DUMC 11/12 Feb 2017 DUMC Core Habit #2: Humility (Num. 12:1-15) What are habits? They are ______________ patterns of behaviour in us that we exhibit normally and naturally. How are habits formed? ______________ --> ______________ --> ______________ --> ______________ --> ______________ --> ______________ What is humility? * Being ______________, lowly of heart, self-effacing and gentle * It is reflected in the ______________ of the heart, ______________ of the mind and the ______________ of the person * ______________ is a good example of humility (Num. 12:9-15) o When challenged or insulted he remains meek and ______________, trusts God to vindicate and even ______________ for mercy for the challenger Why is humility so important for us? * It attracts the favour of ______________ (2 Chron. 33:12, 13; 1 Pet. 5:5b) In his distress he sought the favour of the LORD his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. And when he prayed to him, the LORD was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so he brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD is God (2 Chron. 33:12, 13). All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (1 Pet. 5:5b). * Causes God to hear our ______________ (2 Chron. 7:14) … if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. * Helps us to grow in ______________, ______________ and favour (Prov. 11:2; cf. Lk. 2:52) When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom (Prov. 11:2). And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and men (Lk. 2:52). How can we grow in humility? * Allow God to expose what is in our ______________ (Deut. 8:2, 3) Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD (Deut. 8:2, 3). o God is constantly moulding our ______________ throughout our life * Through ______________ (cf. Mk. 10:45; Jn. 13:12-17) For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many (Mk. 10:45). When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. "You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them (Jn. 13:12-17). o The ______________ we go to serve people the more God grows humility in us * Most of all, learn and model after ______________ o What He says (Mt. 5:5; Mt. 11:28, 29) Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth (Mt. 5:5). Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls (Mt. 11:28, 29). o How He relates to and treats people * Blind Bartimaeus (Mk. 10:47-49), Zacchaeus (Lk. 19:5, 7), Samaritan woman (Jn. 4), Children (Lk. 18:15-17), Nicodemus (Jn. 3), Peter (Jn. 21) * He relates to each one ______________ and treats everyone with ______________ and respect o What He does (Phil. 2:6-9) 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! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name. * The greatest act of humility – the ______________! * The way up is the way ______________ (Lk. 14:11)! For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. Questions for discussion 1. Why are we normally put off by proud or arrogant people? Were you once like this and why? In your view what are the areas and ways that you think show humility and are there examples of these that you see in DUMC? 2. Jesus models for us what true humility is all about. In what specific areas can you model more like Jesus? How can you on your own and together make humility a core habit of DUMC?