Serving With Humility

FROM: NOVEMBER 6 @ 12, 2018

TOPIC: "Serving With Humility" Acts 20:18, 19 Humility is the virtue that consists in being able to ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROPER LIMITATIONS AND WEAKNESSES, AND ACT ACCORDING TO SUCH KNOWLEDGE. Humility is the absence of INSOLENCE (which is a disorderly appetite to be preferred to others), it is the absence of HAUGHTINESS (which is a feeling of superiority in front of others that provokes a disparaging treatment), it is the absence of ARROGANCE (which is a puffiness that leads to showing superiority and contempt to others), and it is the absence of PRESUMPTUOUSNESS (which is a high concept of oneself)). Humility is in those who do not feel more important or better than others, regardless of how far they have come in life. There is a very delicate line between humility and the ostentation of being humble (exhibit oneself as such). The daily life, the behavior, the person's attitude is what shows if one is humble or not!

I. Paul says of himself: "You know how I have lived the whole time I was with you..." "...I served the Lord WITH GREAT HUMILITY..." (Vs. 18, 19)

A. You are humble when you recognize your own limitations and weaknesses.

1. You do not say with your mouth that you are humble, but rather you behave, act humble, live as humble as Paul did, ALL THE TIME!

2. The humble person has completely the absence of displaying wisdom!

3. The humble person lives ALWAYS humble!

4. "...and with many tears, although I was severely tested by the plots of the Jews..." (Vs. 19) in the ministry of the apostle Paul there was a constant tension that struck his emotional nature, attacking his apostolic constitution (what God had in his life, the essence of God in him), his humility.

5. There were many tears of pain and trials in him.

6. Constantly, the apostle suffered persecutions and snares from his enemies.

7. But the tears and pain are better than pride!

8. In the persecution Paul did not show a bit of arrogance.

9. The humble one is not great; the proud one is the one who feels great, who is conceited and presumptuous.

10. In spite of all the apostle's adverse circumstances, his ministry had been fearless (coping without fear of situations and danger) and courageous (with courage and determination in the face of risky or difficult situations).

11. The humble one is the only one who succeeds on earth, his weapons are the tears of pain and in his trials, he lets you see his constitution (his essence), what he is made of- humility or pride!

12. You let see what you're made of! Of humility or arrogance (if you are conceited, haughty, if you think of yourself as superior, if you are like that, you cannot suffer!).

13. The true and faithful servants of God do not swell with flattery, nor are they frightened by insults and persecutions, well, they only worry about being approved before their Lord!

14. Let's examine how we live, open our understanding and see what is in each one of us: humility or haughtiness. According to how we act we will know what is in our heart! That is our constitution! That is what we're made of!

15. Each one has what he has sought, because God is powerful to give us what we want. He can give us of his grace, love and power so that our essence may be one of humbleness and not of pride.

16. Let us be careful because the trials are behind the doors to discover what is in you, not in others.

17. Once I heard that the fever is in one and not in the sheet that covers us. The struggles, the trials and the problems will always show how humble or arrogant we are.

B. (Philippians 3:18) "...even with tears..." (Acts 20:31) "...I never stopped warning each of you night and day."

1. This is what came for our lives: tears, not pride!

2. To be humble is what came to us, because Jesus arrived to teach us (Matthew 11:29 "... learn from me, for I am gentle and humble...").

3. We have taken His yoke! "Take my yoke upon you..." It's already on our shoulder!

4. We learn to be humble as He leads us and allow Him to carry us to the end.

5. He is "...gentle and humble of heart..." It is the only way to have rest in the soul!

6. The apostle Paul cried for those who harmed the Church.

7. Our walk is serving with humility to be approved by Christ; from the beginning to the end we want to be approved by our Lord.

8. Our constitution is the essence of God, it is humility, it is not how great we want or pretend to be.

9. Only the humble have tears of pain for taking care of the holy! They do not live with arrogance, or with anger, or feeling superior in the midst of the congregation! Not like the conceited, whose constitution is haughtiness, despising others, without tears for anyone, feeling superior!

10. To demonstrate the appearance of spirituality and humility does not mean that you really are.

11. It is not presuming to be spiritual and humble. If you are, you show it in your daily life, with your behavior; we will know what your constitution is made of!

12. Let each one of us serve as Paul did, WITH HUMILITY! Amen.