Chapter 3, Humility, True Greatness

What does true greatness look like?

The sinful and cultural definition of greatness may look more like individuals motivated by,
*self-interest
*self-indulgence
*a false sense of self-sufficiency which pursues selfish ambitions for the purpose of self-glorification.

In Mark 10 we saw the apostles revealing their own attitudes of pridefulness as they argued about who was the greatest. But then we see Jesus taking the time to teach them a few things about greatness.

C.J. Mahaney comments on that teaching by Jesus,  "What I find fascinating and instructive in His next words is that Jesus does not categorically criticize or forbid the desire and ambition to be great.  Instead, He clearly redirects that ambition, redefines it and purifies it: 

"But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all, for even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."  Mark 10:43-45

 Jesus radically redefined greatness. He explained it as the genuine expression of humility; Serving others for the glory of God.

Do you find a battle bubbling up in your heart as you consider going the way of Jesus versus the way of the world?
As He taught the apostles, He teaches you and me.

In Chapter 4 we will see how He makes it possible for us to pursue and find freedom from the pride that God opposes.

For now, let's consider our own motives and desires.
Let's notice humble, selfless deeds in ourselves and others.
Let's allow Jesus to reveal new things to us as we focus our eyes on the true greatness that is all around us. 


 

Chapter 2 Humility, True Greatness

Pride not only appears to be the earliest sin, but it is at the core of all sin.
There's something to think about....

C.J. Mahaney points out that there is nothing God hates more than pride, it is the most serious sin.

In Proverbs 16:5  it says that "Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the LORD; be assured, he will not go unpunished.

Why does God hate pride so passionately?  The author says that pride is when sinful human beings aspire to the status and position of God and refuse to acknowledge their dependence upon Him.

Do we really do that?
We know that God is God and we are not, so do we really think we can go off on our own and live apart from Him and His ways?

Pride and arrogance share similarities. Of course we're not talking about the healthy pride that comes from doing a job well, but if we look at the definitions we see: 

Arrogance: an insulting way of thinking or behaving that comes from believing that you are better, smarter, or more important than other people

Pride: a feeling that you are more important or better than other people


Pride undermines unity and can ultimately divide a church. In this chapter we read, "Show me a church where there's division, where there's quarreling, and I'll show you a church where there's pride."

Is pride something we all struggle with?   Do we rationalize it?

Although the subject of pride is not a pleasant one, we have to see that as always, God is gracious and merciful to show us the dangers around us.  He teaches us His way,  the way of humility.

In our next chapter we will see how Jesus addresses selfish ambition and self-righteousness.

May we each trust Him as He shines the light of His love into our hearts.

Determine today, which things please the Lord.

As we learn to stick close to Jesus...abiding...remaining... allowing Him to make us fruitful, let's let go of the old ways so we can shine for Him

Ephesians 5  God's Word Translation

 Imitate God, 
since you are the children he loves.

  ² Live in love as Christ also loved us. He gave his life for us as an 

offering and sacrifice, 

a soothing aroma to God.

 

³ Don’t let sexual sin, perversion of any kind, or greed even be 
mentioned among you. 

This is not appropriate behavior for God’s holy people.

  ⁴ It’s not right that dirty stories, foolish talk, or obscene jokes should be mentioned 
among you either.

 Instead, give thanks to God.

  ⁵ You know very well that no person who is involved in sexual sin, perversion, or greed (which means worshiping wealth) can have any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 
  ⁶ Don’t let anyone deceive you with meaningless words.

 It is because of sins like these that God’s anger comes to those who 

refuse to obey him. 

  ⁷ Don’t be partners with them.

⁸ Once you lived in the dark, but now the Lord has filled you with light. Live as children who have light. 
  ⁹ Light produces everything that is good, that has God’s approval, 
and that is true.  

¹⁰ Determine which things please the Lord.

  ¹¹ Have nothing to do with the useless works that darkness produces. Instead, expose them for what they are. 

  ¹² It is shameful to talk about what some people do in secret.  

¹³ Light exposes the true character of everything 

  ¹⁴ because light makes everything easy to see. That’s why it says:

“Wake up, sleeper!
    Rise from the dead,
        and Christ will shine on you.”^[a]

¹⁵ So then, be very careful how you live. 

