Doctrine of Humility

Doctrine of Humility
DATE: October 21, 2007

SCRIPTURE: Galatians 5:22-23; EXODUS 18:1-27; NUMBERS 12:3; HEBREWS 11:24-28

INTRODUCTION [i]

Our study theme is "Becoming Who God Wants Me To Be.” Our scripture passage is found in Galatians 5:22-23, “But the Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” We are examining each of these nine qualities over the nine-week study period. Keep in mind that the Fruit (notice that this is singular) of the Spirit is all nine of these qualities, not one or two. We do not get to pick out which we want; it is an all or nothing proposition. Some of the individual qualities may stand out at certain times, but each of the nine is to be present in the life of each and every Spirit-filled Christian.

This week we look at gentleness.
Galatians 5:22-23 uses the word gentleness. Both of these words are used in scripture in both the Old Testament and New Testament, but they do differ in their definition. Neither of these attributes is popular to describe a person in today’s world.

Webster defines each word as:
Humble – having or showing awareness of one’s defects; modest, lowly; unpretentious.
Gentle – refined; polite, generous, kind, tame, patient, mild, moderate.
The word humble is not found in Smith’s Bible Dictionary or Wickliffe Bible Encyclopedia.Gentle is not found in Smith’s Bible Dictionary and in Wickliffe’s, it is defined as “moderation in action, refinement in mannerisms and disposition.”

Scripture passages from the New Testament that pertain directly to being humble:
Matthew 18:2-4
Mark 10:43
Luke 18:13-14

Here are three illustrations of a person being humble:
First. Rick and Gidget Johnson, of Slidell, Louisiana, came out of a life of sin and hard living to be saved about ten years ago. The Holy Spirit changed both of these people in different ways, but both now live a humble life. Gidget was a practicing witch, very much into the occult, in her other life. Now she teaches aerobics and clean living. Rick was a drummer in a rock and roll band, with a life filled with drugs, fast living, money and sin. After Salvation, Rick went into sales and was very successful, but this put him back into that environment of evil temptations. Rick was convicted by the Holy Spirit to become the janitor of his church and humble himself into a very medial job that required hard physical labor. The best part of his job was being at church, which took him away from many of the sinful temptations that he had experienced in his day-to-day life. Being around his pastor, and others doing God’s work, gave him encouragement to remain clean.

Second. “A very good friend of mine has just resigned as the Minister of Music at a large church. He is headed to a different church in a different state with many unknowns ahead. He must be out of his mind because his ministry at the present church is growing. His people love him. His family is close by. His wife’s family lives in the same town. The church is about to build a new auditorium that he would help design as his dream facility. Why would a man, in his right mind, leave all this success and go far away to a church that has been experiencing some very serious problems? Why give up what is in hand to face so many unknowns? He would respond that he is doing it at the direction of the Holy Spirit. This is very true, but does being available require this man to give up seeing with his physical senses and humbling himself to the Holy Spirit?”

Third. “It was the month of May. Spring had arrived along with a chilling cold front in Indiana. I was having lunch in a quaint little corner restaurant when I first saw him.

The man appeared carrying all his worldly goods on his back with a sign that read, ‘I work for food.’ I stopped eating to focus on him. My heart sank in sadness and disbelief. My memory verse for that day was from Psalms: ‘I looked on my right hand and beheld there was no man that would know me; refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul’ (Psalm 142:4).

