Lewter calls for Christ-like humility in chapel message to seminary community

Christians, especially those in ministry, must let their life and leadership be filled with the humility of Christ, preached Arkansas pastor Brad Lewter during his Oct. 18 chapel message at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

David S. Dockery, interim president of Southwestern Seminary and Texas Baptist College, noted that Lewter is a trustee of the seminary and was on campus for the fall meeting of the board of trustees. He expressed thanksgiving for the dedication and commitment of the board of trustees and urged the seminary community to express their gratitude for the service of the trustees. 

Lewter has been lead pastor of Grand Avenue Baptist Church in Fort Smith, Arkansas, since 2013 and has served in full-time ministry since 1998 in Louisiana, Missouri, and Texas. He is a graduate of Louisiana State University and Luther Rice Seminary, and is a current Doctor of Ministry student at Southwestern Seminary.

The message began by Lewter saying the most underemphasized characteristic of the Christian life, even among leadership, is humility. 

“In order to talk about humility, we need to talk about its adversary – pride,” he said. 

He explained pride as being all about “me.” Lewter discussed the revolution of a culture focused on self, beginning with the word “selfie” being introduced in 2013 as a word in the English language. He gave various examples of the selfie culture in society, such as there being a “National Selfie Day,” a report that 92 million selfies are taken every day, and many people have even died by taking selfies. 

“It is just a symptom of our reality that we have a nature that is inclined to be obsessed with self. It’s a symptom of pride,” he said.

Lewter discussed how the Bible has a lot to say about pride, noting Proverbs 16:5 and Proverbs 16:18, and quoted C. S. Lewis, “Pride is the complete anti-God state of mind.”  

“Pride’s antidote is humility, and the Bible has a lot to say about humility,” said Lewter, who preached who preached from, Philippians 2:1-8 concerning the humility of Christ as a servant. 

In calling for Christ-like humility, Lewter said,   “Paul appeals to their faith. Paul is saying, if you are in Christ, you will behave like you are in Christ. If you are in Jesus, you will be united together” and “you will be called and be united in Christ in an effort to be like Jesus.” 

Second, selfishness is a “Christian contradiction,” Lewter explained. 

“Paul addressed the Christian contradiction by saying, ‘Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others more important than yourself,’” he said. Lewter reminded the seminary community that “God does nothing in your life just for you” and that “this whole thing is not about you.” 

Third, Lewter observed, Paul exalts Christ as the example. Lewter encouraged everyone to “adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus” as found in Philippians 2:5. He stated, “The best life advice I can give you is to be like Jesus, no one else… . The most important person you can be is a person who is like Jesus, and no one else.” Jesus is the ultimate definition of humility, he said, citing Philippians 1:7. “Walk into your ministry context with a picture to serve people like Christ,” he added. 

Lastly, Paul motivated this call to humility with the reality of eternity in mind, Lewter noted. 

“Do everything you need to do in ministry and in life as a Christian with this in mind, that one day you will bow before an Almighty God,” Lewter challenged. He explained that Matthew 25 describes the significance of followers of Jesus being called to treat people well and with kindness. 

Lewter urged ministers to “lead with humility” and to “stoop to wash people’s feet and not take this position of authority to the point where I hurt and abuse people. We need more leaders like that knowing and motivated by the fact that they will stand before the Almighty God.”

He concluded by urging the audience to “live your life as if 100 years from now that the only thing that’s going to matter is Jesus” and “let the commentary of your life and leadership be saturated with the humility of Christ.” 

Lewter’s entire sermon can be viewed here.

Chapel is held every Tuesday and Thursday morning at 10 a.m. (CT) in MacGorman Chapel on the campus of Southwestern Seminary and TBC. Chapel may be viewed live at swbts.live.