Connecting The Dots - Week 8 Notes (Humility)

Connecting The Dots Week 8

               “Humility”

Key Verse: “Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:1-4)

 As believers in Jesus Christ humility is our point of origin; the mental, emotional, and spiritual place from which every part of our faith walk begins when we properly understand the character and nature of God. Moses’ reaction was “Who am I that I should go?” (Exodus 3:10), Isaiah was “undone” (Isaiah 6:5), The Apostle Paul declared, “I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me” (Philippians 3:12) 

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

“Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips.” (Proverbs 27:2)

Humility is to live and walk by faith in the praise that comes not only from people, but first and most directly from God. We are called to speak and act in the victory we have through what Jesus did on the Cross, no more, no less. In the same moment we realize our utter bankruptcy apart from Him God sets our feet on solid ground and, when we are ready, sends us out in His Power to be like Him in the world.

“I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:3-5)

This “demonstration of the Spirit and power” is the same that emboldened Moses to hear the words “I AM who I AM” then free an entire nation, the same that brought forth the words “Here am I, send me” from the lips of Isaiah when God asked for one who would prophecy no matter what the cost, and finally the same that, through Paul, inspired 2/3 of the New Testament.

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” (James 4:10)

“as He is, so also are we in this world.” (1 John 4:17)

Jesus Christ left us an example to follow and His character in humility is at the very core. (1 Peter 2:21), (John 13:12-15), (Philippians 2:5-8)

“Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:28-29)

Discussion:

 

1.

In what way(s) has God called you personally to humble yourself? Why?

 

2.

What does humility is the presence of God mean to you in practical a way that effects your everyday life?

 

More Ref. scriptures: (Romans 13:14), (James 1:9-11), (James 4:10), (James 4:6-10), (1 Peter 5:5-7), (Proverbs 16:18-19), (Michah 6:8), (Psalm 24:1-3)