Call of CHRIST……

Some things about the Call of CHRIST:

It’s Personal…..

• By Christ…..  Romans 1:6 (KJV) ⁶ Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:
• By HIS SPIRIT…..  Revelation 22:17 (KJV) ¹⁷ And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
• By the Works of HIS Hands…..  Psalms 19:2-3 (KJV) ² Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.  ³ There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.  Romans 1:20 (KJV) ²⁰ For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

You are……..

• Chosen….. Deuteronomy 7:6 (KJV) 6 For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God: the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.
• The elect….. I Peter 1:2 (KJV) ² Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.  I Thessalonians 1:4 (KJV) ⁴ Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.
• Set Aside….. Psalm 4:3 (KJV) 3 But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the Lord will hear when I call unto him.  Acts 13:2 (KJV) 2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
• Called before the foundation of the world…. Ephesians 1:4 (KJV) 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
• Rich in faith…. Heirs to the kingdom… James 2:5 (KJV) 5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
• Spiritual Heirs….. Romans 8:17 (KJV) ¹⁷ And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.   Galatians 4:7 (KJV) ⁷ Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.   Galatians 3:29 (KJV) ²⁹ And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.  Romans 8:17 (KJV) ¹⁷ And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.  Titus 3:7 (KJV) ⁷ That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
• People of GOD…. I Peter 2:10 (KJV) 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
• A Chosen Generation, Royal Priesthood, Holy Nation, Peculiar People… I Peter 2:9 (KJV) 9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; Psalm 135:4 (KJV) ⁴ For the Lord hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.  Titus 2:14 (KJV) ¹⁴ Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
• A signet…. Haggai 2:23 (KJV) 23 In that day, saith the Lord of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith the Lord, and will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee, saith the Lord of hosts.
• Ordained…. John 15:16 (KJV) 16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
• Chosen Vessel…. Acts 9:15 (KJV) 15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
• Divine Messengers….. Isaiah 48:16 (KJV) ¹⁶ Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, there am I: and now the Lord God, and his Spirit, hath sent me. John 1:6 (KJV) ⁶ There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
• Sons of GOD… Galatians 4:7 (KJV) ⁷ Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.  Romans 8:14 (KJV) ¹⁴ For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
• Ambassadors… II Corinthians 5:20 (KJV) ²⁰ Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.

The Call …..

• requires leaving family sometimes….. Genesis 12:1 (KJV) 12 Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: Mark 1:20 (KJV) ²⁰ And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.
• will make you do things you wouldn’t do, whether you like it or not…….. Exodus 3:10 (KJV) ¹⁰ Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.  Jeremiah 20:9 (KJV)  ⁹ Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay. Jonah 1:1-3 (KJV) 1 Now the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, ² Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me. ³ But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. Jonah 3:1-4 (KJV) 3 And the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the second time, saying, ² Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee. ³ So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceeding great city of three days’ journey. ⁴ And Jonah began to enter into the city a day’s journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.
• and will happen in the most unexpected places…. I Kings 19:19 (KJV) ¹⁹ So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him.
• Requires Boldness… Exodus 3:10 (KJV) ¹⁰ Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.
• Requires Holiness….. Exodus 28:1-2 (KJV) 28 And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron’s sons.  ² And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty.
• Requires the spirit…..  I Thessalonians 1:5 (KJV) ⁵ For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. Isaiah 44:3 (KJV) ³ For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:  Acts 8:39 (KJV) ³⁹ And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. Acts 20:22-23 (KJV) ²² And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: ²³ Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.

Examples of those whom GOD called…..

• Abraham–Father of a Great Nation: Genesis 12:1 (KJV) 12 Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee:
• Moses–Leader: Exodus 3:10 (KJV) ¹⁰ Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.
• Aaron–Priesthood: Exodus 28:1 (KJV) 28 And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron’s sons.
• Bezaleel–Workman: Exodus 31:2-3 (KJV) ² See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: ³ And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,
• Gideon–Deliverer: Judges 6:14 (KJV) ¹⁴ And the Lord looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?
• Elisha–Prophet: I Kings 19:19 (KJV) ¹⁹ So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him.
• Isaiah–Prophet: Isaiah 6:8 (KJV) ⁸ Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.
• Jeremiah–Prophet: Jeremiah 1:4-5 (KJV) ⁴ Then the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, ⁵ Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
• Jonah–Prophet: Jonah 1:1-2 (KJV) 1 Now the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, ² Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.
• Barnabas–Laborers in the field: Acts 13:2 (KJV) ² As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
• Saul–Laborers in the field: Acts 13:2 (KJV)² As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
• Paul–Apostle:  Acts 9:15 (KJV)¹⁵ But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:  Acts 16:9-10 (KJV) ⁹ And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. ¹⁰ And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.

