1
00:00:04,673 --> 00:00:07,417
"Dear pastor, I've watched 
one of your videos

2
00:00:07,417 --> 00:00:10,053
where you taught the importance

3
00:00:10,053 --> 00:00:12,420
of remaining humble

4
00:00:12,420 --> 00:00:14,984
while living the Christian life.

5
00:00:14,984 --> 00:00:17,515
The problem I encounter

6
00:00:17,515 --> 00:00:19,802
is that when I understand

7
00:00:19,802 --> 00:00:23,336
that everything I have is from Christ

8
00:00:23,336 --> 00:00:26,375
and for Christ,

9
00:00:26,375 --> 00:00:29,810
when I accomplish something at my job

10
00:00:29,810 --> 00:00:33,892
which demonstrates my skills, for example,

11
00:00:33,892 --> 00:00:37,752
I kind of gain self-confidence,

12
00:00:37,752 --> 00:00:41,481
which is partially relying on myself.

13
00:00:41,481 --> 00:00:42,831
Can this lead to pride?

14
00:00:42,831 --> 00:00:45,594
Or how much relying on God is enough?

15
00:00:45,594 --> 00:00:47,505
Because certainly, there is an effort

16
00:00:47,505 --> 00:00:51,209
that we have to put in

17
00:00:51,209 --> 00:00:53,679
during our jobs,

18
00:00:53,679 --> 00:00:57,810
and should we even have self-confidence

19
00:00:57,810 --> 00:01:00,750
in some situations?"

20
00:01:00,750 --> 00:01:06,959
You kind of get the feeling.

21
00:01:06,959 --> 00:01:09,224
You have a guy that's asking himself this:

22
00:01:09,224 --> 00:01:12,947
Is it right for me to feel self-confidence

23
00:01:12,947 --> 00:01:14,940
or to have my self-confidence -

24
00:01:14,940 --> 00:01:21,950
even that word: self-confidence.

25
00:01:21,950 --> 00:01:23,406
"The problem I encounter

26
00:01:23,406 --> 00:01:25,870
is that when I understand 
that everything I have

27
00:01:25,870 --> 00:01:28,902
is from Christ and for Christ,

28
00:01:28,902 --> 00:01:31,982
when accomplishing something at my job,

29
00:01:31,982 --> 00:01:35,930
which demonstrates my skills,

30
00:01:35,930 --> 00:01:43,157
I find that I basically am 
becoming self-confident,

31
00:01:43,157 --> 00:01:45,490
which is partially relying on yourself."

32
00:01:45,490 --> 00:01:50,111
Now again, just because people 
say things in these letters

33
00:01:50,111 --> 00:01:53,533
doesn't mean that I accept what they say.

34
00:01:53,533 --> 00:01:55,149
For one thing, self-confidence

35
00:01:55,149 --> 00:01:57,605
is not partially relying on yourself.

36
00:01:57,605 --> 00:01:59,489
It's fully relying on yourself.

37
00:01:59,489 --> 00:02:01,223
That's what self-confidence is.

38
00:02:01,223 --> 00:02:03,350
The second thing I would say is this:

39
00:02:03,350 --> 00:02:04,909
He says "the problem I encounter

40
00:02:04,909 --> 00:02:06,110
is that when I understand

41
00:02:06,110 --> 00:02:08,074
that everything I have is from Christ..."

42
00:02:08,074 --> 00:02:10,354
He still goes on to have 
this self-confidence,

43
00:02:10,354 --> 00:02:11,652
which I would say means

44
00:02:11,652 --> 00:02:13,310
he doesn't really understand

45
00:02:13,310 --> 00:02:14,880
that everything is from Christ.

46
00:02:14,880 --> 00:02:17,404
You can say, "I understand it,"

47
00:02:17,404 --> 00:02:19,317
but then the next thing you say shows

48
00:02:19,317 --> 00:02:21,430
that you don't understand it.

49
00:02:21,430 --> 00:02:24,136
And I would say this,

50
00:02:24,136 --> 00:02:27,704
that let's just think 
about Scripture here.

51
00:02:27,704 --> 00:02:30,018
Because there are numerous verses.

52
00:02:30,018 --> 00:02:31,943
Let me throw it to you guys.

