Blessed are the Meek

Pt. 3 – Beatitudes Series

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Topic # 09

Introduction:

A.    Meekness. Humility.  Gentleness.

1.    Describe the general attitude of the world? 

2.    Hardly!  These attributes are contrary to natural inclination.

3.    World thinks in terms of:

a)    power; strength; possessions.

b)    Many wish to demonstrate their superiority – express yourself.

c)    Self centeredness the way of the world!

B.    The Christian is to be all together different from the world!

1.    2 Cor. 5:17-19 – we are new creatures – living new lives – citizens of a different kingdom.

2.    we need to strive to become just like Jesus was

3.    We live new lives; we are citizens of a different kingdom.

C.   Learning the qualities expressed in 5:5 has always been a struggle for those who serve God.

1.    Jews of Jesus’ day.

a)    not only did they have a materialistic view of his kingdom – but a militaristic one as well.

b)    Jesus would stress over and over again that this was/is not the way His kingdom is to operate!

2.    Some today have the same idea about the church/kingdom.

a)    some look at bigness/power/strength as the way it needs to be.

b)    The whole message of the Bible is different!

1)        message centers around dependence upon God & serving Him – NOT dependence upon self!

2)        God looks for humility/gentleness/meekness in those who serve Him.

3)        We must work on developing these characteristics.

D.   How can we do this?  How can I become the kind of Christian God expects me to be?

 

I.. Examples of Meekness:

A.    Abraham – Gen. 13

1.    Recall his behavior with reference to Lot. 

a)    Lot came to Abraham after Lot’s father’s death – Gen. 11.

b)    Went together – 13:2; 5 – Amassed great #’s of livestock.  So much that land could not support them both.

c)    13:5-7

2.    Note:  Abraham goes to Lot – gives him the choice of the land.

a)    13:10 – look at what Lot chose!

3.    Could/should have been given access to land Lot wanted.

4.    He allowed the younger first choice.  No murmuring about his rights.

B.    Moses – Num. 12:3

1.    He had a humble disposition.

2.    See also Ex. 3:11; 4:10-14 – we need this same disposition.

C.   David – 1 Sam. 19:18

1.    Here is the man who would be king but suffering Saul’s unkind treatment.

a)    19:10 – just suffered an attack on his life.

2.    Even though David anointed king – he was patient – put up with trials; heartaches; disappointment; pain.

D.   Jeremiah – Jer. 20:9-10

1.    Here is a hated, unpopular prophet who meekly bore people speaking unkind words about him behind his back.

2.    This because he spoke things they did not want to hear.

3.    Not one hint of revenge/retribution/etc.  Meekness describes Jeremiah through and through.

E.    Paul

1.    Look at how he suffered at the hands of churches/false brethren & even his own countrymen.

2.    2 Cor. 4:8-10 – yet look at his attitude.

F.    Supreme example of Jesus…

1.    Mt. 11:28-30.  Jesus was the example of what it means to be meek/lowly.

a)           especially in the way He suffered scorn; sarcasm; & persecution.

b)           Mk. 15:3-5 – note how this compares to Isa. 42:1-4.

2.    Look at his example in his attitude toward His enemies – Lk. 23:34

3.    Consider Phil. 2:5-10

a)           Paul says He gave up his rights of equality with God.

1)        2:7 – emptied himself.

2)        2:8 – humbled himself by becoming obedient.

3)        Heb. 2:9-10; 5:8-9.  Made a little lower than the angels – learned obedience.

b)    in all things – counted His will as secondary to the Father’s!

G.   That is meekness/lowliness/humility!

 

II.  Meekness is NOT:

A.    A natural quality.

1.    It = learned behavior.

2.    it was something that David; Paul; Jeremiah had to develop.

a)           they had in them greatness; fire; power; they were driven – yet had to learn to subject their will to God’s.

B.    Indolence/laziness.  Some who appear to be meek are merely indolent.

C.   Niceness.

1.    some people seem to be born nice.

2.    niceness = a natural disposition.  Meekness/humility is more than this!

D.   A spirit of compromise – a peace at any cost disposition.

E.    Weakness.

F.    Just an outward manner – but an inner spirit!

1.    Stevens:  not merely “staying an angry blow, but making the spirit as not to want to strike!”

 

III.  What, exactly, is meekness?

A.    A true attitude toward oneself.

1.    one cannot be meek w/o being poor in spirit.

2.    it’s learning to become void of pride.

3.    a meek person will not demand his rights.

a)    can get caught up in claiming rights of:

1)        position

2)        possessions

3)        status in life.

c)    before getting caught up in this – remember this:  Jesus did not demand His rights!  Phil. 2:5-8.

4.    A meek person is not sensitive about himself.

a)    not watching his interests.

b)    Not always on the defensive.

c)    Not pitying himself.

B.    True meekness will be expressed in my relationship with others.

1.    meek man:  mild; gentle; lowly.

2.    Has no spirit of retaliation.

a)    it is learning to be patient/longsuffering when suffering unjustly.  See 1 Peter 2:21-23

C.   A meek person is teachable/ready to learn/esp.  in his relationship with God.

1.    Some – you can’t talk to – just like talking to a brick wall.

2.    Know it all; been there done that; it’s just your interpretation;

3.    I don’t like that; etc.

4.    A meek person will be willing to examine whatever it is to see if he is right with God – because he doesn’t want to miss out on heaven!

 

Conclusion:

A.    Meek will inherit the earth.

1.    a present reference.  What does this mean?

2.    A meek person easy to satisfy.  He alone is truly content – 2 Cor. 6:10

3.    Notice Paul’s attitude – Phil. 4:14-18

B.    Perhaps it is best said in Lk. 14:11

C.   How can I become as a person described today?  Give yourself to the Lord through your obedience to the gospel. 

D.   I N V I T A T I O N