Embracing Humility: The Path to God's Promises
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound truth that pride can keep us from the promises of God, while humility and meekness open the door to His blessings. We began by acknowledging the importance of honoring God and our spiritual leaders, and then delved into the scriptures from Numbers 14:23 and Matthew 5:5. These passages highlight the tension between pride and meekness, showing that while pride leads to contempt and separation from God's promises, meekness leads to inheriting the earth.
We examined the story of Caleb, who, unlike the other spies, had a different spirit and followed God wholeheartedly. Caleb's confidence in God's promises, despite the giants in the land, exemplifies the meekness that Jesus speaks of in the Beatitudes. This meekness is not weakness but a steadfast trust in God's word and a willingness to submit to His will, even when it goes against our desires or understanding.
We also discussed the importance of being spiritually poor, as described in the Beatitudes. This means recognizing our need for God and being willing to beg for His Spirit, much like a beggar on the street. This posture of humility allows us to be filled with the Holy Spirit and to live a life that is rich in God's presence and power.
Furthermore, we touched on the necessity of mourning our old selves and the sins that once separated us from God. This mourning keeps us close to the cross and reminds us of the grace and mercy that saved us. It is through this process of dying to ourselves and our pride that we can truly inherit the promises of God.
In conclusion, the call to action is clear: we must humble ourselves, submit to God's will, and rid ourselves of pride to fully receive the blessings He has for us. This requires a daily commitment to live as true disciples, following Jesus wholeheartedly and allowing His Spirit to lead us in every aspect of our lives.
### Key Takeaways
1. Pride vs. Meekness: Pride leads to contempt and separation from God's promises, while meekness leads to inheriting the earth. Meekness is not weakness but a steadfast trust in God's word and a willingness to submit to His will, even when it goes against our desires or understanding. [45:06]
2. The Spirit of Caleb: Caleb's confidence in God's promises, despite the giants in the land, exemplifies the meekness that Jesus speaks of in the Beatitudes. This different spirit, which follows God wholeheartedly, is what sets Caleb apart and allows him to inherit the promised land. [48:08]
3. Spiritual Poverty: Being spiritually poor means recognizing our need for God and being willing to beg for His Spirit, much like a beggar on the street. This posture of humility allows us to be filled with the Holy Spirit and to live a life that is rich in God's presence and power. [01:02:46]
4. Mourning Our Old Selves: Mourning our old selves and the sins that once separated us from God keeps us close to the cross and reminds us of the grace and mercy that saved us. This process of dying to ourselves and our pride is essential to fully receiving the promises of God. [01:07:53]
5. Daily Commitment to Discipleship: To fully receive God's blessings, we must humble ourselves, submit to His will, and rid ourselves of pride. This requires a daily commitment to live as true disciples, following Jesus wholeheartedly and allowing His Spirit to lead us in every aspect of our lives. [01:25:41]
### YouTube Chapters
1. [0:00] - Welcome
2. [35:12] - Honoring God and Leaders
3. [35:50] - God's Promises for Impact Church
4. [36:38] - Importance of Bringing Bibles and Taking Notes
5. [37:01] - Numbers 14:23 and Matthew 5:5
6. [38:15] - Prayer for Encountering God
7. [39:35] - Prayers for Healing and Breakthrough
8. [40:20] - Jesus Can Meet All Needs
9. [41:15] - Difference Between Wants and Needs
10. [42:08] - Call to Humility
11. [43:00] - Discipline and Discipleship
12. [45:06] - Problem of Pride and Promise of Prosperity
13. [48:08] - Caleb's Different Spirit
14. [51:05] - Overcoming Resistance
15. [52:41] - True Meekness
16. [57:29] - God's Description of Us
17. [01:02:46] - Spiritual Poverty
18. [01:07:53] - Mourning Our Old Selves
19. [01:25:41] - Daily Commitment to Discipleship
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Numbers 14:23-24
2. Matthew 5:5
### Observation Questions
1. What was the reason given in Numbers 14:23 for why the Israelites would not see the promised land? ([37:01])
2. How does Caleb's spirit differ from the other spies according to Numbers 14:24? ([48:08])
3. What promise does Jesus make to the meek in Matthew 5:5? ([37:49])
4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between pride and receiving God's promises? ([45:06])
### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to have a "different spirit" like Caleb, and how can this be applied to our daily lives? ([48:08])
2. How does the concept of spiritual poverty, as described in the Beatitudes, challenge our understanding of dependence on God? ([01:02:46])
3. In what ways does mourning our old selves keep us close to the cross and remind us of God's grace and mercy? ([01:07:53])
4. How does the sermon define meekness, and why is it important to distinguish it from weakness? ([52:41])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when pride may have kept you from experiencing God's promises. How can you address this pride in your life? ([45:06])
