OBEY FROM THE HEART. Jesus: The Humble Servant

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1 OBEY FROM THE HEART Sunday morning s lesson dealt with the heart as the Bible describes it. Since we had about eight inches of snow in our area, our numbers were down considerably. It had been a year since I had my episode with A-Fib, so I wanted to look at the heart from the biblical viewpoint. The Bible heart consists of the intellect, the emotions, the will and the conscience of mankind. It is not talking about the blood pump that each of us has in our bodies. It involves the intellect. Solomon said, Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life (Proverbs 4:23). The Bible tells us we can think with our heart (Matthew 9:4). We understand with our heart (Matthew 13:15). With the heart we believe (Romans 10:9,10). The heart of man is also the emotions of man. The Scriptures speaks of the heart s desire (Romans 10:1). We have sorrow in our heart (2 Corinthians 2:4). We rejoice in our hearts (Psalm 105:3). The heart of man is also His will. When God created man, He gave man the power of choice. Man can, by his own will, choose the kind of life he will live. That function also is the heart of man. Paul gave instruction concerning giving that involves how we purpose in our heart (2 Cor. 9:7). One function of the will is to determine to follow the course of action God sets forth for us to obey. Romans 6:17 states that they obeyed from the heart The heart of man is also his conscience. Our hearts can condemn us (I John 3:19-21). The heart can be troubled (John 14:1). Our hearts can be pricked (Acts 2:37). The heart can be cut (Acts 7:54). We need to ask the question. Is your heart right with God? If not, you need to surrender all of it: the intellect, emotions, will and conscience to Christ. --L. Cole Jesus: The Humble Servant The story is told of a lawyer who had successfully handled a difficult law case for a wealthy friend. Following the happy outcome of the case, the friend and client called on the lawyer, expressed his appreciation for his work, and handed him a new Moroccan leather wallet. The lawyer looked at the wallet in astonishment and handed it back with a sharp reminder that a wallet could not possibly compensate him for his services. My fee for that work, acidly snapped the attorney, is five hundred dollars. The friend opened the wallet to reveal ten crisp hundred-dollar bills, removed five of them, and handed it back to the lawyer with a smile. We all know arrogance when we see it. A friend is too sure of himself; a coworker only likes to talk about herself, never listening to what you have to say. Arrogance is all the more insufferable when an acquaintance constantly brags on himself and his accomplishments when it is clearly seen that he is not all that great. It makes matters even worse when he won t admit a fault or flaw unless it s to fabricate an appearance of self-awareness and ward off accusers.

2 Humility is sometimes difficult to describe. We find it easy to think of examples of arrogance, but how do we imagine a humble person? Typically we think of people we know who are humble, but what is it that makes them that way? Jesus is the perfect example of the humble servant. Jesus showed His humility when He entered Jerusalem the week of His crucifixion. The people praised Him by laying down coats and tree branches and shouting, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest (Matt. 21:8-9). But Jesus entrance into the city was not like you would expect for a king, much less the King of kings. Where were the chariots and trumpets? Where was the great procession? Jesus could have had whatever entrance He wanted. Even though He is the greatest King, He chose to enter Jerusalem in a humble way: on a donkey. When we find ourselves in positions of authority in various roles in the church, home, or at work, let us follow the Christ s example of carrying that power with humility. Jesus also showed His humility when He washed the apostles feet. He knew that He had all authority (Jn. 13:3). Still He decided to take a towel and basin of water and wash the feet of His apostles (Jn. 13:4-5). He took the lowest of jobs to teach the disciples that they should serve one another (Jn. 13:13-15). Our friends and brethren need to know our love for them through our service, not just our words. Jesus told the disciples, This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends (Jn. 15:12-13). Jesus showed His humility when He emptied Himself and took on the form of a servant (Phil. 2:7-8). Could anyone argue that Jesus was not humble when He left heaven to die for sinful man? Jesus showed His humility when preaching boldly. Jesus boldly warned His disciples about the hypocrisy of the Scribes and Pharisees. He described them as children of hell and blind guides (Matt. 23:15-16). Some might confuse this boldness with arrogance, thinking that humility should require the Christian to avoid offending others by speaking out against sin. But Jesus was a perfect example of preaching and rebuking error. It was not arrogant for Jesus to know who He was while preaching on the earth, or to be confident in what He was doing. He had the authority to speak the truth and would say only what the Father commanded (Jn. 8:28-29). Jesus said that He was eternal God, a claim so bold and controversial they sought to kill Him (Jn. 8:58-59). Those who would confuse truth for arrogance have forgotten much of Jesus preaching. When we speak the truth in love today, we are following the example of the humblest servant, Christ! We know humility when we see it and we certainly see humility in the man Christ Jesus. In a time of abundant arrogance it is refreshing and convicting to read about the humility of the Great I Am. --Ross Haffner, Christian Worker, 01/16