53
00:02:31,943 --> 00:02:34,399
What are some Scriptures

54
00:02:34,399 --> 00:02:37,991
that basically indicate to us

55
00:02:37,991 --> 00:02:43,523
that it's not of us, it's of the Lord,

56
00:02:43,523 --> 00:02:46,144
no matter what we do?

57
00:02:46,144 --> 00:02:48,143
(from the room) Philippians 4:13.

58
00:02:48,143 --> 00:02:49,067
Tim: Which says?

59
00:02:49,067 --> 00:02:50,891
(from the room) I can do all things

60
00:02:50,891 --> 00:02:52,369
through Christ who empowers me,

61
00:02:52,369 --> 00:02:53,419
strengthens me.

62
00:02:53,419 --> 00:02:55,016
Tim: Right. I can do all things

63
00:02:55,016 --> 00:02:57,087
through Christ who strengthens me.

64
00:02:57,087 --> 00:03:00,680
And what's implied there? The opposite,

65
00:03:00,680 --> 00:03:05,097
which, by the way, Jesus says in John 15.

66
00:03:05,097 --> 00:03:08,207
"Without Me, you can do nothing."

67
00:03:08,207 --> 00:03:14,405
Does that mean I can 
do absolutely nothing?

68
00:03:14,405 --> 00:03:17,627
Look, the reality is, without the Lord,

69
00:03:17,627 --> 00:03:20,846
you can't do anything.

70
00:03:20,846 --> 00:03:23,452
John the Baptist said something in John 3.

71
00:03:23,452 --> 00:03:26,571
Anybody remember that one?

72
00:03:26,571 --> 00:03:28,232
Kevin, can you quote that?

73
00:03:28,232 --> 00:03:33,125
(unintelligible)

74
00:03:33,125 --> 00:03:34,127
Tim: Say it again.

75
00:03:34,127 --> 00:03:35,513
Kevin: A man can only receive

76
00:03:35,513 --> 00:03:38,041
what is given him from heaven.

77
00:03:38,041 --> 00:03:40,365
Tim: "A person cannot 
receive even one thing

78
00:03:40,365 --> 00:03:43,996
unless it's given him from heaven."

79
00:03:43,996 --> 00:03:46,572
I would say this,

80
00:03:46,572 --> 00:03:49,530
what jumped out at me as 
I'm thinking about this

81
00:03:49,530 --> 00:03:54,012
is a text found in Romans 1.

82
00:03:54,012 --> 00:03:55,893
Let's turn there to that.

83
00:03:55,893 --> 00:04:02,513
Romans 1.

84
00:04:02,513 --> 00:04:05,835
We know, if we're familiar with Romans

85
00:04:05,835 --> 00:04:10,439
that Romans 1:18 begins to show us

86
00:04:10,439 --> 00:04:14,344
the terrible plight of fallen man.

87
00:04:14,344 --> 00:04:19,025
Somebody begin reading in 1:18.

88
00:04:19,025 --> 00:04:19,999
(from the room)

89
00:04:19,999 --> 00:04:22,824
"For the wrath of God is 
revealed from heaven

90
00:04:22,824 --> 00:04:26,678
against all ungodliness and 
unrighteousness of men

91
00:04:26,678 --> 00:04:29,191
who suppress the truth 
in unrighteousness."

92
00:04:29,191 --> 00:04:31,465
Tim: So they're unrighteous. 
They're ungodly.

93
00:04:31,465 --> 00:04:34,204
They suppress the truth that 
can be known about God.

94
00:04:34,204 --> 00:04:35,831
Keep reading.

95
00:04:35,831 --> 00:04:38,190
(from the room)
"Because what may be known of God

96
00:04:38,190 --> 00:04:39,962
is manifest in them;

97
00:04:39,962 --> 00:04:42,546
for God has shown it to them."

98
00:04:42,546 --> 00:04:45,239
Tim: All men have no excuse.

99
00:04:45,239 --> 00:04:49,804
(incomplete thought)

100
00:04:49,804 --> 00:04:53,115
There is more revelation in this world

101
00:04:53,115 --> 00:04:55,856
than just our Bibles.

102
00:04:55,856 --> 00:04:58,485
There is natural revelation.

103
00:04:58,485 --> 00:05:02,332
God has revealed Himself.

