Humility: The Pathway to God's Grace and Exaltation

 

Summary

In the message delivered, the central theme revolves around the humbling of humanity and the exaltation of God. Drawing from Isaiah 2:17, the discourse explores how God, through various means, brings down the pride and haughtiness of man, whether through national calamities, personal afflictions, or the workings of grace. Historical examples, such as the Babylonian captivity and the famine in Samaria, illustrate how God uses dire circumstances to humble the proud and exalt Himself. The narrative emphasizes that God's providence consistently aims to bring down high looks and elevate the lowly, a pattern evident throughout history.

The sermon transitions to a personal application, highlighting that in matters of faith and salvation, human pride is a significant barrier. The plan of salvation is designed to humble man by acknowledging his sinful nature and his need for a savior. It underscores that salvation is not a result of human merit but a gift from God, emphasizing the necessity of recognizing one's spiritual deadness and the need for divine intervention. The message further elaborates on how the grace of God works to humble believers, stripping away self-righteousness and pride, and fostering a deeper reliance on Christ.

The discourse also touches on the ongoing process of sanctification, where growth in grace is accompanied by an increasing sense of humility. It suggests that true spiritual growth involves a deeper awareness of one's unworthiness and a greater dependence on God's grace. The sermon concludes with a call to humility, warning that those who refuse to humble themselves before God will ultimately face judgment. It encourages believers to embrace humility as a pathway to experiencing God's mercy and grace.

Key Takeaways:

1. God's Providence and Human Pride: Throughout history, God has used various means, such as national calamities and personal afflictions, to humble the proud and exalt Himself. This pattern is evident in the Babylonian captivity and the famine in Samaria, where the loftiness of man was brought low, and God's sovereignty was exalted. [02:12]

2. The Plan of Salvation: The plan of salvation is inherently humbling, as it requires individuals to acknowledge their sinful nature and their need for a savior. It emphasizes that salvation is not based on human merit but is a gift from God, highlighting the necessity of recognizing one's spiritual deadness and the need for divine intervention. [06:12]

3. Grace and Humility: The grace of God works to humble believers by stripping away self-righteousness and pride, fostering a deeper reliance on Christ. This process involves acknowledging one's unworthiness and embracing humility as a pathway to experiencing God's mercy and grace. [15:58]

4. Spiritual Growth and Humility: True spiritual growth is accompanied by an increasing sense of humility and a deeper awareness of one's unworthiness. As believers grow in grace, they become more reliant on God's strength and less on their own, recognizing their insufficiency and the need for divine help. [25:15]

5. The Consequences of Pride: Those who refuse to humble themselves before God will ultimately face judgment. The message warns that if individuals do not come down by grace, they will be brought down by judgment, emphasizing the importance of embracing humility to experience God's mercy and avoid His wrath. [39:54]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:13] - Introduction: Man Humbled, God Exalted
- [00:32] - Historical Examples of Humbling
- [01:05] - Famine and Pestilence as Levelers
- [01:54] - God's Providence in Humbling the Proud
- [03:12] - The Ultimate Exaltation of God
- [03:59] - Personal Application: Human Pride in Religion
- [05:21] - The Plan of Salvation and Human Sinfulness
- [07:38] - Salvation as a Gift from God
- [09:22] - The Role of Christ in Salvation
- [11:05] - The Will to Be Saved: God's Sovereignty
- [12:54] - The Nature of Human Depravity
- [16:13] - The Work of Grace in Humbling Believers
- [19:51] - Conversion and Humility
- [25:15] - Spiritual Growth and Humility
- [30:06] - Affliction as a Means of Humbling
- [36:54] - The Consequences of Pride and the Call to Humility

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Isaiah 2:17: "And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day."

