This is the manuscript of the sermon delivered on Sunday June 12, 2022.
Contemplation of creation, including mankind, and its glories, in other words, the action of looking thoughtfully at His creation, humbles God. He is so far above his creation in majesty and might. Yet He humbles himself.
He is mighty yet humble just as He is powerful yet gentle. As we think about his humility, we raise three questions.
In broad terms, what is humility?
What is the significance of God’s humility?
What should result in our lives from even a glimpse of God’s humility?
You can watch a video recording of the entire service on the Christ Church YouTube Channel https://youtu.be/jOmK_cRp9fI
Scripture:
Psalms 113:1-9 NKJV Praise the Lord! Praise, O servants of the Lord, Praise the name of the Lord! Blessed be the name of the Lord From this time forth and forevermore! From the rising of the sun to its going down The Lord’s name is to be praised. The Lord is high above all nations, His glory above the heavens. Who is like the Lord our God, Who dwells on high, Who humbles Himself to behold The things that are in the heavens and in the earth? He raises the poor out of the dust, And lifts the needy out of the ash heap, That He may seat him with princes— With the princes of His people. He grants the barren woman a home, Like a joyful mother of children. Praise the Lord!
Sermon
Three weeks ago my sermon was about the justice of God. In it I said that:
The justice of God assures.
The justice of God assures us that it makes sense to pray
The justice of God assures us that our world rests solidly on a moral foundation.
The justice of God assures us that the end result will be right and good.
The justice of God implies.
The justice of God implies that He will judge the wicked, the sinful, and the rebellious.
The justice of God implies his acquittal of the innocent and the oppressed.
The justice of God implies his eternal correction of earthly injustice.
The justice of God warns.
The justice of God warns us that we are not to doubt God’s character.
The justice of God requires.
The justice of God requires that sin be punished and that it be punished by death.
The justice of God requires a cross.
The justice of God requires justification by faith as the gift of God.
Last week I talked about the gentleness of God.
We looked at God’s gentleness against the background of his power. The greater the power, the more striking the gentleness becomes. God is both gentle and powerful.
Isaiah 40:10-11 ESV Behold, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.
He is full of power, but gentle when it comes to protecting the vulnerable.
God’s gentleness reveals his infinite patience with even the worst of us.
God’s gentleness makes us into what he wants us to be.
Romans 8:29-30 ESV For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
Today I want to talk about the humility of God
Text:
Psalms 113:5-6 NKJV Who is like the Lord our God, Who dwells on high, Who humbles Himself to behold The things that are in the heavens and in the earth?
Introduction
The humility of God is the thought at the center of Psalm 113 from which I took my text.
Psalms 113:5-6 NKJV Who is like the Lord our God, Who dwells on high, Who humbles Himself to behold The things that are in the heavens and in the earth?
Psalm 133 is the first of the six psalms (133-138) that are known as the “Hallel” because the dominant note in all six is praise. The Hallel, from which we get the word hallelujah was sung as a part of the Passover observance. In ancient times, the time of Jesus on the earth, Jews recited these hymns on the three required Pilgrimage Festivals, when they offered their required sacrifices at the Temple of Jerusalem.
Remember on Pentecost Sunday I said 3 times each year all Israelite males were required to be in Jerusalem.
Deuteronomy 16:16 NIV Three times a year all your men must appear before the Lord your God at the place he will choose: at the Festival of Unleavened Bread (Passover), the Festival of Weeks (Pentecost) and the Festival of Tabernacles. No one should appear before the Lord empty-handed: (emphasis mine)
When Mark it says in
Mark 14:26 NKJV And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
It may have been a part of the Hallel that they sang. Two contrasting thoughts about God support and complement one another in Psalm 113. The psalmist praises the name of God on two counts. He is high, yet he is lowly—above the nations and above the heavens yet humbling himself to behold the heavens and the earth.
Psalms 113:5-6 NKJV Who is like the Lord our God, Who dwells on high, Who humbles Himself to behold The things that are in the heavens and in the earth?
Contemplation of creation, including mankind, and its glories, in other words, the action of looking thoughtfully at His creation, humbles God. He is so far above his creation in majesty and might. Yet He humbles himself.
He is mighty yet humble just as He is powerful yet gentle. As we think about his humility, we raise three questions.
In broad terms, what is humility?
What is the significance of God’s humility?
What should result in our lives from even a glimpse of God’s humility?
I. In broad terms, what is humility?
Consider six affirmations.
