Humility Over Pride: Lessons from King Uzziah
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, church family. Today, we gathered to worship and to pray for various needs, including our government and ex-president Trump, emphasizing the importance of praying for everyone, regardless of our personal feelings. We also prayed for forgiveness, strength, and the expansion of our territories, asking God to prepare us for the blessings He has in store for us.
Our main focus today was on the theme of pride, using the story of King Uzziah as a case study. Uzziah started his reign at 16 and followed God, which led to his prosperity. However, his downfall came when he became prideful. We learned that pride can happen to anyone, even those who have been faithful for decades. We must be vigilant, especially during winning seasons, as pride can make us believe our successes are solely our doing.
Pride can also lead us to step out of our God-given roles, as Uzziah did when he tried to perform priestly duties. This not only leads to failure but also isolation, as pride creates a wedge between us and others. Ultimately, pride will leave us lonely, just as it did with Uzziah, who died alone with leprosy.
To combat pride, we must adopt the attitude of Jesus, who, despite being God, humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death. If Jesus can humble Himself, so can we. Let us strive to be humble, recognizing that all our successes come from God and not from our own doing.
### Key Takeaways
1. Pray for Everyone, Regardless of Personal Feelings: We are called to pray for all people, including those we may not personally like or agree with. This practice helps us align our hearts with God's love and compassion, breaking down barriers of division and fostering a spirit of unity and peace. [07:22]
2. Pride Can Happen to Anyone: No matter how long we have been faithful or how spiritually mature we think we are, pride can still creep in. It is crucial to remain humble and vigilant, recognizing that our strengths and successes are gifts from God, not products of our own doing. [08:01]
3. Watch for Pride in Winning Seasons: Success can be a breeding ground for pride. When everything is going well, we might start to believe that our achievements are due to our own efforts. Remember, every blessing and success comes from God, and we must give Him the glory. [11:13]
4. Pride Will Have You Do Things God Never Called You to Do: Stepping out of our God-given roles due to pride can lead to failure and disobedience. We must stay in our lanes and focus on what God has called us to do, rather than coveting the roles and responsibilities of others. [18:52]
5. Pride Will Leave You Lonely: Pride creates a wedge between us and others, leading to isolation. Just as leprosy isolated Uzziah, pride can isolate us from meaningful relationships and community. Humility, on the other hand, fosters connection and unity. [25:10]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[07:22] - Praying for Everyone
[08:01] - Pride Can Happen to Anyone
[11:13] - Watch for Pride in Winning Seasons
[18:52] - Pride Will Have You Do Things God Never Called You to Do
[25:10] - Pride Will Leave You Lonely
[29:19] - Adopt the Attitude of Jesus
[32:58] - Invitation to Accept Jesus
[37:11] - Worship and Praise
[40:02] - Right Hand of Fellowship
[42:44] - Closing Prayer and Benediction
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 2 Chronicles 26:3-5, 16-21 - The story of King Uzziah's reign, his success, and his downfall due to pride.
