God Humbles The Proud | A HOPE TO COME SERIES | 6.1.25

From Pride to Praise

 

Daniel 4:1-37

 

1. In chapter 4 of Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar shares his personal testimony - his grace story of how God has pursued and restored him. Personal testimonies are one way the Gospel is spread. Colossians 1:6b states "the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world - just as it has been doing since the day you heard it and truly understood God's grace." How did Nebuchadnezzar's testimony impact the people of his time? Are there people in your life who's grace story has impacted your walk with God? How has your testimony impacted others?

 

 

2. Pride is exalting self above God. Pride is taking credit for what we could not achieve on our own. Pride shows itself in our lives in numerous ways:

 

Performance/Achievement - "I did this and deserve praise"

 

Possessions - "Look at what I have"

 

Comparison - "At least I'm not like him/her or I want to be like him/her"

 

Control - "If I don't do it, everything will fall apart"

 

Self-sufficiency - "I've got this"

 

Do any of these resonate with you? 

 

 

3. Pride takes God's gifts and turns them into rights.  What are some blessings in your life that you know come from God? Have you ever found yourself expecting or demanding those blessings as if you were entitled to them? In what ways is God calling you to take your pride to praise?

 

4. Restoration comes through humility. Restoration followed Nebuchadnezzar's acknowledgement of God. Worship and humility brought him back to sanity and honor. God restores those who humble themselves before Him. Have you experienced a time when God has humbled you in your pride? How did this humbling impact your walk with God? How did God provide restoration?

 

5. Pride gets in the way of God's plan. Our pride puts the focus on ourselves. Are there any "trees" of pride in your life that need to be cut down because they are blocking your view of God?

 

6. Philippians 2:5-11 states "In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death - even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth, and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."