104
00:05:02,332 --> 00:05:07,389
Romans 1 says that God can be known -

105
00:05:07,389 --> 00:05:08,659
certain aspects of God;

106
00:05:08,659 --> 00:05:11,015
certain aspects of His 
attributes and His power

107
00:05:11,015 --> 00:05:13,530
can be known by the 
things that are created.

108
00:05:13,530 --> 00:05:16,509
But keep reading.

109
00:05:16,509 --> 00:05:17,512
(from the room)

110
00:05:17,512 --> 00:05:19,944
"For since the creation of the world,

111
00:05:19,944 --> 00:05:23,650
His invisible attributes are clearly seen

112
00:05:23,650 --> 00:05:26,615
being understood by 
the things that are made,

113
00:05:26,615 --> 00:05:29,512
even His eternal power and Godhead

114
00:05:29,512 --> 00:05:33,068
so that they are without excuse."

115
00:05:33,068 --> 00:05:35,468
Tim: Right. We see enough 
of God in the creation

116
00:05:35,468 --> 00:05:37,393
so that every man is without excuse.

117
00:05:37,393 --> 00:05:39,303
Now keep reading.

118
00:05:39,303 --> 00:05:41,895
(from the room)
"Because although they knew God,

119
00:05:41,895 --> 00:05:44,319
they did not glorify Him as God

120
00:05:44,319 --> 00:05:48,098
nor were thankful, but became futile..."

121
00:05:48,098 --> 00:05:50,216
Tim: Okay, stop right there.

122
00:05:50,216 --> 00:05:52,062
You see what happens?

123
00:05:52,062 --> 00:05:53,899
They recognize that there's a God.

124
00:05:53,899 --> 00:05:57,139
This guy recognizes there's a God.

125
00:05:57,139 --> 00:05:59,991
But then they don't give glory to God.

126
00:05:59,991 --> 00:06:03,167
And they don't give Him thanks.

127
00:06:03,167 --> 00:06:05,937
What's amazing is we're hearing

128
00:06:05,937 --> 00:06:11,285
the reasons as to why the wrath of God

129
00:06:11,285 --> 00:06:15,972
is being displayed and poured out.

130
00:06:15,972 --> 00:06:17,653
Why?

131
00:06:17,653 --> 00:06:21,010
Because men seek to suppress God,

132
00:06:21,010 --> 00:06:25,017
and they don't give Him thanks.

133
00:06:25,017 --> 00:06:27,006
You know what happened to Nebuchednezzar

134
00:06:27,006 --> 00:06:29,052
when he said, "Oh, great Babylon,

135
00:06:29,052 --> 00:06:32,191
look what I've done!"

136
00:06:32,191 --> 00:06:34,564
God doesn't take kindly to that.

137
00:06:34,564 --> 00:06:38,508
God's wrath is displayed because men

138
00:06:38,508 --> 00:06:43,641
don't attribute what they have to God.

139
00:06:43,641 --> 00:06:48,653
Listen, the Apostle Paul says this:

140
00:06:48,653 --> 00:06:52,786
I outran all the other disciples.

141
00:06:52,786 --> 00:06:54,016
Do you know what?

142
00:06:54,016 --> 00:06:56,534
If you do well at work,

143
00:06:56,534 --> 00:06:59,561
you don't ignore that,

144
00:06:59,561 --> 00:07:02,942
but you don't look at yourself

145
00:07:02,942 --> 00:07:04,601
and take credit for it.

146
00:07:04,601 --> 00:07:07,778
What Paul said is that

147
00:07:07,778 --> 00:07:12,042
I am a better apostle than all the rest,

148
00:07:12,042 --> 00:07:13,440
but it wasn't me,

149
00:07:13,440 --> 00:07:18,080
it was the grace of God at work in me.

150
00:07:18,080 --> 00:07:20,285
And he says to the Corinthians,

151
00:07:20,285 --> 00:07:21,897
he says why do you boast

152
00:07:21,897 --> 00:07:27,237
as if what you have, you didn't receive?

153
00:07:27,237 --> 00:07:30,005
You see, that's the thing.

154
00:07:30,005 --> 00:07:33,465
On the one hand, we don't want to ignore

155
00:07:33,465 --> 00:07:35,980
what we do well.

156
00:07:35,980 --> 00:07:37,151
Why?

157
00:07:37,151 --> 00:07:40,784
Because then, you're not 
giving God due honor.

158
00:07:40,784 --> 00:07:44,593
Look, every good gift, 
every perfect gift is from God.

