09/03/2004 Sabbath Meeting Transcript

Tonight I would like to talk about the enemy of humility

I want to talk about a sin that is rampant yet silent, often elusive and often hidden

This sin is in every place carnal man is

But before I begin I want all to know that I also in some ways discover myself falling short of this at times. Whenever I think I have it all purged out, Yahweh reveals more shortcomings

I say this so that I would not appear as a hypocrite to Yahweh

But I do want to share some things in His word about this hidden sin

This sin is hidden because it is the sin itself that prevents men from admitting it.

It is the sin of Pride

Pride itself keeps one from admitting they have pride

Pride often keeps one from seeing their own pride

Proverbs 30:32 - If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth.

Proverbs 16:18 - Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

Obadiah 1:3 - The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?

Obadiah 1:4 - Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith YAHWEH.

Yahweh hates pride. Even a proud look is an abomination to Him

Proverbs 6:16 - These six things doth YAHWEH hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:

Proverbs 6:17 - A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

Proverbs 6:18 - An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,

Proverbs 6:19 - A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

The literal meaning of this phrase is "Lifted eyes"

Yahweh hates is

Yahweh hates it

Why?

I think that pride is one of the worst sins a person can commit. It decieves us. Often we think we don't have it and later realize we do

Pride is unusual in its deceptiveness

It's more so a state of mind than a sin that is committed on occasion

If we have a humble state of mind, pride is not present

Pride though...can drive a man to do about anything.

It can drive a man to be wealthy... artistic.. powerful.. famous.. and even religious

But why does Yahweh hate pride so much?

Ponder this for a moment..

Is there anything that we really have to be proud of ?

Yahweh created the heavens and the earth and all that is within. He gave man a perfect place to dwell. Yet man has rebelled against his Creator from the beginning of time. Yes, from Eden until now

Yahweh even sent His own Son to die for us.. And many are too proud to even accept Him!

It is Yahweh who gave us the breath of life. Remember Job?

Job 38:1 - Then YAHWEH answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,

Job 38:2 - Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?

Job 38:3 - Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.

Job 38:4 - Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.

Isaiah 2:12 - For the day of YAHWEH of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low:

Proverbs 26:12 - Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

If your thoughts are always on yourself, then your thoughts will be void of Yahweh

We need to keep Elohim in our thoughts!

Psalms 10:3 - For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom YAHWEH abhorreth.

Psalms 10:4 - The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after Elohim: Elohim is not in all his thoughts.

I do believe we need to to out of the way of His glory for us to truly be used of Him in the way He desires to use us

The moment we are in the way of His glory, we can quickly be taken out of the way

James 4:13 - Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit";

James 4:14 - whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.

James 4:15 - Instead you ought to say, "If YAHWEH wills, we shall live and do this or that."

For our life is just a vapor that appears for a while and then vanishes away

We are literally in Yahweh's hands at all times.

By His mercies we are not consumed. By His mercies we live and breathe and have our being

Therefore let it be that in all that we do, we do for Yahweh.

If we are musically gifted and are singing a hymn or a song...it should be done for the glory of Yahweh, not to receive the praise of men.

We should neither be ashamed nor gloat in the quality of our voice. It is Yahweh who is worthy of praise

When writing a sermon, book or message...it must be for Yahweh, for the love of others.. not because we want others to give us honor.

When doing any work, let it be for Yahweh. He is worthy of our attention and it is HIM that we must aim to please

Colossians 3:22 - Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing YAHWEH:

Colossians 3:23 - And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to YAHWEH, and not unto men;

1Samuel 17:45 - Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of YAHWEH of hosts, the Elohim of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.

Isn't that what Yahweh often does? He takes a small thing...and does mighty things with it so that His name will be honored!

The humble beginnings of a child born in the stalls of farm animals...

The humble prayer of Hannah...

The humble beginnings of Saul the King who was too meek to even accept being king. They found him hiding out

And the meekest man on the face of the earth, Moshe.. living in a wilderness and seeing a burning bush. Little did he know what Yahweh had planned

Numbers 12:3 - (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)

Acts 12:21 - And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them.

Acts 12:22 - And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a mighty one, and not of a man.

Acts 12:23 - And immediately the angel of YAHWEH smote him, because he gave not YAHWEH the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the spirit.

Acts 12:24 - But the word of YAHWEH grew and multiplied.

Micah 6:8 - He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth YAHWEH require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy Elohim?

Isaiah 66:1 - Thus saith YAHWEH, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?

