Grace: The Pride of Christianity

This week we will explore the surprising connection between God’s grace and humility, along with the great enemy of God’s grace, human pride. I hope you are ready to examine a lot of scripture today!

This week we will explore the connection between God’s grace and humility.

I want to start by sharing with you a true story about how humility can evoke God’s grace.

There once was a prideful man named Manasseh. I say man but his story actually starts with him as a 12 year old king. You can actually read his story in . You might say this pride issue ran in his DNA - as his father Hezekiah also had a struggle with pride. Like father, like son - dad experienced God’s wrath which created the opportunity for dad to be humbled, dad made the choice to humble himself and God then demonstrated kindness or grace towards Hezekiah. Like most of us we learn by experience, so Manasseh felt like he too needed to learn the less of humility.

As I stated already Manasseh was 12 years old when he became king and he reigned for 55 years - not bad for a 12 year old. The easiest way to describe Manasseh is by this simple sentence, “he did evil in the sight of the Lord.” For example, he took his children and offered them as burnt offerings for other gods. He then set up a training center teaching people the proper way to make these sacrifices and then employed people to establish the burnt offering franchises throughout the kingdom.

Yet with these unbelievable evil practices, somehow this man found a way to win God’s affection. Somehow this man, that if I were being honest, even after he told me he had turned his life over to God, I would still have a difficult time hanging-out with, this man somehow captured the very heart and attention of God.

Would you like to know how he did it?

Actually, I have already given you the answer, but just in case you missed it he captured the Father’s grace and mercy by humbling himself before God.

The other day I was reaching out to some folks with a question - “How could I avoid paying the stupid tax?”

Buried deep in the Chronicles of Israel is the story of a despicable king, guilty of such things. Yet he captured the Father’s grace and mercy by humbling himself before God. His name is Manasseh; you can read about him in . In the space of one chapter, King Manasseh was transformed from a man who provoked God to anger, to one who caught God’s attention because of his humble heart. There is a lesson here for every student of Jesus. It’s not that Manasseh simply experienced God’s mercy; he provoked it.

Do you know what the “Stupid Tax” is?

It is when you pay for something that you did not have to pay for, because you were either a) to proud to ask for help or b) not willing to learn from the mistakes of others, or from your own mistakes from the past. I unfortunately have had my share of paying way to much “Stupid Tax”.

Manasseh could have avoided paying the “Stupid Tax” if he had only learned from his father, but instead he decided to be a Darwin Award winner and it cost him. The Assyrian king raided Jerusalem, came to Manasseh ring in hand, and physically placed the ring through Manasseh’s nose, and dragged him out of Jerusalem by the nose to Babylon.

Now we could chose to have a similar experience with Manasseh in order to experience God’s grace. Typically this means we go through life saying, “I don’t need no god. I can do it on my own.” We can puff ourselves up with pride, standing back in amazement at all we have been able to accomplish on our own. Or we could choose to humble ourselves and admit the reality, we could not have accomplished all that we have accomplished without God’s interaction.

The choice is ours. God already knows that eventually, given enough pain, our knees will bend and we will confess that He is Lord and we are not. The question that remains for each of us is how much pain are we willing to endure?

Either way God demonstrates grace. He shows His kindness by giving us the power to make our own choices. And He shows us kindness by ending the pain and suffering once we humble ourselves during the pain and suffering.

King Manasseh was transformed from a man who provoked God to anger, to one who caught God’s attention because of his humble heart.

There is a lesson here for every student of Jesus. It’s not that Manasseh simply experienced God’s mercy; he provoked it.

The Father loves humility. It turns his head. Jesus tried again and again to share this secret pathway to God’s heart: “the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Jesus demonstrated humility as he lived in the low places of Israel’s society. He portrayed children as exemplars of humble trust in the Father’s care. He derided self-sufficiency.

The truth about grace in today’s sermon - The Father loves humility. Humility is the path to the Father’s heart.

t turns his head. Jesus tried again and again to share this secret pathway to God’s heart: “the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Jesus demonstrated humility as he lived in the low places of Israel’s society. He portrayed children as exemplars of humble trust in the Father’s care. He derided self-sufficiency.

Jesus demonstrates for us the path to the Father’s heart when He humbles Himself being born in a stinking stable, when He preaches to the masses, when He touches the untouchable, when He washes the feet of the disciples and when He takes His place upon the cross.

Manasseh’s story provides us hope, especially for those who feel like they have done so much wrong in the world that there is no way possible to capture the heart and attention of God, but there is a possibility and it comes through a humble heart.

God’s grace is revealed in 4 ways through Manasseh.

Even in all of Manasseh’s wickedness, God still speaks to Manasseh.

God knows how to bring us out of our pit of stupidity. He can turn up the temperature to help us make the choice to humble ourselves.

Our hearts can move God’s heart.

Our example can influence future generations.

