Unlocking God's Power Through Humility and Grace

Humility is the key that unlocks the grace, power, and presence of God in our lives. God’s desire is not just to save us, but to transform us, little by little, as we listen and respond to His voice. He calls us out of our past, forgives us, and gives us a new tomorrow, not because we deserve it, but because of His overwhelming grace. This grace is not just unearned favor—it is divine empowerment, the unction of the Holy Spirit that enables us to live, serve, and walk in God’s will. But this grace is reserved for the humble; God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.

History teaches us, as seen in the Azusa Street Revival, that God moves most powerfully where there is deep humility, reverence, and awe. In those meetings, pride and self-importance could not survive. The Spirit dominated, and all flesh was brought low before God. This is the atmosphere where God takes broken people and rebuilds them for His glory. The same principle is true today: if we want to see God’s hand over our lives, our families, and our church, we must clothe ourselves with humility.

Humility is not thinking less of ourselves, but thinking of ourselves less. It is a self-forgetfulness that puts God and others first. Pride, on the other hand, is the original sin—the very essence of the devil. It is the root of self-promotion, insecurity, and the need to control. Pride moves us out from under God’s mighty hand, leaving us vulnerable to the enemy. But humility keeps us under God’s protection, authority, and blessing.

We must learn to recognize the subtle feelings of pride as soon as they arise and cast them down immediately. Humility is a choice, a garment we put on daily. It is seen in our willingness to trust God with our anxieties, to surrender control, and to give Him all the glory for what He does. When we humble ourselves, God promises to lift us up in due time, to establish, strengthen, and settle us. The greatest obstacle to being used by God is pride, but the greatest pathway to His power is humility.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God’s Grace Flows to the Humble, Not the Proud God’s grace is more than unearned favor; it is divine empowerment and the anointing of the Holy Spirit. But this grace is only given to those who humble themselves. Pride blocks the flow of God’s grace, while humility opens the door for God to work mightily in and through us. [49:27]
• 2. Humility is the Atmosphere for God’s Power and Presence The Azusa Street Revival showed that when pride, self-importance, and human agendas are laid aside, God’s Spirit moves freely. True revival and spiritual breakthrough happen where there is deep reverence, awe, and humility before God. This is not optional; it is essential for a move of God. [44:18]
• 3. Pride is the Devil’s Playground and the Original Sin Pride is what made the devil the devil, and it remains his primary tool to destroy lives. When we allow pride to take root—whether through self-promotion, offense, or the need to control—we step out from under God’s protection and into the enemy’s grasp. The foundation of humility is self-forgetfulness, focusing on God and others rather than ourselves. [77:38]
• 4. Humility is Practiced by Casting Our Cares on God Anxiety, worry, and stress are often rooted in pride—the belief that we must handle things ourselves. Humility is demonstrated when we cast all our cares on God, trusting Him to take charge of our lives. This surrender keeps us under God’s mighty hand, where His grace and protection abound. [63:18]
• 5. Recognize and Reject Pride at Its Onset Pride often begins as a subtle feeling when we are praised or when we compare ourselves to others. Learning to recognize these initial feelings and immediately casting them down is crucial. Ask God to help you sense pride at its onset so you can remain humble and continually under His hand of blessing and direction. [86:42]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [34:14] - Announcements and Marriage Retreat
• [41:00] - The Azusa Street Revival: A Move of God
• [42:30] - William Seymour and the Power of Humility
• [44:18] - Eyewitness Account: Humility and the Spirit’s Move
• [46:48] - Leadership, Influence, and Staying Hidden in Jesus
• [48:33] - Humility in Scripture and Life
• [49:27] - 1 Peter 5: Grace to the Humble
• [51:12] - The Nature of Grace and Humility
• [52:16] - Pride, Insecurity, and God’s Perspective
• [54:32] - Spirit Connections: Grace in Action
• [56:27] - Staying Under God’s Mighty Hand
• [61:18] - The Dangers of Pride and Stepping Out
• [63:18] - Humility, Anxiety, and Trusting God
• [77:38] - Pride: The Devil’s Original Sin
• [86:42] - Recognizing and Rejecting Pride
• [94:05] - Testimony: God Uses the Humble
• [97:49] - Invitation to Humility and Prayer

Bible Reading

1 Peter 5:5-11 (ESV) — 5 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.”
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,
7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Observation Questions

1. According to 1 Peter 5:5, what does God do for the humble, and how does He respond to the proud?
2. In the sermon, what atmosphere was present at the Azusa Street Revival that allowed God to move so powerfully? ([44:18])
3. What does the passage say we should do with our anxieties, and why?
4. How does the devil look for opportunities to attack, according to 1 Peter 5:8 and the sermon? ([01:04:27])

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Why is humility so essential for receiving God’s grace and empowerment? ([49:27])
2. The Azusa Street Revival was described as a place where “pride, self-assertion, self-importance, and self-esteem could not survive.” What does this suggest about the connection between humility and experiencing God’s presence? ([44:18])
3. The pastor said that pride is “the original sin—the very essence of the devil.” How does pride open us up to the enemy’s attacks, and how does humility protect us? ([01:17:38])
4. The passage and sermon both mention casting our cares on God as an act of humility. Why is trusting God with our worries a sign of humility, and what does it reveal about our relationship with Him? ([01:03:18])

Application Questions

1. The sermon said humility is “not thinking less of ourselves, but thinking of ourselves less.” In what areas of your life do you find it hardest to think of yourself less? What is one step you could take this week to put God or others first in that area? ([01:18:23])
2. The pastor described learning to recognize the “initial feelings of pride” and casting them down immediately. Can you recall a recent moment when you felt pride rising up? How did you respond, and what could you do differently next time? ([01:26:42])
3. The message challenged us to “clothe ourselves with humility” daily. What would it look like for you to intentionally “put on” humility in your workplace, home, or church this week? ([59:44])
4. The sermon connected anxiety and worry to pride, saying that refusing to surrender control is a form of pride. Is there a specific worry or stress you are holding onto right now? What would it look like to cast that care on God and trust Him with it? ([01:03:18])
5. The Azusa Street Revival was marked by deep humility and awe before God. How can our small group or church create an atmosphere where pride is set aside and God’s Spirit can move freely? ([44:18])
6. The pastor shared a story about feeling unworthy and amazed that God would use him. Have you ever felt “too small” or “not good enough” for God to use you? How does humility actually make us more usable by God? ([01:34:05])
7. The sermon said, “The greatest obstacle to being used by God is pride, but the greatest pathway to His power is humility.” What is one practical way you can guard against pride and pursue humility this week? ([01:24:33])