Embracing Humility: The Heart of Discipleship

Devotional

Day 1: True Discipleship Requires Daily Self-Denial and Following Jesus

To truly call yourself a Christian, it is not enough to simply claim the name or attend church; following Jesus is a daily, active commitment that requires denying yourself, taking up your cross, and realigning your life with His will every single day. This means Christianity is not a passive label but a lived-out journey, where each step is a conscious choice to move closer to Christ, learning from Him and letting His example shape your actions and attitudes. [01:05]

Matthew 16:24 (ESV)
Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life today where you need to intentionally deny yourself in order to follow Jesus more closely?

Day 2: Humility Over Celebrity—Serving, Not Seeking the Spotlight

In a world obsessed with being seen, known, and celebrated, Jesus calls His followers to reject the pursuit of recognition and instead practice humility, serving others quietly and sincerely rather than performing acts of righteousness to be noticed by people. The true reward comes not from the applause of others but from the Father, who sees the heart; greatness in God’s kingdom is found in humble service, not in self-promotion or spiritual showmanship. [15:52]

Matthew 6:1, 5 (ESV)
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.”

Reflection: In what ways are you tempted to seek recognition for your good deeds, and how can you intentionally serve someone today without expecting any acknowledgment?

Day 3: The Danger of Self-Righteousness and the Call to Humble Repentance

It is easy to fall into the trap of comparing yourself to others and feeling superior, like the Pharisee in Jesus’ parable, but God honors the heart that recognizes its own need for mercy and approaches Him with humility rather than pride. True godliness is not about outward appearances or religious activity, but about a posture of repentance and dependence on God’s grace, understanding that we are all in need of forgiveness. [22:43]

Luke 18:9-14 (ESV)
He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Reflection: When was the last time you honestly admitted your need for God’s mercy, and how can you practice humble repentance before Him today?

Day 4: Greatness in God’s Kingdom Means Becoming a Servant

Jesus redefined greatness by teaching that those who wish to be great must become servants, just as He Himself came not to be served but to serve and to give His life for others. This upside-down view of leadership and influence calls us to lay aside our desire for authority or recognition and instead seek opportunities to serve others selflessly, following the example of Christ’s humility and sacrificial love. [28:15]

Matthew 20:25-28 (ESV)
But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Reflection: Who is someone you can serve in a practical way this week, even if it goes unnoticed by others?

Day 5: Building Your Life on Jesus Through Daily Humility and Dependence

The foundation of a genuine Christian life is not built on personal reputation, achievements, or self-sufficiency, but on daily dependence on Jesus, humbling yourself before Him, and allowing Him to shape your identity and purpose. Only by staying connected to Christ—acknowledging your need for His grace and surrendering every part of your life to Him—can you become who you are truly called to be and reflect His love to the world. [42:22]

John 15:5 (ESV)
“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to deepen your daily dependence on Jesus and build your life on Him rather than your own abilities or reputation?

Sermon Summary

Today’s focus is on the heart of what it means to follow Jesus day by day, especially as it relates to humility. The journey of faith is not a one-time decision or a label we wear, but a continual, daily realignment with Christ’s call: to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him. This is not about outward appearances or religious activity, but about a deep, inner transformation that shapes every aspect of our lives.

We live in a culture obsessed with recognition, self-promotion, and the pursuit of being seen and celebrated. This mindset has even crept into the church, where the temptation to build a reputation or seek spiritual celebrity can subtly replace the call to humble service. Jesus directly confronted this, warning against practicing righteousness for the sake of being noticed and teaching that true greatness in God’s kingdom is found in servanthood, not self-exaltation.

Personal stories from my own life—interactions with musicians after concerts—highlight the difference between humility and pride. One encounter left a lasting impression because of the humility shown, while another revealed the emptiness of self-importance. These moments serve as reminders that how we respond to praise and recognition reveals much about our hearts.

Jesus’ teaching, especially in passages like Matthew 6, Matthew 23, and Luke 18, consistently turns the world’s values upside down. The Pharisees sought to be seen as righteous, but their hearts were far from God. In contrast, the tax collector, aware of his unworthiness, found mercy through humility. Jesus Himself, though fully God, chose the path of humility, serving others and ultimately giving His life as a ransom for many.

