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The sermon defines humility as a comprehensive posture of dependence on God, not merely an outwardly modest manner. Pride can hide in intellectual independence, confidence in works, pursuit of ministry recognition, spiritual success, discouragement, or even the claim that one is humble. Spurgeon grounds humility in God’s sovereign mercy, Christ’s self-emptying, salvation by faith, and the truth that every gift is received rather than earned. The practical result is humble service, kindness toward the needy, perseverance in lowliness, and continual trust in Christ.
Theological center: Humility flows from salvation by grace: believers are sustained by God’s mercy, redeemed by Christ, and made fruitful by the Spirit, so all glory belongs to God.
Applications: Serve without seeking praise · Remain humble in success · Trust Christ for salvation · Remember received grace
Primary texts: Acts 20:19 · Philippians 2:7 · 1 Peter 5:6
“Serving the Lord with all humility of mind.” Acts 20:19 IT is not often that a man may safely speak about his own humility. Humble men are mostly conscious of great pride, while those who are boastful of humility have nothing but false pretense, and really lack and want it. I question whether any of us are at all judges as to our pride or humility. For verily, pride so often assumes the shape of lowliness when it has its own end to serve. And lowliness, on the other hand, is so perfectly compatible with a heavenly dignity of decision, that it is not easy at all times to discover which is the counterfeit, and which is the precious and genuine coin. You will remember that, in the case in our text, Paul speaks by inspiration. If it were not for this fact, I would not have believed even Paul himself when he spoke of his own humility. So distrustful do I feel of our judgment upon this point, that if he had not spoken under the infallible witness and guidance of the Holy Spirit, I should have said that the text was not true, and that when a man should say he served God with humbleness of mind, speaking merely from his own judgment, there is clear proof before you that he is a proud man. But Paul speaks not to his own commendation, but with the sole motive of clearing his hands of the blood of all men. Led, no doubt, by the Holy Ghost thus to speak—that he might be an example to all coming ages—he becomes the mirror to all the ministers of Christ, that we too, each of us in our degree serving the Lord, may without degree be filled with humility, taking the lowest seat, not esteeming ourselves beyond what we ought to think, but submitting ourselves to men of low estate—emptying out ourselves as He did who emptied Himself of all His glory, when He came to save our souls. I shall take the text this morning, and shall speak of it as the Lord shall please to help me in my weakness thus. First, I shall speak of the comprehensiveness of humility. You notice the text says, “Serving the Lord with all humility.” Secondly, I shall speak upon the trials to which our humility will be subjected. And thirdly, upon the arguments by which we ought to support it, to generate it, and to sustain it in our souls. And then, fourthly, I shall show forth some practical effects of humility, and urge you to show them forth with me in our daily lives. I. First then, the COMPREHENSIVENESS OF HUMILITY. It is a somewhat striking expression. It is not merely serving the Lord with humility, but serving the Lord with all humility. There are many sorts of pride. Perhaps while I am running ove…