“You Are Privileged: Why Choose the Road of Pride and Turn Away?”
Sermon: You Are Privileged
Beloved, every breath you take is evidence of one truth: you are privileged by God. Not privileged in the worldly sense—money, position, success, or earthly advantages—but privileged in the deepest, eternal sense. Out of all creation, God has chosen you, a human being made in His image, to receive His love, His grace, His Word, and the invitation to inherit His kingdom. Heaven is not offered to trees, mountains, birds, or beasts. Angels marvel at the grace given to humanity, because redemption was never offered to fallen angels—but it is offered to you. This alone is privilege beyond comprehension.
Yet, despite such mercy, many still turn away. Pride blinds. Self-reliance hardens. Worldly desires distract. And the very ones who were created to walk in the light choose instead to wander in the shadows. The question we must confront today is simple yet sobering:
If God has privileged you with His calling, His truth, and His salvation, why choose the road of pride and turn away?
1. The Privilege of Being Created in God’s Image
From the beginning, Scripture reveals the uniqueness of humanity:
“So God created man in His own image.” This means you are not random, accidental, or meaningless. You were designed to reflect God’s character, God’s creativity, God’s love, and God’s purpose. No other creature was created with such dignity.
To be made in His image means you were created to know Him, to enjoy Him, and to live with Him forever. The ability to pray, to worship, to understand spiritual truth, to walk by faith—none of this exists in any other being on earth. Nature can show God’s power, but it cannot know God personally. Only you can.
This is privilege.
And yet pride tells people:
“I don’t need God.”
“I can live my own way.”
“I don’t need to submit to anyone.”
“I want to be my own master, my own king.”
But when a person rejects the One in whose image he was formed, he abandons the very purpose of his existence. Pride is self-destruction disguised as self-confidence. It convinces people that independence from God is liberation, while in reality, it is slavery to sin.
2. The Privilege of God’s Calling
You are privileged because God called you. The gospel reached your ears. Many live their entire lives never hearing the message of Christ clearly once. But you have heard it. Some do not have access to the Bible, but you have one. Some live in spiritual darkness without hope, but you have been given light.
The fact that God pursued you, spoke to your heart, stirred your conscience, and opened your eyes to His truth is evidence of divine privilege.
Yet pride whispers, “Another time.”
“Later.”
“Tomorrow.”
“Enjoy life first.”
“Don’t be too serious about God.”
Pride delays repentance. Pride suppresses conviction. Pride excuses sin. Pride says, “I will obey God, but only on my terms.” And in doing so, a person rejects the miracle of God’s calling and chooses the noise of the world over the voice of the Father.
3. The Privilege of Christ’s Sacrifice
Beloved, consider the price paid for you. The Son of God left heaven, took on flesh, walked among sinful men, and went to the cross for you. Angels long to look into this mystery. Creation cannot fathom it. The greatest privilege any human has ever received is this: Christ died for you.
He died your death.
He carried your punishment.
He took your place.
He opened the door to eternal life.
And yet some still turn away.
Why?
Because pride refuses to kneel.
Pride refuses to admit, “I need a Saviour.”
Pride says, “I am not that bad.”
Pride insists, “I can save myself by being a good person.”
But no amount of goodness can erase guilt. No amount of effort can cancel sin. Only Christ’s blood can wash you clean. Only Christ’s sacrifice can make you whole.
To walk away from Christ is not merely rejecting religion—it is rejecting the greatest act of love ever shown to you. It is turning from the only One who can rescue your soul from eternal death. It is choosing darkness when light has already shone upon you.
4. The Privilege of Receiving God’s Blessings
Every blessing in your life—protection, provision, opportunities, answered prayers, health, strength, mercy in moments of weakness—these are evidences that God is mindful of you.
You may say, “But my life is difficult.”
Yes, but even in hardship, God has kept you. You are still alive. You are still breathing. You still have a chance to repent, grow, and rise.
You are privileged because God did not let you die in your sins.
He did not let the enemy destroy you.
He did not allow your mistakes to end you.
He kept you, because He still wants you.
What response does such privilege require?
Humility.
Gratitude.
Surrender.
Yet pride looks at blessings and says, “I earned this. I deserve this. I did this myself.”
Pride steals God’s glory.
Pride forgets God’s goodness.
Pride claims ownership over what was given by mercy.
