Sunday 11th January 2015 - Humility and Grace - Brian Nish

HUMILITY and GRACE INTRODUCTION I believe that Humility and Grace are the two book ends for our week of prayer and fasting Elders Meeting The glory is here. We’re in revival until we say we’re out of it. We need intimacy and presence. We need humility before God (Psalm 131 ERV/MSG) A canal lock gate – God has opened His side and poured the water (glory) in – we now need to open our side and let the water out. A picture of bridges taking God’s grace to others, particularly unbelievers. At PFR this developed more into two way ‘bridges of grace’. There are many many people who desperately need to know the love and grace of Father God (Elijah anointing). Brian/prophetic sign for church – moved house/new tel. no.555 (fullness of grace) etc - completely different Therefore, I believe some things will be the same this year, but other things will be completely different – all wrapped up in the grace of God - if we will walk humbly before Him Humility Scriptures Micah 6v8 – God, O man, has shown you what is good, and what the Lord requires of you – to do justice – to love mercy – and to walk humbly before your God James 4v6 – God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble Num 12v3 – Now the man Moses was very humble, more than all the men who were on the face of the earth Math 11v29 – Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls 1 Peter 5v6 – Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time BIBLICAL HUMILITY It is NOT being a wimp, and moaning, grumbling, and grovelling, continually saying that you’re no good, just a failure, and never do anything right! Piano player/false humility • It is recognising that God is the Creator and we are the created • It is recognising our complete inability to save ourselves • It is accepting God’s grace and mercy with gratitude • It is the heart attitude of being ‘poor in spirit’ – for ours is the kingdom of heaven (Math 5v3) • It is submitting to and obeying the word of God because we recognise that God always knows best • It is defending the truth of God’s word and not our own ego or reputation • It is being humble before God, but bold before men and women • It is walking tall on our knees (Bob Gordon) • The apostle Paul had great gifts and revelation but saw himself as the ‘least of the apostles’ and the ‘chief of sinners’ • The closer we get to God the more we know ‘our place’ • It is knowing that in our flesh we are in adequate, but at the same time it is knowing who we are in Christ • A humble person isn’t a weak person, but a strong person, who loves and serves God and people • Faith is humility - as we trust in God with our whole heart and do not lean into our own understanding (Pro 3v5) • It is making a sober assessment of who we are (Rom 12v3). Professional sports people are great examples of making ‘sober assessments’ as they assess their performances