Blessed Are the Meek
Matthew 5:1-12
Introduction
1.
Poverty of spirit and mourning are
not qualities that are sought and admired in our world
2.
Meekness is generally despised
3.
The Beatitudes reflect what Jesus
considered important
Discussion
1.
Some words that are associated with
meekness in the NT
a.
Lowliness or humility Eph 4:2
b.
Quiet 1 Pet 3:4
c.
Fear or Reverence 1 Pet 3:15
d.
Gentleness 2 Cor 10:1
e.
Love 1 Cor 4:21 it is also
contrasted with the use of a rod in this passage
2.
Those who are instructed to be meek
or are identified as meek in the Bible
a.
Moses
Num 12:1-3
b.
Apostles 1 Cor 4:21
contrasted with what James and John were in Luke 9:54 see also Luke 10:3
c.
Teachers 2 Tim 2:25 this
speaks to the manner in which we try to instruct those who are not Christians as
well as the way we teach one another see again 1 Pet 3:15
d.
Wives 1 Pet 3:4 contrasted
with modern feminist attitudes
e.
Christians Col 3:12 (gentleness
in some translations)
3.
The meekness of Jesus exhibited
a.
Matt 11:29 meek by choice
see Is 42:3
b.
John 4 dealing with the
Samaritan woman it is not about who I am, but who God is
c.
John 3 dealing with Nicodemus
it is not about what I can do, but what you must do
d.
John 8 dealing with the woman
caught in adultery
e.
On the cross 1 Pet 2:18-25 Matt
27:38-44
4.
The meek shall inherit the earth
a.
Note that it is not the strong, the
intelligent, the rich nor the famous
b.
Repeats the promise of Psalm 37:11
but does not specify the land or earth that shall be inherited
c.
The promise of Is 65:17
d.
Rev 21 and 22 describe the earth
that the meek shall inherit
Conclusion
1.
How
do you prevent people from taking advantage of your meekness? you dont!
2.
If you are concerned with power
over others you cannot be meek if you are concerned with godliness, meekness
will fit right in
3.
Meekness puts your reliance on God
instead of self
4.
Jesus invitation Matt
11:28-30