Embracing Humility: Overcoming Entitlement Through Obedience
Summary
In my sermon, I began by celebrating the baptism of Eden Williamson, a young woman who found her church home at Temple and decided to follow Christ in believers' baptism by immersion. I recounted her journey of faith, from realizing her worth in God's eyes during middle school to growing through various ministries and ultimately joining our church. Her baptism was a testament to the transformative power of obedience to God's call, symbolizing the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, which makes our salvation possible.
I then addressed the issue of "pocket entitlement," a subtle expectation for special treatment that resides within each of us. I shared a personal story of my own entitlement surfacing during a stressful situation at an airport, illustrating how easily we can become self-centered and demanding. I emphasized that this entitlement is not limited to any one person; it affects us all, especially in high-pressure moments.
To confront this issue, I turned to the biblical story of Naaman, a great military leader afflicted with leprosy. Despite his status, Naaman could not cure himself of this disease. A servant girl informed him of the prophet Elisha, who could heal him. Naaman's journey to Elisha and his reaction to the prophet's simple cure—washing in the Jordan River seven times—revealed the roots of entitlement: pride, lack of responsibility, and the desire to do things one's own way.
Naaman initially reacted with anger and refused to humble himself, but eventually, he listened to his servants, who challenged his pride and encouraged obedience. When Naaman finally submitted and followed Elisha's instructions, he was miraculously healed. This story illustrated the importance of humility, personal responsibility, and following God's way, even when it seems foolish or beneath us.
I concluded by inviting the congregation to reflect on areas of their lives where they might be acting entitled or refusing to humble themselves and follow God's way. I encouraged them to consider steps of obedience they might be resisting, such as salvation, baptism, tithing, sharing their faith, or loving their spouse as Christ loved the church. I reminded them that Jesus, who had every right to feel entitled, chose instead to serve and sacrifice Himself for our sins, setting the ultimate example of humility and obedience.
Key Takeaways:
1. The celebration of baptism is a powerful declaration of faith and obedience. Eden's story reminds us that no matter our background or previous experiences, following Jesus in baptism is an outward expression of an inward transformation, symbolizing our union with Christ in His death and resurrection. ([15:53])
2. Entitlement can subtly infiltrate our lives, often manifesting in moments of stress or pressure. It's crucial to recognize this "pocket entitlement" and confront it with humility, remembering that we are not inherently deserving of special treatment. Instead, we should serve others as Christ served us, without expectation of reward or recognition. ([36:14])
3. The story of Naaman teaches us that pride can blind us to the simple yet profound solutions God offers. When we think too highly of ourselves, we risk missing out on God's healing and blessings. Humility opens the door to God's work in our lives, as it did for Naaman when he finally obeyed Elisha's instructions. ([41:40])
4. Personal responsibility is a key component of overcoming entitlement. Like Naaman, we must be willing to take ownership of our actions and follow through on the steps God lays out for us, even when they seem insignificant or challenging. It's in these acts of obedience that we find true healing and growth. ([49:31])
5. Following God's way, not our own, is the path to freedom from entitlement and sin. Jesus exemplified this through His life and death, choosing service over status. As we strive to emulate Christ, we must trust that His ways, though sometimes counterintuitive, lead to the ultimate cure for our spiritual ailments. ([57:06])
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 2 Kings 5:1-14 - The story of Naaman and his healing from leprosy.
2. Philippians 2:5-8 - Jesus' humility and obedience, even to death on a cross.
#### Observation Questions
1. What was Naaman's initial reaction to Elisha's instructions to wash in the Jordan River, and why did he react that way? ([44:10])
2. How did Naaman's servants help him overcome his pride and entitlement? ([52:11])
3. What are the three causes of entitlement mentioned in the sermon, and how did they manifest in Naaman's story? ([45:32])
4. How does the story of Eden Williamson's baptism illustrate the concept of obedience and transformation? ([16:52])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Naaman found it difficult to follow Elisha's simple instructions? What does this reveal about human nature and pride? ([44:10])
2. How does the concept of "pocket entitlement" manifest in everyday situations, according to the sermon? ([36:14])
3. In what ways does Jesus' example of humility and obedience in Philippians 2 challenge our own sense of entitlement? ([57:33])
4. How can personal responsibility play a role in overcoming feelings of entitlement, as seen in Naaman's story? ([49:31])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt entitled to special treatment. How did you handle it, and what could you have done differently to show humility? ([36:14])
2. Naaman's healing required him to humble himself and follow simple instructions. Is there an area in your life where you need to humble yourself and follow God's guidance, even if it seems insignificant or beneath you? ([53:31])
3. The sermon mentioned several steps of obedience that people might resist, such as baptism, tithing, or sharing their faith. Which of these steps are you currently struggling with, and what can you do to take a step of obedience this week? ([01:01:31])
4. How can you identify and confront "pocket entitlement" in your daily interactions with others, especially in high-pressure situations? ([36:14])
5. Jesus chose to serve and sacrifice Himself for our sins, setting the ultimate example of humility and obedience. How can you emulate Jesus' example in your relationships and responsibilities this week? ([57:33])
6. Think of a time when you blamed others for your problems instead of taking personal responsibility. How can you change your mindset and actions to take ownership of your life and decisions? ([48:12])
7. Naaman's story shows that God's way, though sometimes counterintuitive, leads to healing and blessings. Is there a specific area in your life where you need to trust and follow God's way instead of your own? ([55:43])
Devotional
Day 1: Baptism: An Outward Sign of Inward Change
Baptism is not merely a ritual; it is a profound declaration of a transformed life. Eden Williamson's journey to baptism serves as a reminder that this sacrament is an outward expression of an inward reality. It symbolizes the believer's union with Christ in His death and resurrection, marking a pivotal moment of obedience and faith. Baptism is a public testimony to the world of a personal commitment to follow Jesus, signifying a break from the old life and the beginning of a new one in Christ. It is a step of obedience that reflects a heart changed by God's grace, a life now dedicated to living out the truths of the gospel. [15:53]
"For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ." - Galatians 3:27 (ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on your own baptism. How does it continue to shape your walk with Christ and your commitment to live out your faith?
