Before Honour is Humility”

“Before Honour is Humility”.
Prov. 15:33 “ The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honour. “

“Humility and reverence for the Lord will make you both Wise and honoured” [Living Bible.]

Eph. 2:9 "Not by works, so that no one can boast."

Introduction: Have you ever been really satisfied, felt really good about a certain job you have done? Have you ever been really pleased with your self?
Have you ever felt the opposite?

The Scriptures teach us that there is a real danger in boasting, in always thinking you are right, you are the best. A self-righteous attitude, a spirit of haughtiness Pride. A mister Know it all.
What about being told that you are wrong and taking it gracefully.

All men make mistakes, but only great men admit them.
The willingness nay the eagerness to be told if we are wrong, Is an element of humility that we should hold on to- right to the end of our lives.

Jesus said: “For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” [Matt. 23:12]

If ever we get to the place where we consider ourselves infallible, where we feel that no one can teach us anything, that we are above reproof- we are on the road to shame- we shall be abashed unless we sincerely repent of that pride of heart.
In other words we shall be humbled.
Being humble is something that we need right through life, this applies to each of us here regardless of success, fame, whatever may be our lot or otherwise. Because God is no respecter of persons.
Acts 10:34 “ Then Peter began to speak: "I now realise how true it is that God does not show favouritism”
The Lord Jesus Christ is the head of the Church. But throughout His earthly pilgrimage
Philippians. 2:5-8 “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!”

“God resist the proud but gives Grace to the humble.”
1Cor. 13:4 “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.”
Our boasting should be in the Lord......
2Corinthians. 10:17 But, "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."
When God blesses us, and uses us in His service we need always to keep humble and teachable and to give God all the Glory. Amen.
Jesus in trying to get this message across spoke about two different people praying in the Temple.
Luke 18:10-14 "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: `God, I thank you that I am not like other men --robbers, evildoers, adulterers --or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' "But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, `God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'
"I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
Earlier Jesus had told them:
Matt. 6:5 "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.”

We need to ever remember that there is a real danger in Boasting, and there is a real danger in thinking badly about your self as well.
We need to remember that the devil is very subtle and cunning, for he knows that if he can’t get a person “Down and Out” He will attempt to get a person “Up and out”
Success has been too much for many a person’s well being, but above all His Spiritual Life and witness. Pride has been the fall of many a good man or woman.
The Lord Jesus shows again and again the great dangers, and the futility of boastings.
The disciples were shown by practical example how Jesus Christ the Son of God washed the feet of the Disciples. Teaching them the great command Love one another.
By this shall all men know that you are my Disciples.
Take heed to yourselves---- Watch and Pray.
Illustration:
1: “I’m the best baker in town.”
2: “I am the best Baker in the state”
3: “I am the best baker in the world.”
Or should it be “I am the best baker I can be.”

We have many illustrations to draw from, let us briefly look at some Old Testament kings.

Uzziah was one of the kings of Judah and he reigned for fifty-two years in Jerusalem.
As long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper.
2Chronicles. 26:15 “ His fame spread far and wide, for he was greatly helped until he became powerful.”
But ------- Like so often...Uzziah heart was lifted up--- and he transgressed against the Lord in that he went into the Temple of the Lord to burn incense up on the Alter.
The Priest were not pleased:
2Chr. 26:18,19.”They confronted him and said, "It is not right for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the LORD. That is for the priests, the descendants of Aaron, who have been consecrated to burn incense. Leave the sanctuary, for you have been unfaithful; and you will not be honoured by the LORD God."
Uzziah, who had a censer in his hand ready to burn incense, became angry.
While he was raging at the priests in their presence before the incense altar in the Lord’s temple, leprosy broke out on his forehead.”
Instead of humble accepting this rebuke Uzziah became furious.

King Asa was another who at first relied on the Lord, but later in the 36th. Year of his reign he relied on the king of Syria and not upon the Lord. He also was rebuked but instead of humble accepting this rebuke, King Asa was wrath and put the servant of the Lord in prison. Soon after King Asa died a terrible death.

There are many others we could speak of this evening Ahab, Manasseh and many more.
Let us ever be Humble, Willing to be corrected, instructed, to learn to listen.
Keeping our eyes upon Jesus Christ our Saviour.

If we have made mistakes let us accept correction gracefully.
If we have hurt people let us humble apologise. If people even fellow Christians hurt you do not let this hinder your experience, don’t let it upset you, and you loose your cool.
Even there humble yourselves, and let it be a means of Grace, and growth.
Instead of getting upset or riled by opposition and criticism we should Thank God for it.
It will often help us mature and grow. Let it help you mature. Don’t get “aggro”
Dear Christian friends we need to come to the point where we totally trust the Lord Jesus Christ where we have a true desire to grow and be humble and serve Him in the beauty of Holiness.
In these days there are a lot of Christians who have no backbone, no stamina.
Dr. Vance Havner has aptly described the present generation of Christians thus. “We are a generation of proud fussy little Christians-Experts but not examples. ---- We know too much, or we think we do. We have heard all the preachers and read all the books. It is hard these days to be converted and become like little children.
Many today want to be thought of as philosophers and scholars- brilliant but not childlike.
So we miss the secrets God has hidden from the wise and the prudent and revealed them unto babes.
How often even among the saints, does some simple soul learn the deeper things of God and press through to Heaven’s best.
While ‘the wise and prudent’ utterly miss them.
Dear friends.
Before Honour comes humility.
Prov. 11:2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

Philippians. 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

1Peter. 5:5 Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
May the Lord Bless you.
Rintje