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THE
MEEK ARE BLESSED BY GOD
(Matthew 5:5)
…When our world
thinks of conquest it thinks in terms of power, __strength__ and
aggressiveness. The more you assert yourself, the more you show your strength
the more likely you are to succeed. Our world __loves__ the so -called
power brokers like Donald Trump, who aggressively crush any who get in their
way.
…But
Jesus doesn’t mess with any of this. He cuts right through all of it, turning
the world upside down by telling that only the meek will inherit the earth.
…Meekness is essential. Without it you will never
__enter__
heaven. Yet many people do not even know what it is.
THREE
CONSIDERATIONS HELPING US TO SEE OUR NEED TO BE MEEK PEOPLE.
…FOR
THIS
__FAMILY__
CHARACTERISTIC IS PRODUCED IN YOU BY THE HOLY SPIRIT IF YOU ARE SAVED.
I. It Is
Essential For Us To Understand The Meaning of “Meekness.”
…This
is often confused with other qualities.
A.
Negatively:
What Meekness is not:
1.
It is not a
__natural__
born personality quality, like a disposition.
2.
It does not
mean __weakness__
in person. It is not the attitude of “peace at any price.” Nor is it the
spirit of compromise. NO.
B.
Positively:
the word means “soft” or “gentle.” It was used of
__colts__
whose natural spirits were broken by a trainer so that they could do work. It
is really “__power__
under control.”
1.
It carries the
idea of a quiet, tenderhearted __submission__,
knowing that “ God is working all things out for the good.”
2.
Meekness is
compatible with great strength, power, and authority. “Martyrs are meek, they
are __not__
weak.” Dying for the truth takes great strength.
3.
Meekness
controls our __lips__,
so that we don’t say the things we may feel like saying. Bunyon, “He that is
down, need fear no fall.”
4.
You must first
be “poor in spirit” and “mourn” before you are meek.
5.
Meekness
reflects the absence of __pride__.
It does no revenge, it does not assert itself. Jesus is our great example in
this.
6.
Really, the
meek person is __amazed__
that God and man can think of him as well as they do, for he knows the truth
about himself, and it is not pretty.
II. Note The
Definite __Results__
That Meekness Produces.
A.
The General
result of meekness in our lives is ”blessedness.” This is that inner
__happiness__
and joy that fills our soul. God gives His
__own__
joy and happiness to us.
B.
The more
specific result of meekness involves an inheritance…”inherit the earth.” (Psalm
37:11)
1.
For the
present this means that there will be a contentedness in our
__hearts__.
2.
In the future,
it means those of this kingdom will regain paradise lost in Genesis 3. This
will be forever!!!!
…One
day, Jesus will reign over all the earth and we will
__share__
in the kingdom.
III.
Meekness
Displayed In The Lives Of Some Great Men.
A.
Joseph, after
having suffered so much from the hands of his brothers, is meek when he refuses
revenge, and treats his brothers __kindly__
choosing to see the unseen hand of the Lord.
…”You
meant it for evil, but God meant it for good.” (Genesis 50:20)
B.
When Abraham
allowed Lot to choose the best land, he was meek, not assertive.
C.
Moses is
called the meekest man of his generation. (Numbers 12:3) This was
__not__
his natural disposition. Early he was self-willed and self-sufficient. 40
years in the desert made him…
…In
Number 12, he marries a
__black__
woman from Africa and his family did not like it. He does not defend himself,
rather allows God to take care of it, and God does.
D.
Jesus tells us
that He is “__meek__
and lowly in heart.” (Matt 11:29) You can see it in His reaction to others.
Meekness is the __only__
personality quality about Himself to which He drew special attention.
Philippians 2:5-8, paints a beautiful picture of meekness which is clearly seen
in His __total__
submission to His Father.
LESSONS FOR OUR LIVES:
1. You must
be meek if you are saved.
2. Meekness
means that you will have a teachable spirit, willing to learn and live God's
word.
3. Meekness
involves having a humble and lowly view of yourself.
4. You as
the meek, will receive God's happiness, contentment and finally the earth.
5. Come and
join the meek. You must be saved.
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