We are transformed when we change our thinking according to the Word of God. Hearing, seeing, and studying a scriptural truth in a repetitious way exponentially increases our absorption of that truth. Trials will actually come because of the Word that we have received (Mark 4), so we must know for a fact "that's what the Word says!" That assurance comes by revelation and the revelation comes through meditation - reading and studying the Word about a particular truth. As we study the Word on a particular topic, we begin to incorporate more of the facets of that truth into our mindset. (See attached image "The Mindset of Humility" below for some of the facets of the truth of humility). Comparison is a major stumbling block that comes with pride. God, however, is the great equalizer - more gifts come with more responsibility. In our thinking we tend to compare people with us based on the gifts they have, but God looks at how we use the gifts we have.
Brad Ettore
For the past thirty years, Pastor Brad has been an avid student and teacher of The Word of God. He has taught in multiple churches around the nation, numerous home bible study groups, in prisons, and to a large group of pastors in the Philippines.
Brad grew up with some knowledge of God, but no personal relationship with his Creator. After a tragic loss of his brother occurred right before his eyes, Brad found himself angry with and completely resistant to God. That all began to change a few years later, when one of the employees of his business was such a wonderful witness that he had to ask her, “what is different about you?” Her response: “Jesus!” He later accepted her invitation to a church service where Brad was radically saved and soon after baptized in the Holy Spirit!
After this powerful encounter with God, Brad immediately had an insatiable hunger for the Word of God, reading the New Testament 52 times, and the Old Testament 6 times in his first year as a believer! This download ignited a fire in Brad to want to share the truths of the Kingdom with all who did not yet know the Lord. Today, he has been blessed with well over 1,000 opportunities to lead people on a one-on-one basis into a personal relationship with our Precious Lord Jesus!
Brad spent the early part of his Christian life ministering primarily within the context of the business world wherein he had a variety of successful companies and ventures. In the Fall of 2011, it became clear to several other church leaders and to Brad that the Lord was leading him to serve as the senior pastor of a church. He named the church “Agathos,” a Greek word from the New Testament which means “pure goodness”, identifying and honoring what Brad has come to know and love most about the Lord: “Oh taste and see that the Lord is Good” (Ps. 34:8). Since that time, Brad has been blessed to witness exceptional spiritual growth in this wonderful body of believers through the transforming power of the Word of God!
Leaving Space for Grace
When we understand humility, we will value it, and when we value humility, we will pursue it. Every single time we step into pride, we just lost an opportunity for grace. We would see the goodness of God in our lives more frequently – on a daily basis – if we would make the decision to throw off that which God hates (pride) and embrace that which brings the very gaze of God (humility)! Humility is a lightning rod to attract the grace of God, and a radical blessing to all who possess it! Humility = Liberation. Pride = Bondage. Humility = Rest and Blessed. Pride = Stress and a Mess. God wants to exalt us, but we have to first make the commitment to humility. Choose today to leave "space for grace" - choose humility!
The Various Forms of Pride
Humility is the atmosphere of our heart that will invite the presence of God like nothing else! The pride of man, on the other hand, has produced every argument, war, murder, and rape that have ever taken place in the human race. ONLY pride causes contention. The pride of man is the nature of the devil. Love, on the other hand, always flows with humility. Humility cannot be separated form love. Humility is also a place of rest. There are multiple manifestations of pride; here are a few of its various forms: 1. Pride always wants to exalt itself. 2. Pride is not interested in others, only in self. 3. Pride always tries to be "different." 4. Pride does not want to be taught or corrected; it only wants to teach and correct others, always being right.
A Review of the Series So Far
Pride is the inverse - the antithesis - of humility. It is literally evil and demonic. Humility on the other hand, is the nature of God and the very atmosphere of Heaven. Humility is not concerned with itself at all because it has put itself into God's hands. Humility isn't about thinking less of ourselves, but rather thinking of ourselves less. Pride is self-seeking. Humility is God-seeking. Pride is independent. Humility is inter-dependent. In John 15:5, Jesus says "without me, you can do nothing." Phil. 4:13 says "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." We can do anything and everything so long as we are walking in humility - dependency on God!
