Having trouble with the video? Click here for help
Click here to go to beginning of the service
NEW! Click here to watch with captions (for the deaf & hard of hearing) or in other languages
"Releasing Our Grip" part 4 of the "8 simple things" series
Dr. Scott e. Koenigsaecker
Hebrews 12:1-2 ~ January 30, 2011
INTRODUCTION
A. "…let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us." Hebrews 12:1
B. "Perhaps the biggest sin we need to strip off, is our pre-occupation with ourselves." Pastor & Author Dr. Charles Swindoll
I. FIRST, WE WILL BE HUMBLE BEFORE GOD.
A. "…the Lord has told you what is good…to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8
B. How God views us:
· On the one hand we are flawed sinners.
"All have sinned and fall short of God's glorious ideal."
Romans 3:23
· On the other hand He values us deeply.
"See how very much our Father loves us, for He calls us His children, and that is what we are!" I John 3:1
C. God's goal is to increase our value.
"For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength."
Philippians 4:13
"God uses it [the Bible] to prepare and equip us His people to do every good work." 2 Timothy 3:17
· This will only happen if we are willing to surrender to Him.
"Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5
D. Humility before God will be rewarded.
· He will encourage you in your time of trouble.
"God opposes the proud but favors the humble…Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up in honor." James 4:6 &10
· He will hear your prayers, forgive you and bless you.
"Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14
· He will give you the guidance you need.
"He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way." Psalm 25:9
II. SECOND, WE WILL BE HUMBLE BEFORE OTHERS.
A. People who put Christ first are humble toward others.
"Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too." Philippians 2:3-4
· "Love your neighbor as you love yourself." Matthew 22:39
B. Jesus is just such a model.
"You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though He was God, He did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, He gave up His divine privileges, He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being." Philippians 2:5-7
C. We often believe some myths about humility….
D. All humble people ask this question, "How can I help you?"
"Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave to everyone else." Mark 10:43-44
CONCLUSION