1. We are going to study a subject that is one that is in no danger of being overworked by preachers.

2. In fact in the course of study for this sermon I surveyed over 100 sermon books sermon outline books and found not one complete sermon on today’s subject,

3. Someone has written the following imaginary conversation someone between George Washington Carver and the Lord:

"Lord, what is the universe"?

"George, the universe is just too big for you to understand, suppose you let me take care of the universe."

"Lord, if the universe is too much for me to understand, then what is a peanut?"

"Now George there you have something your size; you can understand something about a peanut. Work with that and I'll help you."

A. Many misunderstand humility. It is not:

1. A human doormat. A doormat wouldn't have run the money changers out of the temple.

2. A Casper milquetoast.

3. These are the characteristics of timidity and fear, not humility.

B. IT IS THE OPPOSITE OF PRIDE!

C. James 4:6, 10

D. Humility looks to her duty, does it, and then doesn't worry about the credit.

E. It causes one to say. "I’m not yet humble."

1. Perhaps you’ve heard of the new best seller, Humility and How I Achieved It: or America's 10 Greates Men and How I Chose The Other Nine.

2. The minute you think you have it you’ve lost it.

F. Thaye - Humility =’s "Not rising far from the Ground, To be ranked be low those who are honored. To bring down one's pride."

G. Thayer - Pride =’s Showing one's self above others, over topping Pride =’s To be exposed to view, to be manifest.

H. There is nothing wrong with being proud (i.e. happy about you’re your son's baseball victory. But when you say "Ha, that shows that were better than them," The last attitude is wrong.

I. Humility is a refusal to rank one's self above others.

A. Phil. 2:3-10 NOTE: strife is the result of pride.

1. Humility doesn't react when its pride is offended. Jesus didn’t strike back when he was offended.

2. Cleansing the temple (John 2:13-18).

3. Blasphemy of the H.S.

4. Matt. 23:13 ff. You: can abuse me if you want But you are abusing the widows and I won’t have it, etc.

B. Luke 18:9-14 the publican and the Pharisee.

1. Note again the contrast of pride and humility.

2. Describe the scene: In your mind’s eye, picture a bowl hanging from the ceiling A wick hangs over the edge of the bowl. The sputtering flame castes a soft orange glow on the scene below. Twelve men surround a table. Several of them seem to be arguing about something. It is clear that the one at the head of the table is deeply disappointed by the argument. As you move closer, you realize they are arguing over who will be greatest in the kingdom.

3. Now, read John 13:1-16.

4. Jesus washed the feet of those quarreling about rank Lk. 22:24

5. He washed the feet of the traitor.

C. Lincoln refused a victory march into Richmond, Va. He walked through the city and to Jefferson's desk. He sent his two aids out. After a while one of the aids looked in to the study to see Lincoln1s head bowed, face in his hands with his elbows resting on Jefferson Davis1 desk, tears streaming down his cheeks. HE WAS NOT ANGERED BY THEIR OPPOSITION TO HIM AS THE PRESIDENT, BUT RATHER HE WAS TEARFUL OVER A COUNTRY TORN TO SHREDS.

D. Consider the humility of Jesus on the cross.

1. Are you humble?

2. It is difficult to say I have sinned.

3. "I have sinned" is found only about 7 times in the Bible.

4. Any Jew would immediately tell you that David was the greatest king Israel ever had (Psa. 51)

5. Paul (Acts 9:20)

6. Can you surrender all to the will of Jesus?

 

HUMILITY ILLUSTRATIONS

THE AMARYLLIS.

Even a good person may have too much self-esteem. It was when Job said, "I abhor myself," that God gave him twice as much wealth as he had ever possessed before. In some forms of plant life, as the amaryllis, the foliage must die before the flowers of beauty can come forth.

BEST TEST OF GREATNESS.

After John Quincy Adams retired from the Presidency he served for seventeen years in the lower house of Congress. When James Madison completed his eight years in the Presidential chair, he retired to his Virginia plantation, and filled the office of justice of the peace.

If you have been honored by being chosen to serve a term or two at the head of any organization, do not hesitate to accept the appointment on some committee after your term of office has expired. .He who possesses genuine humility never feels above doing helpful things. This is the best test of a great soul

HIS GREATEST VICTORY.

When news reached Lincoln that Lee had surrendered and the officials began to make preparations to enter Richmond, the President put his foot down and said: "There shall be no triumphant entry into Richmond. There shall be no demonstration just now." He made his way tp Richmond, walked through the city to the Southern Capitol, and went to Jefferson Davis' room.

He bade his two officials step aside and leave him alone. After a few minutes, one of them, out of curiosity, looked to see what had taken place, and there sat Lincoln, his head bowed on Mr. Davis' desk, his face in his hands and his tears falling. The angels of God never looked down from the battlements of heaven upon a holier scene than that. His great, sympathetic heart saved the republic. That was the greatest victory of the Civil War; that settled the struggle; that bound the North and South together, and Abraham Lincoln, like his great Master, died of a broken heart It burst with sympathy.—Cortland Myers.