Thrive Church Kiwanis Lake Campus Sunday Service May 18, 2025.
www.thriveyork.com PRIDE AND HUMILITY Daniel 4 May 18, 2023 "Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble." - Daniel 4:37 1. THE NATURE OF PRIDE Daniel 4:1-10 Pride isn't just thinking too highly of yourself; it's thinking of yourself independently from God Nebuchadnezzar's declaration: "Is not this great Babylon that I have built?" (4:30) REFLECT: What's your "Babylon"? What accomplishment or possession are you most tempted to take credit for? 2. GOD'S PATIENT WARNING Daniel 4:11-17 The dream of the great tree cut down Daniel's compassionate interpretation (4:19): "My lord, if only the dream applied to those who hate you!" The call to repentance (4:27): "Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed." God gave Nebuchadnezzar a full year to respond REFLECT: Who is your "Daniel" - someone who speaks truth to you in love? 3. HUMBLING AND RESTORATION Daniel 4:18-28 Judgment only came after Nebuchadnezzar refused to acknowledge God The turning point (4:34): "I raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored." Complete restoration followed genuine humility REFLECT: What would it look like for you to "raise your eyes to heaven" in the areas where you struggle with pride? SPIRITUAL SANITY LOOKS LIKE: 1. Recognizing reality: God rules, we don't 2. Raising our eyes to heaven, not focused on self 3. Acknowledging our dependence 4. Praising God rather than ourselves LIVING UNDER GOD'S SOVEREIGNTY Daniel 4:29-37 1. Recognize the True Problem: The root issue is failing to acknowledge God as sovereign 2. Examine Your "Little Empire": What kingdom are you building for your glory? 3. Find Your Daniel: Cultivate relationships with truth-tellers 4. Practice "Lifting Your Eyes": Regularly redirect your focus from self to God 5. Convert Pride to Praise: Turn areas of personal achievement into opportunities for thanksgiving TODAY'S RESPONSE "Who rules your heart?" Your answer is revealed not by your words, but by where you consistently raise your eyes. Take a moment right now to: Confess areas of pride to God Ask Him to restore your spiritual sanity Surrender your "kingdom" to His rule Commit to a regular practice of "raising your eyes to heaven" PRAYER FOCUS THIS WEEK: "Lord, help me to recognize where I've been building my own kingdom, and give me the courage to surrender it to Your rule."
