Jesus Christ exemplifies unparalleled humility, serving others selflessly despite mockery and suffering. He never sought personal glory, remaining unassuming even as crowds followed His teachings. On the stake at Calvary, He prayed for His crucifiers' forgiveness, comforted a repentant thief, and ensured His mother's care, prioritizing others over His agony. His dependence on the Father was absolute, rejecting independent action and deferring to God's will, even while performing miracles. Jesus humbled Himself to death on the cross, surrendering fully with trust in the Father, declaring "It is finished" without vanity. His life, shaped by submission and love, models humility, inspiring disciples like Andrew to embrace unity through selflessness.

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The Last Words of Jesus Christ

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Jesus Christ's humility shines through His life and actions, revealing a profound selflessness even amidst great personal suffering. Despite being mocked and misunderstood by many, including the religious leaders who questioned His origins and authority, He never sought personal glory or recognition. He came as a humble figure, not as an intellectual or political leader, but as one who served humanity with deep compassion. His humility is evident in His interactions, as He drew large crowds of common people who were intrigued by His teachings, yet He remained unassuming. Even when facing rejection and accusations of madness from those who knew Him, He did not defend Himself with pride but continued His mission with quiet strength. On the stake at Calvary, during His final hours, His focus was not on His own agony but on others. He prayed for forgiveness for those who crucified Him, saying, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do," demonstrating an extraordinary love and lack of resentment. Jesus also showed concern for a repentant thief crucified beside Him, offering hope and encouragement despite His own suffering. He provided for His mother's care by entrusting her to His disciple John, honoring familial responsibility even at the brink of death. In His cry, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" He experienced the depth of human isolation, bearing the weight of sin while remaining faithful, still addressing God as "My God." When expressing physical need with a request for a drink, He humbled Himself to ask for help from those who despised Him, fulfilling prophecy without seeking to alleviate His pain through supernatural means. In declaring, "It is finished," He signified the completion of His redemptive work with no trace of vanity or self-congratulation, focusing solely on the mission given by God. Finally, in His last words, "Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit," He surrendered completely to God's will, showing total trust and dedication, affirming His life's purpose was to serve and glorify the Father. Through every moment, even in the face of unimaginable pain and rejection, Jesus Christ exemplified humility, placing the needs of others and the will of God above His own, leaving a powerful example of love and submission.

Humility

Sermonette by James Beaubelle

Humility is not an obsequious act we turn on and off at will, but a sober reflection of our true relationship to God and our spiritual siblings.

Before Honor Is Humility: The Story of Andrew

Article by Martin G. Collins

Jesus Christ stands as the pinnacle of humble service, embodying the essence of true humility. He made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a servant and coming in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Through His individual training and example, He instilled this wonderful godly characteristic in His disciples, shaping them into models of humility. Andrew, one of His first disciples, followed this example closely, contributing significantly to the unity of Christ's work through his humble spirit. Taught by Christ, Andrew embraced the necessity of humility for unity, learning to overcome pride and to esteem others better than himself, reflecting the selfless nature of His Savior.

Living by Faith: Humility and God's Justice

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

The greatest example of humility is found in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Despite His immense greatness, He remained dependent upon the Father to supply His needs, never stepping out on His own without first consulting God. There was perfect communication between the Father and the Son, and Jesus boldly and clearly expressed His dependence, refusing to operate detached from the Father as a proud person might. In this context, He rejected any claim of elevating Himself as equal to God in authority or rank, instead showing His reliance on the Father, even while performing extraordinary acts like walking on water and healing many. Jesus repeatedly deferred any misconceptions about His status, turning attention to His dependence on the Father and tying His words and actions to the Father's will. As great as He was, He did not act independently but ensured He remained in line with the Father's purpose, exemplifying poverty of spirit. This dependence is a model for us, demonstrating that if Jesus humbled Himself in this way, surely we should follow His example.

