“Conceit to Humility”

Introduction:  Of all our sins, conceit [pride, vanity, egotism] quite possibly disguises itself best.

Conceit can lead us to generosity or stinginess, to shyness or bravado.  It can present itself in false humility and self-deprecation.  It can broadcast itself in selfies, blogs and social media.  Distinguishing element of conceit, it refuses to abdicate Self’s throne.  You care the center.

I.       Dinner Conversation [Luke 14:7-14]

A.     (v7) “When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table…”

1.     How do you define success?  Measure it?  Conceit grows from using the wrong equation.

2.     Romans 12:3, “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure of faith God has given you.”

3.     (v11) “Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself…”

B.    (v12) “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your relatives…”

1.     What’s wrong with that guest list?  They will thank me and return the favor.

2.     Maybe it is not so much what we do, but what we fail to do, and who we fail to see.

C.    (v13) “Invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind…”

1.     (v14) “Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection.”

2.     Jesus People movement and the offense of the hippies.

3.     Romans 12:16, “Do not be proud but be willing to assist with people of low position.  Do not be conceited.”

II.       Of Fights and Boasting [James 4]

A.    (v6) “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” [Proverbs 3:34, 1 Peter 5:5]

1.     Matthew 6:10, “Your kingdom come, your will be done…”  A daily reminder of right prayer

2.     James 4:1-2, “What causes fights and quarrels among you?  You want something but…”

3.     “Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth.”  [James 4:10]

B.    (v14) “You are a mist that appears for a little while then vanishes.”

1.     The uncertainty of our plans and flimsiness of our confidence.  God is in charge.

2.     (v15) The good Lord willin’ and the crick don’t rise.

3.     (v17) Don’t use your plans as an excuse to ignore the immediate good you should do.

Conclusion:   Humility leads us to include rather than exclude, to listen more than speak, to share more than take, to cheer more than judge, to learn from our failures rather than deny them.  Humility is nourished in Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on…”