Why the Meek are not Weak

We must realize that the Beatitudes are connected. They start with us understanding our spiritual poverty.

Matthew 5:3  (ESV)

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Then, we grieve over our spiritual condition.

Matthew 5:4 (ESV)

4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Then, we surrender to God's Lordship which is meekness.  

Matthew 5:5 (ESV)

5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

1. God grace in us reveals itself in meekness.  

Ephesians 4:1-2  (ESV)

4 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.

Meekness is not weakness or cowardice.  It's not the absence of emotion.

Matthew 11:29  (ESV)

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 

Jesus was meek, but He was not weak.  Jesus got angry at the hardness of men's heart and cleared the temple, but Jesus did not sin (Matthew 21:12).

  

Meekness is not weakness, but it gets upset at injustice. Meekness is about composure. 

Gentleness is when someone of a superior position lowers themselves to help someone of a lessor position. 

Meekness is emotions under control. It is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit. 

It is an outward manifestation of our controlled emotions.  It is responding to sin in the right way. We are to model how Jesus responded.  

We are to remember that we not spiritually superior to others in and of ourselves.

We are spiritually impoverish just like everyone else except through the mercy of God manifested in Jesus Christ. 

Meekness does not demand it's rights or it's way.  We are to show God to others by reaching out to them in love. 

2.  Meekness magnifies God not self. 

Meekness does not provide salvation, but it is a result of our salvation. 

Our meekness becomes noticeable as we mature in Christ. 

Abraham gave Lot first choice of the pasture land.  

Joseph forgave his brothers for selling him into slavery.

David could have killed King Saul in a cave, but did not.   

   

Meekness is a noticeable characteristic of those who belong to the kingdom of God.  

2 Corinthians 10:1  (ESV)

10 I, Paul, myself entreat you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you when I am away!—

Colossians 3:12 (ESV)

12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.

James 1:21  (ESV)

21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

James 3:13 (ESV)

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.

Philippians 2:7-9 (ESV)

7 but (Jesus) emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 

8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

3. God gives His contentment in meekness. 

What does it mean to inherit the earth?  We all like stuff.  It means to receive our allotted portion. 

If Jesus is our allotted portion, we enjoy what God has given us whether it is much or small.

   

Didn't Jesus say...

Matthew 6:33 (ESV)

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Our purpose comes from our identity in Christ, and not in the abundance of our possessions. 

Philippians 4:12-13 (ESV)

12 I (Paul) know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. 

We cannot find our fulfillment in the world.

1 John 2:16 (ESV)

16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.

We find it all when we exchange the world to have a relationship with Him. 

Matthew 13:45-47 (ESV)

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind.

We must be yielded and surrendered to Jesus in everything. 

Darryl Craft, Whitesburg Baptist Church 

http://www.whitesburgbaptist.org/sermons/the-manifestation-of-gods-grace/