Embracing Humility: The Path to True Greatness

Devotional

Day 1: True Humility Before God

Humility is not self-deprecation but a posture of openness before God, recognizing our limitations and need for His grace. In a world that often rewards self-promotion and pride, it is easy to fall into the trap of comparing ourselves to others or congratulating ourselves on our own humility. Yet, Scripture warns us that exalting ourselves leads to being humbled, while true humility opens the door to God's favor. This humility is essential not only for our spiritual growth but also for our salvation, as it allows us to receive God's grace and learn from others, even those we might overlook. Let us seek to cultivate a humble heart, remembering that before the vastness of God and His creation, we are small and dependent on His mercy. [26:09]

Luke 14:7-11 (ESV)
Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the places of honor, saying to them, “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this person,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Reflection: In what area of your life are you tempted to seek recognition or compare yourself to others, and how can you intentionally choose humility in that area today?

Day 2: Receiving Grace Through Humility

God’s grace is given to the humble, not to those who rely on their own strength or righteousness. We cannot earn our way into God’s kingdom by our good works or religious achievements; rather, we must come to Him with open hands, admitting our need and receiving His gifts. Just as a child is brought to baptism with nothing to offer, so we come to God empty-handed, ready to receive what only He can give. This posture of humility is the very foundation of our relationship with God, and it is through admitting our brokenness and need for help that we experience His saving power. [36:29]

James 4:10 (ESV)
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

Reflection: Is there a struggle or weakness you have been trying to handle on your own? What would it look like to humbly ask God—and perhaps someone else—for help today?

Day 3: The Power of Confession

Confession is a spiritual practice that keeps us grounded in humility, reminding us of our own need for grace and helping us resist the temptation to judge others. When we honestly confess our sins, we acknowledge our limitations and our dependence on God’s mercy. This practice not only brings us forgiveness but also cultivates compassion for others, as we recognize that we too are capable of falling short. Confession helps us to stay humble, to remember our mortality, and to see ourselves and others through the lens of God’s grace. [38:47]

1 John 1:8-9 (ESV)
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Reflection: Take a moment to confess a specific sin to God today—how does this act of honesty affect your heart toward both God and others?

Day 4: Serving Others as the Path to Humility

True humility is outward-looking, expressed in serving those who cannot repay us and showing hospitality to the stranger. Jesus calls us to invite the poor, the hurting, and the needy into our lives, not for our own benefit, but simply to love as He has loved us. When we serve others, especially those who have nothing to offer us in return, we reflect the heart of Christ, who humbled Himself for our sake. This kind of service is a powerful witness to the world and a practical way to cultivate humility in our own hearts. [39:39]

Hebrews 13:2 (ESV)
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

Reflection: Who is someone in your life—perhaps overlooked or in need—whom you can serve or show hospitality to this week, expecting nothing in return?

Day 5: Following the Pattern of Christ’s Humility

Jesus is the ultimate example of humility, having emptied Himself and taken up the cross for our sake. His willingness to be misunderstood, to forgive, and to serve even to the point of death is the pattern we are called to follow. When we choose vulnerability, forgiveness, and humility in our relationships, we participate in the way of the cross and become living witnesses to the gospel. This path is not always easy, but it is beautiful and transformative, drawing others to the love and grace of Christ. [41:31]

Philippians 2:5-8 (ESV)
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Reflection: Is there a relationship or situation where you are being called to follow Christ’s example of humility and forgiveness? What step can you take today to walk that path?

Sermon Summary

Humility is at the very heart of the Christian life and the way of Jesus. In a world that often celebrates self-promotion, strength, and dominance, the call of Christ is radically different: “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” This is not just wise advice for social situations, but a deep spiritual truth about how the kingdom of God operates. True humility is not about thinking less of ourselves, but about turning our attention away from ourselves—looking outward to the needs of others and upward to the greatness of God.

Humility is essential for spiritual growth, for learning, and for genuine community. It is the posture that allows us to be teachable, to listen, and to receive from others—even those we might be tempted to overlook. In a culture obsessed with being right and being seen, humility invites us to listen more and speak less, to admit our limitations, and to recognize that we do not have all the answers. It is humility that enables us to apologize, to make amends, and to be peacemakers in a divided world.

The pattern of humility is most perfectly seen in Jesus Christ, who, though he was God, humbled himself to the point of death on a cross. This is the very source of our salvation: we are not saved by our own efforts or spiritual achievements, but by the sheer grace of God, received with empty hands and open hearts. The sacraments themselves—baptism and communion—are vivid reminders that we come to God not with our accomplishments, but in need, ready to receive.