2. Philippians 2:5-8 - The humility of Jesus Christ as an example for us to follow.
#### Observation Questions
1. What led to King Uzziah's initial success and prosperity during his reign? (2 Chronicles 26:3-5)
2. How did King Uzziah's pride manifest, and what were the consequences of his actions? (2 Chronicles 26:16-21)
3. According to Philippians 2:5-8, what attitude did Jesus demonstrate, and how did He humble Himself?
4. In the sermon, what were some examples given of how pride can lead us to step out of our God-given roles? [18:52]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important to remain humble and vigilant, especially during times of success? How can pride subtly creep into our lives? [11:13]
2. How does pride create a wedge between us and others, leading to isolation? Can you think of modern examples where pride has led to someone's downfall? [25:10]
3. What does it mean to adopt the attitude of Jesus, and how can His example help us combat pride in our own lives? [29:19]
4. How can praying for everyone, regardless of personal feelings, help us align our hearts with God's love and compassion? [07:22]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced a "winning season" in your life. How did you handle success, and were there moments when pride began to creep in? What steps can you take to remain humble during future successes? [11:13]
2. Think about a situation where you stepped out of your God-given role due to pride. What were the consequences, and how can you ensure you stay within your God-given roles in the future? [18:52]
3. How can you actively practice humility in your daily life, following the example of Jesus? Identify one specific area where you can humble yourself this week. [29:19]
4. Is there someone in your life you struggle to pray for due to personal feelings? How can you begin to pray for them sincerely, and what impact might this have on your heart and relationships? [07:22]
5. Pride often leads to isolation. Are there any relationships in your life that have been strained due to pride? What steps can you take to mend those relationships and foster connection and unity? [25:10]
6. How can you remind yourself daily that all your successes and blessings come from God and not from your own doing? What practical steps can you take to give God the glory in all areas of your life? [11:13]
7. Reflect on the story of King Uzziah. What lessons can you apply to your own life to avoid the pitfalls of pride and ensure you remain faithful and humble before God? [08:01]
Devotional
Day 1: Praying for Everyone, Regardless of Personal Feelings
We are called to pray for all people, including those we may not personally like or agree with. This practice helps us align our hearts with God's love and compassion, breaking down barriers of division and fostering a spirit of unity and peace. When we pray for others, especially those we find difficult to love, we are reminded of God's unconditional love for us and His command to love our neighbors as ourselves. This act of prayer can transform our hearts, making us more like Christ in our attitudes and actions.
Praying for everyone also means lifting up our leaders and those in authority, regardless of our political affiliations or personal opinions. By doing so, we acknowledge that God is sovereign over all and that He can work through anyone to accomplish His purposes. Let us commit to praying for our government, our leaders, and even those we may disagree with, trusting that God hears our prayers and will act according to His will. [07:22]
1 Timothy 2:1-2 (ESV): "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way."
Reflection: Think of someone you find difficult to pray for. Can you take a moment today to lift them up in prayer, asking God to bless them and work in their lives?
Day 2: Pride Can Happen to Anyone
No matter how long we have been faithful or how spiritually mature we think we are, pride can still creep in. It is crucial to remain humble and vigilant, recognizing that our strengths and successes are gifts from God, not products of our own doing. Pride can subtly infiltrate our hearts, making us believe that we are self-sufficient and that our achievements are solely the result of our efforts. This mindset can lead us away from dependence on God and towards a dangerous self-reliance.
To guard against pride, we must continually remind ourselves of our need for God's grace and mercy. We should regularly reflect on His goodness and acknowledge that every good thing in our lives comes from Him. By maintaining an attitude of gratitude and humility, we can keep pride at bay and stay grounded in our faith. [08:01]
Proverbs 16:18 (ESV): "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you find yourself taking credit for your successes? How can you shift your perspective to recognize God's hand in those achievements?
Day 3: Watch for Pride in Winning Seasons
Success can be a breeding ground for pride. When everything is going well, we might start to believe that our achievements are due to our own efforts. Remember, every blessing and success comes from God, and we must give Him the glory. During times of prosperity, it is easy to become complacent and forget our dependence on God. We may start to rely on our own abilities and resources, losing sight of the fact that it is God who has blessed us with these gifts.
To combat this, we must cultivate a habit of gratitude and regularly acknowledge God's role in our successes. By giving Him the glory and recognizing His provision, we can keep our hearts humble and our focus on Him. Let us be mindful of the dangers of pride during our winning seasons and strive to remain humble and grateful. [11:13]
Deuteronomy 8:17-18 (ESV): "Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day."
Reflection: Think about a recent success or blessing in your life. How can you intentionally give God the glory for it today?
Day 4: Pride Will Have You Do Things God Never Called You to Do
Stepping out of our God-given roles due to pride can lead to failure and disobedience. We must stay in our lanes and focus on what God has called us to do, rather than coveting the roles and responsibilities of others. When we allow pride to dictate our actions, we may find ourselves pursuing tasks and positions that God never intended for us. This can result in frustration, burnout, and a sense of unfulfillment.
