Overcoming Pride: Trusting in God's Justice and Grace

 

Summary

### Summary

Hello, Sugar Grove family! It's a joy to be with you as we kick off our new series, "One Hit Wonders," where we'll explore the shorter books of the Bible and uncover the profound truths they hold. Today, we delved into the book of Obadiah, a brief yet powerful text that speaks volumes about pride, justice, and God's unwavering commitment to His people.

We began by imagining the terror and chaos of being forcibly removed from your home and taken into slavery, as happened to the people of Judah in 586 B.C. under King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. Adding to their suffering, their distant relatives, the Edomites, not only stood by but also mocked and looted them. This historical backdrop sets the stage for Obadiah's prophecy against Edom, highlighting the destructive nature of pride.

The Edomites, descendants of Esau, felt secure in their mountainous strongholds and superior as they watched Judah's downfall. Their pride led them to believe they were untouchable, but God, through Obadiah, declared that their false sense of security and superiority would lead to their ultimate destruction. God’s justice is inescapable, and He will not let the wicked go unpunished.

We also reflected on how pride affects us today. Just like the Edomites, we often find false security in our possessions, relationships, or achievements, leading to a sense of superiority over others. This pride is destructive, both to ourselves and those around us. However, the gospel offers a remedy. Jesus Christ, through His death and resurrection, saves us from the judgment we deserve. We are called to preach this gospel to ourselves daily, reminding us of our need for a Savior and the transformative power of His grace.

God's justice will be served, and He does not forget His people. He promises restoration and hope, just as He assured the Israelites of their return from exile. Ultimately, the kingdom belongs to the Lord, and we can trust in His sovereign rule and righteous judgment.

### Key Takeaways

1. The Destructive Nature of Pride: Pride leads us to a false sense of security and superiority, making us believe we are self-sufficient and untouchable. This destructive force not only harms us but also those around us. We must recognize and combat pride in our hearts to avoid the same downfall as the Edomites. [36:15]

2. God's Inescapable Justice: No one can escape God's justice. While it may seem that the wicked prosper and the righteous suffer, God assures us that His justice will be served in His perfect timing. This truth should comfort us and encourage us to trust in His righteous judgment. [44:31]

3. God Does Not Forget His People: In times of suffering and injustice, it may feel like God is distant, but He is always present and attentive. He sees our struggles and promises to restore and vindicate His people. We can find hope in His unwavering commitment to us. [49:45]

4. The Transformative Power of the Gospel: We are all sinners in need of a Savior, and Jesus Christ is that Savior. His death and resurrection offer us new life and identity. Preaching the gospel to ourselves daily helps us combat pride and reminds us of our dependence on God's grace. [57:38]

5. The Sovereignty of God's Kingdom: Ultimately, the kingdom belongs to the Lord. His sovereign rule assures us that He is in control, even in the midst of chaos and injustice. We can confidently trust in His promises and His plan for our lives. [55:51]

### YouTube Chapters

1. [0:00] - Welcome
2. [0:45] - Introduction to "One Hit Wonders" Series
3. [1:30] - Opening Prayer
4. [2:15] - Imagining the Terror of Exile
5. [24:58] - The Historical Context of Judah and Edom
6. [29:54] - The Dysfunctional Family Tree
7. [31:19] - The Story of Jacob and Esau
8. [36:15] - The Destructive Nature of Pride
9. [39:17] - Introduction to the Book of Obadiah
10. [44:31] - God's Inescapable Justice
11. [49:45] - God Does Not Forget His People
12. [52:49] - Prophecy of Restoration and Judgment
13. [55:51] - The Sovereignty of God's Kingdom
14. [57:38] - The Transformative Power of the Gospel
15. [01:02:36] - Commitment to Preach the Gospel Daily
16. [01:03:25] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Obadiah 1:3-4 (ESV)
> "The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rock, in your lofty dwelling, who say in your heart, 'Who will bring me down to the ground?' Though you soar aloft like the eagle, though your nest is set among the stars, from there I will bring you down, declares the Lord."

2. Obadiah 1:15 (ESV)
> "For the day of the Lord is near upon all the nations. As you have done, it shall be done to you; your deeds shall return on your own head."

