Genesis 37:1-11
Believers should avoid elevating ourselves or our children above others
Note – today’s sermon was interrupted by a tornado warning, so there is no video or audio recording. Here are the main points:
The message was from Genesis 37 and about Jacob’s family disfunction. We saw that Jacob elevated Joseph above his other sons and Joseph inadvertently elevated himself above his family. We learned about walking in humility. When we walk in pride, we cause division, but when we walk in humility, we can bring people together. Humility is one of the chief virtues of the Bible. It was supremely exhibited to us in Christ. Philippians 2:5-11 instructs us that: “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death– even death on a cross! 9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Jesus tells us, “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Peter tells us, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time,” (1 Peter 5:6). James tells us, “God opposes the proud but give grace to the humble,” (James 4:6).Do you want to cause division in your family or anywhere else? Walk in pride. Do you want to bring your family together and heal relationships? Humble yourselves before God and others. Elevating one person or one child above others brings jealousy and hatred. Elevating yourself above others even unintentionally widens already broken divisions.Believers should avoid elevating ourselves or our children above others.