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  EXPOSITORY THOUGHTS ON LUKE - LUKE 14:7-14
  by J.C. Ryle
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PLACES OF HONOR

Let us learn from these verses the value of humility. This is a lesson
which our Lord teaches in two ways. Firstly, He advises those who are
bidden to a wedding to "sit down in the lowest place." Secondly, He
backs up His advice by declaring a great principle, which frequently
fell from His lips--"Whoever exalts himself shall be abased, and he that
humbles himself shall be exalted."

Humility may well be called the queen of the Christian graces. To know
our own sinfulness and weakness, and to feel our need of Christ, is the
very beginning of saving religion. It is a grace which has always been
the distinguishing feature in the character of the holiest saints in
every age. Abraham, and Moses, and Job, and David, and Daniel, and Paul,
were all eminently humble men. Above all, it is a grace within the reach
of every true Christian. All have not money to give away. All have not
time and opportunities for working directly for Christ. All have not
gifts of speech, and tact, and knowledge, in order to do good in the
world. But all converted men should labor to adorn the doctrine they
profess by humility. If they can do nothing else, they can strive to be
humble.

Would we know the root and spring of humility? One word describes it.
The root of humility is right knowledge. The man who really knows
himself and his own heart--who knows God and His infinite majesty and
holiness--who knows Christ, and the price at which he was redeemed--that
man will never be a proud man. He will count himself, like Jacob,
unworthy of the least of all God\

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/jc-ryle/expository-thoughts-on-luke-luke-147-14/
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