2. Caleb followed God wholeheartedly despite the giants in the land. What "giants" are you facing, and how can you trust God more fully in these situations? ([48:08])
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of being spiritually poor. How can you cultivate a posture of humility and dependence on God in your daily routine? ([01:02:46])
4. Mourning our old selves is crucial for spiritual growth. What past sins or behaviors do you need to mourn and let go of to move closer to God? ([01:07:53])
5. The sermon calls for a daily commitment to discipleship. What specific steps can you take this week to follow Jesus more closely and allow His Spirit to lead you? ([01:25:41])
6. How can you practice meekness in your interactions with others, especially when faced with opposition or criticism? ([52:41])
7. Identify one area in your life where you need to submit more fully to God's will. What practical actions can you take to humble yourself and align with His plans? ([42:08])
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Meekness
Meekness is often misunderstood as weakness, but it is actually a profound strength rooted in a steadfast trust in God's word and a willingness to submit to His will. Pride, on the other hand, leads to contempt and separation from God's promises. Meekness, as described in Matthew 5:5, leads to inheriting the earth. This means that those who are meek, who trust in God and submit to His will, will receive His blessings and promises. The story of Caleb in Numbers 14:23 exemplifies this truth. Caleb's confidence in God's promises, despite the giants in the land, shows the power of meekness. He had a different spirit and followed God wholeheartedly, which set him apart and allowed him to inherit the promised land. [45:06]
Numbers 14:23 (ESV): "Surely they shall not see the land that I swore to give to their fathers. And none of those who despised me shall see it."
Reflection: Think of a situation where you have been struggling to trust God's plan. How can you practice meekness by submitting to His will in this situation today?
Day 2: Embracing the Spirit of Caleb
Caleb's story is a powerful example of what it means to have a different spirit and follow God wholeheartedly. Unlike the other spies, Caleb had confidence in God's promises despite the giants in the land. This confidence is a form of meekness that Jesus speaks of in the Beatitudes. It is not about being weak but about having a steadfast trust in God's word and a willingness to submit to His will, even when it goes against our desires or understanding. Caleb's different spirit set him apart and allowed him to inherit the promised land. This teaches us that having a spirit of confidence in God's promises and following Him wholeheartedly can lead us to inherit His blessings. [48:08]
Joshua 14:8 (ESV): "But my brothers who went up with me made the heart of the people melt; yet I wholly followed the Lord my God."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you faced a "giant" in your life. How did you respond? How can you cultivate a spirit like Caleb's in your current challenges?
Day 3: Recognizing Spiritual Poverty
Being spiritually poor means recognizing our need for God and being willing to beg for His Spirit, much like a beggar on the street. This posture of humility allows us to be filled with the Holy Spirit and to live a life that is rich in God's presence and power. Jesus speaks of this in the Beatitudes, where He says, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." This means that those who recognize their need for God and humble themselves before Him will be blessed with His presence and power. It is through this recognition of our spiritual poverty that we can truly experience the richness of God's blessings. [01:02:46]
Isaiah 66:2 (ESV): "All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to acknowledge your spiritual poverty? How can you humble yourself before God and seek His Spirit today?
Day 4: Mourning Our Old Selves
Mourning our old selves and the sins that once separated us from God is an essential part of our spiritual journey. This mourning keeps us close to the cross and reminds us of the grace and mercy that saved us. It is through this process of dying to ourselves and our pride that we can truly inherit the promises of God. Jesus speaks of this in the Beatitudes, where He says, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." This means that those who mourn their sins and their old selves will be comforted by God's grace and mercy. This mourning is a necessary step in our journey to fully receive God's blessings. [01:07:53]
James 4:9-10 (ESV): "Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you."
Reflection: What sins or aspects of your old self do you need to mourn? How can this mourning bring you closer to God's grace and mercy today?
Day 5: Daily Commitment to Discipleship
To fully receive God's blessings, we must humble ourselves, submit to His will, and rid ourselves of pride. This requires a daily commitment to live as true disciples, following Jesus wholeheartedly and allowing His Spirit to lead us in every aspect of our lives. Jesus calls us to take up our cross daily and follow Him, which means that we must continually die to ourselves and our pride. This daily commitment to discipleship is essential to fully receiving the blessings that God has for us. It is through this commitment that we can experience the fullness of God's presence and power in our lives. [01:25:41]
Luke 9:23 (ESV): "And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.'"
