh, how thankful the humble soul is. The humble soul,
listen to this. The humble soul thinks the worst
of self and the best of others. Now that's the way a humble soul
works. It thinks the worst of self and
the best of others. of others. The scripture says,
let each esteem the other as better than themselves. It's the self-righteous soul
that despises and looks down at others. Remember the Pharisee
in the temple? It says, he spoke a parable unto certain which
trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised. others. Humility doesn't do that. Humility actually looks at the
other person as better. Humility is not a critic. Humility never envies. It rejoices in the blessings
of others. Humility is teachable. Do you understand what you're
reading? Philip said to the eunuch, he said, how can I accept some
man should guide me? Now, pride would say, well, of
course I understand. Well, here's what I think. Nobody
cares what you think. What does God's word say? He said, how can I accept some
man should guide me? Humility receives rebuke and
profits by it. David said, let the righteous
smite me. It shall be a kindness to me
and let him reprove me. It shall be excellent oil, which
shall not break my hand. Isn't humility excellent and
glorious? I like this. Turn back to our
text in 1 Peter 5. 1 Peter 5. Verse 5, likewise, you younger,
submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one
to another and be clothed with humility. For God resists the
proud and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore,
under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due
time. There's not a period there. Casting
all your care upon him. Do you know it is only the humble
soul that casts its care upon the Lord? The proud soul keeps
it to himself, but the humble soul truly, he knows he's so
weak that he has to cast all this care upon the Lord. That's
what the humble soul does. You see, the humble soul or humility
is the worthy walk. Turn to Ephesians chapter four. Ephesians chapter 4, Paul says in verse 1, I therefore the prisoner of the
Lord, beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation wherewith
you are called, and what is the worthy walk? With all lowliness,
humility, and meekness with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love. This is the worthy walk. And
listen to this, the excellence of humility, humility is the
way up in the kingdom of heaven. The way up in the kingdom of
heaven is down. Turn with me to Matthew chapter
18. I want to show a couple of scriptures regarding this. As
the wise man said, before honor is humility. Matthew chapter 18. At the same time, verse 1, came
the disciples unto Jesus saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom
of heaven? And Jesus called a little child
unto him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, Verily
I say unto you, except you be converted, and become as little
children, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven." I love
the way he says that. You fellas talking about who's
going to be the greatest, you don't even need to worry about being there
with that kind of attitude. You won't be. Verse four, Whosoever
therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same
is greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Turn to Luke chapter
14, verse 7. And he put forth a parable
to those which were bidden. Luke 14, verse 7. And he put
forth a parable unto those which were bidden, when he marked how
they chose out the chief rooms, saying unto them, when thou art
bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room,
lest a more honorable man than thou be bitten of him. And he
that bade thee and him come and say to thee, give this man place. And thou begin with shame to
take the lowest room. But when thou art bitten, go
and sit down in the lowest room, that when he that bade thee cometh,
he may say unto thee, friend, go up higher, and then shalt
thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at me with thee.
For whosoever, this is the unalterable law of the kingdom of heaven,
for whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased. and he that
humbleth himself shall be exalted." Oh, the excellence of humility. Humility is the way up in the
kingdom of heaven. Remember, the way up is always
down. God delights in humility. He thinks most of the one who
thinks least of himself. That is the living God. Though
the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly. But the proud he knoweth afar
off. Turn with me to Isaiah 57. Isaiah
57. Verse 15, For thus saith the high and lofty
one, that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is holy. I dwell in the high and holy
place with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit,
to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the
contrite ones. That's who the high and holy
God dwells with. That's who He chooses to make
His abode with, the humble in spirit. I repeat, the excellency
of humility. This is what God requires. Micah chapter 6, verse 8, what
does God require of thee? To do justly. Not to admire justice,
but to do justly. You know, in Christ, I have done
justly. I myself have done justly in
Christ. If Christ did justly, so did
I. That's what God requires. To do justly. Secondly, to love
mercy. I love mercy. I'm thankful for
mercy, aren't you? And the third thing he says,
what does God require of thee? To do justly, to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with thy God. To walk in lowliness with a just
