SERMON: Chill, Part 1: Humility – Matthew 18:4 (8/13/2023)

Sunday, August 13, 2023

Sermon Series

Chill: A Look into the Biblical Doctrines of Humility and Finitude

Introduction

Turn in your Bibles to Matthew 18.
Usually I like to start our sermon light, and then we get into the deep and probing issues of life as we read the Scripture and begin to dig into what it means and what says to us.
- Today, I want to turn that around.
- We are going to jump in on the deep end.
  - And we may struggle a little bit, but if you hang with me...
  - I believe God's word is going to encourage the socks off of you by the end of the message.
    - I've titled this message "CHILL!"
  - So, let's put on our thinking caps...
Here is the question...
- Could it be that much of what we see as guilt in our lives is really pride?
Another way to ask the question...
- What kind of things most often cause you to feel guilty?
  - For me, sure, I feel guilty for sin...
    - Careless words...
    - Bad attitude...
    - Prayerlessness...
    - Anger...
    - Poor choices about diet or exercise...
  - But the things that most often cause me to feel guilty are in a very different category.
  - And maybe for me and for you, we shouldn't feel guilty for much of that.
  - And, in fact, the guilt we feel may just be the sin of pride.
- Have I confused you yet?
Let's read from Matthew 18...
- Matthew 18:1 | At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “So who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” (CSB)
  - What do you think about the disciples' question?
    - Were they wrong to ask the question?
    - Is it wrong to desire to be great?
- I don't think it is a bad question or a bad desire, at least in one sense...
  - Jesus talked a lot about greatness...
    - He said John the Baptist was the greatest person ever born of a woman...
      - Matthew 11:11 | “Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one greater than John the Baptist has appeared, but the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. (CSB)
    - When we get down to Matthew 18:4, we will see Jesus giving instructions for how to be the greatest.
      - Matthew 18:4 | Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child—this one is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (CSB)
  - And while greatness and ambition are not exactly the same thing, they are closely connected...
    - And the Bible commands us to desire or be ambitious for the greater gifts of service.
      - 1 Corinthians 12:31 | But desire the greater gifts. And I will show you an even better way. (CSB)
    - And the Bible commends those who have aspirations to be pastors.
      - 1 Timothy 3:1 | This saying is trustworthy: “If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble work.” (CSB)
- Let's look at Jesus's answer...
Matthew 18:2 | He called a small child and had him stand among them. (CSB)
Matthew 18:3 | “Truly I tell you,” he said, “unless you turn and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. (CSB)
- What is Jesus saying?
  - Well, let's identify what Jesus is NOT saying...
    - He is not saying we become young again...
      - They couldn't do that.
    - He is not saying to have the innocence of a child...
      - Because children aren't so innocent!
    - He is not saying to be as unknowing (ignorant) as a child...
      - Jesus is teaching them so they won't be ignorant.
  - So, what is Jesus saying?
    - Let's look to the next verse for the answer.
Matthew 18:4 | Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child—this one is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (CSB)
- What is it about children that impresses Jesus?
  - Children are in a humble state!
    - Now you may not think of children being humble, but just hold on a minute.
  - Jesus is saying that if you want to be great (the original issue), then you must be humble like a child.
    - In fact he says that child-like humility will make a person the greatest in the kingdom of heaven!
So, what is humility and what does it have to do with being great?
- Humility is an attitude.
- Humility is a lowly attitude.
  - In fact the Greek word literally means low to the ground.
Why should we have a lowly attitude? Why should we be humble?
- Should we be humble because we sin?
  - Well, that is the churchy answer, but it is completely WRONG!
  - "But that is what I was taught in VBS a hundred years ago..."
    - Well, you were taught incorrectly.
  - "Well, there are Bible verses that say we should be humble because of our sin?"
    - No. There are not.
  - Do you know the easiest proof that humility is not required because of sin?
    - Who is the most humble person ever?
      - JESUS!
        Matthew 11:29 | Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (CSB)
        Philippians 2:8 | he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death— even to death on a cross. (CSB)
    - And Jesus never sinned!
  - So, even if you lived a perfect, sinless life, there would still be good reason for humility.
So, what is humility, and why should we be humble?
- Humility is the recognition that we are completely and utterly dependent creatures.
  - What is a creature?
    - A creature is someone who has been created by another.
  - We are dependent on God for our existence... creation...
  - We are dependent on God for our lives...
  - We are dependent on God for our next breath...
  - We are dependent on God for a body that is healthy enough to do the things before us...
  - We are dependent on God for a mind that is sharp enough to think, speak, and solve problems...
  - We are dependent on God for salvation and eternal life!
  - We are dependent on God for everything!
- Jesus said to be humble like a little child.
  - He didn't say to have the humble attitude that little children have.
    - (Because even the youngest kids can have an independent streak.)
  - But Jesus is instructing them (us) to recognize that we are dependent like a little child is dependent.
    - Little children are helpless!
      - Have you ever wondered why a baby horse with no encouragement, no instruction, no coddling from grandparents... can coordinate all four legs and trot one hour after birth, but the smartest, most pampered human takes a year or longer to learn to trot!
