Month: November 2009
Notes on humility
Some notes I took from a recent message I listened to on humility by John Piper. I think it was called humility and servanthood. :::
The gospel is the root. Jesus is the root! of humility
**”Humility does not make you gloomy, dismal, downcast, or unhappy.”
“Gospel humility frees you from the need to pose, calculate, posture, or sniff out what others think. It makes you free to laugh at what is really funny with the biggest belly laugh imaginable that makes your face contort and look ridiculous.”
“uncontrollable laughter” (not without self control) can be a very humbling moment… there are no calculations of how am I being perceived. Proud people do not get red in the face with laughter… they must always maintain their “dignity”.
It frees you to be the happiest person you could possibly be.
**”Humility does not make you fearful or timid”
–the only source of courage the world can think of is self-confidence. The Bible teaches us to put no confidence in the flesh but to put our confidence in God as we rely on Him.
…”not a spirit of fear but of power and love and …”
God confidence!! not self confidence… you wanna be strong and bold? then be nothing and have God on your side.
“Who are you that you are afraid of man who dies?” Isaiah 51:12
**Humility does not make you passive. It does not remove the driving motor of ‘achievement'”
For the world it drives the ego with accomplishment and achievement.
1 Cor 15:10 “I worked harder than any of them… nevertheless not I, but the grace of God that was with me”
The grace of God in the heart of the believer who is humble and dependent on God produces incredible industry.
‘protestant work ethic’ when relying on the grace of God. Deep humble dependence on God (sovereign grace) produces industry… dependent like a child… toil happens, energy happens, the unleashing of dreams.
Hebrews 13:20-21
“Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant,¬†equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us¬†that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
On Controlling Your Body
Just some notes from a sermon I listened to recently that I thought had some excellent truths. I believe it was from John Macarthur’s recent series on abstaining from sexual sin… but I am not positive. ::::
The key to controlling your body (and not letting it control you) is the Holy Spirit. Walking in the Spirit. (Gal 5:16-17) The key to walking in the Spirit is being filled by the Spirit.  (Eph 5:17-18). The key to being filled by the Spirit is letting the Word of Christ dwell in you richly. (Col 3:16) The key to letting the Word of Christ dwell in you richly is hiding the Word in your heart that you may not sin. (Psalm 119)
Not a superficial reading of your daily devotion. Abide in the Word!