Overcomer - Humility is being like Jesus

Thur.  10/1

Read Luke 14:7-14

7 When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: 8 “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. 9 If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. 10 But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests. 11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

12 Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

Luke's gospel records this teaching of Jesus while he is gathered with other guests in the home of a prominent Pharisee. Having been to other cultures where it is important to understand the significance of the seating plan I know just how embarrassing it can be to sit in the wrong place. Here Jesus takes the occasion to point out the many dangers of pride. Pride can actually have practical negative consequences in real time, in the real world.

Memory Verse

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Ephesians 4:2 NIV

Reflect

Questions

Can you imagine how this example of pride leading to embarrassment could happen to people today? Have you ever been embarrassed because you acted with too much pride?

Read the passage again slowly.  Notice the difference between how we treat ourselves and how others treat us.

Why do you think the early Christians felt that "Pride" was the worst of - source of - all sins?

Prayer

Father in heaven, thank You for Jesus’ reminders of the dangers of pride and the value of humility. Teach me to see the upside of living in a more humble way.  Help me to put others first.  May my family and my friends see a deeper and more genuine level of humility in me this week. By your grace - give me a humble heart. Amen.

Share

Gather some family friends together and read the passage. Then ask this question:

The early Christians said that Pride was at the top of the list of deadly sins - the Deadliest of them all. Do you agree or not? Why is Humility so hard to attain?

DFM Nation

Sunday Pastor Glenn will dive into more in depth teaching on how to overcome the sin of Greed with Generosity. Take a moment to pray for and invite someone.