#### Observation Questions
1. What historical examples were given in the sermon to illustrate how God humbles the proud? ([00:32])
2. How does the sermon describe the role of famine and pestilence in humbling humanity? ([01:05])
3. According to the sermon, what is the initial step in the plan of salvation that aims to humble humanity? ([05:21])
4. What does the sermon say about the nature of human depravity and its role in the plan of salvation? ([12:54])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the sermon interpret Isaiah 2:17 in the context of God's providence and human pride? ([02:12])
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the plan of salvation is designed to humble individuals? ([06:12])
3. How does the sermon explain the relationship between spiritual growth and humility? ([25:15])
4. What are the consequences mentioned in the sermon for those who refuse to humble themselves before God? ([39:54])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced a humbling event in your life. How did it change your perspective on God's sovereignty? ([01:54])
2. The sermon emphasizes the need to acknowledge one's sinful nature. How can you practice this acknowledgment in your daily life? ([06:12])
3. Consider the role of grace in your spiritual journey. How has it helped you to rely more on Christ and less on your own abilities? ([15:58])
4. What practical steps can you take to cultivate humility in your spiritual growth? How can you become more aware of your unworthiness and dependence on God? ([25:15])
5. The sermon warns about the consequences of pride. How can you identify and address areas of pride in your life to avoid these consequences? ([39:54])
6. How can you embrace humility as a pathway to experiencing God's mercy and grace in your relationships with others? ([15:58])
7. Reflect on the ongoing process of sanctification in your life. What specific actions can you take to align more closely with God's will and grow in humility? ([25:15])

Devotional

Day 1: God's Sovereignty in Humbling the Proud
God's providence is evident throughout history as He uses various means to humble the proud and exalt Himself. This is seen in events like the Babylonian captivity and the famine in Samaria, where human pride was brought low, and God's sovereignty was exalted. These historical examples serve as reminders that God is in control, and He uses circumstances to reveal His power and authority. In our lives, we may encounter situations that challenge our pride and self-reliance, prompting us to recognize God's hand at work. By acknowledging His sovereignty, we can learn to trust in His plans and purposes, even when they involve humbling experiences. [02:12]

Isaiah 45:9-10 (ESV): "Woe to him who strives with him who formed him, a pot among earthen pots! Does the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?’ or ‘Your work has no handles’? Woe to him who says to a father, ‘What are you begetting?’ or to a woman, ‘With what are you in labor?’"

Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you felt your pride was challenged. How can you see God's sovereignty in that experience, and what steps can you take to trust Him more fully?


Day 2: The Humbling Nature of Salvation
The plan of salvation is inherently humbling, requiring individuals to acknowledge their sinful nature and their need for a savior. It emphasizes that salvation is not based on human merit but is a gift from God, highlighting the necessity of recognizing one's spiritual deadness and the need for divine intervention. This understanding strips away any sense of self-righteousness, reminding us that we cannot earn our way to God. Instead, we must rely on His grace and mercy, accepting the gift of salvation with humility and gratitude. This humbling process is essential for true spiritual transformation and growth. [06:12]

Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV): "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

Reflection: Reflect on your journey of faith. How has acknowledging your need for a savior changed your perspective on life and your relationship with God?


Day 3: Grace as a Tool for Humility
The grace of God works to humble believers by stripping away self-righteousness and pride, fostering a deeper reliance on Christ. This process involves acknowledging one's unworthiness and embracing humility as a pathway to experiencing God's mercy and grace. As believers grow in their faith, they become more aware of their need for God's strength and less reliant on their own abilities. This shift in perspective allows for a deeper relationship with Christ, as we learn to depend on Him for guidance, strength, and wisdom in all areas of life. [15:58]

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 areas of your life do you find yourself relying on your own strength rather than God's grace? How can you begin to shift your focus to depend more on Christ?


