Sermon Summary

 “All those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Christ warns. Paul puts it even more bluntly in Philippians: ‘Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.‘ This is good advice, and isn’t this the way you become a better more effective person yourself – to be with people who are better, who inspire and guide. Listen to James 3: “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.” Wise people don’t boast they act. 

Humility was rarely considered a virtue in Greco-Roman moral discourse. It still is not today. So how are we to behave given the pride we have of the success many of us have experienced. 

We must not be complacent and boastful; it’s what we do with that success that counts. Does being humble mean we have to be meek and avoid speaking out when we see injustice, or when we are attacked. That is not what Jesus meant. Listen to the story of Jesus enraged by what he considered the commercialization of a holy place in Mark 11:  “Jesus went into the temple courtyard and threw out everyone who was buying and selling there. He overturned the moneychangers’ tables and the chairs of those who sold pigeons…” A wonderful image of a justifiably angry Jesus. 

There is another aspect to humility. The fact that the glory of God’s creation humbles us. It does. I know that the rich beauty of the woodland trails in King and York region humble me. As does my still early morning lake in the canoe. And there’s a wonderful hymn we often sing that says it so well: ”When thro’ the woods and forest glades I wander, and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees. When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur, and hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze. Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee, How great thou art! How great thou art!” The creator has given us an awe-inspiring creation. We should be humbled by it. 

So let’s not be boastful, but ready to speak and act against injustice and evil when we meet it. And let’s trust in God’s grace and the power of Jesus to make us stronger to do his will.