So let me say it again, just so we are clear about the truth about grace this week - God’s gives grace to the humble. Now we also know that God extends grace to the proud in hope that the proud will see the foolishness of their pride. It is through grace that extends the opportunity for you and I to come clean when we have been acting foolishly. It is grace when God continues to speak to us, hoping to help us confess our mistakes, rather than wiping the dust off His feet and walking away.

As we have heard earlier today, in 3 different scripture passages, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (Three times! , , and .)

· Even in the midst of gross iniquity, God is still speaking (v. 10): Even after a long list of rebellious acts against God, the text reveals that God was still reaching out to Manasseh. If you’ve been told that God hides from your sin, you’ve been misled. Our sin is one of the very reasons God continues to reach out to us. He loves us and refuses to give up on us. But it's not just that his love reaches down; a humble heart reaches up.

In my earliest years, I attended a Christian school. I remember second grade distinctly because the “character theme” one month was humility. At the end of that month, in an assembly before the entire school, I was named the winner of the “Humility Award,” but then they took it away from me because I actually accepted the award!

OK, perhaps the story is not true, but it does illustrate the conflicting ideas Christians entertain regarding what it means to be humble. Where do we get our ideas about humility? If God gives grace to the humble, how can I eagerly pursue his best for me without falling into mere self-interest? Both Peter and James quoted the Old Testament, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” They latched on to this teaching from . It must be important. First, it tells us that God gives grace. Fair enough. Isn’t that what God is supposed to do? But this verse also tells us that God gives grace to certain kinds of people—humble people. Finally, it also tells us that God can withhold grace from another kind of people—the proud. Keep in mind that Peter and James were writing to believers.

There is

Now once we understand that is by grace we have been saved, then we also are to understand that because of grace we are exalted to greatness provided we implement these 4 practices.

Three times the scripture reminds us, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (Three times! , , and .) This means there is a link between humility and grace. When the Father sees his children willing to take the low place in the family, he pours out a special portion of grace to strengthen us in service to one another. Humility draws the blessing and favor of God. The same one who stripped to the waist and washed the feet of his disciples will rejoice when we learn to prefer one another.

: Embrace where your greatness comes from.

: Lay aside dreams of greatness and embrace dreams of dependency. This is the highway of the kingdom of heaven. Jesus said that, among men, there was none greater than John the Baptist, yet the person who was “least” in the Kingdom of Heaven was greater than John. Living in the kingdom requires God’s intervention every day. We cannot “make the kingdom happen,” we can only proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is breaking in, and then depend on him to invade the ordinary with his presence and power.

: Serve to change lives not to be recognized.

Jesus responds by pointing to a little child. This is the highway of the kingdom of heaven. Jesus said that, among men, there was none greater than John the Baptist, yet the person who was “least” in the Kingdom of Heaven was greater than John. Living in the kingdom requires God’s intervention every day. We cannot “make the kingdom happen,” we can only proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is breaking in, and then depend on him to invade the ordinary with his presence and power.

: Lay aside the thrill of recognition and find the joy of serving. If we are honest, we will recognize ourselves in the people Jesus describes; those who strive for recognition by the way they dress, or where they park, or by the titles they hold. It is thrilling to be noticed, to be selected from among the crowd for recognition. Meanwhile, the servants come and go in the midst of all the clamor, quietly attending to the master’s business. But in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus reveals that the Father is the one who “sees in secret.”

: Think highly of others without diminishing yourself.

: Avoid assuming God’s mercy.

As we bring today’s message to a close I remind you that God’s grace is extended to us when we are acting in prideful ways, and if we choose to ignore that grace, we will be invited to keep paying the “Stupid Tax” until we either humble ourselves or we die swimming in our pride. But the full extent of God’s grace is revealed to those who humble themselves. It is through humility that one reaches God’s heart and that is why grace is the pride of Christianity. Because it is through our practice of humility we discover just how magnificent God really is. Paul writes,

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. ()

Are there any limits to human wickedness? Imagine a man who practices witchcraft and séances, fortune-telling, and necromancy. Picture him engaged in human sacrifice by burning his own children on altars of fire. Give him nationwide authority and influence, so that he not only practices these things, but encourages and trains others to do the same. Now, if there is room left in your imagination, envision this man finding a way to win God’s affection.

Humility is an expression of truth and integrity. People intuitively hunger for humility in their spiritual and political leaders. I have a spiritual formation blog, StudentsofJesus.com, where I posted an article on practical steps toward humbling yourself. Although the post is years old, people find their way to it week after week. All over the world, people enter search phrases like, “how to be humble like Jesus,” and “how do we humble ourselves before God?” Their hearts are hungry to find the peace offered by humility. There is beauty in the humble way.

Humility is the sail that captures the grace and mercy of God. His ear is tuned to hear the weakest words of a humbled heart. In King Manasseh’s story, we find hope for everyone who has wondered if they could possibly grab God’s attention. Here are four sure lessons from Manasseh () for those whose hearts are inclined:

· God knows how to humble us (v. 11): There’s a massive difference between being humbled by the Almighty and humbling yourself before him. God may arrange circumstances that bring us low in the eyes of others, but only we can lower ourselves before God. He can extend severe mercy, but we remain in control of our own thoughts and hearts.