Don’t live like foolish people but like wise people. 

  ¹⁶ Make the most of your opportunities because these are evil days.
  ¹⁷ So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord wants. ^1
8 Don’t get drunk on wine, which leads to wild living. Instead, be filled with the Spirit^{[b] 19} by reciting psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs for your own good. Sing and make music to the Lord with your hearts.  

²⁰ Always thank God the Father for everything 

in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

John 15

J.B. Phillips New Testament (PHILLIPS)

Jesus teaches union with himself

15 ^1-8 “I am the real vine, my Father is the vine-dresser. He removes any of my branches which are not bearing fruit and he prunes every branch that does bear fruit to increase its yield. Now, you have already been pruned by my words. You must go on growing in me and I will grow in you. For just as the branch cannot bear any fruit unless it shares the life of the vine, so you can produce nothing unless you go on growing in me. I am the vine itself, you are the branches. It is the man who shares my life and whose life I share who proves fruitful. For the plain fact is that apart from me you can do nothing at all. The man who does not share my life is like a branch that is broken off and withers away. He becomes just like the dry sticks that men pick up and use for the firewood. But if you live your life in me, and my words live in your hearts, you can ask for whatever you like and it will come true for you. This is how my Father will be glorified—in your becoming fruitful and being my disciples.

^9-15 “I have loved you just as the Father has loved me. You must go on living in my love. If you keep my commandments you will live in my love just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and live in his love. I have told you this so that you can share my joy, and that your happiness may be complete. This is my commandment: that you love each other as I have loved you. There is no greater love than this—that a man should lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I tell you to do. I shall not call you servants any longer, for a servant does not share his master’s confidence. No, I call you friends, now, because I have told you everything that I have heard from the Father.
¹⁶ “It is not that you have chosen me; but it is I who have chosen you. I have appointed you to go and bear fruit that will be lasting; so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give it to you.

Comments on Chapter 1 of Humility, True Greatness

Before we move on to chapter 2, I want to ask what you all thought of the end of chapter 1, where we learn about the different experiences of two churches.
We see that "Jim's" church had been through a serious split.  Jim compared his church to the success of Covenant Life Church which was celebrating it's 25th anniversary.
Both churches had:
     A love for God's Word.
     They loved grace, and worship.
     They valued the importance of relationships.

The difference was, that Covenant Life Church placed "a strong emphasis on humility, especially among the leaders." 
Jim acknowledged that his split church did not have that.

We need to ask ourselves, the author states, when it comes to the
values we live by,
will others testify that humility characterizes our lives?
He says that so many human ventures, so many grand designs of mankind, have been undermined because humility was lacking.

We are challenged to ask ourselves, what are we building with our lives?
 A marriage? A family? A business?  A church?  A career?
Whatever your venture, are you aware of your need for God's grace to give your efforts lasting value?
If we humbly acknowledge our need for God's providential help and blessing, we allow the promise of humility to shape our life and choices.

So can we ask ourselves,  individually and corporately -  are we humble?
Are we people who walk in humility?  With the members of our congregation, our community and our own family and friends?
It is by the grace of God that we are saved. We are dead without His grace.  Do we "walk the talk" of humility?
Our beloved New Ipswich Congregational Church is nothing without the grace of God. God gives grace to the humble.... and He opposes the proud.

Coming up next, chapter 2 where we will look at just how dangerous pride is. 

Scripture Memorization

I came across this very helpful article about memorizing Scripture. There are many helpful, encouraging ideas here.  Can anyone add their own thoughts or experiences?  Does anyone want to take the challenge of memorizing an entire book?

Why Do It?

First, the inspiration.
Dallas Willard, professor of Philosophy at the University of Southern California, wrote,

"Bible memorization is absolutely fundamental to spiritual formation. If I had to choose between all the disciplines of the spiritual life, I would choose Bible memorization, because it is a fundamental way of filling our minds with what it needs. This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth. That’s where you need it! How does it get in your mouth? Memorization."
(“Spiritual Formation in Christ for the Whole Life and Whole Person” in Vocatio, Vol. 12, no. 2, Spring, 2001, 7).

