Introduction

·        Illustration: Helt tells an extended story of a humble man in his former church who quietly and tirelessly served his entire life.

·        The world values assertiveness and scoffs at humility.

·        God values humility and places importance on many things the world considers worthless or detrimental.

·        God’s logic is backwards; it says humility is essential if we want to be great at serving God.

·        Big Idea: If we want to be used by God, mastering God’s backward logic in the area of humility is a necessity.

God’s directive for living in humility is to aim low in life.

·        Jesus gives some revolutionary directives that challenge the law of the jungle.

      -     Illustration: A rabbi proclaims that people don't see God today because they can't stoop low enough.

      -     Philippians 2:5-11; Luke 14:10

·        Jesus teaches the Pharisees to seek the lowest position.

      -     Illustration: Albert Einstein said, “Try not to become a man of success, but try to become a man of value.”

·        False humility is no more pleasing to God than lack of humility is.

God’s directive for living in humility is to reverse our ambition.

·        Luke 14:11

·        Illustration: In the film Wall Street, Michael Douglas plays a raging capitalist who extols avarice to his protégé.

·        Jesus teaches that if we humble ourselves, God will do the exalting and the rewarding.

·        Jesus is telling us to channel our energies and our creativity away from worldly ambition and into holy ambition.

God’s directive for living in humility is to disregard quid pro quo.

·        Luke 14:13–14

·        Quid pro quo is a pay-back system of give and take—you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours.

·        We are called to give with no expectation of a return.

·        We need to trust God for our ultimate reward.

Conclusion

·        Our pride makes us less useful to God.

      -     Illustration: A veteran baseball umpire humorously throws an annoying catcher out of the game.

      -     Illustration: When Harry Truman became President, his long-time friend reminded him that he wasn't a great man.

·        If we want to do great things for God, we must use his backward logic and work steadily and quietly, doing what is right without seeking credit.