Unhindered: Unhindered from Pride (Acts 9:1-6)

Series: Unhindered

Sermon: Unhindered from Pride

Scripture: Acts 9:1-6

Date: April 7, 2019

 

He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ - with all boldness and without hindrance! (Acts 28:31, series verse)

LAST WEEK'S WEEKLY CHALLENGE: Try to make it a point to talk about something on Monday that you studied in church on Sunday.

Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.  As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven.  Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?"  And he said, "Who are You, Lord?"  Then the Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.  It is hard for you to kick against the goads."  So he, trembling and astonished, said, "Lord, what do You want me to do?"  Then the Lord said to him, "Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."  (Acts 9:1-6)

The sin of pride is a preoccupation with self.  We become the center of our world rather than God.

A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood  (Proverbs 6:17)

"The gospel is this: We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope."  -Timothy Keller

Here are a couple of ideas to help us allow God to unhinder us from pride:

1. Evidence
   • Leviticus 19:18
   • Here are a few evidences that pride is a problem:
     1. you take everything personally
     2. you think your feelings are the most reasonable
     3. your desires are the most important
     4. you always think it's the other person who needs to apologize or change
     5. you tend to be negative and critical instead of positive and grateful
        • The language of arrogance and pride is criticizing and complaining; the language of humility is gratitude and encouragement.
     6. you keep thinking of other people that need to hear this
     7. you don't recognize much of a need for God
   • We tend to overestimate what we bring to the table and how much we need God.
2. Encounter
   • Here are a few helps to get unhindered from pride:
     1. look for an opportunity to put someone ahead of yourself
     2. how you treat people is how you are treating Jesus
     3. apologize for your pride and selfishness

WEEKLY CHALLENGE: Look for an opportunity to put someone's feelings or desires ahead of your own.