Cultivating humility is a lifelong journey. It involves remembering our smallness before the vastness of God’s creation, confessing our sins, and serving those who cannot repay us. When we practice hospitality, serve the poor, and give attention to the lonely, we are following the way of Jesus. Humility is not weakness; it is the path to true greatness in God’s kingdom. When we walk this path, we become living witnesses to the heart of Christ, drawing others to the beauty of the gospel.

Key Takeaways

1. Humility is the foundation for spiritual growth and learning. Without a humble heart, we cannot be taught, cannot receive correction, and cannot truly listen to others. God often speaks through those we might overlook, and it is humility that opens our ears to hear. [28:39]
2. The world’s way is to seek honor and recognition, but God’s way is the way of the cross—downward mobility, not upward. Our value in God’s eyes is not based on our achievements or religious performance, but on his grace freely given to the humble. This is the pattern of the kingdom: those who humble themselves are lifted up. [35:04]
3. Confession and honest self-examination are vital practices for cultivating humility. Remembering our own sins and limitations keeps us from judging others harshly and reminds us of our constant need for God’s mercy. Confession is not about self-condemnation, but about staying grounded in the truth of who we are before God. [38:47]
4. Serving others—especially those who cannot repay us—shifts our focus from ourselves and mirrors the heart of Christ. Hospitality, generosity, and attention to the lonely are practical ways to grow in humility. When we serve in this way, we participate in the very pattern of Jesus, who gave himself for us while we were still lost. [39:39]
5. Humility is the key to reconciliation and peacemaking. Vulnerability, willingness to apologize, and the courage to forgive are all fruits of a humble spirit. When we choose humility in our relationships, we create space for healing, friendship, and even beauty to emerge from conflict, just as Christ’s humility brought life from death. [44:20]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[11:34] - Prayers of Intercession
[14:29] - Labor Day and Prayers for Workers
[24:42] - Preparing Our Hearts for the Word
[26:09] - The Danger of Spiritual Pride
[28:39] - The Necessity of Humility
[29:46] - Humility and Peacemaking
[32:19] - Admitting Our Need for Help
[33:17] - Grace Comes to the Humble
[35:04] - The Parable of the Banquet and the Kingdom
[36:29] - Cultivating Humility in Daily Life
[38:47] - The Practice of Confession
[39:39] - Serving the Poor and Hospitality
[41:31] - Christ’s Pattern of Humility and Exaltation
[42:27] - A Story of Humility and Reconciliation
[44:20] - Vulnerability and Forgiveness
[45:31] - The Beauty of Humility in Community
[46:35] - Prayer for a Humble Heart
[47:27] - Affirming Our Faith
[55:15] - Confession and Assurance
[57:16] - The Great Thanksgiving
[62:57] - The Story of Redemption
[64:02] - The Mystery of Faith and Communion
[65:33] - The Lord’s Prayer and Invitation
[67:29] - Sending and Blessing
[77:55] - Final Blessing and Dismissal

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Luke 14:7-14 (ESV) — > Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the places of honor, saying to them, “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this person,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
> He said also to the man who had invited him, “When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”

Philippians 2:5-8 (ESV) — > Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Observation Questions

In Luke 14, what behavior does Jesus observe at the dinner party, and how does he respond to it? ([26:09])
According to the sermon, what is the difference between the world’s way of seeking honor and God’s way in the kingdom? ([35:04])
What practical examples does Jesus give for showing humility in Luke 14:12-14?
How does the sermon describe the connection between humility and being able to listen and learn from others? ([28:39])

Interpretation Questions

Why does Jesus use the setting of a banquet to teach about humility and the kingdom of God? What does this reveal about God’s values compared to society’s? ([35:04])
The sermon says, “True humility is not about thinking less of ourselves, but about turning our attention away from ourselves—looking outward to the needs of others and upward to the greatness of God.” How does this definition challenge common ideas about humility? ([28:39])
How does the pattern of Jesus’ humility, as described in Philippians 2, shape our understanding of what it means to follow him? ([41:31])
The sermon mentions that confession and honest self-examination are vital for cultivating humility. Why might this practice be so important for spiritual growth and community? ([38:47])