I couldn’t finish my food. I glanced toward the town square, in a half-hearted way, looking for him. I drove through town and saw nothing of him. ‘Oh well, they come and go,’ I thought.Something in my spirit kept saying don’t go back to the office until you have circled the square one more time. There he was, standing on the doorstep of a storefront church. There was one vacant parking space right in front and I eased into it. I made my exit and moved toward him.‘Looking for the preacher?’ I asked. ‘Not really,’ he sighed. ‘Just resting.’ ‘Have you eaten today?’ I inquired. ‘Oh, I had a little something this morning,’ was the cheerful reply. ‘Have lunch with me,’ I urged. ‘Do you have work that I can do?’ When I explained that my home was not in the city and that I commuted each day, he accepted. We would have lunch together. As we entered the little café, I asked, ‘Where are you headed?’ ‘St. Louis.’ ‘Where’re you from?’ I asked, making conversation. ‘All over, but mainly from Florida. But I’m on a mission. I’ve been walking for 14 years.’ His face was weathered slightly. His eyes were dark, yet clear. He spoke with an eloquence and articulation that was startling. He removed his jacket and revealed a bright red T-shirt that said, ‘Jesus is the Never Ending Story.’ His name was Daniel, and he began his story. Rough times early, wrong choices and a harvest reaping with sorrow and tears.Fourteen years ago while in Daytona, he signed on to help erect a tent. It was in the tent that his life would change. He attended each night of the gospel meeting. He responded the last night of the revival and, upon deep repentance, he was immersed into Christ. To him, Baptism was the death, burial and resurrection of his savior imitated by his obedience. ‘I started walking that night, and I’ve been walking ever since.’ My homeless friend was not homeless. He was on a mission; one destined to be most uncomfortable all the way. ‘Ever think of stopping?’ I asked.‘Oh yes. Once in a while it tends to get the best of me. But God has given me this calling to pass out Bibles.’ ‘Could you use a few more?’ I offered. When we emerged from the Bible Book Store, his pack was full. ‘Would you please sign my autograph book? I like to keep messages from folks I meet.’ I wrote in his little book that his commitment and his calling had touched my life and I left him with a verse from Jeremiah. ‘I know the plans I have for you, declared the Lord; plans to prosper you and not to harm you and plans to give you a future and a hope.’ ‘Isn’t it tough to walk into a strange town carrying all these things on your back and showing your sign?’
‘Oh yes. It’s humiliating at first. People stare and make comments. But then it became humbling to realize that God was using me to change people’s concept of other folks like me. Thanks, man. I know we’ve just met, and we’re really just strangers, but I love you.’‘I love you, too.’ I said. ‘God is good. By the way, how long has it been since someone gave you a hug?’ ‘A long time,’ he replied. So on a busy street corner in cold drizzling rain, my new friend and I embraced. I felt deep inside that I have been changed. He put his things on his back, turned and gave me a winning smile and said, ‘See you in the new Jerusalem.’Then I remembered the word to the Hebrews. ‘Be not forgetful to entertain strangers; for thereby some have entertained angels unawares’ (Hebrews 13:2). I turned and shouted, ‘I’ll see you then,’ but he was gone. Then I remembered the words of Jesus: ‘I was hungry, thirsty, alone, and you gave me food and drink and invited me in…for when you do this to the least of my brethren you do this to me’ (Matthew 25:34-43). Who dares to be a Daniel?”

Taken from “I Work for Food, the Sign Read” by Jack H. Exum, Amy Writing Awards 2001Prize Winning Entries.

Have both of the characters in this illustration shown a humble spirit? The man doing the walking said, “it became humbling to realize that God was using me.” How about the person who bought lunch and the Bibles? Did that require being humble? Ask yourself what stops us from being a friend to someone who is walking, looking homeless, lost or cold. Is it our pride and if so, what is strong enough to help us reach the point of being humble enough to care and to show it?

GentlenessThree scriptures passages in the New Testament that deal with gentleness:
2 Timothy 2:24-26
Titus 3:1-2
James 3:17

Here are three illustrations of a person being gentle:
First. Fred lies on his bed in his bedroom in his home at the point of death. He has had nothing to eat or drink in eight days. He is so weak that he is unable to swallow and every breath is a struggle. It has been fifteen years that Fred has struggled with Alzheimer’s. His wife Mary has succeeded in caring for Fred even in the last six months when he has been totally out of it. Mary and their two sons, Ralph and George, have tended this husband and father, feeding, changing, turning and talking to him, but now it is the very end. Fred is remembered as a wonderful man who read his Bible and trusted his God to provide everything. Mary says, “I am not bitter, I am just happy to be able to keep my husband at home. As Fred loses weight and reaches the point where he can no longer care for himself, this little family has responded with love and gentleness that is strong enough to provide a clean home, excellent nursing care and a positive atmosphere. One morning, Ralph comes into his father’s room and realizes that his mother has spent the night singing to his father. Both seem to know that this will be the last day. His breathing changes. Each of the three spends time with their hands on their father and husband saying out loud, “I love you Dad.” By mid-morning, George walks into the kitchen. Putting his arms around his Mother, he says, “Mom, he’s gone.” This very sad story is being repeated right now in thousands of homes. I promise you that in your church and community, there are similar situations happening right now. Each situation is an opportunity for us to show gentle, humble love to all those involved.