The Christian Walk (Part Four): Mutual Submission in Godly Fear

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Jesus Christ stands as the supreme model of humility, demonstrating throughout His life the lowliness and submission that undergird the entire Christian walk Paul describes in Ephesians. When Paul writes that believers must submit to one another in the fear of God, this is not an abstract command but one grounded in the concrete example Christ provided. He declared Himself "gentle and lowly in heart," offering rest to those who take on His yoke, and He proved this gentleness throughout the Gospels rather than merely claiming it. The foot washing in John 13 serves as Christ's final, emphatic demonstration of this principle. He took the lowest position, refusing to vie for power, use force or intimidation, or claim the prerogatives rightfully His as the Son of God. Even at His arrest, when He could have called down twelve legions of angels, He declined to play the power game, choosing instead the path of gentle, sacrificial love for those who would believe in Him. Philippians 2 provides the clearest theological picture of this humility in action. Though existing in the form of God and equal with Him, Christ did not consider this equality something to be grasped or held onto. Instead, He willingly emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant and becoming human. His humility then deepened further: He became obedient even to death, and specifically to the death of the cross. This represents a continuous downward trajectory—from the right hand of God to Golgotha—each step voluntary, culminating in His becoming, as Psalm 22 describes, "a worm, and no man." He made Himself a bondservant, bearing humanity's sins as though they were His own burden to carry, serving those who in truth needed His help rather than the reverse. This self-emptying was not forced but willed; the Greek grammar emphasizes volition at every stage. Christ's example thus becomes the pattern Paul holds up for believers: "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus." The call to mutual submission in Ephesians 5:21, and the related instructions to wives, husbands, children, and servants that follow, flow directly from this Christological foundation. Believers submit to one another specifically because Christ submitted Himself to everyone, even to the point of death. Christ's humility also connects to the Beatitudes, where He begins His Sermon on the Mount by establishing lowly, humble attitudes as foundational—poverty of spirit, mourning, meekness, hunger for righteousness, mercy, purity of heart—before addressing the rest of His teaching. He is identified as "the most humble Person that has ever lived," and it is the pure in heart, patterned after Him, who will see God. Ultimately, Christ's humility is not merely an example to admire but a mind to be adopted. Believers are commanded to grow into His image, and since humility and submission marked every moment of His earthly life, these same qualities must become the driving attitudes of those who follow Him, enabling the kind of mutual submission that human nature alone could never produce.

Mutability and Our Christlike Response

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

We all change repeatedly throughout the stages of life, as do others, requiring constant adjustment as to how we evaluate and treat others.

Christ Coming in the Flesh

Sermon/Bible Study by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

John and other biblical authors emphasize that Jesus Christ came in the flesh as a human being. Jesus had to be fully human to die for human sins.

Yoked With Christ, Our Helper

Sermonette by Ted E. Bowling

The Paracletos (Helper or One who goes alongside) clarifies the biblical metaphor of taking Christ's yoke, which eases burdens because He shares them.

Self-Confidence

Sermonette by James C. Stoertz

This world in general touts self-confidence as a key indicator of capability and success, even if one has to 'fake it' until he makes it.

God Gives Grace to the Humble

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Genuine humility is one of the most elusive characteristics a person can attain. It consists of of self-respect accompanied by a genuine desire to serve.

New Covenant Priesthood (Part Five)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Humility is not low self esteem, but instead it is a proper estimate of our relationship to God, which is a choice to act and behave as a servant or slave.

The Problem with Pride

Sermon by Ryan McClure

Living by 'No pride, no problem' eliminates the grief associated with placing our desires over God's will for us when facing demotions or loss of status.

Leadership and the Covenants (Part Six)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Paul urges Euodia and Syntyche to follow the example of Christ rather than placing their desire to be right over unity. Godly leadership follows submission.

Blessed Are the Meek (2014)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

In Paul's listings of virtues, meekness always appears near the end, reflecting its difficulty. Meekness is the gentle, quiet spirit of selfless devotion.

Philip the Witness

Sermonette by

Philip teaches us that we do not have to preach to multitudes in order to be used by God; we never know in what capacity God may use us.

What Do We Have to Be Proud Of? (Part Two)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Believers often rely on worldly philosophy rather than divine revelation, ignoring the fact that all gifts and abilities are received from God rather than earned.

Philippians (Part Four)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Paul teaches that individual overcoming in lowliness of mind, putting others ahead of self, leads to the whole body being strengthened.

The Meek

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Meekness is the opposite of weakness, exemplifying self-control under immense pressure, demonstrated by Jesus refusing to retaliate.

God and Self-Government

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The New Covenant, wherein God writes His law on the heart and gives His Spirit, empowers God's people to obey without the need for external control.

The Father-Son Relationship (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Christ Himself asserted the superiority of the Father. Jesus serves as the revelator of the great God, providing the only means of access to Him.

In The Likeness of Men!

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Jesus was subjected to the same experiences as the rest of us, having the appearance, experiences, the capability of receiving injury and suffering temptation.

Faith (Part Seven)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Pride is a perverted comparison that elevates one above another. Because of its arrogant self-sufficiency, it hinders our faith. Faith depends on humility.

Whom the Lord Loves He Chastens (Part One)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

If we are not receiving God's correction or chastisement, we should be concerned! God's chastening is what He uses to sanctify His spiritual children.

Why Do You Feel Entitled?

Sermon by Kim Myers

The entitlement attitude has crept into God's church, with people seemingly feeling they should be served instead of eagerly serving others.

Government (Part Six)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The ministry's authority consists of teaching, edifying, and equipping the members for sainthood, but not to wield dictatorial power over their lives.