 

The Seven “Everlastings” of Isaiah (Part 1 of 7)

• Strength:  Isaiah 26:4  (KJV) ⁴ Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength:
• Judgments:  Isaiah 33:14 (KJV)¹⁴ The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?
• Joy:  Isaiah 35:10 (KJV) ¹⁰ And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
• Salvation:  Isaiah 45:17 (KJV) ¹⁷ But Israel shall be saved in the Lord with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end.
• Kindness:  Isaiah 54:8 (KJV) ⁸ In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer.
• Covenant:  Isaiah 55:3 (KJV) ³ Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.
• Light:  Isaiah 60:19 (KJV) ¹⁹ The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.

The first one of the “Everlastings” that I want to discuss is:

Strength thru our LORD and SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST: PRAISE THE LORD!!!  How many times in life, has HE in HIS mercy, extended that strength to help us bear the burdens of this life….. In my life, too many to tell, thru death, sickness, divorce and many others that I can’t even begin to count…..  PRAISE HIS NAME!!!  GOD IS GOOD!!!

Some things about the HIS Strength:

• HE is the source of all strength:  I Chronicles 29:12 (KJV) ¹² Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.
• HE is the strength of our heart,….. Psalm 73:26 (KJV) ²⁶ My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.  and HE will ‘strengthen (renew) thine heart” when you wait on HIM.  Do you ever have times that you just want to quit?  I know I do.  When you have those feeling just learn to “wait”.  HE IS FAITHFUL!!!….. Psalm 27:14 (KJV) ¹⁴ Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.
• HE makes our ways perfect:  II Samuel 22:33  (KJV) ³³ God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect.
•  Protects in battle, look at this verse.  This happened in David’s war days…. Imagine how well HE will take care of you in the battles of life….. :  II Samuel 22:30 (KJV) ³⁰ For by thee I have run through a troop: by my God have I leaped over a wall.
• HE is the strength of our life:  Psalm 27:1 (KJV) 27 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
• HELP in trouble:  Psalm 46:1 (KJV) 46 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
• In spiritual warfare, in going to church, to hear the word preached….. I know in my life, hearing a good spirit-filled, hard-nosed, preacher helps me more than anything:  Psalm 20:2 (KJV) ² Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion;
• HIS Strength is made perfect in our weakness:  II Corinthians 12:9 (KJV) ⁹ And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. II Timothy 4:17 (KJV) ¹⁷ Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
• We can do all things thru HIS strength.  Nothing in HIS will is impossible.  HE IS ON OUR SIDE!!!….. Philippians 4:13 (KJV) ¹³ I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

 

 

The Seven Everlastings of Isaiah

• Strength:  Isaiah 26:4  (KJV) ⁴ Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength:
• Judgments:  Isaiah 33:14 (KJV)¹⁴ The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?
• Joy:  Isaiah 35:10 (KJV) ¹⁰ And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
• Salvation:  Isaiah 45:17 (KJV) ¹⁷ But Israel shall be saved in the Lord with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end.
• Kindness:  Isaiah 54:8 (KJV) ⁸ In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer.
• Covenant:  Isaiah 55:3 (KJV) ³ Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.
• Light:  Isaiah 60:19 (KJV) ¹⁹ The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.

The Characteristics of a True Christian (Part 1 of ?)

According to the Authorized King James Version Bible:

• A New Birth:

1 Peter 1:23 (KJV)  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

John 3:5 (KJV) Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Ezekiel 36:26 (KJV)  A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

James 1:18 (KJV) Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Titus 3:5 (KJV)  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

• Marks of the new birth:  

Love: 

Ephesians 5:2 (KJV)  And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
1 John 4:16 (KJV)  And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

Love for the Church: 

Ephesians 1:15 (KJV) Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
Colossians 1:4 (KJV)  Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints,
1 Thessalonians 2:8 (KJV)  So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.

1 Peter 1:22 (KJV)  Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
1 Peter 2:17 (KJV)  Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

1 John 3:14 (KJV) ¹⁴We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

1 John 5:2 (KJV) By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.

Love for GOD: 

Psalm 18:1 (KJV) I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.

Psalm 42:1 (KJV)  As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

Psalm 73:25 (KJV) Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.
Psalm 84:2 (KJV)  My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.
Psalm 116:1 (KJV)  I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.

Hebrews 6:10 (KJV)  For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

John 4:19 (KJV)  The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.

Obedience to GOD: 

Whole heartness required:

Deuteronomy 26:16 (KJV) ¹⁶This day the LORD thy God hath commanded thee to do these statutes and judgments: thou shalt therefore keep and do them with all thine heart, and with all thy soul.

Deuteronomy 32:46 (KJV) ⁶And he said unto them, Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law.

Is the Price for Success: 

Joshua 1:8 (KJV) ⁸This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Better than Sacrifice:

1 Samuel 15:22 (KJV) And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

Is a Duty in the Christian Life: 

Acts 5:29  (KJV) ²⁹Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

(More Scripture on the Characteristics of a True Christian next week……………………)

The Benefits of “Being Humble” in the Kingdom of CHRIST (con’t)

hum·ble — 1. not proud or arrogant; modest: to be humble although successful.  2. having a feeling of insignificance, inferiority, subservience, etc.:  3. low in rank, importance, status, quality, etc.; lowly: of humble origin; a humble home.  4. courteously respectful:  6. to lower in condition, importance, or dignity; abase.  7. to destroy the independence, power, or will of. 8. to make meek: to humble one’s heart.

