There is a general consensus of opinion today that the sin of pride is often avoided, not talked about or swept under the carpet ( In a very real sense it's "the one sin" we don't to talk about) And with The voices of the emergent church being quick to point out that such preaching is negative preaching and "beats up" on people! Is it any wonder we don't face-off or deal with issues? Paul often gave lists of "put offs" in his epistles" I.e put off malice, anger, evil speaking, clamour, bitterness, wrath. We are instructed to put such things away from us. How many of you know you can't always get to the positive without removing the negative? All of The blockages and impurities have to be flushed out ...which choke out the life of Christ. However The apostle Paul predicted the time will come when they will no longer endure sound doctrine But after their own lusts will gather to themselves teachers, having itching ears! (preaching that stimulates and makes you feel good) But having said that we concur that True preaching does not beat up on people! (Our sharpness is for edification, and not destruction). John reproved Herod saying it is was not lawful for him - to have his brother's wife! But John sought repentance! And was not beating up on Herod from a self righteous or "holier-than-thou" perspective (John said what he said) to warn herod this thing is against the law of God - it's against civil, family, and social law, and corodes family values and promotes adultery ~ He was warning the sinner of his sinful ways (But Herod responded in anger and shut John up in prison (Adding this yet to his sins)
Now if memory serves me correct i don't think i have delivered a message on the topic of pride before. But the direction i choose to go in today is not what you think, or expect. That is to say when you reflect on other sermons youve heard preached on the subject of pride!
WERE LOOKING AT THE SUBTLE WAYS OF PRIDE!
I think we all agree pride is often hard to see in our own heart, but easy to see in others!
According to my research there is approxiamately 49 references in the Bible on the subject of pride. Forty-six of those from the old-testament and three from the New testament! But under the same umbrella we have sister words such as: Proud Vanity, Arrogance, Pomp, Envy, and presumption.
Pride is one of those things we don't see in our life - it's sneaky! It lies dormont and undetected. Natural man in his corrupt fallen condition has lots of pride! And this is what seperates him from his creator and holds up repentance! The wicked man through the pride of his countenance will not seek after God, God is not in (any) of his thoughts.
What an indictment against natural and carnal man!
What then are some of the best known or classic texts in the Bible, regarding pride??
~~ Only by pride cometh contention (prov 13:10)
~~ Pride goes before destruction (prov 16:18)
~~ A man's Pride shall bring him low (prov 29:23)
~~ The iniquity of Sodom was pride (Ezek 16:49)
~~ For From within the heart of man proceeds pride
~~ Novices are prone to be lifted up with pride
~~ First John tells us of the "Pride of life"
Now it would be remiss of me not to mention two other passages in relation to today's topic of Pride " God resisteth the PROUD but giveth grace unto the humble "
And this one from Timothy: "Those who don't hold to wholesome words and to the doctrine that is according to godliness are Proud men who know nothing!
Finally Jesus sounded many sirens about pride but the one that rings loud in my ears Is the one from (Matthew 23:12) "And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased" And this "There are many who are first, but shall finish Last"
WHAT ARE THE SUBTLE WAYS OF PRIDE?
"THE COMMENDING OF YOURSELF "
DO WE begin again to COMMEND ourselves? Or need we, as others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you? (2 Cor 3:1)
This one manifest itself in many subtle ways! Wearing many different faces. From repeating the words "Im God's prophet! To this "Do you believe me to be his prophet"? Which is sometimes accompanied with statements like "You know Ive had intuition and perception on things since i was a small boy and child" You oughta believe in me for these reasons - they say!
Paul said were ordained by God. And have no need to affirm our apostleship! Or our spiritual authority! Neither do we need your endorsement! It troubles me sometimes when i hear ministry spending the first 20 minutes of a message commending themselves to the people and audience
For example and it may go something like this "Im in the process of writing my tenth book about to go to print! Ive also brought my latest DVD teaching series for you to purchase on your way out (in the foyer) ... in fact i replayed one only the other day and the audio presenation was perfect! I recommend you get one! And you should know my speaking engagement schedule is taken up two years in advance! (And ya all are "lucky" to have me - today) Im in demand everywhere nowadays! Next month we go to china for missions, then Israel for tabernacles, then of to England, Auckland and finish off "Down under" Then thank God We get a rest! But not for long ... as it's back to work on the music album me and the wife are producing! Then we have bible school. And Graduation award ceremony! "Ya all know ya fortunate to have me today" Don't you?
Do we begin again to commend ourselves? Now some might dispute this as being one of "self commending" Citing Paul talking of his success in Acts fifteen with the gentile converts! But i think it's obvious Paul was not talking up himself or big noting himself! but rather he was extolling what God was doing among the gentiles in bringing conversion to them. And they rejoiced in that! I think we can all tell the difference between somone sounding their own trumpet as opposed to someone simply rehearsing what God has accomplished in other places! Now a word of caution - Do not accuse every minister of having pride because he may go on like this in opening comments before he commences preaching. But when some things become apperent and obvious - And it sounds like a duck and quacks like a duck ... then it's a Duck! Some texts to support what i just brought to the table!