estimate of yourself. Now, it seems only appropriate
to end this message in Luke chapter 18. Would you turn with me there
for a moment? Luke chapter 18. Look at the last phrase of verse
14. This is how our Lord ends this
up. For everyone, no exceptions to this rule, for everyone that
exalteth himself, shall be abased, and he that humbleth himself
shall be exalted. Now let's pick up in verse nine. And he spake this parable unto
certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous. That's what self-righteousness
is. Any righteousness that comes from self. He spake this parable
unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous. And this always goes along with
it. They despised others. They looked down their nose at
others. Verse 10. Two men went up into
the temple to pray. And these two men are the two
representative men of all mankind. Two men went up into the temple
to pray. The one, a Pharisee. That means
a separated one. One who has made himself separate
from everybody else by his good life. The one a Pharisee and
the other a publican. Two men at the opposite ends
of the spectrum. Now verse 11, the Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself.
I love the way that says that, you know, he thought he's praying
to God, but God, it didn't, didn't get past the ceiling, but he
thought it did. He prayed thus with himself,
God, I thank thee. I'm a humble man. I'm giving
God the credit. I believe this Pharisee was a
Calvinist. I believe he was. He was giving God the credit.
I thank thee. I'm not thinking myself. I thank
thee. Oh, how humble he is. He's sure to give God the credit
for what? I thank thee that I am not as
other men are. I thank thee that I am not as
other men are." Now notice he's comparing himself with others. I can always find somebody that
I'm a little bit cleaner than, a little bit better than. You know, as far as comparing
my life with somebody else's. I can find somebody that's a
drug pusher or something like that and I can I went pretty
good, but you know, it's never wise to compare yourself to somebody
else. Never, never. But that's what
he was doing. He was comparing himself to others.
I thank thee that I'm not as other men are. And notice what
he's thanking the Lord for. Something in him rather than
thanking thee that salvation's of the Lord. Thanking thee that
righteousness is in thy blessed son. Thanking thee that salvation's
by grace. Thanking him for the... No, I
thank you that I'm not as other men are. And then he begins to
lie. Extortioners. Unjust. Adulterers. Or even as this publican. Now everything he said he was
not guilty of, he was guilty of. This was a lie. Nothing more. Everything he said, yes, he's
guilty of. And that's, you know, self-righteousness
is blind. It's deceitful. And this guy
was showing so much deceit here. Then he begins in verse 12 to
talk about the things he did that the Lord never commanded.
I fast twice in the week. Where does it ever say to fast
twice a week? It doesn't. I give tithes of all that I possess.
Oh, he had such a high opinion of himself. Verse 13. and the publican. Standing afar off, he felt like
he needed to be in the back where nobody could see him. He felt
like he was totally out of place in the temple. And the publican,
standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto
heaven. He was so ashamed of himself. But he smote upon his breast
his heart. He knew that's what the problem
was. The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. And that is my heart. Oh, he
beat upon his heart, saying, God, be merciful. God, be propitious to me, the
sinner, the worst man to ever live, and the only hope I can
have is that you're propitious to me. You know what propitious
means? It means be appeased through
the blood of your Son. Oh, be appeased. I don't have
any plea other than the blood of thy Son. Be appeased through
the blood of your Son. Can you pray that prayer? God,
be propitious to me, thee, sinner. Verse 14, I tell you, This man went down to his house
justified, rather than the other. This man who cried, God be propitious
to me, the sinner, went down to his house, listen to me, justified. That means not guilty. Perfectly righteous in God's
sight. This man went down to his house
justified rather than the other. Four. He that exalts himself, everyone
that exalts himself, they're going to be abased. God's going
to make sure they're abased. He's not going to let it go.
Everybody who exalts themselves, unalterable law of the kingdom
of heaven, everybody who exalts themselves, they shall be abased.
But he that humbles himself, just like this poor publican
did, everyone who humbles themselves shall be exalted. Humble yourselves before you have to be humiliated.
Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt
you in due time. God resists the proud, but He
giveth grace to the humble. Let's pray.

The Excellence of Humility

What does the Bible say about humility?

How do we know humility is important for Christians?

Why is grace essential for humility?

What are the signs of true humility in a believer?

Sermon Transcript

About Todd Nibert

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The Excellence of Humility

What does the Bible say about humility?

How do we know humility is important for Christians?

Why is grace essential for humility?

What are the signs of true humility in a believer?

Sermon Transcript

About Todd Nibert

Comments

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