Humility (Before God) – Pastor Brent Cantelon - Sep, 7th, 2008

What do we need to do to change our lives? Pursue humility.Micah 6:8 , Prov. 16:18 ,
Isaiah 57:15 I refresh the humble and give new courage to those with repentant hearts.

Pride: leads to destruction 1Peter 5:5 , Prov. 16:18

Humility: God will exalt you – Prov. 22:4, 1 Peter 5:6
Define true humility – the core of it - a right view of ourselves before God
a) Humility is a grateful and authentic awareness that life is a gift, created by God and sustained by God’s grace. We can approach God because of Jesus and receive mercy, forgiveness and patience. We are accepted and loved by God – because we are His.
b) We define humility by being totally dependent on God – we cannot do it on our own.
c) We define humility by what we base our opinions, decisions and worldview on. It started in the Garden of Eden – Adam and Eve thought they had a better idea. We must base our opinions on God and His Word. How do we arrive at our opinion on: life after death, church, sexuality, money – where does the information come from that leads us to our conclusions? Humility is tangible – when you come to a place where your views and opinions are not formed apart from God and His Word, that is humility. Ps. 119:105
Psalm 119:9-16 Take inventory, let us examine ourselves before the Lord. To be humble means I have surrendered my thoughts to His for His thoughts are higher than mine.
Doing things to become more humble
1. Jesus took on the form of a servant Philippians 2:5-9
2. Do the will of the Father John 5:30
3. Be of the same mind Romans 12:16
4. Do not be wise in your own opinion Philippians 2: 5-9 (it’s worth reading again)
5. Do not demand your own rights
6. Take the humble position of a slave 1 Peter 5:5
7. Submit and serve one another. Repentance is always an indication of humility – to God and to others. James 4:10, 2Chronicles 7:14, 2Chronicles 34:27, 1Peter 5:6, Isaiah 57:15
Falling down at Jesus' feet is a perfect picture of humbling ourselves. There is no pride left when we are face down in the dirt. When we fall down in humility, HE lifts us up. Our only hope in this world is to have humility.

Ministry Time
Have each member of the group, as they feel comfortable, get down on their knees and just call out to the Lord, laying it all down again - surrendering to HIS Lordship.