Heart Cry: Keep Me Small & Humble (Jam. 4:6) (Part 1)

Three Sundays ago we started a new series called “Heart Cry.”  I asked the question, “What is on God's heart?”  Do you remember the candy hearts?  On each was written a saying, expressing the giver's desire.  

Three Sundays ago, this is what was on God's heart: “Be true.”  We looked into 3 John 3-4, considering the meaning of “walking in the truth.”  In response to this, our heart cry was, “Keep me true, Lord Jesus.”

Two Sundays ago, this is what was on God's heart: “Be dependent.”  We looked into John 15:5, considering the meaning of “abiding in Jesus.”  In response to this, our heart cry was, “Lord, keep me dependent.”

We're going to switch Bible authors, from John to James.  Today's Bible verse is James 4:6 - “But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, 'GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.'

How many of you have a translation in which half of those words are in capital letters?  When you see this, you now that the writer is quoting from or alluding to the Old Testament, which is the left section in your Bible.  In this case the writer, James, is alluding to Psa. 138:6 and quoting from Prov. 3:34. (Read these two verses.)

So far in our series, here is the conclusion that holds the sermons together: God's heart is that you would want what He wants for you.  The natural question becomes, What does God want for you? More specifically, what does God want for you today, hearing this message?  God wants for you to be small and humble before Him.