Is it Bragging or Praising?
1 Samuel 2:3-2:3
We are living in a day when many people are lovers of self rather than lovers of
God. People love themselves but forget to love God and their neighbor. In this
outline we share a few types of bragging and praising examples. I know myself
that I rather hear praise than boasting. May we like Paul, must learn to boast
on the Lord. He alone is worthy.
- Proverbs 27:1 Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day
may bring forth.
- 1 Sam 2:3 Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of
your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.
I. God can change people and circumstances.
-
1 Sam 2:8 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the
beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit
the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD’s, and he hath
set the world upon them.
A. This is why Paul wrote in 2 Cor 5:17 Therefore if any man be in
Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are
become new.
a. Paul himself was changed from the chief of sinners to an
apostle.
II. Jesus told of a bragging
Pharisee and Sinner praying.
- Luke 18:10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee,
and the other a publican.
- Luke 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee,
that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as
this publican.
- Luke 18:12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
- Luke 18:13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as
his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a
sinner.
A. Jesus shows here that we must humble ourselves before God.
- Luke 18:14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather
than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that
humbleth himself shall be exalted.
1. Before God can move in our lives we must see that we are a
sinner. Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
a. Temptations, of course, cannot be avoided, but
because we cannot prevent the birds from flying over our heads, there is no need
that we should let them nest in our hair. -- Martin Luther,
2. We are saved by His grace.
Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is
in Christ Jesus:
a. Never forget the three what's!
- What from? Believers are redeemed
from hell and destruction.
- What by? By the precious blood of
Christ.
- What to? To an inheritance
incorruptible, undefiled, and that will not fade away.
-- Charles Haddon
Spurgeon
III. There was the young rich man who told of his good life.
- Matt 19:16-22
-16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing
shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
-17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one,
that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
-18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt
not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
-19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as
thyself.
-20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up:
what lack I yet?
-21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast,
and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and
follow me.
-22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had
great possessions.
A. He loved his riches more that he loved God.
1. Have you ever thought what would have happened if he did
as Jesus asked?
2. There is that Kingdom of God principal of sowing and
reaping.
a. He could have become one of the
world’s richest people had he obeyed.
b. He failed to do the most import
thing we can do in our lives.
- Matt 6:33 But seek ye first the
kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto
you.
C. He who bestows his goods upon the poor shall have as much again and
ten times more. John Bunyan
IV. Then there was Paul the Apostle who could brag on his accomplishments it
was he, but he chooses rather to brag on the Lord.
- Phil 3:4-15
-4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man
thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
-5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin,
an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
-6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is
in the law, blameless.
-7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
-8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the
knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all
things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
-9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law,
but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God
by faith:
-10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship
of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
-11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
-12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I
follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of
Christ Jesus.
-13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do,
forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things
which are before,
-14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ
Jesus.
-15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing
ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
A. Our mouth should be filled the praises of God. We should brag on Him.
- Ps 149:6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two edged
sword in their hand;
- 1 Sam 2:3 Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out
of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are
weighed.
B. I heard this cute story.
Friend: "Has your son’s education proved to be of any real value?"
Father: "Yes, indeed. It has entirely cured his mother of bragging about
his brains and accomplishments."
C. I love the words of the old Hymn ’More, more about Jesus would I
know.’
More about Jesus would I
know,
More of His grace to others show;
More of His saving fullness see,
More of His love Who died for me.
More about Jesus let me learn,
More of His holy will discern;
Spirit of God, my teacher be,
Showing the things of Christ to me.
More about Jesus; in His Word,
Holding communion with my Lord;
Hearing His voice in every line,
Making each faithful saying mine.
More about Jesus; on His throne,
Riches in glory all His own;
More of His kingdom’s sure increase;
More of His coming, Prince of Peace
Words: by Eliza E. Hewitt 1887
