Just then, a farmer looked up and said to his wife, "What a great idea! I wonder who thought of that?"

Transcription

1 The Problem With Pride # 10 His Story Genesis Introduction In a certain pond, there were two ducks and a frog who were neighbours and the best of friends. They played together all day long during the summer time. But as the cold drew near and the water dried up, the ducks realized they would have to move. This would be easy for them, but what about their friend the frog? Finally it was decided that they would put a stick in the bill of each duck, and then the frog would hang onto the stick with his mouth and they would fly him to another pond. And so they did. Just then, a farmer looked up and said to his wife, "What a great idea! I wonder who thought of that?" Proudly, the frog said, "I did!" Scripture Says: : "Pride goes before a fall!" Andrew Murray: The truth is this - pride must die in you or nothing of heaven can live in you. * Our Text Powerfully teaches us Problem of Pride In the Human Race. Genesis context: * Gen Establishes The Sinful Rebellious Condition of Mankind - Extremely important in order to understand His Story God s story in scriptures. These chapters most attacked in all of the Bible not allegory - myth etc. - but historic. - SHOW US THE SINFUL CONDITION OF THE HUMAN HEART. * Ch. 11:1-8 Babel ** Major Turning Point in His Story First 11 Chapters establishes man s sin and God s Judgement. - Three Judgements As A Result of Man s Pride * in the Garden of Eden as Adam and Eve chose to follow their ideas instead of God s and it * Noahs Day = flood * Tower of Babel = confusion of languages Man s heart is wicked - sinful in rebellion - constant struggle for independence from God. * Ch. 11: Seth s Decedents - Follow this line because from line of Seth God is going to call Abram - Ch. 12 through whom God will send the Saviour of Mankind. I. The Roots Of Pride Vs 1-11 * Story of the Tower of Babel - sad description of breakdown of fellowship, growing isolation and confusion.

2 * Results from human beings failing to live in dependence on God, becoming proud of their achievements and determined to be the source of their own security. After the Flood the population had rapidly multiplied at God s command to Noah to Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth (Gen 9:1). God had blessed mankind in its fresh start, confirming His covenant to Noah. But mankind continued to rebel against God (Show Map) One particular group migrated to what is now known as Iraq. It became the centre of civilization of the ancient world. Babylon was the summit of human achievement. It became the most influential city. In Scripture - represents rebellion against God - - shows up in Book of Revelation. ( Show Tower) Built Tower - called Ziggurat - to honour god Marduk,. (Explain Text and Story vs Babil = the gate of the gods) Pride is: 1. Having a better impression of yourself than is really true. 2. Thinking you can live your life without God. 3. Being unwilling to admit your sin or acknowledge your need. ULTIMATELY, PRIDE IS SEEKING TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY OF GOD. - God wants us to live in a loving dependent relationship with Him. - Sinful man since the fall - operates in Rebellion - therefore under God s judgement. II. The Manifestations Of Pride Pride is the root of all sins. Every time I choose to handle life by myself I am responding in pride. Pride constantly raises its head and always leads to judgement. ** PRIDE MAKES US BELIEVE WE CAN EITHER MAKE OURSELVES ACCEPTABLE TO GOD OR LIVE INDEPENDENTLY OF GOD. ** Pride finds a thousand ways to manifest itself. 1. Gossip: gossip is fueled by the feeling that I am better than someone else. Do you ever gossip? 2. Contentious spirit: contention comes from feeling that I always know better, have a better plan, etc., so I contend/argue with others. Proverbs 13:10 says that contention comes only by pride (KJV). Are you ever contentious? 3. Self-sufficiency: this springs from the feeling that I can handle life alone. It includes such things as pride in my appearance, abilities, standing, etc. All of these are gifts from God (cf. 1 Corinthians 4:7).

3 4. Unforgiveness and bitterness: I am unwilling to forgive because I think people owe me something. I deserve better. And, ultimately any bitterness that develops, particularly against God, is because I think He has not given me what I deserve. (I don t think we really want to discuss with God what we deserve!) 5. Judgmental spirit 6. Feelings of superiority over others. 7. Fear of man: this comes from the pride that wants to maintain my reputation before others so they will think well of me. (See Proverbs 29:25.) 8. Argumentative, headstrong, stubborn spirit. 9. Unwillingness to let God have control... of my money, time, mouth, body, etc. Why? In my pride, I think I can do a better job with my life than God can. 10. Unwillingness to be honest about my sin (blaming others, defending myself). Why? In my pride I want to give a better impression than is really true. ** Unwilling to realize that you are not good enough to save yourself. Here is an easy way to assess whether or not you are proud. It can be determined by answering this one question: How much do you PRAY? I m not referring to perfunctory or ritual prayers or prayers merely at mealtime. I m asking how often you awaken in the morning and immediately turn to God and say, Lord, I cannot live life without You today. I can t raise my kids, handle my finances, say or do the right things without Your life in and through me. Wouldn t you agree that if you can go a day, a week, a month, a year without ever really praying, it is a clear indication that you think you can live your life without God? III. The Conquering Of Pride Vs Pride is the root of all sin. * Sinful Pride of Humanity Cannot Be overcome because since the Garden it has been part of our Nature Ch Establishes That Fact. *Sinful Pride Separates Us From The Loving Fellowship Of God * Sinful Pride And Rebellion Results In God s Judgement ** SCRIPTURE HERE TAKES A DRAMATIC TURN

4 * Family Line of Seth vs * Family of Abram vs line of Jesus Christ - Saviour one who would restore us to God * Gospel Message: Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, (1 Cor 15:1-4) For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith. (Rom 1:16-17) Conclusion What does God think of our pride? God has strong words regarding our pride because He knows that if we do not come to the posture of humility, we will never experience His best. God hates pride. He doesn t tolerate, overlook, excuse, or even dislike our pride He loathes it! He Will Judge It. These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look,... (Prov 6:16-17) Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; Though they join forces, none will go unpunished. (Prov 16:5) Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. (Prov 16:18) BUT HE GIVES MORE GRACE. THEREFORE HE SAYS: "GOD RESISTS THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE. (James 4:6) What does this mean - what are the implications to us? Illustration: (Show Piicture) Can Tim & I at Agro Draft Drafted Joe Eppele - Offensive Tackle - guy who protects the Quarterback. 6'8" 306 lbs Image you up against him. His whole job, all day long, is to oppose you! He will hit you, scratch you, bite you, throw you on the ground, and stomp all over you. etc., to keep you away from your objective. What a way to spend an afternoon! Now imagine getting up tomorrow morning and getting ready to face your day. As you approach the line of scrimmage, you look up, and standing across the line from you is... GOD! God says, I m sorry, I m going to have to oppose you today.

5 Application: Do you realize that right now, today, you may be experiencing God s direct, loving resistance because you are choosing to live your life in pride? Two Implications: BELIEVERS: SURRENDER - Lordship UNBELIEVERS: SURRENDER - Salvation * Steps to Conquering Pride 1. Recognize It 2. Repent of It - Christian noon-christian * Ultimately - live Not Independent of God But in complete dependance upon Him. Live Under His Lordship.