3. Obadiah 1:21 (ESV)
> "Saviors shall go up to Mount Zion to rule Mount Esau, and the kingdom shall be the Lord's."

#### Observation Questions
1. What was the historical context of the book of Obadiah, and who were the Edomites? ([28:17])
2. How did the Edomites' pride manifest in their actions towards the people of Judah? ([37:41])
3. What does Obadiah 1:3-4 reveal about the source of the Edomites' false sense of security? ([39:17])
4. According to Obadiah 1:15, what principle of justice does God declare? ([51:13])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the pride of the Edomites compare to the pride we might experience in our own lives today? ([42:49])
2. What does God's promise of justice in Obadiah 1:15 teach us about His character and His view on injustice? ([44:31])
3. How can the assurance that "the kingdom shall be the Lord's" (Obadiah 1:21) provide comfort and hope in times of personal or communal suffering? ([54:19])
4. In what ways does the gospel serve as a remedy for pride, according to the sermon? ([57:38])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt a false sense of security in your possessions, relationships, or achievements. How did that impact your relationship with God and others? ([42:49])
2. How can you actively combat pride in your daily life? What practical steps can you take to remind yourself of your dependence on God's grace? ([57:38])
3. When you see injustice in the world, how does the promise of God's ultimate justice influence your response? How can you balance working for justice now while trusting in God's perfect timing? ([48:05])
4. Have you ever felt like God was distant during a time of suffering? How does the assurance that God does not forget His people change your perspective on those experiences? ([49:45])
5. The sermon emphasized the importance of preaching the gospel to ourselves daily. What are some specific ways you can incorporate this practice into your routine? ([01:01:46])
6. Think of a situation where you might have felt superior to others. How can the message of the gospel help you to see others through the lens of humility and grace? ([42:49])
7. How can you encourage others in your small group or community to trust in God's sovereign rule and righteous judgment, especially during challenging times? ([54:19])

Devotional

Day 1: The Illusion of Self-Sufficiency
Pride leads us to a false sense of security and superiority, making us believe we are self-sufficient and untouchable. This destructive force not only harms us but also those around us. We must recognize and combat pride in our hearts to avoid the same downfall as the Edomites. The Edomites, descendants of Esau, felt secure in their mountainous strongholds and superior as they watched Judah's downfall. Their pride led them to believe they were untouchable, but God, through Obadiah, declared that their false sense of security and superiority would lead to their ultimate destruction. God’s justice is inescapable, and He will not let the wicked go unpunished. [36:15]

Jeremiah 49:16 (ESV): "The horror you inspire has deceived you, and the pride of your heart, you who live in the clefts of the rock, who hold the height of the hill. Though you make your nest as high as the eagle's, I will bring you down from there, declares the Lord."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you find yourself feeling self-sufficient and untouchable? How can you actively surrender these areas to God today?


Day 2: The Certainty of Divine Justice
No one can escape God's justice. While it may seem that the wicked prosper and the righteous suffer, God assures us that His justice will be served in His perfect timing. This truth should comfort us and encourage us to trust in His righteous judgment. The Edomites' pride and their actions against Judah did not go unnoticed by God. Through Obadiah, God declared that Edom's false sense of security and their mockery of Judah would lead to their downfall. This serves as a reminder that God's justice is inescapable and that He will not let the wicked go unpunished. [44:31]

Nahum 1:3 (ESV): "The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, and the Lord will by no means clear the guilty. His way is in whirlwind and storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet."

Reflection: Think of a situation where you feel justice has not been served. How can you trust in God's perfect timing and righteous judgment in this situation?


Day 3: God's Unwavering Commitment
In times of suffering and injustice, it may feel like God is distant, but He is always present and attentive. He sees our struggles and promises to restore and vindicate His people. We can find hope in His unwavering commitment to us. The Israelites, despite their suffering and exile, were assured by God of their return and restoration. This promise of restoration and hope is a testament to God's unwavering commitment to His people, reminding us that He does not forget us in our times of need. [49:45]

Isaiah 49:15-16 (ESV): "Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me."

Reflection: When have you felt forgotten or overlooked by God? How can you remind yourself of His promises and unwavering commitment to you today?


Day 4: The Gospel's Transformative Power
We are all sinners in need of a Savior, and Jesus Christ is that Savior. His death and resurrection offer us new life and identity. Preaching the gospel to ourselves daily helps us combat pride and reminds us of our dependence on God's grace. The gospel is the remedy for the pride that leads to destruction. By reminding ourselves daily of Jesus' sacrifice and our need for a Savior, we can combat the pride that seeks to take root in our hearts and live in the transformative power of His grace. [57:38]

Titus 3:5-6 (ESV): "He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior."

Reflection: How can you make a habit of preaching the gospel to yourself daily? What specific steps can you take to remind yourself of your dependence on God's grace?


Day 5: Trusting in God's Sovereignty
Ultimately, the kingdom belongs to the Lord. His sovereign rule assures us that He is in control, even in the midst of chaos and injustice. We can confidently trust in His promises and His plan for our lives. The sovereignty of God's kingdom is a source of comfort and assurance. Despite the chaos and injustice we may face, we can trust that God is in control and that His plans for us are good. This trust in His sovereign rule allows us to live with confidence and hope. [55:51]

Daniel 4:35 (ESV): "All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, 'What have you done?'"