Application Questions

The sermon points out that humility is the foundation for spiritual growth and learning. Can you think of a recent time when pride kept you from learning something or receiving correction? What would it have looked like to respond with humility instead? ([28:39])
Jesus says to invite those who cannot repay you. Is there someone in your life right now who could use your hospitality or generosity, even if they have nothing to offer you in return? What is one step you could take this week to serve them? ([39:39])
The sermon talks about the importance of listening more and speaking less in a culture obsessed with being right. Are there situations where you tend to speak more than listen? What would it look like to practice humility in those moments? ([28:39])
Confession is described as a way to stay grounded in the truth of who we are before God. Is there an area of your life where you need to practice honest confession—either to God or to someone else? What’s holding you back? ([38:47])
The story of Forrest Frank and Corey Asbury in the sermon shows how vulnerability and humility can lead to reconciliation and even friendship. Is there a relationship in your life that needs healing? What would it look like to take a humble step toward reconciliation? ([44:20])
The sermon suggests remembering our smallness before God’s vastness as a way to cultivate humility. When was the last time you felt small in a good way? How can you intentionally create space for that kind of perspective this week? ([36:29])
Humility is described as the path to true greatness in God’s kingdom. What is one area of your life where you are tempted to seek recognition or “the seat of honor”? How can you choose the way of humility instead? ([26:09])

Sermon Clips

While ancient pagan societies celebrated and valued strength and might and dominance over others, the early Christians were kind of weird because they said, actually humility is a holy virtue that God wants to cultivate in our lives. Humility is essential for our growth as Christians. It's essential for our effectiveness in mission to the world. And it's even essential for our very salvation. [00:28:39] (31 seconds) #humilityforgrowth

I think, I look at the culture I live, and I think, boy, we need some listening in our world. I think a whole lot more listening and maybe a whole lot less pontificating. It seems like, to me, I live in a time where everybody kind of feels the need to be an expert in everything and then to put our expertise out there on social media all the time, like whatever's in the news, somebody feels like we've got to comment on it. [00:29:46] (27 seconds) #lesspontificatemorelisten

Humility, it's necessary for us to be the kind of peacemakers that Jesus calls blessed, that he calls us to be. Because peacemaking means a willingness to offer apologies and to make amends. And it is never fun to say sorry. I mean, I get that. I have to do it quite a bit sometimes. It's never fun. [00:30:42] (25 seconds) #humblepeacemaking

It takes humility to ask for help and to simply receive it. Some of us, I think, have a really hard time receiving help. We're like, no, I got this. I got this. It takes humility to say, I don't got this. And I need some help. And God help me. [00:32:19] (20 seconds) #humilitytoaccepthelp

God is not impressed with all of our efforts to do good things. He calls us to do good things and we need to, but it's not like God's going to be like, wow, look at these guys, you know. You know, our welcome into God's kingdom is entirely based on his gift. We are saved by grace, says the Bible. That's how it works. [00:36:29] (26 seconds) #savedbygracealone

I think one thing that helps me cultivate greater humility is to just be aware of how tiny we all are before the vastness of God's creation. I mean, go outside one night when you've got not a lot of streetlights around and look at a starry sky and think not just how little am I, but how little is our whole planet, our whole galaxy, so small. [00:37:53] (23 seconds) #humilityincreation

We can cultivate humility, of course, by remembering our limitations. I think sometimes it's not a bad thing to remember the really stupid things you did when you were young, that somehow you survived. Remembering our mortality and, above all, remembering our sinfulness. [00:38:30] (17 seconds) #rememberlimitations

Giving to those who could never pay it back is exactly what Jesus Christ has done for you and me and every one of us. When we were lost in sin, when we were all mixed up, and when we were eaten up with pride and vainglory, Jesus humbled himself. And he became obedient even to the point of death, even death on a cross. [00:41:00] (25 seconds) #jesusmodelofhumility

That's the pattern that we see in Jesus Christ. That is the very source of our salvation and our hope of life abundant and life eternal. He humbled himself in order to exalt all of us. That's the pattern. That's how he brings us back into right relationship with God. [00:41:42] (19 seconds) #jesuspatternofsalvation

That's the pattern that we see in Jesus, that we hang all of our hopes on the cross of Christ, right? And that is the pattern that he calls us to follow in how we deal with one another, how we deal with the people on our screens that we don't know. That's the pattern that when we live into it, it is beautiful and it is winsome. And it draws people to the crucified and risen Lord. [00:45:49] (27 seconds) #followjesushumility

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