To truly follow Jesus, we must resist the urge to build our lives on our own reputation or achievements. Instead, we are called to build on the foundation of Christ, brick by brick, day by day. This means acknowledging our ongoing need for grace, remaining connected to Jesus, and allowing Him to shape us into servants rather than seeking to be kings or queens. The invitation is open: will we humble ourselves, lay down our pride, and let Jesus be the center of our lives?

Key Takeaways

1. Humility is the Foundation of True Discipleship Following Jesus is not about outward displays of spirituality or seeking recognition, but about daily, humble realignment with His will. True discipleship requires us to deny ourselves and resist the cultural pull toward self-promotion, choosing instead to serve others as Christ did. Humility is not thinking less of ourselves, but thinking of ourselves less, and placing God and others at the center. [13:12]
2. The Danger of Spiritual Celebrity The desire to be seen, celebrated, or elevated—even within the church—can subtly undermine our relationship with God. Jesus warned that practicing righteousness to be noticed by others brings no reward from the Father. When we seek affirmation from people rather than God, we risk building our lives on a shaky foundation that cannot sustain true spiritual growth. [15:52]
3. The Heart of Greatness is Servanthood Jesus redefined greatness, teaching that those who wish to be great must become servants. This radical call stands in stark contrast to worldly ambition and challenges us to measure our lives not by status or achievement, but by our willingness to serve and love others sacrificially. Even Jesus, though He had every right to be served, chose to serve and give His life for others. [28:15]
4. Daily Connection to Christ is Essential Humility and Christlikeness are not achieved by willpower alone, but by staying deeply connected to Jesus. Just as branches cannot bear fruit apart from the vine, we cannot love, lead, or serve as Jesus did unless we are daily drawing life from Him. This ongoing dependence is the only way to avoid pride and become who God has called us to be. [36:14]
5. Grace, Not Achievement, is Our Identity Our worth and acceptance before God are not based on our works, reputation, or spiritual performance, but on His grace. We are invited into God’s family not because we deserve it, but because of Christ’s sacrifice. Recognizing this keeps us humble, grateful, and eager to point others to Jesus rather than ourselves. [38:53]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:05] - Series Recap: The Call to Daily Realignment
[04:52] - People Watching and Concert Stories
[08:26] - Lessons from Encounters with Musicians
[12:08] - The Challenge of Accepting Praise
[13:12] - Humility vs. Spotlight Culture
[14:23] - Celebrity Culture in the Church
[15:52] - Jesus’ Warnings Against Spiritual Showmanship
[16:54] - The Pharisees and the Pursuit of Status
[18:37] - The Danger of Self-Exaltation
[19:48] - The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector
[25:15] - The Influence of Culture on Spiritual Leadership
[28:15] - Jesus Redefines Greatness
[32:03] - Humility as the Foundation for Loving Others
[36:14] - The Necessity of Daily Connection to Christ
[38:53] - Grace as Our Only Boast
[42:22] - What Are You Building Your Life On?
[44:21] - A Call to Humility and Response
[45:37] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

In Matthew 6:1-6, what specific behaviors does Jesus warn his followers to avoid when practicing their faith?
According to the parable in Luke 18:9-14, how do the Pharisee and the tax collector each approach God, and what is the result for each?
In Matthew 20:25-28, what does Jesus say about leadership and greatness among his followers?
The sermon shared two stories about meeting musicians after concerts. What was the key difference in how each musician responded to praise? ([13:12])

Interpretation Questions

Why does Jesus place such a strong emphasis on humility and warn against seeking recognition, even for good deeds? How does this challenge the way people often think about “success” in faith? ([15:52])
In the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, what does Jesus want us to understand about our own hearts and attitudes when we come before God? ([19:48])
How does Jesus’ definition of greatness in Matthew 20:25-28 differ from the world’s definition? What does this mean for how Christians should view leadership and influence? ([28:15])
The sermon mentioned that humility is not thinking less of ourselves, but thinking of ourselves less. What does this look like in everyday life? ([13:12])

Application Questions

The sermon talked about the temptation to build our lives on reputation or achievements. Are there areas in your life where you find yourself seeking recognition or approval from others? How does this affect your relationship with God? ([42:22])
When was the last time you found it difficult to accept a compliment or praise? How did you respond, and what did it reveal about your heart? ([13:12])
Jesus calls us to serve others rather than seek to be served. What is one practical way you can serve someone this week, especially when no one else will notice? ([28:15])
The sermon challenged us to daily realign our lives with Jesus. What is one habit or practice you can start (or restart) this week to stay connected to Christ? ([36:14])
The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector shows two very different attitudes toward God. Which one do you relate to more right now, and why? ([19:48])
The pastor asked, “What are you building your life on?” Take a moment to honestly reflect: Is your foundation Christ, or something else? What needs to change? ([42:22])
The sermon said, “Humility is the foundation of true discipleship.” What is one area where you need to lay down your pride and let Jesus be the center? ([13:12])

Sermon Clips

True, godly humility requires you being so connected to Jesus that you can't see anything else. Because the minute you take your eyes off of him and you disconnect yourself from the vine... If we disconnect ourselves from that for too long, it forces us to begin to move up that ladder.