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust in God's sovereignty? How can you actively surrender this area to His control today?

Quotes

1. "The prideful heart is destructive. When you are driven by a sense of pride, a sense of safety, security, a sense of superiority, it becomes destructive. It becomes destructive to you, and it becomes destructive to the people around you. Pride is us saying, I'm really God. We may not verbalize it that way. We may not say I'm God, but we show that we think that when we say, I should be in charge. I know best. I'm going my own way. I'm not going to submit." [36:15] (39 seconds) ( | | )

2. "No one can escape God's justice. This is tough, because we see people who today, tomorrow, six months from now, five years from now, seem as though they are getting away with it, in spite of the hurt that they've caused, in spite of the pain, abuse, the injustice. It seems like they're getting away with it. God, why aren't you doing something? You're a God of justice, why aren't you handling it? And there will be times that God handles it in the here and now. He handles it right away." [44:31] (36 seconds) ( | | )

3. "God does not forget his people. God is not unaware of what is going on to the ancient people of Israel. It's not like God is somewhere else and not paying attention. In our lives, it's the same way. God is always there. God is always watching. God always pays attention to what is going on. Even if he seems distant, God is there. He is active. He does not forget his people. He does not ignore you." [49:45] (32 seconds) ( | | )

4. "We have areas in our lives where we find security in someone or something other than God. It could be our job. It could be our savings. It could be our home. All of these things leading us to feel secure. It could be our parents. It could be our spouses. All of these things leading us to feel secure. So that even though we wouldn't say, I don't need God, even though we wouldn't say, I'm okay on my own, we start to believe that we're untouchable, that we're all right, that we don't have things to be worried about like other folks." [41:07] (41 seconds) ( | | )

5. "We need to repeat the gospel to ourselves each and every day, multiple times a day, if you can. We need to pray, preach that message to ourselves. We need to hear that message over and over again. I'm a sinner who needs a Savior, but Jesus is my Savior. He's transformed me. He's given me a new identity. He's done the same for you if you are following Jesus. You're now a daughter or son of the living God, no longer a slave to sin, no longer stuck in your pride. You are now a part of God's family forevermore." [59:18] (40 seconds) ( | | )

6. "We need to take that message and we need to hear it every single day. We need to hear it in order to push us away from sin. We need to hear it every single day. We need to hear it every single day. We need to tell that to ourselves every single day. I deserve what Edom got, but Jesus saves. I should be destroyed just like Edom, but Jesus saves. God's justice was worked out on Jesus on the cross and because of that, His death in my place and His resurrection, I'm alive forevermore. Jesus Christ has paid the penalty for our sins." [01:00:54] (28 seconds) ( | | )

7. "The truth of the gospel is we are sinners, each and every one of us, and we need saving. We cannot do it on our own, no matter how secure or superior we feel, no matter how much pride we have that tells us we don't need God. We are sinners who need saving, and Jesus Christ in his death and resurrection is the only one who saves. That message is so vital, but also, we need to do it on our own. We need to do it on our own. We need to do it on our own." [57:38] (30 seconds) ( | | )

8. "We work to make sure it happens now, sure, but we don't in any way lose hope that God is going to make sure that justice is served. We work to make sure that justice is served. We don't assume that God doesn't care, because he does. All the hurt, all the pain, all the mistreatment, all the injustice, God will make sure it is ultimately made right. He says this to the people of Israel about Edom while reminding them, not only will his justice be served, not only will no one escape his justice, but he wants to remind them that he's saying this, and it's true, because he doesn't forget his people." [48:05] (44 seconds) ( | | )

9. "We don't stop with the sin. We don't just wallow in that. Oh, I mess up in so many ways, and I do, and you do. We don't stop there. We don't just get stuck. Instead, we acknowledge our sin, we acknowledge our neediness, and then we move right to the cross and the empty tomb of Jesus Christ, praising him for what he's done for us, for the transformation that he has made. He's made these dead people alive. And if we don't preach that to ourselves every day, if we're not regularly reminding ourselves of that, we'll get stuck on that false security, that false superiority." [01:01:46] (42 seconds) ( | | )

10. "The kingdom shall be the Lord's. God's justice will be served. He does not forget His people, and we can count on it because ultimately God's kingdom reigns. He is in charge. He is on the throne, and we can confidently trust His promises because of that. If we had a God who was lukewarm, if we had a God who was limited in some way, then we wouldn't be able to have the confidence that His justice will be served, and that He knows what's going on every moment of every day. There would be no confidence that He is in control, but because He's on the throne, because He's running the universe, because He's in charge, we can confidently trust, even in moments of pain and sadness and brokenness and dysfunction, that God is going to work all of this out." [55:51] (54 seconds) ( | | )

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Transcript
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