Humility is the realization that we do not know it all.
Humility is the prerequisite to honesty.
Humility is the willingness to listen.
Humility is the mindset needed in order to serve.
Humility is God’s way to, and condition for, power.
Humility is one of the greatest things in Christian character.
A. Humility is the realization that we do not know it all.
I Corinthians 8:2-3 NKJV And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.
There is a story about a little girl when she came home from her first day at school, her father teasingly asked, “Did you learn everything today?” “No,” she answered with obvious disappointment, “I have to go back tomorrow.”
It is good for us to realize that we have not learned everything, that we “have to go back tomorrow.”
B. Humility is the prerequisite to honesty.
Proverbs 11:2 NKJV When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom.
James 4:6 NKJV But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”
This is the kind of honesty that can keep pride from blinding us to our own shortcomings as well as to the virtues of others. True humility can free us from the blindness of prejudice, envy, and hatred. It can enable us to rejoice in the gifts and achievements of others.
Philippians 2:3 ESV Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
C. Humility is the willingness to listen.
Mark 4:23-24 ESV If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you.
James 1:19-20 NIV My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
A truly humble person is one who is willing to listen.
Proverbs 19:20 ESV Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.
And finally here’s what Jesus said as presented in the NLT
Matthew 7:24-25 NLT “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.
D. Humility is the mindset needed in order to serve.
Those who think they are too big to serve others are really confessing that they are too little. Jesus performed the lowliest service that one person could render another, and his dignity did not suffer at all.
He said in
Matthew 11:29 ESV Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Then He proved it.
John 13:3-5, 16 ESV Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.
There is a scripture in the Psalms that’s very appropriate here.
Psalm 84:10 ESV For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper (or servant) in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
E. Humility is God’s way to, and condition for, power.
Only the humble does he deem worthy to trust with power.
Here's an example, Moses was given great power by God but Moses is described as being very humble.
There was an incident when the Israelites were in the wilderness on their way to the Promised Land when Moses' brother and sister Aaron and Miriam opposed him.
Numbers 12:3-9 NLT (Now Moses was very humble—more humble than any other person on earth.) So immediately the Lord called to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam and said, “Go out to the Tabernacle, all three of you!” So the three of them went to the Tabernacle. Then the Lord descended in the pillar of cloud and stood at the entrance of the Tabernacle. “Aaron and Miriam!” he called, and they stepped forward. And the Lord said to them, “Now listen to what I say: “If there were prophets among you, I, the Lord, would reveal myself in visions. I would speak to them in dreams. But not with my servant Moses. Of all my house, he is the one I trust. I speak to him face to face, clearly, and not in riddles! He sees the Lord as he is. So why were you not afraid to criticize my servant Moses?” The Lord was very angry with them, and he departed.
You can read the rest of the story. My point here is that as powerful as Moses was he is described as very humble—more humble than any other person on earth.
John the Baptist who was a very powerful man and preacher and the one who baptized and announced Jesus as the lamb of God. Jesus, Himself said that John was a great man.
Luke 7:25-28 NLT Or were you expecting to see a man dressed in expensive clothes? No, people who wear beautiful clothes and live in luxury are found in palaces. Were you looking for a prophet? Yes, and he is more than a prophet. John is the man to whom the Scriptures refer when they say, ‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way before you.’ I tell you, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of God is greater than he is!”
This is what this great man of God said about Jesus
Luke 3:16 NLT John answered their questions by saying, “I baptize you with water; but someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
That’s humility which is God’s way to, and condition for, power.
F. Humility is one of the greatest things in Christian character.
Greatness begins with humility.
Matthew 20:26-27 NLT But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave.
What Jesus is saying is that if you want to lead you must first take on the nature of a bond slave someone who is owned body and soul by their master. That’s true humility. The kind of humility Jesus exhibited when He washed his disciples’ feet.
II. So What is the significance of God’s humility?
What insights into his nature does his humility give us?
A. The writer of Psalm 113 said that God’s humility proves his greatness.
Psalms 113:5-6 NKJV Who is like the Lord our God, Who dwells on high, Who humbles Himself to behold The things that are in the heavens and in the earth?
The greatness of God is a theme which the psalmists never forget and never get tired of pointing out throughout the Psalms.
1. God’s greatness is not limited by time or space
Look at verse 2 and of this Psalm
Psalms 113:2-3 NKJV Blessed be the name of the Lord From this time forth and forevermore! From the rising of the sun to its going down The Lord’s name is to be praised.