By seeking God's guidance and remaining obedient to His calling, we can avoid the pitfalls of pride and stay true to the path He has set before us. Let us trust in His wisdom and timing, knowing that He has a unique plan and purpose for each of our lives. [18:52]
Romans 12:3 (ESV): "For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned."
Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you are stepping outside of God's calling due to pride? How can you realign yourself with His purpose for you today?
Day 5: Pride Will Leave You Lonely
Pride creates a wedge between us and others, leading to isolation. Just as leprosy isolated Uzziah, pride can isolate us from meaningful relationships and community. Humility, on the other hand, fosters connection and unity. When we allow pride to take root in our hearts, it can cause us to push others away, believing that we are self-sufficient and do not need their support or companionship. This can lead to a sense of loneliness and disconnection from those around us.
By embracing humility and recognizing our need for others, we can build stronger, more meaningful relationships. Let us strive to be humble and open, allowing others to speak into our lives and walking together in community. [25:10]
James 4:6 (ESV): "But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'"
Reflection: In what ways has pride affected your relationships with others? How can you practice humility and foster deeper connections with those around you today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "But God has called us to pray for everybody regardless of what you feel towards a particular person and regardless of whether you be Republican, or Democrat. And so we want to put him on the list this morning. Amen? As well as just our entire government and our entire, this political climate that seems to be all over the place." [07:22] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We pray, Lord God, that just as you have forgiven us, it is our prayer that we do not harbor your forgiveness just to ourselves. But we be vehicles in which your forgiveness is able to pass through. So that just as you forgive us every single day we wake up and slap you in the face. That we, too, would be able to extend that same amount of forgiveness to others as well." [12:22] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "God, we ask you, Lord God, that you would open up doors where doors need to be opened. Because, God, some of us have been knocking. And we've been knocking left and right. But it just seems like, Lord God, that the doors are not being opened. And so, God, we ask you that you would expand territory in those areas, Lord God. We ask you, Lord God, that you would pour out your blessings from heaven." [14:38] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Teach us, Lord God, how to love like you. Teach us, Lord God, how to pray for those that we might like and dislike, Lord God. Teach us, Lord God, how to pray for those that are our friends and those who are our foes, Lord God." [17:48] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "If Jesus who is God, if Jesus who deserves to be exalted, if Jesus who deserves to be praised, if Jesus who deserves to be magnified, if Jesus who deserves to be glorified, if Jesus who is the Lord of Lords and King of Kings, if that Jesus could humble himself, then surely we can humble ourselves too." [01:30:27] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Did you know that there were some blessings that you're cutting off right now simply because you're not seeking God? That there were some blessings that God has now dropped inside of your lap that you could have simply because you're seeking it instead of him. He said, seek ye first the kingdom of heaven and his righteousness, and then he'll add all the other stuff unto you. But sometimes we're seeking the stuff instead of seeking God." [01:04:34] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Pride will have you do things that God never called you to do. The text tells us that when King Uzziah got beside himself, when he became prideful, he thought that he could go inside of the temple and start burning incense. The priests come in, 80 of them, rolling deep. And they're saying, what in the world are you doing? He gets angry out of his pride because they won't let him do something that he's not assigned to do." [01:18:52] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Pride will leave you lonely. The text shows us that this king that was applauded, this king that was adored by so many, this king that accomplished so much inside of his life, that he ended up dying alone with leprosy. When he got beside himself, when he became prideful, God had stricken him with a disease called leprosy. Leprosy in the Bible, it was to be treated a particular way. You could not live with anybody else, so you were to be quarantined." [01:25:10] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Pride can happen to anyone. I need you to get that in the bells of your stomach right now. That pride can happen to anyone. I want you to think about this. He became king at age 16. He ruled until he was eight. Excuse me. He ruled for 52 years. That's a 52-year reign. That means that for decades, assuming that he didn't get beside himself until later on in his years, for decades, he followed God." [01:08:01] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Watch out for pride in winning seasons. What's a winning season, Pastor? A winning season is when there is an area or there are areas in your life that it just seems like you just keep on winning. You know, as the song says, all I do is win. There are seasons that we go through, that are losing, but sometimes there are seasons that we go through that are winning." [01:11:13] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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