159
00:07:44,593 --> 00:07:46,189
It comes down from above,

160
00:07:46,189 --> 00:07:48,320
from the Father of lights.

161
00:07:48,320 --> 00:07:49,913
He gives.

162
00:07:49,913 --> 00:07:51,735
You don't have a single thing.

163
00:07:51,735 --> 00:07:53,864
Remember Moses?

164
00:07:53,864 --> 00:07:56,545
He said, "Lord, I cannot speak for You.

165
00:07:56,545 --> 00:07:57,784
I am not eloquent."

166
00:07:57,784 --> 00:08:01,039
You remember what God said to him?

167
00:08:01,039 --> 00:08:01,934
God said to him,

168
00:08:01,934 --> 00:08:07,503
"Moses, I make the mouth."

169
00:08:07,503 --> 00:08:09,522
What does He say after that?

170
00:08:09,522 --> 00:08:15,459
Something about seeing,

171
00:08:15,459 --> 00:08:17,087
and what does He say?

172
00:08:17,087 --> 00:08:19,546
Kevin, you got that one down?

173
00:08:19,546 --> 00:08:22,069
Kevin: Not word for word,
but that's basically it.

174
00:08:22,069 --> 00:08:24,301
Tim: Right, but that's the reality.

175
00:08:24,301 --> 00:08:25,388
Do you know what?

176
00:08:25,388 --> 00:08:27,329
If you do well with math

177
00:08:27,329 --> 00:08:29,127
or you do well in computer science

178
00:08:29,127 --> 00:08:32,071
or you do well in whatever this guy does,

179
00:08:32,071 --> 00:08:34,411
the thing isn't to sit there and say,

180
00:08:34,411 --> 00:08:38,283
oh, great Babylon, look what I've done.

181
00:08:38,283 --> 00:08:41,882
Oh, great computer science program!

182
00:08:41,882 --> 00:08:44,938
Look what I did!

183
00:08:44,938 --> 00:08:47,280
Now look,

184
00:08:47,280 --> 00:08:50,992
what you want to feel 
is confidence in the Lord.

185
00:08:50,992 --> 00:08:55,063
I'm confident that God has 
made me good in this,

186
00:08:55,063 --> 00:09:00,347
and He helps me when I do it.

187
00:09:00,347 --> 00:09:03,501
And He has a way of keeping on

188
00:09:03,501 --> 00:09:05,692
reminding us

189
00:09:05,692 --> 00:09:09,276
because we have a tendency

190
00:09:09,276 --> 00:09:11,455
to self-confidence.

191
00:09:11,455 --> 00:09:13,582
It's like that natural man,

192
00:09:13,582 --> 00:09:15,252
you can say: "Oh, we're new men!"

193
00:09:15,252 --> 00:09:17,512
Yeah, we're new men.

194
00:09:17,512 --> 00:09:19,731
We carry about the flesh.

195
00:09:19,731 --> 00:09:22,716
And there is still a tendency for us

196
00:09:22,716 --> 00:09:25,849
to love independence.

197
00:09:25,849 --> 00:09:27,039
One of the great idols

198
00:09:27,039 --> 00:09:29,689
that God has to break in every one of us

199
00:09:29,689 --> 00:09:33,914
is self-sufficiency when He saves us.

200
00:09:33,914 --> 00:09:37,366
But you can be good at something,

201
00:09:37,366 --> 00:09:39,722
like Paul was good at being an apostle.

202
00:09:39,722 --> 00:09:43,595
You can even say, 
"I'm the best" if it's true.

203
00:09:43,595 --> 00:09:45,520
See, you don't want to deny that

204
00:09:45,520 --> 00:09:47,060
because that's what God's doing.

205
00:09:47,060 --> 00:09:49,661
We want to declare God's works.

206
00:09:49,661 --> 00:09:52,083
But you don't want to do 
it in a way that's proud.

207
00:09:52,083 --> 00:09:54,064
Proud means you're lifting yourself up.

208
00:09:54,064 --> 00:09:55,603
You want to do it in a way

209
00:09:55,603 --> 00:09:57,397
that you recognize:

210
00:09:57,397 --> 00:10:04,370
I am what I am by the grace of God.

211
00:10:04,370 --> 00:10:07,551
So, anything anybody 
want to add to that one?