Day 4: Humility as a Sign of Spiritual Growth
True spiritual growth is accompanied by an increasing sense of humility and a deeper awareness of one's unworthiness. As believers grow in grace, they become more reliant on God's strength and less on their own, recognizing their insufficiency and the need for divine help. This humility is a sign of maturity in faith, as it reflects a deeper understanding of God's character and our place in His plan. By embracing humility, we open ourselves to greater spiritual growth and a more profound experience of God's love and grace. [25:15]

1 Peter 5:5-6 (ESV): "Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.' Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you."

Reflection: How has your understanding of humility changed as you've grown in your faith? What practical steps can you take to cultivate humility in your daily life?


Day 5: The Consequences of Pride and the Call to Humility
Those who refuse to humble themselves before God will ultimately face judgment. The message warns that if individuals do not come down by grace, they will be brought down by judgment, emphasizing the importance of embracing humility to experience God's mercy and avoid His wrath. This serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of pride and the necessity of humility in our relationship with God. By choosing to humble ourselves, we align with God's will and open ourselves to His transformative work in our lives. [39:54]

Proverbs 16:18-19 (ESV): "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud."

Reflection: Consider a time when pride led to a negative outcome in your life. How can you learn from that experience and choose humility in similar situations moving forward?

Quotes

The Plan of Salvation itself aims at the Bowing down of the loftiness of man and at the exaltation of God. This is very apparent to us at once when we remember that there is no Plan of Salvation at all for man except as a sinner. The Plan of Salvation necessarily considers man as needing Salvation And as being lost. [00:54:39]

If thou be a sinner there is some relation between thee and Christ, but if thou proudly sayest in thine heart I am better than other men, I am not as the thief or the Harlot, I need not wash in the fountain which they need so much for I am clean, I tell thee man or woman there is no Christ for thee. [01:05:05]

The grace of God works to humble believers by stripping away self-righteousness and pride, fostering a deeper reliance on Christ. This process involves acknowledging one's unworthiness and embracing humility as a pathway to experiencing God's mercy and grace. [01:15:58]

The process by which a man is practically saved is this: a new nature is put into us. That new and Incorruptible nature straightway begins to contend with the old Adam, the body, as Paul calls it, of sin and death. This causes a conflict, a conflict which is constantly maintained. [01:24:52]

When the grace of God comes into a man, it comes with an axe in its hand. It does not come at first to build up but to pull down. I think we should beware of being too suddenly filled with strong confidence and Assurance. I do not say beware of too suddenly believing in Christ. [01:37:28]

The first work of Salvation secures it also to a very large extent. When the grace of God comes into a man, it comes with an axe in its hand. It does not come at first to build up but to pull down. I think we should beware of being too suddenly filled with strong confidence. [01:41:59]

The Plan of Salvation appeals to men as Sinners. It comes to them on no other terms but as Sinners, and thus it is evidently meant to bring down man's High looks. Moreover, it not only treats men as Sinners but as dead Sinners. [01:10:55]

True spiritual growth is accompanied by an increasing sense of humility and a deeper awareness of one's unworthiness. As believers grow in grace, they become more reliant on God's strength and less on their own, recognizing their insufficiency and the need for divine help. [01:25:15]

If you will not come down by grace, you must and shall come down by judgment. You will be humbled, sinner, if not to penitence, then to remorse; if not to Hopeful conversion, to hopeless despair. Every High look shall be brought down in the day when he shall sit upon the great white throne. [00:39:54]

The Lord in all his works of Providence hitherto, if you analyze the pages of History, you will find has been constantly bringing down high looks and making the haughtiness of man to be humbled. Indeed, this seems to be God's great work. [00:02:12]

The Plan of Salvation is inherently humbling, as it requires individuals to acknowledge their sinful nature and their need for a savior. It emphasizes that salvation is not based on human merit but is a gift from God, highlighting the necessity of recognizing one's spiritual deadness. [00:06:12]

The consequences of pride are dire. Those who refuse to humble themselves before God will ultimately face judgment. The message warns that if individuals do not come down by grace, they will be brought down by judgment, emphasizing the importance of embracing humility. [00:39:54]

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Transcript
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