Swelled up

Sadly, or disgustingly, this winter there was a possum (or an "opossum"?) that met his demise on the side of the road in front of my house. It laid there for a few days while I procrastinated getting it up. If it had been summer time, I may have had to act more quickly, but frankly, the cool temps kept it from swelling up and stinking. Thankfully, a couple of hungry buzzards bailed me out. Kind of disgusting to think about huh?

Arrogance and pride are disgusting like that... They are defined in the bible as "swelled up". They are unattractive and unappealing and they have no part of love. Love.. does not boast, it is not proud. 1 Corinthains 13:4 Sunday, as we continued our "Live Love" series, we talked about what Paul was getting to and what he was up against with the church in Corinth. There was actually some serious arrogance on display in that church.

Arrogance and pride can cause serious problems for us, not the least of which is creating distance from God. 4 In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God. Psalm 10:4 In other words, the proud are so consumed with themselves that their thoughts are far from God. What about you? Are you at a distance from God? Arrogant people keep God at arm's length because they really don't "need" him. Christ taught us the opposite of arrogance, humility. He modeled humility for us. He challenged us to live with a spirit of humility. (Matthew 5:3). Jesus also said: 12 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. Matthew 23:12 In other words, God honors the humble... and He humbles the arrogant.

For much more, please listen to this sermon online. My son Brennan told me it was one of my best sermons... I hope you find it enlightening, challenging and encouraging.