He Humbled Himself
Christ's humility is a model for us to learn the servant's place and to be obedient to God's will.
A.B. Simpson emphasizes the profound humility of Christ, who, despite His divine authority, willingly took on the role of a servant and submitted to God's will. He illustrates the challenge of surrendering one's independence and desires, using the example of a wealthy man who became a clerk, paralleling it with Jesus' life of service and obedience. Simpson highlights key moments from Jesus' ministry, where He exemplified servanthood and ultimate submission, culminating in His sacrificial death on the cross. The sermon challenges listeners to reflect on their own willingness to embrace the servant's role in their lives.
Text
0ne of the hardest things for those having a lofty and superior nature is to be under authority, to renounce their own will and to take a place of subjection. Christ took upon Him the form of a servant, gave up His independence, His right to please Himself, His liberty of choice. After having had from eternal ages the right to command, He gave Himself up to implicit obedience. I knew a man who was once a wealthy employer but became a clerk in the same store. It was not an easy or graceful position, I assure you. But Jesus was such a perfect servant that His Father said: Behold, my servant . . . in whom my soul delighteth (Isaiah 42:1). All His life His watchword was, the Son of man came . . . to minister (Matthew 20:28).
I am among you as he that serveth (Luke 22:27).
I can of mine own self do nothing (John 5:30). Not as I will, but as thou wilt (Matthew 26:39). And then at last He became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. His life was a continual dying, and at last He gave all up to death, and also shame, in His crucifixion. This final act was the consummation of His love. Have you, have I, learned the servant's place?
Sermon Outline
- I. The Difficulty of Humility
- A. The struggle to be under authority
- B. The need to renounce one's own will
- II. Christ's Example of Humility
- A. He took on the form of a servant
- B. He gave up His independence and liberty of choice
- III. The Result of Humility
- A. God's delight in Christ's obedience
- B. Christ's life of service and ministry
- IV. The Call to Humility
- A. Learning the servant's place
- B. Embracing obedience and service
Key Quotes
“Behold, my servant . . . in whom my soul delighteth (Isaiah 42:1)” — A.B. Simpson
“I am among you as he that serveth (Luke 22:27)” — A.B. Simpson
“Not as I will, but as thou wilt (Matthew 26:39)” — A.B. Simpson
Application Points
- We must be willing to take on new challenges and to serve others in order to learn the servant's place.
- Obedience to God's will is essential for a life of service and ministry.
- Humility is not about losing our identity, but about finding our true purpose in serving others.