"A HUMBLE SPIRIT IN A 'HOOK ME UP' CULTURE"
Two Malefactors and the Messiach • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 15 viewsBoth of the criminals who hung beside Jesus made a request of him. The repentant criminal made a humble request, while the other made a selfish mocking request.
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Greed versus Grace
Greed versus Grace
33 And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left.
34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.
35 And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!”
36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine
37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!”
38 There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”
39 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!”
40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?
41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.”
42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
INTRODUCTION:
Have you ever met someone who has an entitlement attitude? They believe that they deserve benefits, privileges, or special treatment without earning them.
The son, Walter Lee Younger Jr., in Lorraine Hansberry's "A Raisin In The Sun” had an entitlement attitude. After years of financial struggles, the family was eagerly awaiting a payout from Walter Lee Younger Sr., the deceased father’s insurance policy. When Lena Younger (Mama) finally receives the $10,000.00 payout, she lovingly entrusts Walter Jr. with $6,500 of the money, hoping to empower him and build his confidence by allowing him to use some of the money in a positive way to contribute to the family's welfare.
FAST-FORWARD: However, Walter's reckless gambling and obsession with "get-rich-quick schemes" backfires disastrously. He falls prey to a shady character by the name of Willy Harris, who convinces him of a surefire investment, only to have the money stolen, leaving the family in dire straits.
Mama steps in to save the day, using the remaining funds to buy a house in a better neighborhood, fulfilling her late husband's dream of securing a brighter future for her family.
Throughout the play, Walter exhibits behaviors like a spoiled child, relentlessly pursuing his desires without regard for the consequences or the well-being of others. How selfish can you be?
The title of my sermon this morning is “A Humble Spirit in a ‘Hook Up Culture.’”
So, what is humility?
Humility is a spiritual discipline. It is the divine virtue of willingly and reverently lowering oneself before God and others.
Philippians 2:3 (NIV): "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves. I DIDN’T SAY THAT. THAT’S THE WORD OF GOD.
A humble person does not seek to elevate themselves above others through boasting or prideful behavior, but instead, they recognize the worth, the value, and the dignity of every individual, no matter their education level, financial status, titles, accolades, or accomplishments. High degree or no degree, saint or ain’t, big man on campus or little man on the street corner, a humble person sees them all as God’s child.
If you want to know what humility looks like, then look no further than the cross.
According to Philippians 2:6-8, New Living Translation (NLT):
"Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges....When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross."
Jesus, the son of God, willingly lowered himself, submitted to the humiliation, the shame, and the suffering of the cross for my sake, for your sake — that’s humility.
Jesus, the son on God was not too high and mighty to get down on his knees and wash the feet of his disciples — that’s humility.
Jesus, the son of God, upon being crucified, prayed to God his father, to forgive those who were crucifying him because, “They know not what they do,” — that’s humility.
Another word for humility is meekness. Being meek is not the same as being weak. Being humble or meek does not mean you are a doormat. It does not mean weakness or passivity. Rather, humility is a strength.
A humble person is not weak because they choose not to dignify ugliness with a response. They are strong enough to hold their tongues.
A humble person is not weak because they are willing to forgive you when you treat them wrong. They are Godly enough to forgive you because that is what the Word of God tells them to do.
Humility does not mean that I devalue myself; I recognize that I am a child of God. Because God created me, I am somebody.
So meekness is not weakness.
My brothers and sisters, I come this morning to let you know that maintaining a humble spirit is entirely achievable in a “me,” “myself,” and “I” kind of world.
As the title of my sermon suggests, “You Can Have Humble Spirit in a ‘Hook Me Up’ world.”
What is a “Hook Me Up Mentality?”
If you have a cousin, Pokey, you have seen the “Hook Me Up” mentality.
“Come on cuz, how bout hook a brother up. Lay a lil somethin’ somethin’ on me.”
Sounds familiar?
If you own a business and have family or community members who come around asking for discounts, you know something about the “Hook Me Up” mentality.
All church folks know something about the “Hook Me Up” mentality.
When your unchurched family and friends come to you and lay the guilt trip on you real thick:
“Come on cuz, give me a lil somethin’ somethin’ you be sitting up in that church. Didn’t the Bible say it’s better to give than it is to receive?
Yeah, that’s what it says, but I don’t believe it was talking about giving to you.
When you have a "Hook Me Up" mentality you look for instant gratification.
When you have a “Hook Me Up” mentality, you have an entitlement attitude.
When you have a “Hook Me Up” mentality, you are always seeking an answer to the question, “What’s in it for me?”
We are now living in a day when the world often seeks shortcuts, favors, or special treatment without considering the consequences or responsibilities involved.
The “Hook Me Up” mentality has even infiltrated the church. It is being taught from God’s holy pulpit. Rather than preaching about the Old Rugged Cross, we now preach about the shiny new Cadillac.
Rather than preaching about Golgotha, we now preach about greenbacks.
Rather than preaching about Calvary, we now preach about cash.
Not only do we preach mostly about blessings now. We also sing mostly about blessings.
The Gospel Duo, Mary Mary, sings a song entitled Come Get Your Blessings.
The words say (and I quote):
Go get it, go get it, go get your blessing
Go get it, go get it, go get it
It's time yo, It's time yo, It's time your time
The word “Jesus” is never mentioned in that song, just get your blessing.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German theologian and pastor, wrote about what he calls "cheap grace" in his book "The Cost of Discipleship."
He criticized what he saw as a misconception of grace within certain Christian circles, where grace is understood merely as forgiveness without any requirement for discipleship or commitment to living out the teachings of Jesus Christ.
According to Bonhoeffer, "Cheap grace is the grace we bestow on ourselves.
Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession
Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate."
True grace is not cheap or easy—it requires a response from believers that involves a genuine commitment to following Christ and living out His teachings.
We've become a "hook me up" kingdom, misinterpreting the Word of God making it about material blessings and personal gain.
One of the criminals hanging beside Jesus wanted cheap grace.
He had a “Hook Me Up” mentality.
He wanted Jesus to rescue him but not save him.
The other criminal, however, had a humble spirit.
The Characteristics of the “Hook Me Up” Mentality.
Listen to the mocker of the “hook me up mentality” criminal:
“Aren’t You supposed to be the Messiah? Why don’t You save Yourself!
Hook Me Up Christians want:
(1) IMMEDIATE GRATIFICATION: They want immediate deliverance from their suffering without true repentance or understanding of spiritual matters.
Like the unrepentant criminal, “Hook Me Up” Christians are not willing to admit that they are at fault. They want you to forgive them, but they won’t admit that they wronged you.
You see, “Hook Me Up” Christians have what is known as "Selective Forgiveness Christianity:"
They expect forgiveness without genuine repentance or acknowledgment of wrongdoing. They have a sense of entitlement to your forgiving ways but are unwilling to take responsibility for their contributing actions.
So the first characteristic of the “Hook Me Up” mentality is immediacy, I want what I want when I want it. I expect you to do it for me. I expect you to forgive me even if I am not willing to admit that I was wrong.
The second characteristic of the “Hook Me Up” mentality is (2) SPIRITUAL CYNICISM. It is Spiritual cynicism when you have doubt or disbelief in the sincerity of spiritual teachings or biblical principles. They have a skeptical or dismissive attitude towards you and what you believe in. They always have something shady or smart to say about your faith, your God, your belief.
Denzel Washington once said:
“Some people will never like you because your spirit irritates their demons.”
They refuse to acknowledge the moral implications of their actions. They reject the possibility of redemption or forgiveness by Jesus. Cynical, “Hook Me Up” Christians often have a hardened heart and a bitter spirit. They will steal your joy if you let them.
They are the ones that call Christians hypocrites. They are dismissive of your attempt to live for God. Talking to them is like talking to a brick wall. Their hardened hearts and bitter spirits prevent them from seeking true remorse or seeking reconciliation with those they've wronged.
Hook Me Up’s want immediacy. Hook Me Up’s are cynical.
Third, they have (3) CONDITIONAL SALVATION. I will believe it when I see it. I will trust God if he answers my prayer. I will follow Jesus if he gives me the blessing. Their faith in God has a price tag on it. If He gives me this, then I will give Him that. They have a quid pro quo kind of faith, meaning this for that.
The Characteristics of a Humble Spirit:
But thanks be to God, there is another example in our text. The Hook Me Up Mentality says, "Aren't you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!""If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!"
But the humble spirit criminal confronts the “Hook Me Up” criminal saying, "Don't you fear God, since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."
Then he turns to Jesus with all sincerity and humility and says, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
Supporting Points:
The first characteristic of a humble spirit is you are willing to (1) CONFESS YOUR WRONG. The humble criminal acknowledges his guilt and said that he had earned the punishment he is getting.
Humility is not puffed up.
Humility is not blind to its own faults.
Humility does not seek recognition or praise for one's own accomplishments.
Humility is not comparing oneself to others in order to feel superior.
Humility is not holding grudges or seeking revenge when you have been wronged; it is willing to forgive and seek reconciliation.
The next characteristic of a humble spirit is recognized the (2) JESUS WAS AN INNOCENT MAN WHO DIED FOR US. This humble-spirited criminal recognized Jesus' innocence and his own guiltiness. He saw that Jesus was the Christ. He saw God’s righteousness and his own sinfulness. God can’t save sinners who are blind to their own sins.
The last set of characteristics of a humble spirit all go together. A humble spirit (3) BELIEVES, CONFESSES, AND REPENTS. Instead of seeking deliverance or personal gain, the humble criminal humbly asks for Jesus' mercy and for Jesus to remember him in his kingdom. He had the willingness to trust in God's grace and forgiveness. Here was a guilty man who wanted to be forgiven of his sins and saved by Jesus.
What the world needs now is more humble-spirited people.
What the Body of Christ needs now is more humble-spirited Christians who are willing to get up off of their high horses. Within the Body of Christ there are people who sitting pretty on their high horse.
Let me tell you where the expression high horse comes from. Back in the Middle Ages, people of high social status would ride tall horses. They felt like they were superior to others if they were physically higher, sitting on their high horses.
I stopped by this morning to remind you that in this life if we don’t learn how to go low on your own, we serve a God who will allow life’s circumstances to lower us.
WHOOP/CELEBRATION:
IN FOOTBALL, they tell the offensive line, no matter how big you are, stay low. So that you can have leverage, stay low.
No matter how big you get in life, stay low.
No matter what title you have in front of your name, how much money you have in the bank, or how many people know who you are, stay low.
I learned a long time ago, that there is only one God. Humble yourself beneath His mighty hand (From Tony Evans, Book of Sermon Illustrations)
Go low, church. There is only one God who is high and lifted up.
There is only one savior, we can’t save ourselves.
There is only one healer, you and I cannot heal ourselves.
I lower myself beneath his mighty hand.
I go lower, every time I get down on my knees and pray.
I lower myself when I offer forgiveness instead of holding onto resentment.
I go lower when I choose kindness over retaliation.
I humble myself, surrendering my ego to serve others selflessly.
I go lower when I prioritize the needs of others above my own desires.
Once there was a mustard seed and all the other seeds laughed at how small it was. Then one day, a farmer buried it deep in the ground. It still seemed lowly and insignificant, but as it embraced the darkness and allowed itself to be buried, it began to sprout and grow until it became the mightiest and most magnificent tree, reaching high towards the sky, providing shade for travelers and shelter for creatures of the field.
I stopped to this morning to remind you what the Bible says:
The Psalmist said, “I was lost and broken, but when I humbled myself and confessed my sins, I was lifted up by God's grace and forgiven.” (Psalm 34:18)
"When I release my anger, God grants me His joy.
When I surrender my hurt to God, He lifts me with His healing."
"When I let go of my bitterness, God fills me with His peace.
When I offer God my brokenness, He restores me with His wholeness."
"As I lay down my worries, God fills me with His peace.
When I entrust my fears to God, He surrounds me with His comfort."
"When I relinquish my doubts, God fills me with His assurance.
When I present my weaknesses to God, He strengthens me with His power."
"When I forsake my pride, God fills me with His humility.
When I offer God my failures, He uplifts me with His grace."
"As I abandon my desires, God fills me with His contentment.
When I surrender my plans to God, He guides me with His wisdom."
"When I cast aside my sins, God fills me with His forgiveness.
When I confess my shortcomings to God, He cleanses me with His mercy."