Second. Ernest Hemingway wrote a story about a Spanish father and his teen-age son, who ran away from home. The father began a journey in search of his rebellious son. Finally, in Madrid, in a last desperate attempt to find the boy, the father placed an ad in the newspaper. It read: “Dear Paco, meet me in front of the newspaper office at noon. All is forgiven. I love you, Your father.” The next day, outside the newspaper office, 800 Pacos showed up. They were all seeking forgiveness. They were all seeking the love of their father. Most of us would say the son was at fault for running away from home, but notice it was the father who displayed gentleness and forgiveness. These qualities are so unlike most of us. When someone wrongs us, we demand that they first seek our forgiveness.

Third. Anne Sullivan had lost the majority of her sight at the age of five. By the age often, her mother had died and her father deserted her. She and her brother Jimmie were sent to the poorhouse in February 1876. Anne's brother died in the poorhouse. It was October 1880 before Anne finally left and went to commence her education at the Perkins Institution. One summer during her time at the institute, Anne had two operations on her eyes, which led to her regaining enough sight to be able to read normal print for short periods of time. Anne graduated from Perkins in 1886 and began to search for work. Finding work was terribly difficult for Anne, due to her poor eyesight, and when she received the offer from Michael Anagnos to work as the teacher of Helen Keller, a deaf-blind mute, although she had no experience in this area, she accepted willingly. On 3 March 1887 Anne arrived at the house in Tuscumbia and for the first time met Helen Keller. Anne immediately started teaching Helen to finger spell. Spelling out the word "Doll" to signify a present she had brought with her for Helen. The next word she taught Helen was "Cake". Although Helen could repeat these finger movements she could not quite understand what they meant. And while Anne was struggling trying to help her understand, she was also struggling to try and control Helen's continuing bad behavior. Anne's attempts to improve Helen's table manners and make her brush her own hair and button her shoes led to more and more temper tantrums. Anne punished these tantrums by refusing to "talk" with Helen by spelling words on her hands. Over the coming weeks, however, Helen's behavior did begin to improve as a bond grew between the two. Then, after a month of Anne's teaching, what the people of the time called a "miracle" occurred. Helen had until now not yet fully understood the meaning of words. When Anne led her to the water pump on 5 April 1887, all that was about to change. As Anne pumped the water over Helen's hand, Anne spelled out the word water in the girl's free hand. Something about this explained the meaning of words within Helen, and Anne could immediately see in her face that she finally understood. Helen later recounted the incident: "We walked down the path to the well-house, attracted by the fragrance of the honey-suckle with which it was covered. Someone was drawing water and my teacher placed my hand under the spout. As the cool stream gushed over one hand she spelled into the other the word water, first slowly, then rapidly. I stood still, my whole attention fixed upon the motions of her fingers. Suddenly I felt a misty consciousness as of something forgotten, a thrill of returning thought, and somehow the mystery of language was revealed to me."
Helen immediately asked Anne for the name of the pump to be spelt on her hand and then the name of the trellis. All the way back to the house Helen learned the name of everything she touched and also asked for Anne's name. Anne spelled the name "Teacher" on Helen's hand. Within the next few hours Helen learnt the spelling of thirty new words. Most of us think of gentleness being weak and not strong willed, but his illustration shows a very strong form of gentleness. Think about what was required of Miss Sullivan to break into Anne’s dark and silent world. Do we have the same persistence of long-term gentleness when we deal with others around us.





Compiled by Anthony A. Ponceti, AnthonyPonceti@aol.com
[i] THIS MATERIAL IS USED WITH THE PERMISSION OF WWW.SUNDAYSCHOOLHELPS.COM FOR NON-PROFIT REASONS ONLY; http://sundayschoolhelps.com/L3-02-07-21.htm