September Theme – The Mind of Christ: Breaking Free From Earthly Thinking to Embrace Christ’s Mind
SUNDAY’S SERMON SUMMARY
When God entered our world, He came not with thunder or crowns but in meekness—born in a stable, walking dusty roads, touching lepers, washing feet, and dying on a cross. The Creator stooped low, saying, “I am among you as one who serves” (Luke 22:27). Pride has always been humanity’s downfall, but in Jesus we see its reversal—He humbled Himself, and the Father exalted Him. In God’s Kingdom, the way up is always down. Greatness is not measured by climbing higher but by stooping lower in love. Pride insists, “My will, my way, my rights,” but humility whispers, “Not my will, but Thine.” In marriage, humility disarms bitterness. In the church, it heals division. In daily life, it opens the floodgates of grace. When we bow low, Christ’s life rises in us, and His resurrection power flows through us.
GO TO www.belmontbaptistchurch.com/sermons and listen to Sunday’s message.
Beats From Your Pastor’s Heart
The Doorway of Humility
“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” — James 4:10
Humility is not weakness—it is strength surrendered.
The humble do not think less of themselves; they think of themselves less. Jesus, the strongest Man who ever lived, knelt to wash His disciples’ feet. His power was not diminished by humility—it was displayed through it. True humility is not self-hatred; it is self-forgetfulness in the presence of God.
Pride resists grace, but humility welcomes it.
Pride builds walls that keep God’s help out, but humility opens the door wide for His mercy to flow in. Scripture says, “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble” (James 4:6). Every time you humble yourself before Him, you are positioning your life under the downpour of His blessing.
The way up in God’s Kingdom is always down.
The world tells us to climb higher, promote ourselves, and demand recognition. But the Kingdom of God operates on a reverse order—exaltation follows humiliation. Jesus descended into the form of a servant and was obedient unto death, and therefore God highly exalted Him (Philippians 2:8–9). The same promise is yours: when you bow low, He will lift you up in His time.
Imagine two ladders standing side by side. One stretches upward, with people scrambling to reach the top, pushing others aside to climb higher. The other points downward, leading to service, sacrifice, and surrender. The world chooses the first, climbing over others to be noticed. Jesus chose the second, stepping lower into the place of a servant. Yet, when He reached the lowest rung—Calvary—the Father raised Him to the highest place of honor. The way up is always down.
Prayer: Father, bend my heart low before You. Break every trace of pride that blinds me from Your grace. Teach me to walk in the footsteps of Jesus, who humbled Himself and became a servant. Let Christ’s humility be formed in me, that others may see Your glory and not my own. Lift me only in Your way, and in Your time. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Challenge: Today, choose humility in a tangible way. Yield your rights in a conversation, let another go first, or serve someone without expecting recognition. When tempted to defend your pride, pause and surrender it to God. Trust Him to lift you higher than self-promotion ever could.
FRIDAY’S PRAYER REQUESTS
Nancy Brown – Fall
Allysa Elliott
Amy Garner’s Dad
Annette Ford
Andrea Nix– Friend of the Shelnutt’s
Angela Bryan’s Sister
Ann Stanley
Carol Lawhead – Park Place Rehab in Monroe
Danny Jarrard – Knee Surgery Soon
Darlene Wiggins
Debbie Foskey
Doris Loyd
Dr. and Mrs. Davis
Eric Magnusson’s Mother
Eric Ward
Friend of Linda Hodge
Gayle Sparks
George & Linda Alexander
James Burnette
Jessica Headrick
John McClain’s Mother
June Cronan’s Sister
June Davis
Kailey Bateman
Kathryn Raines
Kim McClain’s Mother
Kim’s Sisters – Ann & Brenda
Lee Cronan
Lillianna Magnusson’s Mom
Linda Breedlove’s Sister – Sarah
Linda Mays
Lonzo Christian
Lori Blount’s Mother
Mary Williams
Mary Williamson – Dana Jackson’s Mom
Mrs. Franklin
Nora Allison
Ron And Johnnie Barry – Friends Of Ashton & Glenda Bateman
Rose Fuller – Pruitt-Monroe Nursing Home, Forsyth GA
Scott Lanier
Scotty Nix
Sheila Simmons
Stephanie Seivers – Friend of the Shellnutts
Steve Michaels
Tom Witcher