Our example to live by: JESUS CHRIST!

• HIS example of humility,

Obedience to the FATHER:  Psalm 40:8  (KJV)  8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
Hebrews 5:7-8 (KJV) 7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;  8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; Hebrews 12:2 (KJV)  2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

As a Servant:  Matthew 20:28 (KJV) 28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Luke 22:27 (KJV) 27 For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.  John 13:4-5 (KJV) 4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.  5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.  Philippians 2:7 (KJV) 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

Meekness:   Psalm 45:4 (KJV) 4 And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.  Matthew 11:29 (KJV) 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Matthew 20:28 (KJV) 28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. John 13:13-15 (KJV) 13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

Putting others before HIMSELF:  Romans 15:2-3 (KJV) 2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. 3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.  2 Corinthians 8:9 (KJV) 9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

Of no reputation: Philippians 2:5-8 (KJV) 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:  6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:  7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:  8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

He ate with sinners and publicans:  Matthew 9:10 (KJV) 10 And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.

He washed others feet:  John 13:5 (KJV) 5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.

Became poor for us:  2 Corinthians 8:9 (KJV) 9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

Was made lower than the angels:  Hebrews 2:9 (KJV) 9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

He was not rebellious: Isaiah 50:5-6 (KJV) 5 The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back. 6 I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. Matthew 12:19-20 (KJV) 19 He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. 20 A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.

He was free of worldly pride,

Of appearance: Isaiah 53:2 (KJV) 2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

Success, according to the worlds standards:  Isaiah 53:3 (KJV) 3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows,and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Had no place to lay HIS HEAD:  Matthew 8:20 (KJV) 20 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

Did not rank among the highest according to cultural standards:  Matthew 13:55 (KJV) 55 Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?

The Benefits of “Being Humble” in the Kingdom of CHRIST

hum·ble — 1. not proud or arrogant; modest: to be humble although successful.  2. having a feeling of insignificance, inferiority, subservience, etc.:  3. low in rank, importance, status, quality, etc.; lowly: of humble origin; a humble home.  4. courteously respectful:  6. to lower in condition, importance, or dignity; abase.  7. to destroy the independence, power, or will of. 8. to make meek: to humble one’s heart.

Promises from the KJV Bible regarding “being humble”:

• Humility leads to exaltation:  Job 5:11 (KJV) ¹¹To set up on high those that be low; that those which mourn may be exalted to safety. Psalm 147:6 (KJV) ⁶The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground. Mark 9:35 (KJV) And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. Luke 18:14 (KJV) ¹⁴I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.  James 4:10 (KJV) ¹⁰Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
• Are  riches, honor and life:  Proverbs 22:4(KJV) By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.
• CHRIST dwells with: Isaiah 57:15(KJV) 15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
• Brings satisfaction: Psalm 22:26 (KJV) 26 The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.
• Brings Rest: Matthew 11:29 (KJV) ²⁹Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
• You will not be forgotten: Psalm 9:12 (KJV) 12 When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble.
• You will have GOD’s respect: Psalm 138:6 (KJV) 6 Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.
• Will be considered the Greatest in the Kingdom: Matthew 18:4(KJV) 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
• The LORD will look your way: Isaiah 66:2 (KJV) 2 For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.
• GOD will give you Grace: James 4:6 (KJV) 6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. 1 Peter 5:5 (KJV) 5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
• Honor will uphold:  Proverbs 29:23 (KJV) 23 A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
• Will increase your family size, for instance in the case of Jacob: Genesis 32:10 (KJV) 10 I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands.
• Will increase wisdom, Luke 10:21 (KJV) 21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight. …as in the case of Solomon 1 Kings 3:7 (KJV) 7 And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. Proverbs 11:2 (KJV)  2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
• Will bring revival:  Isaiah 57:15 KJV 15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
• GOD will teach you and guide you if you are humble: Psalm 25:9 (KJV)  9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.
• Will inherit the earth, and have peace: Psalm 37:11 (KJV)
  11But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
• Can result in the healing of the sick: Matthew 8:8 (KJV) ⁸ The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.
• Release from a unclean spirit or devil:  Matthew 15:22-28 (KJV)  22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. 23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. 24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. 26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs. 27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table. 28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour. Mark 7:25-30 (KJV) 25 For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet: 26 The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter. 27 But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it unto the dogs. 28 And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children’s crumbs. 29 And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter. 30 And when she was come to her house, she found the devil gone out, and her daughter laid upon the bed.
• In the case of John the Baptist, when he was humble,  he was given Honor by CHRIST himself:  Matthew 3:14 (KJV)  14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? Matthew 11:11 (KJV) 11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Next week more on  The Benefits of “Being Humble in the Kingdom of CHRIST…..