Overview:
John 1; 3
All who come to God must empty themselves of every shred of self-rule. They must surrender all tendencies toward fulfilling their own selfish gain and satisfaction. In other words, they must put away pride and put on humility . . . and that is no easy task.
In a world that measures success on what author and journalist David Brooks called “résumé virtues,” humility is often seen as a sign of weakness or failure. Not so with God. Success to God is finding His strength in our own weakness.
Message Summary:
In this insightful message, Chuck Swindoll addresses a rare and often misunderstood trait: true humility. Defined as "love that stoops," humility is presented not as a lack of confidence or a denial of talent, but as the integrity to remain unimpressed with oneself despite great success. Using the world-renowned singer Marian Anderson as a modern example, Chuck illustrates that the most successful people are often those who never forget their humble roots and acknowledge God as the primary source of their achievements. The sermon challenges the "competition and comparison" mindset of our current culture, calling believers to find their significance in God's calling rather than in public acclaim.
The narrative centers on John the baptizer, whom Jesus called the greatest man ever born. Despite his massive following, John consistently diverted attention away from himself and toward Jesus Christ. Chuck explores John’s response to the religious leaders’ interrogation and his later reaction when his own disciples became jealous of Jesus' growing ministry. By examining John’s perspective—seeing himself as a "voice" rather than "the Light" and a "best man" rather than "the Bridegroom"—the message provides a roadmap for cultivating a heart that is content to decrease so that Christ may increase.Message Key Facts:
- The Story of Marian Anderson: Chuck recounts how the famous contralto, despite being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and singing for royalty, considered her greatest moment to be the day she could tell her mother she didn't have to take in washing anymore.
- The "Moon" Metaphor: John the baptizer is compared to the moon, which has no light of its own but merely reflects the brilliance of the "Sun" (Jesus). Humility is described as being a "reflected light."
- The "Meeting of the Board" Spoof: Chuck shares a humorous piece by Richard K. Waller that imagines the disciples as a modern board of directors trying to "pep up" Jesus’ ministry with better publicity and more impressive miracles.
- Acceptance and Limitation: A core principle of humility is accepting our God-given roles while recognizing our limitations. John knew he was not the Messiah, and he was completely comfortable in that role.
- Envy vs. Jealousy: Chuck provides a sharp distinction between the two: Envy mourns over what it doesn't have, while jealousy is threatened by the loss of what it does have. True humility cancels out both by rejoicing in another’s success.
Message References:
- John 1:6–8, 19–27: The testimony of John the baptizer, where he defines himself as a "voice shouting in the wilderness" and declares he is not worthy to even untie the Messiah's sandals.
- John 3:25–30: John’s response to his disciples' jealousy, concluding with the life-changing motto: "He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less."
- Matthew 11:11: Jesus’ ultimate affirmation of John’s character and importance in redemptive history.
- Romans 12:3: A reference to not thinking of oneself more highly than one ought, but to think with "sober judgment."
- 1 Peter 5:5–6: The exhortation to clothe ourselves with humility, for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.
