In our ongoing journey through the “Better Together” series, we’ve explored the beauty of unity and the depth of love deconstructed. This week, we turned our focus to a quality that serves as the very foundation of a thriving Christian community: Humility. The sermon, aptly titled “Humble Pie,” takes us on a journey from the pitfalls of self-centeredness to the glorious example of Christ’s own descent and eventual exaltation.
The Problem with Pride
We often hear the proverb, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” [02:54]. While there is a type of “positive pride”—the satisfaction of a job well done or rejoicing in a friend’s success [03:10]—the Bible warns us against the kind of pride that manifests as vanity, arrogance, and egoism.
True humility is not just about avoiding offense; it’s about a fundamental shift in perspective. The opposite of humility is actually self-centeredness [08:22]. It is the “me, me, me” mentality that looks inward, treats oneself as superior, and prioritizes personal needs above all others. History shows us the danger of this path:
- Lucifer: An archangel whose desire for worship led to his fall [09:02].
- Adam and Eve: Whose pride led them to want to be “like God,” breaking their trust with the Creator [09:44].
- Cain: Whose self-centered focus turned a sacrifice into a rivalry, resulting in tragedy [10:40].
The Biblical Commandment
Scripture is filled with “one another” verses that call us to a different way of living:
- Romans 12:10: Give preference to one another [05:17].
- Ephesians 5:21: Be subject to one another in mutual respect [05:27].
- Galatians 5:13: Serve one another through love [05:52].
Jesus himself modeled this in the most practical way by washing the feet of his disciples [06:05]. He taught us that if the Teacher can serve, so must the students. In Luke 14:7-11, Jesus provides a practical lesson on seating at a banquet: don’t take the seat of honor only to be moved to the back. Instead, assume the lowest position, and let the host exalt you [15:48].
The Ultimate Example: The Descent of Christ
If we want to know what humility looks like, we look to Philippians 2. Paul explains that Jesus, though he was God, did not cling to his divine privileges [20:22].
The progression of Jesus’ humility is staggering:
- He let go of his rights as King of Kings.
- He took the humble position of a slave, born as a human.
- He lived in obedience, even to the point of a criminal’s death on a cross [21:29].
- He even descended into hell to minister to the saints of old [22:00].
Jesus went from the highest throne to the lowest depths to gather us to Himself. Because of this voluntary abasement, God elevated Him to the highest honor, giving Him the name above all names [22:56].
Humility in Society
Humility isn’t just for church; it’s the basis of a God-based society. In Titus 3, Paul instructs believers to submit to authorities and to be gentle [26:43]. It’s fascinating to note that the word “gentleman” literally contains the word “gentle.” A man’s man, in God’s kingdom, is a gentle man—one who is motivated by humility in Christ [32:13].
We are called to avoid slandering and quarreling, especially on social media [30:25]. Instead of tearing people down, we should speak with honor and grace, recognizing that we rarely know the full story behind someone else’s decisions [29:40].
How to Eat Humble Pie
How do we practically maintain this heart of humility?
- Remember where you came from: It’s easier to be humble when you remember your “total depravity” apart from God [37:07]. Without Christ, our hearts are deceitful and sick [39:42].
- “There but for the grace of God go I”: This famous phrase reminds us that we are all victims and carriers of sin [41:20]. Whether it’s the addict, the convict, or the person struggling with anger, we are all here by God’s grace alone [43:41].
- Wear the Robes of Righteousness: We don’t earn our way to the head table. God saved us because of His mercy, not our “righteous acts,” which Isaiah 64:6 describes as filthy rags [39:22]. When we receive Jesus, our nature changes from sinner to saint [46:58].
Conclusion
Humility is the key to being “Better Together.” When we stop worrying about our own image and provision, and instead focus on others, God promises to lift us up at the right time [35:19].
Jesus humbled Himself to save us, and now, through Him, we are invited to sit at the head of the table—seated with Him in heavenly places [49:29]. Let us choose today to “dress ourselves in humility” [36:29] and love one another with the same selfless love Christ showed us.
Watch the full sermon here: Better Together | Humble Pie