Reflection: What does taking up your cross daily look like in your life? How can you make a daily commitment to follow Jesus wholeheartedly and allow His Spirit to lead you?
Quotes
1. "I am confident that if there's anyone that is ever going to meet us, save us or deliver us, it is Jesus. Because Jesus and Jesus alone can supply all my needs. Is there anybody in the room that would say, Pastor Chris, I agree with you right there. I am certain that there is no other God. And if there's a need that's going to be met in my life, if there's a miracle that's going to be met in my life, it is through Jesus and Jesus alone." [40:20] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The reason why so many of you have yet to take dominion in this world is because you refuse the discipline that it takes to be a disciple. Some of you are like, I didn't come in today for this kind of message. It's Labor Day weekend. I was just hoping to be refreshed. But God's saying, that's exactly what I have for you. Except when you think refresh, you think relax. But when God says refresh, he means refine." [43:00] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Pride will always keep you from what is promised. Let me say it this way. I don't care what was prophesied over you. The prophecy will not be fulfilled as long as you allow pride to get in the way. You want to be a great husband, you want a successful marriage, pride will always keep you from what is promised. You want to be a great wife, business owner, son, daughter, human being, wealthy person, pride will always keep you from what is promised." [44:17] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Any promise that God has ever made to you will come with resistance from the enemy. Just because you have resistance of the enemy, that is not a sign that you shouldn't go forward. In fact, it is a sign that you should go forward because the enemy is trying to trick you out of what it is that God has for you. But he needs some people that do not get overwhelmed by what they see but remain confident with what they were told." [51:05] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Blessed are the poor in spirit. That exact statement is actually a word picture described by Jesus. So when Jesus is teaching this crowd, he says, blessed are the poor in spirit. The word picture is that of a beggar on the street. So when he says, blessed are the poor in spirit, what he's describing is a man or a woman who is on the street, has no shame at all, and does not mind begging or asking. They're not being secretive about it. They're not being quiet about it. They're being loud and saying, I'm in need." [01:02:16] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Blessed are those who mourn who they used to be. See, God forgets about your sins, but I pray you never do. I pray you never forget who you used to be. I pray you never forget who you were without Jesus. Because when you remember who you used to be and the fact that he saved you and delivered you, it keeps you close to the cross of Jesus. I ain't going nowhere. I'm not leaving you. I ain't budging. I tried living without you and it was not worth it. It did not help me. I would not have made it. But because of Jesus, I'm here." [01:09:14] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "God says, I want you blessed, but first I want you dead. Dead to your ego. Dead to your pride. Dead to your cultural ideology. Dead to your will and to your way. Dead to your 10-year plan. Dead to what you think is best when it comes to raising your children. Dead to what you think is okay when it comes to purity. Dead to what you think is okay when it comes to finances. Dead to all of that. He says, I want to bless you and there's an inheritance waiting for you, but you can't do it if you're still operating in your own flesh." [01:12:02] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "There is nothing, nothing like our God. Nothing like our was thinking how in moments like this where it starts to become real. Many of us are listening to the sermon and having internal conversations about what this would mean if you actually applied it. Apologies you would have to make. Tough moves that would affect finances in regards to words you would have to take back. Things you'd have to give up. And here's what I know. Your pride will try to convince you that even as you're experiencing the presence of God right now, what you would have to give up, what you have decided is better than what God is asking you." [01:13:33] (61 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "You cannot capture somebody that's already submitted to Jesus. You cannot kill somebody that's already dead. This little boy, that we would be like this little boy, that we would not be like the enemy that's fixated on what we want, that we would not be like Peter the disciple who is looking to leverage the presence of God to cut somebody else. But we would be like this dead little boy, that when we regain our life, our priority is not going to see our friends, not going to see our family, but give me Jesus. All I want is Jesus. All I need is Jesus." [01:20:33] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "As much as I wish I can lay hands on all of you, the truth is you're going to have to make a decision. I can't cast your pride out. That's a decision you have to make. Nobody else can deal with your pride but you. You're going to have to say, I know it's a difficult walk. I know the next step is going to be tough, but because I want Jesus more than I want anything else and the enemy is going to try to capture you, but you say you can keep the garments. I'm running free." [01:21:39] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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