Breaking Free from Pride

This week's sermon is about Pride.  As we dove into this sermon, one of the things that stood out to me was point number three: Humble does not equal weak.  Instead humble equals the absence of Pride.  We do what we are called and gifted to do not for praise, position or prosperity, but for the glory of God.  We do not have to, nor is God requiring us to, walk around defeated.  Instead he wants us to "Stand Firm" (1 Peter 5:9) and do the work of the kingdom.  Pride has us to do the work for us, humility has us do the work for him.  The question here is what is your motivation? 

Scripture:

1 Peter 5:5-11

5 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,

“God opposes the proud
    but shows favor to the humble.”[a]

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Recording: 
http://fbcbicknell.sermoncampus.info/20091084

Outline: 

Beating Pride:

1.        Adopt a correct view of God (v6)

2.       Revise your false beliefs (v5)

3.       Humble does not equal weak (v9)

4.       The root of pride is fear (v7)

5.       Allow Christ to make you strong (v10)

*Some of the content from this sermon came from Rick Warren material.

Breaking Free: Anger

Sunday was the fifth sermon in this series.  I was out of the pulpit for the last two weeks while recovering from surgery.  Two weeks ago my good friend John Stidham talked about Breaking Free from Temptation and last week my wife Lauren shared about Breaking Free from the lies in our heads.  Both of those sermons are available on  our sermon page at fbcbicknell.sermon.net. 

This sermon was particularity hard for me as it deals with a topic that I have struggled with for a very long time, especially over the last few years.   That topic is ANGER.  That's right people, I have an anger problem, but I am thankful that God has been working on me,  transforming me, convicting me to do better. One area that I have struggled with the most is ANGER towards my children.  I wish this was not the case.  I wish I did not get so angry at them and instead I could handled them in a more grace filled way.  I am thankful that God has given me more patience over that last few months and empowered me to overcome some of my anger issues.  I have a long way to go, but he is doing great things in this part of my life.  

The most profound thing for me in this sermon is point number two.  Our Anger can be a warning light.  I had never thought about this before.  I really had always assumed that anger was wrong and sinful.  I am amazed that anger could also be the prompting of the Holy Spirit and a call to action.  Does that connect with you? 

Scripture: Ephesians 4:26-32

26 “In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.

29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Recording: 
http://fbcbicknell.sermon.net/main/main/20082526

Outline: 

1. 1.     Anger is Normal
2. 2.     Anger is a Warring light
3. 3.     Anger must be Resolved
4. 4.     Unresolved anger is an Invitation to the Devil
5. 5.     Anger is Deadly when turned into Words

Breaking Free from Anger:

1. 1.      Examine the Anger
2. 2.     Replace the Anger with Action.
3. 3.     Choose Forgiveness and Grace

*Some of the content from this sermon came from Rick Warren material.