Day 2: Entitlement: The Subtle Enemy of Service
Entitlement, or "pocket entitlement," can creep into our hearts unnoticed, especially during times of stress or pressure. It is a mindset that expects special treatment and prioritizes self-interest over serving others. This attitude is contrary to the example set by Christ, who came not to be served but to serve. Recognizing and confronting entitlement requires a conscious effort to adopt a posture of humility and service. It means setting aside the belief that one deserves certain privileges and instead, embracing the call to love and serve others selflessly, following the footsteps of Jesus. [36:14]
"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." - Philippians 2:3 (ESV)
Reflection: In what situations do you find yourself feeling entitled, and how can you practice humility and service in those moments?
Day 3: Pride: The Barrier to God's Blessings
The story of Naaman teaches a valuable lesson about the dangers of pride. Pride can blind us to the simple solutions that God offers, leading us to miss out on His blessings. Naaman's initial refusal to wash in the Jordan River exemplifies how pride can prevent us from experiencing God's healing. It is only through humility that we can truly receive what God has in store for us. Humbling oneself may seem foolish to the world, but it is the key to unlocking the fullness of God's grace and favor in our lives. [41:40]
"But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'" - James 4:6 (ESV)
Reflection: Can you identify an area in your life where pride is hindering your relationship with God or others? How can you take steps to humble yourself today?
Day 4: Personal Responsibility: The Path to Obedience
Overcoming entitlement involves taking personal responsibility for one's actions and decisions. Like Naaman, who had to actively choose to obey Elisha's instructions, we too must be willing to follow through on the steps God lays out for us. These steps may seem insignificant or challenging, but they are often where we find healing and growth. Personal responsibility means acknowledging our role in God's plan and being proactive in our obedience to His commands. It is a commitment to doing what is right, even when it is difficult or goes against our natural inclinations. [49:31]
"Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him." - John 14:21 (ESV)
Reflection: What is one act of obedience you have been resisting, and what is one practical step you can take today to move toward fulfilling it?
Day 5: God's Way: The Antidote to Entitlement
Following God's way, rather than our own, is the ultimate cure for the spiritual ailment of entitlement. Jesus, who had every right to claim entitlement, chose instead to serve and sacrifice Himself for our sins. His life exemplifies the path of humility and obedience. Trusting in God's ways may sometimes seem counterintuitive, but it is through this trust that we find true freedom from sin and self-centeredness. Emulating Christ means letting go of our own understanding and embracing God's perfect and often mysterious plans for our lives. [57:06]
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord." - Isaiah 55:8 (ESV)
Reflection: What aspect of your life are you trying to control, and how can you surrender it to God's way starting today?
Quotes
1) "Our pocket entitlement comes out. We throw our suitcase to the ground. We become a jerk for a good 15 to 20 minutes, maybe even longer today. God has shown us through the story of Naaman. It affects all of us, he came to set us free." [01:05:34]
2) "For some in this room or online, listen, it's salvation, right? Cause you think about heaven and salvation and forgiveness and eternal life. And there's a part of you, if you're honest, that just thinks, man, that those things are far too great for me simply to receive as a free gift." [01:01:31]
3) "This thing called pocket entitlement... is that little bitty piece that lives within each of us that, in fact, expects and even demands at certain times of our life special treatment." [36:14]
4) "Naaman's actions right here is the person who's always blaming their problems on somebody else's. It's the government's fault. It's my spouse's fault, my kid's fault, my parents' fault. It's the church's fault. It's a person who refuses to do what he's told him to do." [49:31]
5) "And when we humble ourself and we take responsibility and we do things not our way, but God's way, man, that's when we have the opportunity to see God move and work in our life and the lives of other people." [56:18]
6) "He was also a man who had leprosy. Man, this incurable skin disease. That despite his fame and fortune and despite everything that Naaman could accomplish in his own strength and his own power, there was nothing he could do to cure himself of leprosy." [41:40]
7) "The Bible says that, that, that Jesus did not consider equality with God, something to be grasped, but notice what it says, but, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant being made in human likeness and being found in appearance as a man." [58:01]
8) "So he went down. In other words, Naaman humbled himself and church notice on the screen that that's the first part of this cure to entitlement that, that creeps up in my life, in your life, the first part of the cure, the first shot, if you will, the vaccine that we need to get over this disease is, is we need humility." [53:31]
9) "For others, it's not being baptized for the first time. It's being baptized again because there's people here. And then you long to be a member of this church. You long to, to be a part of what we're doing here on an, on an official capacity, but you're coming from a different faith background." [01:03:40]
10) "Good morning, church. It is always great when we can have as a part of our church our service, just a celebration of life changed through baptism. This is Ms. Eden Williamson. Eden came down last Sunday after the service and said, Pastor David, listen, I'm ready to join the church." [15:53]
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