21 Days of Prayer 2022 Week 2
21 Days of Prayer
Pride Comes Before the Fall | Jeff Clark
pride - "I can live my life and reach my goals in my own strength."Daniel 4:24-31 NIV24 “This is the interpretation, Your Majesty, and this is the decree the Most High has issued against my lord the king: 25 You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox and be drenched with the dew of heaven. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes. 26 The command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots means that your kingdom will be restored to you when you acknowledge that Heaven rules. 27 Therefore, Your Majesty, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue.” 28 All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, 30 he said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?” 31 Even as the words were on his lips, a voice came from heaven, “This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you.Daniel 4:37 NIV37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.I. Pride is easy to see in others but hard to see in ourselves.2 Corinthians 7:4 NIV4 I have spoken to you with great frankness; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.I. Pride is easy to see in others but hard to see in ourselves.II. Comparison causes you to live life always wanting more.Pride hypnotizes you into thinking you are owed something when we all deserve death and hell.Romans 6:23 NIV23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.Comparison will suck the joy out of your life.2 Corinthians 10:12 NIV12 We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.I. Pride is easy to see in others but hard to see in ourselves.II. Comparison causes you to live life always wanting more.III. Gratitude roots out the cancer of pride.There is danger in using God to build your kingdom rather than letting God use you to build His Kingdom.1 Corinthians 4:6-7 NIV6 Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “Do not go beyond what is written.” Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other. 7 For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?I. Pride is easy to see in others but hard to see in ourselves.II. Comparison causes you to live life always wanting more.III. Gratitude roots out the cancer of pride.IV. Unleashed pride turns us into animals.We become animals when we are:1. unable to empathize with people.2. driven by our egos.2 Corinthians 10:12 NIV12 We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.We become animals when we are:1. unable to empathize with people.2. driven by our egos.3. incapable of joy.Pride can get you kicked out of paradise and kicked into Hell."Pride is the carbon monoxide of sin silently and slowly killing you without you even knowing it."Isaiah 14:12-14 NIV12 How you have fallen from heaven,morning star, son of the dawn!You have been cast down to the earth,you who once laid low the nations! 13 You said in your heart,“I will ascend to the heavens;I will raise my throneabove the stars of God;I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly,on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon. 14 I will ascend above the tops of the clouds;I will make myself like the Most High.”Only Jesus can cut pride out of you with the jagged edge of the cross.How do you develop humility?1. Recognize that all you have is a gift.2. Remember the poor.Giving is the beginning of your financial freedom – not the end.Daniel 4:37 NIV37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.If you give God first place in your life, everything else will come together.1. Time - Give margin.2. Trouble - Give control.3. Treasures - Give first.4. Thoughts - Give thanks.