As we grow closer to Christ, we will develop a humble response to Truth. Over time we will see God's holiness as much more lofty than when we began. And, as that happens, we will see the ugliness of our sinfulness more and more clearly.

1. A Humble Response to Truth
“I WILL BLESS THOSE WHO HAVE
HUMBLE AND CONTRITE HEARTS,
WHO TREMBLE AT MY WORD.”
Isa. 66:2

2. A Humble Response to Truth
Isa. 66:2
2 My hands have made both heaven and earth; they
and everything in them are mine.
I, the LORD, have spoken!
“I will bless those who have humble and contrite
hearts, who tremble at my word.”

3. A Humble Response to Truth
Two areas where we begin with a weak view:
 Elementary view of God’s holiness

We tend to think of God as just “more holy than ourselves”. Or
“more holy than the religious leaders we respect.”
 Elementary view of our sinfulness
 We tend to think of ourselves as “more sinful than God”. As
“imperfect” (i.e. Nobody’s perfect!). Or perhaps as “prone to
wander”. We see this as pretty “normal”.
As we let the Scriptures influence and change our views, we begin
to develop a more godly understanding of these Truths

4. A Humble Response to Truth
Growing in our understanding of God’s Holiness:
God frowns on me when I treat a person harshly.
2. God judges me when I’m indifferent to people around me
(not mean, not harsh, just ignore them).
3. God is willing to punish me for my selfishness every time I
fail to reach out to people for their blessing and
wellbeing.
1.
10 Love
each other with genuine affection, and take delight
in honoring each other. - Ro 12:9–10

5. A Humble Response to Truth
Growing in our understanding of our sinfulness:
Obeying my father  Honoring my father  Loving my father
I can obey with a bad attitude
2. I can clean up my attitude, and actually ‘honor’ him (i.e.
value, appreciate).
3. I can move on to actually giving of myself (sacrificing) for
his wellbeing. (love)
1.
But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead,
use your freedom to serve one another in love. - Galatians 5:13

6. A Humble Response to Truth
What are we talking about this morning?


About developing a HUMBLE RESPONSE TO TRUTH
About growing in our understanding to two key truths:
 God’s Holiness
 Our sinfulness
We have a wonderful example in the Apostle Paul…
“I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts,
who tremble at my word.” - Isaiah 66:3

7. A Humble Response to Truth
The Apostle Paul grows in understanding:
1 Corinthians 15:9–10 (AD 57)
9 For I am the least of all the apostles. In fact, I’m not even
worthy to be called an apostle after the way I persecuted
God’s church. 10 But whatever I am now, it is all because
God poured out his special favor on me—and not without
results. For I have worked harder than any of the other
apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through
me by his grace.

8. A Humble Response to Truth
The Apostle Paul grows in understanding:
Ephesians 3:8–9 (AD 60)
8 Though I am the least deserving of all God’s people, he
graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles
about the endless treasures available to them in Christ.
9 I was chosen to explain to everyone this mysterious
plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret
from the beginning.

9. A Humble Response to Truth
The Apostle Paul grows in understanding:
1 Timothy 1:15–17 (AD 64/65)
15 This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it:
“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I
am the worst of them all. 16 But God had mercy on me so
that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his
great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will
realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal
life. 17 All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the
eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is
God. Amen.

10. A Humble Response to Truth
When we don’t see this growth in our understanding,
what’s wrong?
 Ans. We are not really understanding God’s holiness
and our sinfulness.
So, how do we help people? (Good way vs. Bad way)
1) By rebuking and pressuring them to “fear God”.
2) The biblical way: Highlighting God’s grace, mercy and
patience.
Let’s look again at Paul’s three statements

11. A Humble Response to Truth
The Apostle Paul grows in understanding:
1 Corinthians 15:9–10 (AD 57)
9 For I am the least of all the apostles. In fact, I’m not even
worthy to be called an apostle after the way I persecuted
God’s church. 10 But whatever I am now, it is all because
God poured out his special favor on me—and not without
results. For I have worked harder than any of the other
apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working
through me by his grace.

12. A Humble Response to Truth
The Apostle Paul grows in understanding:
Ephesians 3:8–9 (AD 60)
8 Though I am the least deserving of all God’s people, he
graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles
about the endless treasures available to them in Christ.
9 I was chosen to explain to everyone this mysterious
plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret
from the beginning.

13. A Humble Response to Truth
The Apostle Paul grows in understanding:
1 Timothy 1:15–17 (AD 64/65)
15 This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it:
“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I
am the worst of them all. 16 But God had mercy on me so
that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his
great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will
realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal
life. 17 All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the
eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is
God. Amen.

14. A Humble Response to Truth
Conclusion:
As we get a better picture of His holiness (His demands and His
commitment to judge and punish), we get a better picture of our
sinfulness (our complete inability to measure up to God’s
demands), AND THEN, we’ll find ourselves saying two things very
similar to Paul:
I am a sinner. I am actually rotten, and deserve punishment.
2. I am the most grateful person on earth, for His grace and mercy
and patience have been poured out on me through Jesus
Christ.
1.

15. A Humble Response to Truth
“I WILL BLESS THOSE WHO HAVE
HUMBLE AND CONTRITE HEARTS,
WHO TREMBLE AT MY WORD.”
Isa. 66:2