This is why Scripture repeatedly warns that God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. When pride sits on the throne of a person’s heart, blessing cannot flow freely. God will not crown a heart that refuses to bow.
5. The Privilege of Being Offered His Kingdom
Of all the privileges we have in Christ, none compares to this: you are invited to inherit the kingdom of God.
A kingdom where
• sin cannot enter,
• death has no power,
• tears are wiped away,
• joy never ends,
• righteousness fills the atmosphere,
• and God Himself dwells with His people.
What earthly privilege can compare?
What honor in this world surpasses an eternal crown?
What success on earth can compare with everlasting life?
Yet people still choose the world.
Why?
Because pride says,
“I want the kingdom of earth now, not the kingdom of heaven later.”
“I want pleasure now.”
“I want recognition now.”
“I want control now.”
“I want to be lord of my own life.”
Pride exchanges an eternal kingdom for temporary comfort.
Pride trades a divine inheritance for momentary indulgence.
Pride sells the soul for the applause of men.
But beloved, the world is passing away. The desires of the flesh, the pride of life, the pursuit of fame and pleasure—all will burn like straw before the fire of judgment. Nothing the world offers can go with you into eternity. Only Christ lasts. Only salvation matters. Only the kingdom is forever.
6. Why Choose Pride? Why Turn Away?
Let us be honest: people choose the road of pride because it is easy. It allows you to stay the same. It allows you to run your life as you please. It avoids repentance, confession, and surrender. Pride feels comfortable because it keeps self on the throne.
But pride is a deceiver.
Pride promises freedom, but delivers bondage.
Pride promises strength, but produces downfall.
Pride promises happiness, but leads to emptiness.
Pride promises success, but brings destruction.
Scripture is filled with examples of people ruined by pride:
• Lucifer was cast down from heaven.
• Pharaoh hardened his heart and destroyed his own nation.
• Nebuchadnezzar lost his sanity.
• King Saul lost his throne.
• The Pharisees rejected the Messiah standing in front of them.
Every proud path leads to ruin.
And yet humility leads to life.
Humility opens the door to forgiveness.
Humility invites God’s presence.
Humility ushers in grace, blessing, and transformation.
The question is not whether God is willing to save, bless, forgive, and restore. He is. The question is whether you will humble yourself to receive it.
7. A Call to Return to Humility
Beloved, you are privileged.
You are chosen.
You are loved.
You are called for a purpose.
So why walk away? Why live as though God has not extended mercy to you? Why continue in pride when the Father stands with open arms?
Today God calls you back to humility.
Humility is not weakness—it is wisdom.
Humility is not humiliation—it is liberation.
Humility is not losing—it is gaining Christ.
To be humble is simply to say:
“God, I need You.”
“God, I cannot walk without You.”
“God, I surrender my pride, my desires, my sins, my plans.”
“God, take Your rightful place on the throne of my heart.”
When pride dies, spiritual life begins.
When pride falls, grace rises.
When pride is crucified, Christ is exalted.
8. Returning to the Privilege of Sonship
The story of the prodigal son is a picture of pride and privilege. The son was privileged—loved, protected, and provided for. But pride made him say, “I want my inheritance now. I want freedom now. I want to do things my own way.” And he left.
But when his pride led him to ruin, he humbled himself and returned.
And what did the father do?
He ran to him.
He embraced him.
He restored him.
He clothed him with honor.
Beloved, the same Father waits for you.
Your privilege has not been cancelled.
Your calling has not expired.
Your inheritance is still reserved in heaven.
But you must come home.
9. A Final Appeal
You are privileged—not because you earned it, but because God is gracious. You are privileged because you have been chosen, called, redeemed, and invited to His kingdom.
Do not trade this privilege for pride.
Do not exchange eternity for temporary pleasure.
Do not lose your inheritance by hardening your heart.
Today, choose humility.
Choose repentance.
Choose surrender.
Choose the path that leads to life.
God has already extended His hand.
Will you take it?
God has already prepared the kingdom.
Will you walk toward it?
God has already poured out His love.
Will you receive it?
Let every proud thought fall.
Let every rebellious desire break.
Let every worldly distraction fade.
And let Christ be enthroned in your heart.
Because you—yes, you—
are privileged to be counted among those who can receive God’s blessing
and inherit His kingdom.
Do not turn away.
Come, and walk the road of humility that leads to everlasting life.
Amen.
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