Exploring This Week’s Message
Welcome to this week’s Bible study session. Today, we will delve into the theme of pride as discussed in the recent sermon. Our focus will be on understanding what pride is, why it is considered a significant sin in the Bible, and how we can overcome it through humility. We will explore various scriptures and practical applications to help us live a life that honors God. Before we begin, take a moment to pray asking for God’s guidance and wisdom as we study His Word.
Scripture Focus For The Week:
Proverbs 6:16-19: “There are six things the Lord hates, even that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies, and a person who stirs up conflict among brothers.”
Ephesians 3:12: “In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.”
Overview of the Sermon
Pastor Jim began his sermon by encouraging us to connect and celebrate our freedom in Christ. The key scripture was Ephesians 3:12, which speaks about the freedom and confidence we have in approaching God through faith in Jesus Christ. The sermon then transitioned into a time of worship, emphasizing the greatness of God and our gratitude for His works.
Jim’s message focused on pride which he identified as “Public Enemy Number One” in God’s eyes. He highlighted Proverbs 6:16-19, which lists seven things that God detests, with “haughty eyes” or pride being the first.
He emphasized that the cure for pride is humility because humility imprisons pride. He encouraged us to follow Jesus’ example of humility as seen in His life and teachings.
The Core Message: Public Enemy Number One
The core message focuses on “public enemy number one, which he identified as the most detestable sin in God’s eyes. Proverbs 6:16-19 was the foundational scripture, listing seven things that God hates. Jim explained that “haughty eyes” in the original Hebrew translates to “arrogance” or “conceit.” This sinful attitude can creep up on us. Sometimes we become prideful at work, in sports, even in our Christian faith. Jim also explained there is an important difference between being arrogant and having confidence. We can have confidence in our abilities, but we should never feel superior because of it.
The Dangers of Pride
Jim used a balloon as an excellent visual aid to help illustrate how pride can puff us up. Just as a balloon can only hold so much air before it bursts, our pride can only inflate only so much before it leads to our downfall. This visual demonstration was a stark reminder of the destructive nature of this sin.
Three Types of Pride:
- Personal: This is the pride that makes us think we are better than others. The preacher referenced Matthew 23:11-12, where Jesus teaches that the greatest among us should be our servant. The Pharisees were used as an example of those who exhibited personal pride, seeking honor and recognition from others.
- Positional: This type is about seeking positions of honor and authority. Luke 14:8-10 was cited, where Jesus advises taking the lowest seat at a banquet rather than seeking the place of honor. This teaches us the importance of humility in social settings.
- Spiritual: This is perhaps the most dangerous form of all, as it affects our relationship with God. The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke 18:9-14 was used to illustrate this point. The Pharisee boasted about his righteousness, while the tax collector humbly asked for God’s mercy. Jesus declared that the tax collector, not the Pharisee, went home justified before God.
The Consequences of Arrogance
Jim emphasized that pride leads to destruction, referencing Proverbs 16:18: “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” This was illustrated through the story of Satan’s fall from heaven due to his pride (Isaiah 14:12-15) and the original sin of Adam and Eve, who wanted to be like God (Genesis 3:1-6). Extreme arrogance can negatively impact our personal lives, marriages, friendships, and at work. No one likes to around someone who acts superior or is full of themselves.
The Example of Jesus
To counteract this sin, Jim pointed to the example of Jesus who demonstrated ultimate humility. John 13:1-17 describes where Jesus washes His disciples’ feet, setting an example of servant-hood. Philippians 2:5-8 was also cited, highlighting how Jesus humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death on a cross. In our own lives, we can practice this same servant-hood attitude at any time or any place by putting others ahead of ourselves and striving to be considerate and helpful.
Action Steps We Can Take
The sermon concluded with practical steps to overcome pride:
- Self-Examination: Regularly examine your heart for areas of arrogance.
- Confession and Repentance: Confess your arrogance to God and seek His forgiveness.
- Serving Others: Look for opportunities to serve others and put their needs above your own.
- Accountability: Find an accountability partner who can help you stay humble.
Reflection
Questions to Ask Yourself:
- Can you think of a time where you acted conceited or better than someone else? How do you feel about it now? Have you taken steps to change?
- What could you personally do to have a more humble attitude?
- Why is it better to be humble than arrogant or egotistical?
Our worship leader, Tyler, reminded us of the importance of humility in approaching the Lord’s Table. Philippians 3:7-9 was read to emphasize that our righteousness comes from faith in Christ, not from our own works. The congregation was encouraged to reflect on their own lives, confess their pride, and seek to live in humility. He talked about not looking down on others or seeing ourselves greater than others.
Final Thoughts
This week’s sermon was a compelling reminder of the dangers of pride and the importance of humility in our walk with God. By examining the different types of pride and looking to Jesus as our ultimate example, we are encouraged to live a life that honors God and serves others. The practical steps provided give us a roadmap to overcome pride and to cultivate a heart of humility. As we go about our week, let’s remember to examine our hearts and seek to serve others as Christ would do.
Closing Prayer
“Lord, I thank You for this time of study and reflection. Help me to recognize and overcome pride in my life. Give me the strength to humble myself and to serve and see others as Jesus did. May I always seek to imitate You in all that I do. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”
Lakeview Christian Church of Portage Lakes invites you to join us in this Sunday. Together, we can experience God’s Grace and share the love of Jesus with those around us.