Christianity is something that you do. It's not just something that sits on a shelf somewhere and you look at it and you say, this is my name tag. I am a Christian. That is actually something you do. [00:02:29]

Following actually happens when you move, when you go from point A to point B, however many steps it takes you to get there. Otherwise, you're not truly following anybody. [00:02:42]

Loving others is actually evidence of following Jesus. Because in order to love people the way Jesus did, we have to actually be following him so that we can learn from him to see what it is. [00:03:17]

Jesus calls the men to set the temperature in the home spiritually. It's not the wife's job. It's not the mother's job. It is the father's job. It is the man's job, the husband, to set the spiritual temperature in the home. It's our responsibility to lead our households. [00:03:50]

When it comes to dealing with people in our everyday life, we're actually called to respond and not to react to the people that are there. [00:04:38]

The reality is that accepting praise is such a weird thing. It's uncomfortable because, and especially now anymore in our culture, we're not used to being told or hearing that we did good at something or that we are good at something. [00:12:04]

Our culture tends to push us towards this spotlight mentality, towards the celebrity ideals. The culture pushes us to elevate ourselves. It pushes us to become more than what we are now. It continues to say, you know, climb the ladder, step on whoever you have to to get there. [00:14:01]

Now every single person on the planet feels like they need to be seen and heard and known by everybody on the planet so that they can receive the pat on their back that they want, whether they need it or not, or even really deserve it or not. [00:14:54]

The fact that that's kind of crept its way into the church is even worse. Jesus actually directly pushed back against this idea, this idea of celebrity for the sake of celebrity. Like, he actively pushed back against the ones who actually kind of leaned into this whole thing and started this whole trend. [00:15:14]

There's nothing wrong with people thinking well of you. The Bible over and over again says that if you follow God's ways, people will think highly of you. They will respect you. They will think well of you. And when you go past the city gates, they'll look at you and they will respect you. And you will find all of those things happening if you are already following God, if you are following what he wants you to do. [00:17:58]

What he's talking about here isn't being well respected and well thought of. What he's talking about is making people think that they should think well of you. That's what he's talking about. This idea that you should think well of me because of who I am. [00:18:24]

If you don't take those things that you're learning and you use those to daily realign yourself with the will of the Father and remind yourself, I'm not as big as I think I am. I am not as important as I think I am. Then we miss it. [00:24:33]

If we hold them up too high, they will fall and they will break us and they will let us down and we will question everything that we know unless we grab a hold of this. [00:26:48]

Greatness is not something that's found in being better than someone. It's not found in being the best singer, the best teacher, the smartest person in the room. It's not found in being the one with the most money. It's not the one with the most toys. It's not the one with the biggest church, the biggest congregation. It's not the one that has the church with the most ministry opportunities. It's all about humility. [00:28:54]

It's all about looking at who you are and understanding where you exist in relationship to the Father. It's all about understanding that you are not the end -all, be -all. [00:29:20]

You can't love people the way Jesus does if you're full of yourself. It has to start with humility. [00:32:14]

When we become who we're actually called to be, we become servants. Not kings and queens. [00:33:07]

There is absolutely nothing that we can do as a Christian apart from God. We can talk a good talk but our walk will be pitiful in comparison to the example set by Jesus. [00:39:21]

At some point, if we want to become who we're called to be, we have to humble ourselves and understand that apart from him, I can do nothing. [00:39:43]

The only way to be a Jesus follower is to build your life on a foundation of him on a daily basis, laying it brick by brick. [00:43:04]

If you're in this room and you profess to be a Jesus follower, you profess to be a Christian, real talk time, okay? Real talk. Get off your high horse. Humble yourself and put yourself in the right spot in relation to God. [00:44:13]

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

What does true humility look like in daily life?

How does Jesus redefine greatness among believers?

Why is humility essential for genuine Christian service?