Chuck Swindoll wrote,

"I know of no other single practice in the Christian life more rewarding, practically speaking, than memorizing Scripture. . . . No other single exercise pays greater spiritual dividends! Your prayer life will be strengthened. Your witnessing will be sharper and much more effective. Your attitudes and outlook will begin to change. Your mind will become alert and observant. Your confidence and assurance will be enhanced. Your faith will be solidified."
 (Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life, [Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994], 61).

How to Do It

Second, the application.
The most helpful practical method I have ever run into, especially for memorizing longer passages, is the booklet from Andy Davis and is downloadable here.

November 3 Luncheon of LOVE

I am making apple crisp... with lots of LOVE!  And tomorrow I will share it with whoever attends the luncheon, (which is also prepared with lots of love).

Jesus showed us that relationships are so very important.  What a privilege we have to be able to come together, share a meal and rejoice in all God has blessed us with.

I hope to see you there!
xoxo

#1 Humility Book Study

The great teacher, preacher and evangelist Oswald Chambers, who I have learned so much from, says "the great characteristic of a saint is humility..."
 If we are saved by Jesus Christ, we are saints.  If we are saints, we should be humble.

One definition of humble is to have or show a modest or low estimate of one's own importance. This may not be difficult when we are comparing ourselves to our awesome, powerful and majestic Creator, but the challenge can increase dramatically when we compare ourselves to some others in our lives, possibly a brother or sister, the neighbor or a co-worker.

In the first chapter of our book on humility, we read that author Jim Collins, has identified two specific character qualities shared by the CEO's of companies which have succeeded in progressing from a standard of good to great.  He found the leaders were unsurprisingly, driven. They were willing to endure anything to make their company a success. 
Collins goes on to show that these driven leaders were also "self-effacing and modest".  Did that come as a surprise to you? 
When you think of leaders who you know or have heard of, are these attributes you see?
 Of course all leaders aren't CEO's.  We see leaders in all walks of life.
Do the descriptions of self-effacing and modest fit the ones that come to your mind?
The evaluation by Collins seems to show us that humility works, even in the worldly sense.  We read that humility gets the worlds attention, but even more importantly, it gets God's attention.

Can we find what God is after, when He says in Isaiah 66:2,

..."This is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word."  

 I looked up a few other translations of that Scripture, hoping to gain a richer understanding.  

The New English Translation Bible says,

 "I show special favor to the humble and contrite, who respect 

what I have to say."

The God Version says,

 "I will pay attention to those who are humble and sorry for their sins and who tremble at my word.

 And lastly,  the Holman Christian Standard Bible says,

 "This is the LORD's declaration. I will look favorably on this kind of person: one who is humble, submissive in spirit, and trembles at My word."

So pause there and reflect on what He is telling us.
Then ask yourself, where am I, in all of this?
Are you in the "camp" of the humble and submissive in spirit, trembling....TREMBLING...at His word?
The word of God claims that the characteristics of humility, submissiveness and repentance, will draw God's favorable attention.

I want God's favorable attention.
I want Him to open my eyes to every prideful thought and deed.
I want Him to allow me to comprehend the power of His word, causing me to tremble.
I want, and will choose, to believe His words in Hebrews 4:16, to come boldly unto the throne of grace, that I may obtain mercy, and find grace to help me in my time of need.

As we go through this study on humility, we will all find it transforming to bow before the throne of God, and to ask His Spirit to show us all of those places in our lives where pride has taken hold. 
Oh but beware...pride is insidious; subtle; sly.
We may be astounded at what we find - but that's a good thing!
Bring it all to Jesus, and leave it there.
When we acknowledge our pridefulness and humbly confess it to Him, His grace is with us.  He looks favorably upon us.
And there's no better place to be than under His grace. 

If you'd like to share any thoughts or questions on this first study, or anything else in the first chapter, please do.  We'll give it a few days for discussion and then move on.

May God teach us, transform us and draw us together by His Holy Spirit, graciously revealing new things to each of us, so that the body of Christ will be strengthened and equipped to do His will.
~God bless each of you.

Information on the Book Study of Humility, True Greatness, by C.J.Mahaney

If you'd like to follow the posts related to the book study, you may submit your email in the right hand column of this site, Livingwatercafe@blogspot.com.

 You may also return here to the blog or go to the Facebook page of Living Water Cafe.

If you have any questions or problems, let us know!
Looking forward to learning with you.