Isaiah 66:2 - For all those things hath mine hand made, and those things have been, saith YAHWEH: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

Do we read His word seeking for things that might convict our heart?

Or things that we might use to show others that we are right... that we might glorify ourselves?

It is good to seek the truth..and share with others... but I think it is better when it convicted us first.

Pride can be evident in general conversations.

Do the things a man speaks about or the stories he tells about his life have a consistent theme of glorifying himself?

Putting other people down is another thing from pride.

I've met many a person that part of their personality was putting others down.. so that they might appear better and wise

They might even make false accusations against others.. so that they themselves might appear righteous.

But in Yahweh's eyes they are evil

Gossip often comes from pride.

Pride causes arguments and strife in our homes.

Proverbs 28:25 - He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in YAHWEH shall be made fat.

A child who believes he is worthy to argue with an adult needs to learn a lesson in humility

And a wife who believes she is in a position to argue with her husband needs to read what the scriptures say about her role in the marriage

We should not think of ourselves more highly or place ourselves in a higher position than we are actually in

Luke 14:8 - When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him;

Luke 14:9 - And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room.

Luke 14:10 - But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.

Luke 14:11 - For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Pride comes before a fall.. so so many times

What kept many of the Pharisees from accepting the Messiah? Pride was a major player

John 12:42 - Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:

John 12:43 - For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of YAHWEH.

We should not assume we have all the truth. We can learn from others.. and Yahweh can continue to reveal our sin in His word

But only if we are humble enough to see it

1Corinthians 8:2 - And if any man think that he knoweth anything, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.

1Corinthians 8:3 - But if any man love YAHWEH, the same is known of him.

I think that if we start to speak in our prayers as if Yahweh isn't in the first person....pride is often a factor in it.

Pride occurs when at some point..the one offering prayer isn't talking to Yahweh anymore but to the people

Prayer is not to be a performance, it is an offering...a pure holy offering without blemish unto Yahweh. In prayer, we are speaking TO Yahweh

Remember this prayer..

Luke 18:10 - Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.

Luke 18:11 - The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, Elohim, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

Luke 18:12 - I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

Luke 18:13 - And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, Elohim be merciful to me a sinner.

Luke 18:14 - I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

The Pharisee was exalting himself in his prayer.. recounting his own righteous deeds

And thinking himself better than the humble

But the humble are greater in Yahweh's eyes

We ought to heed the warning

For all things hidden will come to light

If we are harboring unforgiveness toward another..

Does our own pride cause us to forget the mercy Yahweh has shown us?

1Peter 5:5 - Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "YAHWEH resists the proud, but gives favor to the humble."

1Peter 5:6 - Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of YAHWEH, that He may exalt you in due time,

The last thing we need is for Yahweh to be resisting us, yes?

Before I close, I do want to share a scripture that shows a different kind of 'pride'

1Corinthians 1:26 - For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

1Corinthians 1:27 - But YAHWEH hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and YAHWEH hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

1Corinthians 1:28 - And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath YAHWEH chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

1Corinthians 1:29 - That no flesh should glory in his presence.

1Corinthians 1:30 - But of him are ye in the Messiah Yahushua, who of YAHWEH is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

1Corinthians 1:31 - That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in YAHWEH.

Paul is quoting from Jeremiah:

Jeremiah 9:23 - Thus saith YAHWEH, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:

Jeremiah 9:24 - But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am YAHWEH which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith YAHWEH.

Mark 8:38 - Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

But do not be ashamed.. rather, glory in the things that Yahweh is having us do.. knowing that His ways are just and true and right!

When the unrighteous mock us for keeping the Sabbath or keeping the feasts, do not be ashamed.. but rejoice that Yahushua's works are dwelling in you

We are blessed to be His servants. All of the longsuffering and mercy and love that He has had for us, just so that we could be His own

Yes, we are blessed to be servants of the Most High. Yahushua paid the ultimate price so that we could be the children of Yahweh

But when we do what we are commanded to do, when we keep His commandments.. let's not boast and brag, but let's remember that we are simply doing that which is our duty to do:

Luke 17:10 - So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

Psalms 150:1 - Praise ye YAHWEH. Praise El in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.

Psalms 150:2 - Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.

Psalms 150:3 - Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.

Psalms 150:4 - Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.

Psalms 150:5 - Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.

Psalms 150:6 - Let every thing that hath breath praise YAHWEH. Praise ye YAHWEH. .

Psalms 115:1 - Not unto us, O YAHWEH, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake.