In his messages this week and next, Derek brings out the fact that, just like law of gravity operates in the physical realm, there are laws in the spiritual realm that operate in much the same way. If we go against them, they will break us. The one we’re looking at is found in Matthew’s gospel: “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
Today, Derek takes us back in time to the first sin created in the universe. It was not drunkenness, immorality or murder, but pride—pride that led to rebellion. Listen as Derek revels who it was that sinned and what was the outcome.
Derek teaches us today that Lucifer was a glorious created being who succumbed to pride. So what did God do next? He stooped low as He formed a man out of the dust of the earth. The dust of the earth met the breath of God from heaven and Adam was created. God wanted a person-to-person relationship with him.
Satan procured the downfall of humankind using the same motivation that caused his own downfall—and tempted Adam and Eve into disobedience and rebellion. Satan told them that if they ate, they would be “like God, knowing good and evil.” This motivated them to pride–they would not need God anymore, so they were banned from the Garden.
Man had fallen. He was alienated, a rebel. The next great act of God was redemption. And to do this, God stooped lower still. The answer to pride is humility. Jesus took upon Himself the Adamic nature, the form of humanity, the fallen nature. By His death, He freed us all from the power of death and the bonds of slavery.
The type of pride that Derek talks about in these lessons is the type that seeks independence from God. Adam and Eve made a personal decision that they did not need God. It is the very essence of what caused the fall of Lucifer, that glorious angelic being who became Satan.
Of course, in his talk today, Derek points us to the example of Jesus Christ. Derek brings us, in sequential order, seven downward steps that Jesus took in His attitude of humility. “Therefore,” Paul tells us, “God highly exalted Him” by seven upward steps. Jesus earned this exaltation by His self-humbling. We should conduct ourselves likewise.
In today’s message, Derek brings us the first phase of how to humble ourselves before God. This comes when we come to God initially. We are encouraged to humble ourselves as little children when coming to God. What does that mean to you? Trustfulness? Dependence? Teachability? Evaluate yourself to see how you measure up.
Derek gives us today the second phase of humbling ourselves before God: bowing down our wills so that we may progress in our new spiritual life. Three main sources of pride in humanity are wisdom, power and ability. Is there anything wrong with those attributes? Not at all—except when they keep us from embracing God’s will for our lives.
The strongest leaders are those who lead by example. Consider others as better than yourself. Be subject to one another. Put on the apron of humility. Using the examples of Abraham and Joshua, Derek provides the reason why—those who humble themselves receive the promised inheritance.
In this week’s series, Derek points out the necessity of believing God for the salvation of your household, giving advice to NOT lose the joy of your salvation, NOT give in to discouragement, and to always lean on the Scriptures. By way of example, Derek presents the fact that through the righteousness of Noah, his whole family was saved. Joshua also spoke for his family, when he testified that they would all serve the Lord.
Today Derek looks at Abraham and his example as a father. God knew that Abraham would command his children to keep the ways of the Lord. This principle carries on through Deuteronomy, Psalms, and Proverbs. The requirement and responsibility for the family rest primarily on the father. The benefit is that the whole family will be blessed.
In today’s study we look at the faith of Job for his children. It’s important for us to know God’s assessment of Job and the outcome of his endurance. In considering this story of Job Derek lists three lessons for parents: To teach your children the way of the Lord, pray for them, and set a godly example.
Derek looks at the courage and faith of Rahab the prostitute in her obedience to tie the scarlet cord in her window. She also convinced her family to come stay in her house in order to be saved. Though she came from a life of darkness, her faith became an example for New Testament writers, and her life was changed in such a great way that her name appears in the lineage of David and Jesus.
In this week’s final study Derek looks at a woman whose daughter was demon possessed. This mother’s faith and desperation obtained deliverance from Jesus. She knew that by Jewish law she was unclean, but from a position of humility she approached Jesus, begging for just one crumb, and reached His heart of compassion. In like humility and faith, we need to approach the Lord for our households.