Helpful Humility (Isaiah 57:15)

Sermon: Helpful Humility

Scripture: Isaiah 57:15

Date: January 27, 2019

 

For thus says the High and Lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.  (Isaiah 57:15)

"Deflating inflated egos is so important to God that He offers to help."  -Max Lucado

The high and lofty one who lives in eternity, the Holy One, says this: "I live in the high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble.  I restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts."  (Isaiah 57:15, NLT)

Let's see several advantages of humility:

1. Humility helps us to be aware of God's presence
   • As I walk into a room, am I thinking about something related to me or how I can walk with God here?
   • We say it's all about Him, but is it...really?
   • Where does pride show up in our lives?
     • appearance
     • family looking better than someone else's
     • kids doing better
     • being right; refusing to apologize
     • not willing to share a prayer request
   • "Being obsessed with what people think is the quickest way to forget about what God thinks."  -Craig Groeschel
2. Humility enables us to be teachable
   • The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.  (Proverbs 12:15, NIV)
   • He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.  (Psalm 25:9, NIV)
   • Do you see a person wise in their own eyes?  There is more hope for a fool than for them.  (Proverbs 26:12)
   • Are you growing?
3. Humility enriches relationships
   • Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.  (Ephesians 4:2-3)
   • Humility means I'm concerned about you.  I want what is best for you.  I'm willing to be a servant to others.  Is that not what Jesus said for us to be?
   • "Why make assumptions about people - instead of making room for people?  Why do we disrespect, dismiss, and devalue each other instead of declare each other's dignity?  Our work in the world is to see the worth in each other.  To see the image of God in each other.  Our calling is always to answer everything in the world with love."  -Ann Voskamp
4. Humility will build gratefulness
   • Can you clap and cheer when
     • you wake up in the morning with God as your Father?
     • you get an opportunity to talk about Jesus?
     • you get an opportunity to serve Jesus through His church?
     • you see an old friend?
     • you see a gorgeous sunrise or sunset?
     • you see a small child smile and laugh?
     • someone else gets a raise?
     • someone else gets the attention for a job well done?
   • So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, "We are unprofitable servants.  We have done what was our duty to do."  (Luke 17:10)
5. Humility will help us take risks

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time; enjoying one moment at a time; accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His will; that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him forever in the next.

Amen.