· Our hearts can move God’s heart (v. 13): This is an astounding revelation! God is not impressed by human power, wealth, or wisdom, but he is impressed by the human heart. When a man or woman chooses contrition, the Father tells all heaven to be quiet. Our prayers never have more power than when we take our proper place before him.

· Our humble example can influence the generations to come (v. 25): Manasseh had a grandson named Josiah, who, as a child, sparked a nationwide revival. I like to imagine that Josiah heard firsthand from his grandfather the horrors of rebellion and the grace of humility. Our life lessons can become the seed that springs up thirty, sixty, and a hundred-fold in the lives of those who follow.

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

Even more than Manasseh, Jesus modeled the way of humility. Consider Paul’s magnificent description of the humble way:

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God,

did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing

Proverbs 3:34

Proverbs 3:34 NIV

He mocks proud mockers but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.

by taking the very nature of a servant,

being made in human likeness.

And being found in appearance as a man,

he humbled himself

by becoming obedient to death—

even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place

and gave him the name that is above every name,

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father. ()

Humility spared Manasseh's life. Humility was the way of life for Jesus. Humility is the way for us to experience God’s heart on a daily basis. Our pride can block the grace of God, but our pride does not stop God from trying to extend His grace towards us. God does meet us in our weakness, God’s grace does expose the falseness of our pride. And when we let the light penetrate that darkness then the fulness of God’s grace will flow deeply throughout our being and we will become the full masterpieces that God intends for us to be.

Are you still paying the “Stupid Tax”? Are you believing that you are the source of your greatness? Are you wondering why serving others leaves you tired and not energized? Do you show respect and honor to others but avoid showing respect and honor for yourself? Do you have a secret list of people you just know God will never show mercy towards? I invite you to take questions like these and others with you to your prayer closet as you invite God to search your heart and to know your thoughts remembering “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Many believers are surprised to learn that there is something we can all do to bring the grace of God into our lives: we can humble ourselves. But the opposite is true. Our pride can block the grace of God. This means that among the enemies of grace, human pride hides deepest in our souls. Because God’s grace meets us in our weakness, we think grace will expose us as frauds, when all the while grace flows ever stronger toward the humble in heart.

It’s so easy to step across the border from truth and enter into arrogance, to label those who cannot see the truth as fools. Before we know it, we have crossed into enemy territory, even while we congratulate ourselves on being right all along. Grace understands that merely knowing the truth is not enough. Along with our knowledge, we need to be a grace-filled people. The problem with knowing it all is the tendency to judgment. Even a smarty like the apostle Paul recognized, "knowledge puffs up" (). Sometimes, the most insightful people appear uncaring and cold, like an oncologist who diagnoses the cancer, but misses the human being standing before him. Insight is never enough. The line between insight and judgment is drawn by grace.

Pride has a thousand faces, but always the same dreary aim, to make more of ourselves and less of God. Grace exposes our desire to sit on the throne of our own vainglorious, private kingdom. Pride is the leaven of the Pharisees. Pride is an enemy of grace. You can’t give grace to people you look down upon; you can only give them pity.

“Humility is not thinking less of yourself: it is not thinking of yourself at all.”

Pride is always a masquerade. We enter the hall wearing a mask. We receive the praise of men, knowing all along that we look nothing like the costume we wear. Pride leads to the kind hypocrisy in which we keenly discern the flaws of others because we are haunted by our own. It makes us seem bigger than we are, and deflates those around us. Because we detest the lies we tell ourselves, we try to expose the same lies in others. We hide the very flaws he is willing to love.

Pride cannot see beyond itself. Pride whispers that if we must accept grace, then we should have it all. Pride is a miser that hoards the grace of God. Pride hoards the grace of God, as if our sin were so great we could consume heaven’s full supply of grace, when in fact our sins are common to all mankind. Pride causes us to see grace as a zero-sum game, as if God’s kindness to others means less grace for us. But grace is not of this world. It is not scarce. Grace is the stuff of the age to come.

Today, I invite you to take inventory of your heart. A humble heart paves the way for a greater grace; a prideful heart does

James 4:6 NIV

But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

Daily Compass

1 Peter 5:5 NIV

In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

Theme: Humility

Memory Verse: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” ()

Monday, May 6, 2019

Joshua 7:1-26

Tuesday, May 7, 2019

1 Kings 5:1-19

Wednesday, May 8, 2019

Psalm 8:1-9

Thursday, May 9, 2019

Luke 14:1-14

Friday, May 10, 2019

Matthew 23:1-12

Matthew 23:1–12 NIV

Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. “Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others. “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

Matthew 23:1-12

Call to Action Steps

1. I will memorize

2. At the end of each day I will list one way in which I was dependent upon God.

3. I will serve one person this week who has gone unnoticed.

4. I will register for the May safeTALK Training (30 May 2019)

5. I will mark my calendar for the On Mission Together Party to be held at the end of the month.

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