Introduction:

Being Proud: “feeling or showing pride; having or displaying excessive self-esteem – Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary.

Being Popular: “Suitable to the majority” – Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary. 

I.  Pride

A.  We cannot put ourselves on a pedestal.  Romans 12:3 

1.  If we are full of pride like that then we will shame upon ourselves.  Proverbs 11:2 
2.  We can do all things, but only through Christ.  Philippians 4:13 

a. We should always give glory to God, not self.  I Corinthians 10:31 
b. Nor should we forget to return and give thanks to God for the things He has done for us (Luke 17:11-19).

3.  Pride is worldly not Godly.  I John 2:15-17 

B.  Notice God’s view on pride:

1. Proverbs 6:16-19 
2. Proverbs 8:13 
3. Proverbs 16:18 
4. Proverbs 29:23 

C.  Christians need to be humble (not proud or haughty : not arrogant). 

1. James 4:10 
2. Matthew 18:3-4 
3. I Peter 5:6-8 

D.  An Example of humility VS pride: Luke 18:9-14.

II. The Need to be Popular

A. Saul had issues with wanting to please others and be popular.  I Samuel 15:24 

1. One cannot serve man and God.  Galatians 1:10 
2. One cannot server God and the riches of this world or any other master.  Matthew 6:24 
3. You are either with God or against God, but you cannot be both (Matthew 12:30 and Luke 11:23).

B. Aaron had issues of popularity and listening to the desires of the people (Exodus 32:1-5; 15-26).
C. Diotrephes loved the “preeminence” (III John verses 1-11).

1. Christ is the one whom is supposed to have the "preeminence".  Colossians 1:18
2. We should never do things to “seem religious” or to please men:

a. Matthew 6:5 

D. Christ was not popular (suitable to the majority):

1. John 6:60-66
2. Mark 6:1-6
3. Mark 5:31 
4. John 1:9-11 

a. Many did not come to Christ because of a few of losing their acceptance among the majority.  John 12:42-43 
b. Even the parents of one who benefited from Christ did not want to acknowledge the Lord (John 9:1-23).

E.  Christ taught against those who sought out popularity and prestige (Matthew 20:20-28 and Matthew 23:1-12).

1. We, as faithful Christians, are not going to be popular:

a. Luke 6:26 
b. John 15:18-19 
c. John 17:14-17 

d. I John 3:13 

A. Simon the Sorcerer was popular because he used trickery, then his need to be popular became sinful when he tried to by the genuine ability to perform miracles.  He was told to REPENT (Acts 8:5-24).
B.  If we have issues of pride we need to be sorrowful and repent.  II Corinthians 7:9-10 t to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.”

1. We need to turn away from these things God hates so that we will not be judged for them.  Ezekiel 18:30-31 
2. We need to take of the chain of pride.  Psalms 73:6
3. Pride defiles the man just as murder, fornication, etc.  (Mark 7:21-23). 

Conclusion:
We must humble ourselves before God and realize that he is the provider of all things good.  That without God we would be lost physically and spiritually.  If we struggle with being proud, boastful, and in need of being popular we need to make it right with God and start serving Him today!
 
 

2002 by Brian Yeager may be reproduced for non-commercial purposes at no cost to others.