God Still Values Humility

 

God Still Values Humility

Luke 1:29, And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

Mary was troubled because she did not understand how God could so greatly favor a person like herself. She never expected to be greatly favored by Him. This was deep humility before the Lord and such humility should mark each believer.

Lesson:

I.       Mary Was Not Self-Centered; She Cherished God’s Honor.

Mary was not a proud, self-centered, flighty, or frivolous young lady who was way to conscious of herself or felt that she merited and deserved the attention of others.

            A.  Satan Thinks Primarily of Himself.

Many Bible students believe that the fall of Lucifer is a description of the fall of Satan.

                  1.  He once was the highest of the angelic beings, close to the throne of God (Ezek 28:11-19), but he desired to be on the throne of God!

                  2.  Lucifer said, "I will!" but Jesus said, "Thy will."

                  3.  Lucifer was not satisfied to be a creature; he wanted to be the Creator! Jesus was the Creator, yet He willingly became man. Christ's humility is a rebuke to Satan's pride.

            B. Adam and Eve Thought Primarily of Themselves.  

Lucifer was not satisfied to be a rebel himself; he invaded Eden and tempted man to be a rebel. Adam had all that he needed; he was actually the "king" of God's creation ("let them have dominion," Gen 1:26). But Satan said, "Ye shall be as God!" Man deliberately grasped after something that was beyond his reach, and as a result plunged the whole human race into sin and death. Adam and Eve thought only of themselves; Jesus Christ thought of others.

We expect unsaved people to be selfish and grasping, but we do not expect this of Christians, who have experienced the love of Christ and the fellowship of the Spirit (Phil 2:1-2). More than twenty times in the New Testament, God instructs us how to live with "one another." We are to prefer one another (Rom 12:10), edify one another (1 Thess 5:11), and bear each other's burdens (Gal 6:2). We should not judge one another (Rom 14:13) but rather admonish one another (Rom 15:14). Others is the key word in the vocabulary of the Christian who exercises the submissive mind.   Who is it that your thoughts commonly turn to?  Others or yourself?

 

II.    Mary Was Christ-Centered and Non-assuming. (Genuinely Humble)

She was a young lady who loved God and had determined to live a pure and responsible life. Apparently, from her response throughout this passage, she had a sweet spirit that was full of softness, warmth, and tenderness, and was responsive and willing, subjective and giving, thoughtful and kind. However, Mary never dreamed she was anyone special. Therefore, when she heard that God was to favor her and use her in a very special way, she was troubled. How could she, so ordinary and humble, do anything special for God? What a striking example Mary was!

Christ As Live-In

When Queen Victoria reigned in England, she occasionally would visit some of the humble cottages of her subjects. One time she entered the home of a widow and stayed to enjoy a brief period of Christian fellowship.

Later, the poor woman was taunted by her worldly neighbors. "Granny," they said, "who's the most honored guest you've ever entertained in your home?" They expected her to say it was Jesus, for despite their constant ridicule of her Christian witness, they recognized her deep spirituality. But to their surprise she answered, "The most honored guest I've entertained is Her Majesty the Queen."

"Did you say the Queen? Ah, we caught you this time! How about this Jesus you're always talking about? Isn't He your most honored guest?" Her answer was definite and scriptural, "NO, indeed! He's not a guest. HE LIVES HERE"! Her hecklers were put to silence.

-Our Daily Bread

 

III.      Jesus Modeled Humility Through Service for Us!

Have you noticed as you read the four Gospels that it is Jesus who serves others, not others who serve Jesus? He is at the beck and call of all kinds of people - fishermen, harlots, tax collectors, the sick, the sorrowing.

                    A.  He Described Himself as a Servant. 

 Matt 20:28, Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many.

Luke 22:27, For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.

                    B.  He Conducted Himself Like a Servant.

In the Upper Room, when His disciples apparently refused to minister, Jesus arose, laid aside His outer garments, put on the long linen towel, and washed their feet! (John 13) He took the place of a menial slave! This was the submissive mind in action - and no wonder Jesus experienced such joy!

During the American Civil War, Gen. George B. McClellan was put in charge of the great Army of the Potomac, mainly because public opinion was on his side. He fancied himself to be a great military leader and enjoyed hearing the people call him "a young Napoleon." However, his performance was less than sensational. President Lincoln commissioned him General-in-Chief, hoping this would get some action; but still he procrastinated. One evening, Lincoln and two of his staff members went to visit McClellan, only to learn that he was at a wedding. The three men sat down to wait, and an hour later the general arrived home. Without paying any attention to the President, McClellan went upstairs and did not return. Half an hour later, Lincoln sent the servant to tell McClellan that the men were waiting. The servant came back to report McClellan had gone to bed!

His associates angry, Lincoln merely got up and led the way home. "This is no time to be making points of etiquette and personal dignity, " the President explained. “I would hold McClellan's horse if he will only bring us success."  This attitude of humility was what helped to make Lincoln a great man and a great President. He was not thinking of himself, he was thinking of serving others. Service is the second mark of the humble and submissive mind.

IV.      God is Looking for Humble Servants Still!

God still looks to the humble person to bless, revive, strengthen, inform, encourage, enlarge, and use greatly.

James 4:6, But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.   

Isaiah 66:2, For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the Lord: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

Psalm 138:6, Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.

2 Chron. 7:14, If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

The Potter's House

To the Potter's house I went down one day,

And watched Him while moulding the vessels of clay,

And many a wonderful lesson I drew,

As I noted the process the clay went thro

 

Trampled and broken, down trodden and rolled,

To render more plastic and fit for the mould,

How like the clay that is human, I thought,

When in Heavenly hands to perfection brought,

 

For self must be cast as the dust at His feet,

Before it is ready for service made meet.

And pride must be broken, and self-will lost--

All laid on the altar, whatever the cost;

 

But to! by and by, a delicate vase -

Of wonderful beauty and exquisite grace.

Was it once the vile clay? Ah, yes; yet how strange,

The Potter has wrought so marvelous a change!

 

Not a trace of the earth, nor mark of the clay,

The fires of the furnace have burned them away.

Wondrous skill of the Potter-the praise is His due,

In whose hands to perfection and beauty it grew;

 

Thus with souls lying still, content in God's hand,

That do not His power of working withstand.

They are moulded and fitted, a treasure to hold;

Vile clay now transformed into purest of gold.

- Selected

Conclusion:

Real humility pursues the glory and honor of God intentionally and looks out for the welfare of others (Colossians 3:12-14; Philippians 2:3-8). Our Lord Jesus affords us a perfect example of humility by going to the cross to give His life for our salvation that we might live for God.

How do I know if I am truly humble? Evaluating humility before God involves reflecting on my dependence on Him, obedience to His will, and my attitude toward sin and others. I may ask myself: Do I rely on God’s power rather than my own limitations? Am I eager to obey Him even when it's costly, difficult, or sacrificial? Do I genuinely admit my faults with a spirit to turn away from sin? Am I characteristically grateful rather than self-focused and demanding? 

A humble person is also ready to be taught something new about God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the Bible. They then move forward believing that truth and exemplify it in their lifestyles. Each occasion is potentially a learning experience provided by the Lord or a chance to serve. Humility means we understand that everyone has their own story and a portion of God’s will to execute; we know each believer is a servant of Christ and they live for Him and not us. We are thus freed from any baseless judgments of other servants of Christ because we know we are not the standard.