        A horse is an 876,000-percent-faster-learner than a kid.
        I think the reason for the difference is that God is trying to teach us something about dependence.
      - So a one-year old can't...
        Feed himself...
        Understand his surroundings...
        Evade danger...
        Survive cold weather...
        Clean his bottom...
        Communicate...
So, when Jesus says the key to greatness in the kingdom of heaven is that we humble ourselves like a little child, he is saying that we should recognize just how much we desperately need the Lord for everything and in everything.
Now that we see the true meaning of humility, answer this question...
- What is the opposite of humility?
  - The opposite of humility is PRIDE.
    - Arrogance
    - Egotism
  - If we think we are in control of our world and that we can alone accomplish whatever we choose to accomplish and that there are no limits, then that is the opposite of humility and that is pride.
Now, let's go back to the first question...
- (Are you still with me?)
- Could it be that much of what we see as guilt in our lives is really pride?
  - I think so.
Confession time...
- I'm a big fan of John Adams.
- John Adams was the second president of the United States.
- But I'm not so much a fan of his presidency as I am the things he did between 1765 and 1776.
- During the 1776 fight for the Declaration of Independence, he wrote these words to his wife, Abigail...
  - "Lately I find that I reek of discontentment. It fills my throat, and it floods my brain. And sometimes I fear there is no longer a dream, but only discontentment."
    - I feel that way a lot of the time.
- I set lofty goals for myself, and then I feel guilty when I don't meet them.
- I make long task lists every morning, and then I go to bed feeling guilty for the things that didn't get marked off during the day.
- I feel guilty I don't read more.
- I feel guilty I don't exercise more.
- I feel guilty I don't spend more time with my family.
- I feel guilty I don't spend more time with my friends.
- I feel guilty I'm not a better pastor.
- I feel guilty I'm not a better preacher.
- I feel guilty I don't accomplish what some of my peers accomplish.
- I feel guilty that I don't write more.
- I feel guilty that I don't pray more.
- I feel guilty that I don't accomplish what some people accomplish.
- I feel guilty that I'm not as smart as some students of the Bible.
- I feel guilty that I can't get my adult kids to think exactly like I do.
Here is what the Lord is showing me through what the Bible teaches about humility...
- Much of that "guilt" is really just "pride."
  - It is pride in my thinking that I am in complete control of my world.
  - It is pride in my thinking that I don't have any limits.
  - It is pride in my thinking that I can be the best at everything if I will just work harder.
  - It is pride in my thinking that if I just...
    - Stay more focused...
    - Work more hours...
    - Be more productive...
      - Eat that Frog with Brian Tracy
      - Complete more Pomodoros...
      - Work in Eisenhower's Quadrant 2...
      - Budget my time and energy with the Pareto Principle...
      - Do more of Cal Newport's Deep Work...
      - (And if you don't know what those things are, you are probably better off for it.)
    - Then I can accomplish anything and everything.
  - It is pride to think that if I don't have perfect success, perfect kids, and daily make an amazing impact, that it is because I simply didn't try hard enough.
    - I call that guilt, but I'm wrong. It is pride!
- That "guilt" is not "guilt."
  - That "guilt" is really "pride."
- To be humble is to recognize that I am a creature, and I'm completely dependent on the Lord.
  - The Lord has created me and you with some limits.
    - God could have made me smarter.
    - God could have made me think faster.
    - God could have made me better at remembering things.
    - God could have made me a better communicator.
    - God could have made me a superhero.
      - Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound...
  - But he DIDN'T!
    - And my limits are opportunities for me to recognize how much I must depend on the Lord!
    - Now, some of my limits are the result of the curse, and some because of my personal sin...
      - But many of my limitations (and yours) are a part of God's good creation!
        Adam and Eve had limits long before they sinned.
- True humility recognizes...
  - That I can't be the best at everything (or maybe anything)...
  - That God gave me the gifts and abilities to do the things he wants me to do...
    - And that is all I need to do...
    - Now, I need to do those things with excellence and I need to strive to be my best...
      - But who do I think I am?
  - True humility recognizes that I am not in control of my world...
  - That I am not the captain of my ship...
  - That it is OK that Mark Mclendon is better than me talking to one-on-one with people to help them mature in their faith, and that is good.
  - That it is OK that Grant is better than me at inviting people in the community to come to church, and that is good.
  - That it is OK that Tom is better than me at executing a plan, and that is good.
- That is all part of being a creature, and reveling in how much I am dependent on the Lord.
Back to our Scripture verse...
- Matthew 18:4 | Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child—this one is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (CSB)
- And we understand now that humility is recognizing our dependence on the Lord for everything.
  - Recognizing our helplessness without the Lord.
Church, if we can learn to be humble, much of the stress and anxiety we face...
- Much of the guilt we experience...
- Will just melt away!
  - Matthew 11:28–30 | “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (CSB)
So, how can we be humble?
- Give me a little time today to give you the first step to answering that question.
  - This will be a good start.
- Then next week we will take this one step further...
  - We will learn about our finitude...
  - We will learn about God's un-productivity...
  - And we will discover four more practical steps for embracing humility and learning to chill.

