Humility vs. Pride: The Path to Belief

 

Summary

In the Gospel of John, chapter 7, verse 18, Jesus addresses the Jewish authorities, emphasizing the distinction between those who seek their own glory and those who seek the glory of God. Jesus asserts that His teachings are not His own but are from God, highlighting the divine origin of His message. The core issue He addresses is the unbelief of the Jewish leaders, which He attributes to their pride and self-glorification. This pride blinds them to the truth and prevents them from accepting Jesus as the fulfillment of God's promises.

Jesus points out that the ultimate obstacle to belief is not intellectual but moral. It is a matter of the heart, where pride and self-centeredness lead to a rejection of divine truth. He contrasts His own mission, which is solely to glorify God, with the self-seeking nature of human teachings. Jesus' life and teachings consistently reflect His commitment to God's glory, as seen in His humility, His avoidance of ostentation, and His submission to God's will, even unto death.

The sermon challenges us to examine our own hearts and recognize the pride that may hinder our acceptance of the Gospel. It calls us to humility, to stoop down and drink from the living water that Jesus offers, which requires setting aside our self-glorification. The tragic folly of pride is that it blinds us to the truth and leads us to reject the salvation that Jesus offers. In contrast, embracing humility and acknowledging our need for God opens the door to eternal life and the true wisdom that comes from Him.

Key Takeaways:

- The Nature of True Teaching: Jesus emphasizes that true teaching comes from God and not from human self-glorification. This distinction is crucial because it highlights the divine authority and truth of Jesus' message, which stands in stark contrast to human teachings that are often rooted in pride and self-interest. [10:07]

- Pride as the Root of Unbelief: The ultimate cause of unbelief is pride, which manifests as self-glorification and self-centeredness. This pride blinds individuals to the truth of the Gospel and leads them to reject Jesus' teachings, as they are more concerned with their own reputation than with the truth. [29:36]

- The Humility of Christ: Jesus' life exemplifies humility and submission to God's will. His actions, teachings, and ultimate sacrifice on the cross demonstrate His commitment to glorifying God rather than seeking His own glory. This humility is a model for believers to follow. [24:19]

- The Tragic Folly of Human Pride: Human pride is not only foolish but also tragic, as it leads individuals to reject the truth of the Gospel and the salvation that Jesus offers. This pride is based on a false sense of self-sufficiency and an overestimation of human knowledge and achievement. [48:21]

- The Call to Humility and Faith: The sermon calls for a response of humility, urging individuals to stoop down and drink from the living water that Jesus offers. This act of humility is necessary to receive the life and wisdom that come from God, contrasting with the self-glorification that leads to spiritual death. [56:16]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Introduction to John 7:18
- [01:15] - Context of Jesus' Teaching
- [02:13] - Unbelief of Jewish Authorities
- [03:35] - The Moral Question of Belief
- [05:16] - Pride as the Ultimate Obstacle
- [06:29] - Jesus' Double Object in Teaching
- [09:01] - The Seriousness of Unbelief
- [10:07] - Two Teachings Confronting Mankind
- [12:42] - Human Teaching vs. Divine Revelation
- [15:10] - Jesus' Claim of Seeking God's Glory
- [17:26] - Examining Jesus' Claim
- [21:41] - Jesus' Humility and Teaching
- [24:19] - Jesus' Submission to God's Will
- [29:36] - Pride as the Root of Sin
- [35:15] - Biblical Examples of Pride
- [39:55] - Modern Manifestations of Pride
- [45:48] - The Insult of the Gospel
- [48:21] - The Tragic Folly of Pride
- [56:16] - The Call to Humility and Faith

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- John 7:18
- Matthew 23:1-12
- Philippians 2:5-8

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Observation Questions:

1. In John 7:18, what distinction does Jesus make between those who speak from themselves and those who seek the glory of God? How does this relate to the Jewish authorities' reaction to Jesus' teachings? [00:35]

2. How does Jesus' behavior, as described in the sermon, demonstrate His commitment to glorifying God rather than seeking His own glory? [17:54]

3. What examples from the sermon illustrate the pride and self-glorification of the Jewish authorities, and how does this pride manifest in their rejection of Jesus? [29:36]