Self-Confidence vs. God-Confidence
Having a model is a key to learning humility. There is no greater model than our Lord, as He came not for His own glory but to do the will of the Father. Despite His Deity, Jesus "made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men." Jesus humbled Himself and became obedient to The Father - even to the point of dying on the cross. As with Jesus, when we give ourselves entirely to God, we move from self-confidence to God-confidence.
Pictures of Humility and Pride
There are two main ways that we can cultivate humility: directly through studying and cultivating humility itself, or, indirectly, through understanding and resisting pride. Humility is the absence of pride. Pride and humility are both mirrors - they reflect how we view ourselves and the world around us. Pride is self-made and self-focused. A picture of humility is "us in a crowd." Contrary to that, all pride sees is itself. Humility is acutely circumspect. Pride is acutely self-absorbed. Humility does not have anything to prove, only someone to please. Humility does "the best I can with what I have!"
Humility Will Not Leave You Behind
Humility will not leave you behind in life – it will actually propel you forward, as it will invoke the grace of God, for “God resists the proud but gives Grace to the humble” (James 4:6, 1Pet. 5:5). True humility is NOT talent denial. False humility is pride in disguise. Humility is the original design for our hearts; pride is the intruder. True humility simply sees yourself accurately. Pride is pure deception - it believes that this world is all about "me!" We are often so worried about protecting and promoting ourselves that we don't care for others. We think "if I don't take care of myself, who will?" God says "just love them and I will take care of you."
Humility vs. Pride
Saint Augustine said "It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels." Lucifer's fall from Heaven was predicated by pride. Our salvation (receiving God's grace) is preceded by humility. Pride is the desire to be in control, which is to be "as God" over our own lives. But humility is the enemy of pride! Humility is beautiful, protective, and powerful.
Introduction to the Series
Andrew Murray, prolific Christian author, said the #1 characteristic that all Christians should be known by is humility. So what does God say about humility? We may be surprised about some biblical aspects of humility. For instance, humility is not "head down" or "tail between legs." This sermon series is meant to provide a chance to renew our minds according to what the Word of God says about humility.
God is fine with us having money - He just doesn't want money to have us. Our treasure will be where we believe our provision is from. The tithe is a powerful tool that God gives us to keep our hearts set on Him as our source of provision.
3 Types of "Works"
The New Testament talks about three kinds of "works." Good works are good works with good motives. Bad works are good works with wrong motives. Ugly works are sinful works. There are no works to do FOR right standing with God, but there are plenty of works to do BECAUSE OF right standing with God! God is not asking for our ability. God is just asking for our availability.
A Picture of Our Spiritual House
We are being built up as a spiritual house. The foundation that Jesus built for us puts us in right standing with the Father, and we can build on that foundation!
Grace: Our Spiritual Foundation
"For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ." (1 Cor. 3:11) The foundation has been laid by Christ. We cannot re-lay it, but we can build on it. It's time to build on top of that foundation!
Introduction to the Series
Jesus' obedience purchased our right standing with God, but our obedience matters as well. First, our obedience is essential to our transformation (i.e. maturation) process in the Lord. Secondly, our obedience carries with it great gain/reward both here on earth and in heaven. Christ's obedience is the foundation on which we build with works not FOR righteousness, but FROM righteousness.
“But now, the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed...even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe.” (Romans 3:21-22 ) When Adam sinned, it was by one man’s disobedience that sin entered the world, and death through sin. So, just as through one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.” (Rom 5:19) What a powerful truth! Our righteousness is based upon the obedience of another – Jesus! The righteousness we stand in is based on the work of ONE! And His work is done! There is ONE Man who made me right with God! Not me! It is solely based on the finished work of Christ! This is why Paul instructs us to "take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ." (2 Cor. 10:5)