3 THEY RE YOUR BUTTONS In one of my graduate classes last week my professor made this comment: "Don't blame others for pushing your buttons. They are your buttons." If we're not careful we have a tendency to blame others for our thoughts and actions. "Well just made me so angry that I couldn't control myself", we might say. Or, "I just had to give him a piece of my mind. He had it coming after all." While the decision to become angry and to negatively react to someone who mistreats us (or in general just rubs us the wrong way) is solely ours, it could be the case that we have stressors in our life that contribute to making it easier for those buttons to be pushed. If you find yourself becoming easily agitated, then here are some things to consider. Try not to set unrealistic expectations of yourself relative to your time. Selfimposed stress makes it easier for those buttons to be pushed. Let yourself off the hook. It's okay to do something other than work--like have a hobby, play with the kids, or work in the yard. Too much time in the office is likely to make it easier for those buttons to be pushed. Get to know yourself. You know what makes you tick. You, better than anyone, know what allows your buttons to be pushed. Be flexible. Life around you is always changing. Learn when and where it's okay to make adjustments. You don't always have to be so rigid with your schedule. A failure to adapt at times can make it easier for those buttons to be pushed. Some Bible verses to consider: "Take heed to yourself... " (Acts 20:28). "... Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest awhile... " (Mk. 6:31). "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God" (Phil. 4:6). "Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself... " (Mt. 6:34). We all experience it to some extent--stress. Choose not to let stress make a mess out of you. Remember, they're your buttons. Neil Richey, Neil s Devotional Nuggets 01/25/16 MONTROSE FAMILY NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS JAN 31, 2015 THOSE PRIVILEGED TO SERVE WORSHIP----SUNDAY---9:00 AM Co-Coordinator Roger Draper Announcements Steve Anderson Scripture Reading.. I Tim. 3:14,15. Kaleb Bush Song Leader Jimmy Smith Opening Prayer Brian Smith Lord s Supper-Preside: Jacky Carver Sr. Serve: George Clay, Billy Halliburton Jacky Carver Jr, Ted Russell

4 Closing Prayer... Mitchell Brooks Greeter Ted & Vickie Russell Greeter Billy & Karen Halliburton Count Offering Jacky Carver, Sr Kaleb Bush AM Sermon Church Is PM Sermon Justin Draper speaking WORSHIP---SUNDAY---6:00 PM Announcements Steve Anderson Song Leader Glen Reece Scripture Reading. Gavin Spurlin Opening Prayer Kaleb Bush Preacher: Justin Draper Lord s Supper Mitchell Brooks Addison Halliburton Closing Prayer George Clay BIBLE STUDY WEDNESDAY---7:00 PM Announcement Larry Cole Song Leader Jacky Carver, Sr. First Prayer Billy Halliburton Opening Prayer George Clay Closing Prayer Glen Reece Prepare Communion for February Idella Spurlin Note: If you are not able to fulfill your assignment listed above, please notify the coordinator so that he can find a replacement. MONTROSE BULLETIN BOARD NURSING HOME: Huey Smith; Opal Agee, Pearl Anderson The White House, Lafayette Pat Dyer Broadmore, Murfreesboro, Those on the sick list: Bob Dillehay Kasel Dillehay Josh Dillard Kathy Harville Gladys Bowling Mark Lawrence Cindy Bennett Scotty Yeaman Gaye Yeaman Charlie Pinckley Jimmie Faye Cole

5 OUR RECORD OF LOVE FOR CHRIST 01/24/16 Wednesday Worship Sunday AM Bible Study Sunday AM Daily Bible Readers Worship Sunday PM UPCOMING EVENTS Jan. 30 th. 5 th. Sunday contribution Jan. 30 th. Fellowship Meal Jan. 30 th. 5 th. Sunday. Young Men conduct services. Justin Draper Speaking Pantry item this week: Canned Soup U SCRIPTURE READING FOR FEBRUARY 01 Lev Lev Lev Lev Lev Num Num Num Num Num Num Num Num Num Num Num Deut Deut Deut Deut Deut Deut Deut Deut Deut Deut Deut Joshua Joshua 4-5