King of Pride
Connection Points
Dr. Cole Phillips
October 9, 2022

THIS WEEK’S POWER VERSE

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up. James 4:10

I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at home in my palace, contented and prosperous.
I had a dream that made me afraid. As I was lying in bed, the images and visions that passed through my mind terrified me. Daniel 4:4-5

These are the visions I saw while lying in bed: I looked, and there before me stood a tree in the middle of the land. Its height was enormous. The tree grew large and strong and its top touched the sky; it was visible to the ends of the earth. “‘Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let him live with the animals among the plants of the earth. Let his mind be changed from that of a man and let him be given the mind of an animal, till seven times pass by for him. “‘The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of people.’ Daniel 4:10-17

Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, 30 he said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?” Daniel 4:29

Even as the words were on his lips, a voice came from heaven, “This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you. Daniel 4:31

3 Causes of a Prideful Fall

Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?” Daniel 4:30

STEPS TO HUMILITY

At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Daniel 4:34

“Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever.” Daniel 4:34

Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.

When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you. Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God… Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, and … your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. He gave you manna to eat in the wilderness, something your ancestors had never known, to humble and test you so that in the end it might go well with you. You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today. If you ever forget the Lord your God and follow other gods and worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will surely be destroyed. Like the nations the Lord destroyed before you, so you will be destroyed for not obeying the Lord your God. Deuteronomy 8:2-20

3 Truths about God

· God’s

Reveal Answer
will outlast everything else.

His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation. Daniel 4:34

· God’s

Reveal Answer
matters more than anyone else.

All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. Daniel 4:35

· God’s

Reveal Answer
is absolute.

He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?” Daniel 4:35

To the nations and peoples of every language, who live in all the earth: May you prosper greatly! It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me. Daniel 4:1-2

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

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Ministry Highlights

  • Candy Palooza
    Join us Saturday, October 29th 3-5pm for Candy Palooza at San Marcos or Buda Campus. A drive thru, interactive FREE event for the whole family, plus tons of candy! You can help by donating candy now through Sunday, October 23rd to support this amazing community event. Want to HOST A BOOTH? Click HERE to sign-up!

  • YNG Conference 2022
    YNG Student Conference is a weekend experience at the Buda Campus for 7th-12th graders. It will be a powerful time of worship, speakers, games, giveaways, food trucks and so much more. It happens November 18th-19th. Sign up your student today.

Connection Group Questions:

  1. Nebuchadnezzar had a terrible nightmare, what is the worst dream you have ever had?
  2. What are some ways that pride shows up in your life?
  3. What is the difference between confidence and pride?
  4. Read Daniel 4:27. Even when others have advised us, why do you think we put off doing what we know is right?
  5. What are the effects that pride has on a person? How does it affect those around them?
  6. Does God have to humble our pride or can we humble ourselves?
  7. Read Daniel 4:34. We get better when we replace pride with praise. What have you made more important lately than getting our focus on God by worship, by a consistent quiet time, or by participating in a Connection Group?
  8. How can we pray for you this week?