Wednesday, February 19, 2020

Sermon for February 16 Daniel 4

So…
Has anyone ever said about you that you were “too big for your britches”?

Maybe I am dating myself, but I remember hearing it used more than once referring to folks my family or neighbors knew who were too full of themselves, thought they knew more than other people, or were just generally not very humble.

After noting in my sermon preparation that Nebuchadnezzar’s dream suggested he was thinking way too much of himself, the saying came to mind and I was curious where it came from.

According to grammarist.com, the first known use of the saying is in Davy Crockett's work published in 1835: An Account of Col. Crockett's Tour to the North and Down East. It suggested over confidence and even conceit in one’s abilities or position in life.

Amazing, back then with Davy Crockett and well before that there were those who have though way too well of themselves and truly had no idea that their confidence may have actually been overconfidence.

And it seems Nebuchadnezzar was exactly one of those people.

No matter how many times God tried to warm Nebuchadnezzar though Daniel, that though he was a really good king of a really amazing nation, humility is a fruit of the spirit, and minus humility, maybe the fruit on this amazing tree the king had dreamt of, was not spirit fruit!

So, have you ever thought a little bit too much of yourself, have you ever been puffed up, or maybe even overconfident?

Humility is a huge gift for a leader!

In interview after interview it’s clear that some of the most successful leaders in the world - while confident of their abilities - are humble enough to surround themselves with really amazing other leaders.
And humble enough to thank them, make sure they are well compensated, and that they have lots of space to become even better at what they do.

I have been trying to finish a book called Leading Tigers.

It’s a play on the old saw that working with groups of leaders can be a wee bit like trying to lead cats, and you don’t lead cats.

So, what happens when those leaders are highly skilled, highly successful, amazing leaders in their own right?

You are leading tigers. And you either have to get r.eun over by them, fire them all, or…

Your humility allows you to see their gifts, talents, and abilities, as well as their motivations, so you can help them succeed at an even higher level than before when you weren’t their leader.

Think about Jesus?

Humble, yet powerful and confident, assembling around him disciples who would change the world! Jesus, leading as he always has, tigers, you and I!

I know. You don’t think of yourself as a tiger. But God does! Talented, spirit filled, and clear about your calling to follow Jesus, right? Disciples ready to change the world one day at a time. You and I, God’s people, doing it every day!

Nebuchadnezzar had dreamt a dream that shook him up so much that he called on Daniel to interpret his dream - at least eventually.

I am pretty sure it was not the part about being the grand tree that was taller than all others, the one that grew amazing fruit for the world, you know, the tree that provided shade for all the animals.

No, it the part where it was chopped down by angels that stirred up the king.

Now remember, Nebuchadnezzar is sharing this story in a letter he has sent to the kingdom of Babylonia after the story has played out. He has learned an invaluable lesson that he wants to share with everyone who will listen.

Pride comes before you fall!

Or as Proverbs 16:18-19 says, “Too much pride will destroy you. You are better off to be humble and poor than to get rich from what you take by force.”

Seven years of living like a cow evidently can change a man!

And now, Nebuchadnezzar is that changed man! A king who has been touched by the hand of God, by the Most High God, by Yahweh, the God of Israel, who has invited this king to become a man of humility, a man of grace, a man still with some amazing leadership skills, but one who acknowledges that he is not the center of his universe.

How about you?

Are you a man or woman of humility and grace, respecting the talents, gifts and abilities of others, or is there a whole lot of salad in your near future?

Leading Tigers. I really need to finish that book.

To God be the glory.

Amen!

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