Words to say...

I love Psalm 103 because it records the psalmist talking to himself.
- Reminding himself about the goodness of the Lord.
- So, let's do a little talking to ourselves...

I. I am limited and needy.

Listen, there are people who are a LOT smarter than me and you.
- Did you know that?
- Have you seen the Oppenheimer movie?
  - By the way, it is not family friendly...
  - But if you have seen it (or if you know your history), then you will know the name, Edward Teller.
    - I've had lunch with Edward Teller, twice.
    - Edward Teller is the father of the fusion bomb...
    - When I had lunch with him he was working on President Ronald Reagan's Star Wars Initiative.
  - He is smarter than all of us put together...
  - So, do you think that God messed up when he didn't make you or me as smart as Edward Teller?
- Do you know the name of Charles Spurgeon?
  - Baptist preacher in England in the late 1800's...
  - He suffered from a debilitating depression that often required the men of his church to physically carry him into the pulpit to preach...
  - Yet...
    - He preached 10 times per week (different sermons)...
    - He read 6 books per week...
    - He pastored the largest church in history at that time...
    - He founded and was president of a Bible college...
    - He founded and led an orphanage...
    - He wrote 140 books...
    - He was the editor of a monthly magazine...
    - He responded to 500 letters per week...
    - He was a good husband and a successful father...
  - And he did all of this without a computer, a cell phone, a microwave, or a car.
    - I read a biography of Spurgeon because someone told me it would encourage me.
    - It didn't encourage me at all.
    - It made me feel so guilty!
  - Did God mess up when he did not give me capacity to do that?
What if we looked for ways to praise God for our limits rather than always trying to conquer them?
I know the advice of the world is to get up every morning and say to yourself...
- I can do anything!
- I can achieve it all.
- I am in control.
- I am the king of my domain.
- Nothing will stand in my way.
But what if we got up each morning and said to ourselves...
- I am totally dependent on the Lord!
- I would not be anything without the Lord!
- God has gifted me to do all that he wants me to do.
- I will be faithful today to do that, and I will trust the Lord with my limitations.
- The Lord is the king of my domain.
I think it was Philip Yancey who asked...
- How much better would we be if we focused more on being humble and thankful than being productive and efficient?
Jesus said it this way...
- Matthew 6:33 | But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. (CSB)

Conclusion

Let's close with a verse from James...
- James 4:10 | Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. (CSB)
  - Humble yourself...
  - He will exalt you...