Moses prayed, in Psalm 90
Psalms 90:2 NKJV Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.
The mightiest mountain is just a speck on the earth; the earth itself is just a speck in our solar system; and our solar system is just a speck in the innumerable solar systems in this vast universe which can't be measured. Our God created and sits enthroned above it all.
2. His greatness is above all nations:
Psalms 113:4 NKJV The Lord is high above all nations, His glory above the heavens.
This verse affirms that God is King of the earth.
3. His greatness is above all comparison
Psalms 113:5 NKJV Who is like the Lord our God, Who dwells on high,
At the dedication of the temple, Solomon prayed
II Chronicles 6:18-19 NKJV
“But will God indeed dwell with men on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. How much less this temple which I have built! Yet regard the prayer of Your servant and his supplication, O Lord my God, and listen to the cry and the prayer which Your servant is praying before You:
Although God sits high above all creation, he humbles himself in regard to us.
B. God’s humility explains his works and his ways.
Psalms 113:6-9 NKJV Who humbles Himself to behold The things that are in the heavens and in the earth? He raises the poor out of the dust, And lifts the needy out of the ash heap, That He may seat him with princes— With the princes of His people. He grants the barren woman a home, Like a joyful mother of children. Praise the Lord!
His majesty alone would overwhelm us by its splendor and impressiveness. His superiority alone would lead us to presume that we mean little to him.
But remember that He has saved us no matter how depraved we are and were. He exalts the ordinary man to be a prince among the people. Remember David, who was elevated from shepherd boy to be king of Israel.
Psalm 18:35 ESV You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand supported me, and your gentleness made me great.
How true are Paul’s words
Romans 11:33 NKJV Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!
C. God’s humility demonstrates his matchless love.
God humbles Himself to love man.
Psalms 113:5-6 NKJV Who is like the Lord our God, Who dwells on high, Who humbles Himself to behold The things that are in the heavens and in the earth?
Love that goes upward from a person’s heart to God is adoration. Love that goes outward from a person’s heart to another person is affection. Love that stoops is grace. God stoops to us. He humbles Himself.
God has demonstrated his love. When we were dead in trespasses and sin, he came, taking onto himself the form of a servant in the likeness of men.
And that was not all.
Philippians 2:8 NKJV 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.
Romans 5:10 NKJV For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
Now we know that God is love.
John 3:16 NKJV For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
III. What should result in our lives from even a glimpse of God’s humility?
To realize that, for our sakes, God humbles himself—that he stoops all the way down to where we are—should change our lives.
A. This truth, when we really understand and accept it, will help us on toward spiritual maturity.
Humility is a crucial factor in Christian growth. If we are humble, we will make life a long experience of learning wonderful things out of God’s Word, out of God’s world, and from God’s people. Those who stop to “hunger and thirst after righteousness” are not humble. They are filled with pride.
B. This truth should urge us to see ourselves in the perspective of God’s universe.
Humility is the way we feel when we see ourselves as part of God’s world. Humility is the only honest reaction when we see ourselves as part of God’s world and feel his claim on us.
C. This truth should make us willing to let God be God in our lives.
We should let God direct our lives. He has given us gifts to use in the church and he has work for us to do.
I Corinthians 12:4-11 NKJV
There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
Ephesians 2:10 NKJV For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Humility leads us to make the right estimate of ourselves; it also helps us accept God’s estimate of us and God’s place for us.
D. This truth should inspire us to imitate our Lord.
Philippians 2:5 NKJV Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,
What did Paul mean? He meant for us to imitate Christ in his humility.
Let’s continue reading
Philippians 2:6-8 NKJV who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 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.
Conclusion
God is high and lifted up, transcending all human thought, imagination, and reason. Yet he is with us all the time everyday. He is with us when troubles and temptations come and He's with us in our successes. He is so near that when we cry out he hears our faintest whisper and answers our feeblest prayer.
Lord,
We pray for a heart of humility. Humility in such a way that we do not cheapen our own worth or value within, but that we understand that we are here for a greater purpose than just our own gain. We pray that You continue to show and tell us what it truly means to live a humble life, and that our own worth will be revealed by Your Light. It is only then that we may truly live in freedom and right standing, for we will hold our own value correctly. Lord, we welcome You to mold and secure our hearts in true humility by Your example.
In Jesus name, Amen
Romans 10:9-10, 13 NIV If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
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