I recieve not honour from men (Jn 5:41) How can you believe which which recieve honour one of another, and seek not the HONOUR that COMETH from God only? (Jn 5:44) If i honour MYSELF, MY honour IS NOTHING: It is my father that honoureth me! (JN 8:54) "HE THAT SPEAKETH OF HIMSELF, SEEKETH HIS OWN GLORY" (JN 7:18)
" A KNOW IT ALL ATTITUDE "
Have you ever come across people in life that always seem to have the right answers? Always knowing what's best? Their always always right and your always wrong! And have a superior look and smile on their face upon setting you straight? ( why i showed him a thing or two )!! You've all heard the expression their is nothing wrong with having opinions, as long as your not too self-opinionated?
The supreme dogmatists is the person who can never see things from the other persons point of view! Such people are usually never teachable "or own" up to bad behaviour. As he or she is always right ... and you wrong!
Paul says we have knowledge. Even sinner's have knowledge! "But if any one thinketh himself to know anything, then he knows nothing - as he should know" "Knowledge puffs up - but love edifieth"
Probably one of the best examples in the Bible of a "know-it-all" attitude is found in the gospel of John. When a dispute broke out among the Jews over whether Jesus was that Prophet! Let's take a look at the text.
Then answered the Pharisee's, are you also decieved? Have any of the rulers Believed on him? But this people which know not the law are ...cursed!
Nicodemus said to them Does our law judge anyone, before it hear him, or know what he doeth? They answered him "Art thou also of Galilee? search and look: For out of Galillee ariseth no Prophet! And then every man departed to his own house ( But Did the pharisee's have the right information?) WHY A MORE CAREFUL SEARCH HAS JESUS BORN IN THE CITY OF DAVID, IN BETHLEHEM, IN JUDAEA
(LUKE 2:4-7) says They went up out of Galillee to be taxed and while there Mary days were fulfilled that she should be delivered of the child - In Judaea and Not Galilee
The know it all attidude that was suppossed to silence everyone regarding Jesus not being that prophet, Was way off base Let alone Bang-On-Target
"Glorying after the flesh"
It was recently put back to me that glorying after the flesh has been around since the days of Paul and Corinth! It was in the church then and it's in the church now! was an argument put to me recently! But does that justifies it existence today? What then? Is it okay because it was something that was around in paul's day? what saith the scripture? "you suffer if a man exalt himself" Paul said you suffer fools gladly!" seeing ye are wise. Paul also said it is "NOT" expedient for me to glory. And come with visions and revelations of the Lord! Therefore i tell you instead of another man I knew fourteen years ago, who was caught up to the third heaven! Now Some read this backwards and have paul as the one who went to the third heaven. But a more careful examination has paul clearly talking about ( a man he knew ) and he spoke of "another man" he knew who was caught up into paradise and heard unspeakable words, which is not lawful for one to utter. Of SUCH AN ONE will i glory, yet Of myself, I will NOT glory! Lest i should be EXALTED above measure. "For though i desire to glory - I should not be a FOOL ( 2 corinth 12:6 ) In fact paul often talked about "other people" glorifying God in him! And not the other way round! See (Gal 1:24) Further to this Paul spoke In Galatia of them that constrained others so they may have a fair SHEW IN THE FLESH and have glory in their flesh (Galat 6:12-13 ) if you ask me paul seems to condemn such things!
Leave you this thought: Paul said i should NOT become a (fool) - to glory after the flesh!
It's the pathway of a fool - to self glory
" RABBI RABBI ~ SYNDROME "
Though im not totally against the acquistion of degrees and titles! However having said that, It concerns me when ministry insist their titles be acknowledged of others! Or put it out for all to see and behold. For example you might see the name John smith B.a M.a Dr (next to his name) which signifies level of academic achievment.