4. According to the sermon, what is the ultimate obstacle to belief in Jesus, and how does this relate to the moral question of belief? [05:33]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon explain the relationship between pride and unbelief, and why is pride considered the root cause of rejecting Jesus' teachings? [29:36]

2. In what ways does Jesus' humility, as described in Philippians 2:5-8, serve as a model for believers, and how does this contrast with the pride of the Jewish authorities? [24:19]

3. How does the sermon illustrate the tragic folly of human pride, and what are the consequences of this pride according to the teachings of Jesus? [48:21]

4. What does the sermon suggest about the nature of true teaching, and how does this relate to the authority and truth of Jesus' message? [10:07]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when pride may have hindered your acceptance of a truth or teaching. How can you cultivate humility to be more open to God's message? [29:36]

2. Jesus' life exemplifies humility and submission to God's will. What specific steps can you take to follow His example in your daily life? [24:19]

3. The sermon challenges us to examine our own hearts for pride. What practical actions can you take this week to identify and address areas of pride in your life? [05:33]

4. How can you ensure that your motivations align with seeking God's glory rather than your own? Identify one area in your life where this might be a struggle and discuss ways to address it. [10:07]

5. The sermon calls us to stoop down and drink from the living water that Jesus offers. What does this look like in your spiritual journey, and how can you make this a regular practice? [56:16]

6. Consider the ways in which pride might manifest in modern contexts, such as intellectual pride or self-sufficiency. How can you guard against these in your own life? [39:55]

7. Reflect on the idea that true wisdom and eternal life come from embracing humility and acknowledging our need for God. How can you incorporate this understanding into your daily decisions and interactions? [48:21]

Devotional

Day 1: Divine Authority in Teaching
True teaching originates from God, not from human self-glorification. Jesus emphasizes this distinction to highlight the divine authority and truth of His message. Unlike human teachings, which are often rooted in pride and self-interest, Jesus' teachings are grounded in the glory of God. This divine origin sets His message apart, offering a truth that transcends human understanding and invites believers to trust in the wisdom that comes from above. Jesus' commitment to glorifying God rather than seeking His own glory serves as a model for believers, encouraging them to seek divine wisdom over human accolades. [10:07]

John 12:49-50 (ESV): "For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me."

Reflection: In what areas of your life are you relying on human wisdom rather than seeking divine guidance? How can you begin to prioritize God's truth in your daily decisions?


Day 2: Pride as the Root of Unbelief
Pride is identified as the ultimate cause of unbelief, manifesting as self-glorification and self-centeredness. This pride blinds individuals to the truth of the Gospel, leading them to reject Jesus' teachings. The Jewish authorities, more concerned with their own reputation than with the truth, exemplify this tragic folly. Jesus challenges this mindset by pointing out that the obstacle to belief is not intellectual but moral, rooted in the heart. By addressing pride, Jesus calls individuals to humility, urging them to set aside self-glorification and embrace the truth of the Gospel. [29:36]

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: Identify a specific area in your life where pride may be hindering your spiritual growth. How can you practice humility in this area today?


Day 3: The Humility of Christ
Jesus' life exemplifies humility and submission to God's will. His actions, teachings, and ultimate sacrifice on the cross demonstrate His commitment to glorifying God rather than seeking His own glory. This humility is a model for believers to follow, encouraging them to live lives of service and submission to God's will. Jesus' humility is seen in His avoidance of ostentation and His willingness to serve others, even unto death. By following His example, believers can learn to prioritize God's glory over their own, leading to a life of true fulfillment and purpose. [24:19]

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: Reflect on a recent situation where you had the opportunity to serve others. How can you emulate Christ's humility in your interactions with others this week?


Day 4: The Tragic Folly of Human Pride
Human pride is not only foolish but also tragic, as it leads individuals to reject the truth of the Gospel and the salvation that Jesus offers. This pride is based on a false sense of self-sufficiency and an overestimation of human knowledge and achievement. By clinging to pride, individuals miss out on the wisdom and life that come from God. Jesus warns against this tragic folly, urging individuals to embrace humility and acknowledge their need for God. In doing so, they open the door to eternal life and the true wisdom that comes from Him. [48:21]

James 4:6 (ESV): "But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'"

Reflection: Consider a time when pride led you to make a poor decision. How can you seek God's grace and wisdom to avoid similar mistakes in the future?


