Freedom from Pride Sermon Guide

Download the sermon guide to print here.

This sermon explores the complex relationship between pride and humility in our spiritual walk. Through personal stories and Biblical wisdom, Joe Ewen illustrates how pride can imprison us while humility opens the door to God’s transformative grace. The sermon challenges us to examine our hearts, recognize areas of pride — both obvious and subtle — and embrace the freedom that comes through practicing genuine humility.

This sermon emphasizes:

• Pride emerges when we overestimate ourselves and undervalue others
• God actively resists pride but freely gives grace to the humble
• Pride creates barriers that prevent spiritual growth and authentic relationships
• God often uses adversity to teach humility and dependence on Him
• “Inverted pride” — self-criticism and self-pity — is still a form of pride
• True humility involves recognizing our continual need for God
• Thanksgiving cultivates humility and counters pride
• National and corporate humility is crucial for spiritual awakening

Key Scriptures:

• “Love does not boast and it is not arrogant” (1 Corinthians 13:4)
• “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3)
• “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18-19)
• “By pride comes nothing but strife, but with the well-advised is wisdom” (Proverbs 13:10)
• “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6)
• “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Matthew 23:12)
• “If My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Table Questions:

These are questions based on the Scriptures and sermon to help you put the teaching into practice. They can be used in discipleship, Lifegroup, as a family, or with whoever is around your table this week.

1. Share a time when pride became a barrier in your life — what did God teach you through that experience?
2. Joe mentioned being “imprisoned by pride.” In what areas of your life do you feel this might be true for you?
3. How do you typically respond to adversity? What might God be teaching you about humility through challenging circumstances?
4. The sermon discussed “inverted pride” — how might self-criticism or self-pity actually be a form of pride in disguise?
5. What practical steps can we take to cultivate genuine humility in our daily lives and relationships?
6. How has thanksgiving helped you maintain a humble perspective? Share specific examples.
7. The sermon emphasized servanthood as a path to humility. What opportunities for serving others might God be placing before you right now?
8. In what ways might pride be affecting your prayer life and relationship with God?
9. How can we practice humility in our workplace and family relationships without becoming passive or ineffective?
10. The sermon connected national revival with corporate humility. How can we personally contribute to this kind of spiritual renewal in our community?