Sometimes people hang framed degrees on walls so everyone that walks in - immediately notices. Remember The title of today's meassage is "subtle ways pride manifests" Also of concern is pastors who encourage the use of (pastor pastor) before their first name is pronounced! Just For example The pastor forgets his announcements whilst on stage and another pastor comes to the platform to hand him another copy - to the which you here "thanks pastor dave, thanks so much pastor dave" as he returns back to his own seat! Although we shouldn't accuse everyone of pride in relation to these things! you have to wonder wether they are promoting some AIR of "self importance"? Jesus said be not called Rabbi Rabbi! be not called masters ... for one is your master, even Christ! Often what lies behind this is our own innate desire for recognition and self importance. Jesus in Luke's gospel marked out how the chief priests often chose out the best rooms at feasts - And over in Luke 20:46 Jesus tpld his disciples to Beware Of them which desire to wear long robes, and love the greetings in public, and the highest seats in synogogues, and the chief rooms at feasts! People of late have asked me why do pastors always sit on the front rows? Well maybe it's to denote zeal for God or to make distinctions between ministry and laity or maybe you like to be close to the action! Or as a minster you want easy access to the platform area before preaching time! But Regardless of reasons. Jesus said this the pharisee's loved the upper most seats in the synogogues! And spoke against it as a thing of putting your zeal out there for others to behold! Jesus Taught we are all brethren! And nobody is bigger, better, or "greater" than anybody else in God's kingdom! Let him that is greatest among you become your minister!
" Works done for eye service "
Jesus said in Matthew 23 speaking of the pharisee all their works they do, to be SEEN of men! Now over in the sermon on the mount we find similiar words. The hypocrites sounded trumpets before them when it cameto alms giving! that they may have glory of men. And they loved to STAND in the synogogues and on street corners praying That they may be SEEN of men. JESUS SAID FOR PRETENCE THEY MAKE LONG PRAYERS BEFORE THE WIDOWS. Long prayers to sound GOOD And look IMPRESSIVE. But going back to Matthew 23:5 It would appear that unless it the works were (out in the open) to be seen and noticed of men. Then the pharisee simply wasn't interested in taking part in it! As Human recognition, pats on the back, human kudos and the Validation of man is the MOTIVATOR! But this is just like human nature. But it's also a subtle form of pride! Paul said OUR praise is of God and not men.
For if i yet PLEASE men, i should not be the servant of Christ. And peter said we ought to obey God and not men!
"making people laugh"
This is seen and manifested in people that have to make a joke out of everything! Their never serious about anything! And feel compelled to make people laugh and bring mirth into every situation. But why do we this? Because we want to be seen as funny and witty. People will think im funny and possess great humour. We tell funnies (jokes) because we want to be percieved as witty! Mind you: not that Their is anything wrong with a good belly laugh! As even the prince of preachers Spurgeon was known for his belly laugh! Laughter At the right moment can bring a great sense of release. Their is a time to laugh and a time to cry as Ecclessiastes says ... So no one is against humour (Im not) but if you have too crack a funnny every time you join a conversation ...then perhaps something deeper is going on? I often wonder why we need to (be made) to laugh anyway? I mean if you have the rivers of living water inside you and the joy of the Lord!- Then the perenial comedian and jokester is not convienient! These things often get out of hand and GO to far. With people hurt and offened. Paul cautions against comedy routines and clowning around - goof balling etc foolish jesting is never convienient! Not that we should walk around with disfigured countenances either as the pharisee
"Anomolies of pride"
In closing today's message i want to address the issue of pride from the opposite angle. That is to say when people are falsely or wrongly accused of pride! The best example of this is found in 1 Samuel 17:28 "And Eliab said to his brother David why did you come here? And why did you leave the sheep unattended? I know your pride, and the naughtiness of your heart; For thou art come down that you might behold the battle. David's response - "What have i now done? Is there not a cause! David defends the accusation of having a proud heart - and rightly stands his ground! ( good on him - i say )
Now on that same note: If someone shares teaching that came by revelation and in the knowledge of him( Christ) how is that a thing of pride? Paul said we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery! Now is that a statement in pride? No doubt his detractors would have said yes! Why now he claims to speak the wisdom of God, in a mystery! What a proud man that apostle guy is! But if God has enlarged his heart and opened his mouth to fill it. How is that pride?
If one's intent is to pass on information and revelation to others - Again i ask you - how is that pride? Why Jesus said to Nicodemus "We speak that we do know and testify that we have seen; And ye recieve not our witness" If one does not recieve the things people have acquired by knowledge - ( being learned) Then that is a big call on your part to accuse and charge of pride! When you would consider that Christ speaks through "you" mightily! And that you consider yourself to possess a good knowledge of the bible!
The anomolies of pride When people are accused of having pride simply because they have a desire to pass on knowledge to others. Actually i would consider the real person who is the "proud" one is the one, who is doing all the accusing!
Other anomolies of pride: Are people who are proud their humble! Proud their meek! Or know there percieved by others for their humility! But bask in the glory of that perception!
Subtle ways pride manifests itself !!
In bringing this whole thing to a close. ( 1 pet 5:5 ) says God resisteth the proud. This verse pronounces a sharp verdict - on the proud! And to have God flatly oppose you is a scarey thought to me. Pride is something we should resist and wage a personal war against! Because To some degree or another we all have known pride. And no one has been exempt from the bible's verdict on this. So the issue remains whether we are willing to see it - And then purge our heart's from it?