Church 1/27/2024
Offertory scripture:
Galatians 3:13-14
Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Sermon message:
Thesis: God rewards humility.
God rewards those who diligently seek Him.
Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Humility is important. It’s a big part of your character.
Humility is listening to God, believing Him, and acting on what He tells us to do. Also in how we treat each other.
Examples in the Bible:
Primary example: Jesus Christ.
Jesus humbled Himself; God therefore exalted Him.
Philippians 2:8-9
And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,
Another example: Moses
Moses humbled himself and then God exalted him.
Numbers 12:3
(Now the man Moses was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth.)
There are still cocky successful people.
Satan tempts people to choose another route. He tried it with Jesus.
Matthew 4:8-9
Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”
Jesus said no.
Matthew 4:10
Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”
Don’t try to get a reward from the devil.
Hebrews 11:24-26
By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.
Matthew 6:1-6
1 “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 3 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. 5 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
Don’t try to get your reward from people, either.
God rewards humility.
There are two ways to be successful, there’s God’s way and there’s man’s way. Choose God’s way.
Matthew 6:16-18
16 “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
Watch how you give, fast, and pray. Watch your heart.
Luke 18:10-14
10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ 13 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Proverbs 14:12
There is a way that seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of death.
Proverbs 16:25
There is a way that seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of death.
Don’t follow man’s way.
We must humble ourselves. No one else will humble us.
What kind of rewards does God give?
Point #1: God guides the humble.
Psalm 25:9
The humble He guides in justice,
And the humble He teaches His way.
Point #2: God gives more grace to the humble.
Grace is a free gift from Almighty God.
Proverbs 3:34
Surely He scorns the scornful,
But gives grace to the humble.
James 4:6
But He gives more grace. Therefore He says:
“God resists the proud,But gives grace to the humble.”
Luke 1:52
He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
And exalted the lowly.
(the translation I grew up with) He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble and meek.
1 Peter 5:5
Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for
“God resists the proud,But gives grace to the humble.”
Proverbs 11:2
When pride comes, then comes shame;But with the humble is wisdom.
Point #4: God gives honor to the humble.
Proverbs 15:33
The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom,
And before honor is humility.
Honor from God comes ^after^ humility.
Point #5: God lifts up the humble.
James 4:10
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.
1 Peter 5:6
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,
