Humbled

 Philippians 2:8

And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross.

1 Peter 2:21-24

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps:  “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth.” / When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly. 

    In Psalm 40 David writes the hope that his enemies, those who are against him, would turn their hearts to God. He does not retaliate, nor seek vengeance upon them. He, like many others who follow God before him and after him, has the love of God -- which includes compassion and mercy -- in his heart and mind. 

    In Matthew 5:1-12 describes the beatitudes of a Christian's behavior as we walk in the power of God's Holy Spirit with Christ. To be humbled is to surrender what we want for what God wants. It is to live a righteous life that glorifies God, and not a selfish life which only glorifies ourselves. 

    MATTHEW 5:1-12

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn,

for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,

for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful,

for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart,

for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they will be called sons of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you."

    To humble ourselves means we choose obedience to God's Word: we choose to walk in love and light. We show mercy where none is deserved for we are given undeserved mercy by God. We speak peace and forgiveness to everyone we interact with, for the peace of Christ and the forgiveness of our sins were given to the believer when we believed on The Name of The Only Begotten Son of God JESUS CHRIST.

    To humble ourselves means we submit our thoughts to His Word, as well. In order to do that, we must fill our hearts and minds with His Word and His worship (the worship we give Him when we sing His praises and testify in word and song of the glorious things which He has done for us). Let His worship and Word and Spirit abound so thoroughly in each of us that Christ fills us up with even more of Himself, leaving no room for anything not of Him. 

    We must choose this side of eternity to humble ourselves. For the day is nearly here when God will forcefully ensure that all will be humbled by Himself (Romans 14:11; Philippians 2:10-11). The believer willingly kneels before God in adoration and worship, testifying by our actions and our words -whether spoken or unspoken-that JESUS CHRIST IS LORD OF ALL, even ourselves. 

    Rebellion against God and His Word and His Spirit is the opposite of humbleness and humility. Rebellion is arrogance, pride, selfishness, evil, wickedness. To deny God is rebellion, for GOD IS. To live a life of "I want what I want when I want it" is rebellion and disobedience to God's Word. One cannot accept the act of communion and then go out and continue to live in sin. For this brings condemnation upon that person. 

    A life of humility is a righteous walk with Christ. It is to live a life of surrender and submission to our heavenly Father. I've read some good books in my time that have helped me in my walk. Too many to list, but I'll give you a couple examples, which are still on my bookshelves:

Good Morning, Holy Spirit - Benny Hinn

The Real Holy Spirit - Cortland Myers, D.D. (read this book for free online)

The Pursuit of Holiness - Jerry Bridges 

    In 2 Chronicles 7:14 God tells us that we must humble ourselves (kneel only to Him), pray (only to Him) and seek His face (His presence), then He will hear us, forgive us and heal the place where we live. Every Word of God is for everyone. In the Old Testament it was for God's elect: the Jew, the Hebrew nation. But since we are now living in New Testament times, it is for the Gentile, as well. A Gentile is anyone who is not born Jewish. But when we all believe that JESUS CHRIST IS LORD, then we are all in God's family. And His Promise is for All Who Believe. 

    Therefore, we must, we absolutely must, willingly and decidedly choose to live lives of humility and humbleness, being aware at all times that Christ is with us; that His Spirit teaches us and guides us in this life in order to prepare us for the life we will live after death. 

    Joshua (Joshua 24:15) wrote that the decision to follow God is personal, it happens to each of us on an individual basis. The call goes out, "Choose this day whom you will serve." For the humble life of the believer has an impact on the soul, the mind, the heart. Choose. This day. Whom you will serve. Yourselves? or God? 

    Are we willing to die for what we believe? If not, then we need to get into the place where we are fully surrendered to a life lived for the glory of God. Absolute Surrender by Andrew Murray is a good place to start. 

COVERED Planetshakers

 I SURRENDER ALL  

TIS SO SWEET TO TRUST IN JESUS 

 

Statements of Faith - Absolute Surrender

 

GALATiANS 2:20

I have been crucified with CHRIST; it is no longer I who live but CHRIST lives in me; and the life which I now live I live faith in THE SON OF GOD who loved me and gave Himself for me. 

Romans 3:22
And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction. 

Romans 6:6

We know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be rendered powerless, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.

Song of Solomon 6:3

I am my Beloved’s, And my Beloved is mine. He feeds his flock among the lilies. 

Psalm 100:3

Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. 

MATTHEW 6:10

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Matthew 4:17

From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."

Matthew 7:21

Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven.

Matthew 6:33

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you. 

Matthew 4:19

Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 

    To be absolutely surrendered to God is to choose to obey His Word and walk in His Way of Holiness. It is to choose to be molded into the person He desires us to be. We surrender our will for His willingly and with great expectation to see what God will do and is doing in us. 

    To be absolutely surrendered to God is to be content in all things, as Paul wrote to the church in Philippi, "Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. I am accustomed to any and every situation—to being filled and being hungry, to having plenty and having need." (Philippians 4:11, 12). 

    To be absolutely surrendered to God is to give Him my life, my time, my finances: all of which He has given me. For I did not create myself nor did I save myself. God is the God of all my days. He blesses His people when they choose to be obedient to His Word. I want the blessings of God that I might bless Him and bless others with the blessings He gives me. 

    To be absolutely surrendered to God is to know "joy unspeakable" and have "the peace that passes understanding" even in hard times, sorrowful times,  wearying times. (1 Peter 1:8; Philippians 4:7). It is to have absolute faith in the knowledge that God is in control and knows what He is doing; to trust God at all times. 

    To be absolutely surrendered to God is to listen for His voice and Hear Him speak when I search out His presence to spend time with Him in prayer. Prayer is how the surrendered heart communicates with its God. 

    Today is the day to be absolutely surrendered to God. While there is still time. 

WITHHOLDING NOTHING Medley - William McDowell

A Crucified Life - - Answers The Call to Surrender

 

    Isaiah 1:19

If you are Willing and obedient, you will eat the best of the land.

    Willing. Choosing to surrender my will, what I want, for God's will, what He wants. Considering all the components of obedience and disobedience, I choose to submit to His Ways, that His purpose might be fulfilled in me and through me. 

    A surrendered heart is a humbled heart. It is the art of self-discipline: forming new habits in Christ by faithfully applying The Word of God to my life. God writes His Word on my heart. The Holy Spirit applies The Word to my life. This Word is Christ, Life Immeasurable and Eternal. 

    It takes willingness to serve in God's kingdom. If a person is not willing to set aside their agenda, then that person is not ready to serve God. Sometimes it's a struggle to get there, but the more we submit to God's Authority, the less struggle there is and the more satisfaction there is. 

    We need to be willing AND obedient. It doesn't do us any good if we are willing to serve God, but remain in a disobedient lifestyle. It is impossible to please God if we insist on living in sin. A sin-filled lifestyle is in direct conflict with a holiness lifestyle. Sin must be repented of, confessed to God and turned away from in this life, before a person can be of any use in God's kingdom. 

    Are you ready to be willing and obedient? God knows your heart and what you are thinking. We need to become "less" as we develop a holy lifestyle and Jesus needs to become "more" (John 3:30 "He must increase, but I must decrease.").

CALLED TO SURRENDER

I Surrender - Hillsong

Oceans - Hillsong United

The More I Seek You - Kari Jobe

Spirit Lead Me - Michael Ketterer

Where You Go, I Go - Jesus Culture

The Call To Come Up & The Call To Come Out - David Wilkerson (short sermon)