Day 5: The Call to Humility and Faith
The sermon calls for a response of humility, urging individuals to stoop down and drink from the living water that Jesus offers. This act of humility is necessary to receive the life and wisdom that come from God, contrasting with the self-glorification that leads to spiritual death. By embracing humility and acknowledging their need for God, individuals can experience the fullness of life that Jesus offers. This call to humility and faith is a reminder of the transformative power of the Gospel, inviting believers to live lives of purpose and fulfillment in Christ. [56:16]

Isaiah 55:1-3 (ESV): "Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are seeking fulfillment outside of God? How can you turn to Jesus, the living water, to satisfy your deepest needs today?

Quotes

He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own Glory but he that seeketh his glory that sent him the same is true and no unrighteousness is in him. Here as you see in this verse our Lord continues the series of things that he is saying to these Jews, these Jewish authorities, the teachers and leaders of the people with whom he met in the temple at Jerusalem at the time of the Feast of Tabernacles. [00:54:12]

Our Lord is dealing with the unbelief of these Jewish authorities. There he was in the temple and he had been teaching them and we have considered his teaching. He was showing them the truth about himself. He was showing how he was the Fulfillment of God's promises under the old dispensation in the types and the Shadows even in this Feast of Tabernacles. [02:10:00]

He said the mistake you make is to think that this is purely a question of intellect. This is a question of men's understanding. You think this is a question of a men arriving at a knowledge of the truth and you're quite wrong. It isn't it, it's Revelation. My teaching is not mine but is that sent me. [03:50:00]

Our Lord says that if a man genuinely wants to please God and to carry out his dictates to be holy he'll very soon come to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and we give the reasons why that is inevitably the case. But here and now tonight he goes a step further indeed he comes to what is in many ways the ultimate matter. [05:00:00]

The ultimate reason why anyone does not believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and believe his teaching he says is this: it is purely a question of Pride, self-glorification. That is the ultimate obstacle, that is the final difficulty. Unbelief is in the last analysis says our Lord here, purely a question of Pride. [05:30:00]

There are only two teachings confronting mankind this evening. There are only two ultimate views concerning life. The first of course is that which comes from God. He that speaketh from himself seeketh his own Glory but he that seeketh his glory that sent him and who therefore gave him the message and the teaching to give, he is true and no unrighteousness is in him. [10:01:00]

A man standing like this and addressing any Congregation of people is either speaking from himself he says, well now then I've thought about these things and I've lived in this world myself and these are the conclusions to which I have come, he's speaking from himself. He either says that or he says, well now I'm not here to give my own opinions. [13:41:00]

He says that he seeks the glory of God and that alone. He that speak of himself seeketh his own Glory but he that seeketh his glory that sent him the same is true and no unrighteousness is in him. Here then stands this teacher, this Carpenter from Nazareth in the presence of the Pharisees and scribes and doctors of the law in the very temple of God in Jerusalem. [15:20:00]

He was never ostentatious, never. There is one thing that nobody could ever charge him with and that was that he was austentatious, that he made a show of himself or advertised himself. You find indeed the exact opposite. Have you read the accounts of how he avoided Crow, far from arranging that they might be present he avoided them. [18:00:00]

He is described as the meek and lowly Jesus. He was so humble in appearance that publicans and sinners Drew nigh unto him. The Common People heard him gladly. He wasn't like their own teachers who kept the people at a distance and who arrogated great Powers. No, no, they felt they could approach him. [21:41:00]

The ultimate cause of all sin, the sin of unbelief included, is selfishness, self-centeredness, and arrogant Pride seeking our own Glory rather than the glory of God. Now then let me establish this proposition. Our Lord asserts the fact of men's pride and his consequent rejection of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. [29:36:00]

The tragic Folly of men in this pride and self-glorification. What a fool is men in sin. He is rejecting the Son of God because of his pride in himself. What a tragic Folly I say. Why? Well because men has nothing to be proud of. What does he know? What does men really know? [48:21:00]

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Transcript
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