Boasting

Let The One Who Boasts Boast In The LORD II Corinthians 10.12-18 v.17 Let the one who boasts boast in the LORD I love the way God put His Word together. It is His Story. Through the story He tells us things we need to know. He could have just listed a bunch of dos and don’ts but He tells us through real people in real situations. Take the subject this morning, “Boasting.” He could have simply said, “Don’t boast.” Instead He brings us this truth in the lives of Paul, the Apostle and the Corinthian Church. All of this to make us more like Jesus. This is really a message about humility. But we need the negative and positive to make the battery work... my Jeep last week. v.1 By the humility and gentleness of Christ Humility= meek and mild A true view of oneself No pride or haughtiness Taking the lowest place, being the servant of all. Washing feet. David wrote in Psalm 34.2 My soul shall make its boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. This is a perfect contrast between humility and boasting. 1. What is Boasting? To glory on account of something I Corinthians 5.6 Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough? The context of this passage is pride over how open the church in Corinth was over sin among them. “We are progressive in our thinking...” Whenever it is said that we are the avant-garde, there is a real danger of pride, boasting. It is always best to assume a place of less importance. The Words of Jesus in Luke 14.10 But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests.11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Humbling ourselves is the opposite of boasting. Jesus told us, “Apart from Me you can do nothing.” John 15.5 I John 2.16 For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does-comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. the boasting of what he has and does This is sinful This is not from the Father This is worldly. I find this activity so distasteful. So much hot air to hear someone boast and brag about their life’s accomplishments... and often so boring! Lit. Empty Braggart talk, Pretending Proverbs 13.7 One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth. Dependence upon the LORD is what is needed, what we should be exclaiming. We should be... 2. Boasting in the LORD Psalm 44:8: - The good kind of boasting In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise Your Name forever. Psalm 44.1-7 I love talking about what God has done! Isaiah 45.25 But all the descendants of Israel will find deliverance in the Lord and will make their boast in Him. He has rescued me. He is my Provider. Without Him I can do nothing. All the good you see that I am associated with is through Him. Christ working within me, giving me the strength. I Timothy 1.12 I thank Christ Jesus our LORD, Who has given me strength, that He considered me faithful, appointing me to the ministry. 3. Boasting In The Cross Of Jesus Christ Galatians 6.14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. How can I become that radically cross-centered — so that all my exultation is traced back to the cross? Answer: realize that when Christ died on the cross, you died; and when you trusted him, that death took effect in your life. Paul says it’s your death to the world and the world’s death to you. All glory belongs to God All honor to Him Praise and Worship 4. God’s Commendation This is what we ought to be seeking above all else Too often we worry about people will say or think, we concern ourselves with human relationships... They are not to be ignored. They are to be in perspective. Our relationship to God is all important. We get that in order and He will order our other relationships. Serving others is wonderful. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you’re serving is Christ. Colossians 3.23 v.8 For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the LORD commends. Well done good and faithful servant. Matthew 25.23