We're going to continue our study tonight of Matthew chapter 5 looking at the Beautitudes. As I've said before, there are 8 of the beautitudes. They're grouped into two groups. The first four tell us how we can have a relationship with God, how we can build that relationship with God. The first four lead to salvation. The second four tell us how we are to live as Christian.
- Matthew 5:3-4
This is called repentance, this is that godly sorrow that lead to repentance.
The Third Beautitude.
- Matthew 5:5
What Does it Mean to be Meek?
Many see the word meek and equate it with weakness. Some have the idea that it is humility, and it is, but it isn't a false humility.
- Not weak, cowardly, or seeking peace at any price.
- It means to yield to God.
- Meek men in the Bible.
- Moses - Numbers 12:3
- David - Psalm 37:11
- Jesus - Matthew 11:28-30
- Meekness is Christ-likeness.
Jesus is the epitome of meekness. We see these great men, Moses, David, and especially Jesus, they're characterized by meekness. Meekness is to be like Christ. It's not self-seeking but self-giving. It's not self-willed but God-willed. It's not self-glorification, but self-humiliation. It's not compromising with evil, but overcoming evil with good. It's not cowardice, but it is courage. It is moral courage, the willingness to stand up and do what is right. It is weakness that finds strength in God, in yielding to God. Those who are meek are those who belong to Chris. They strive to pattern their lives following His example.
- Philippians 2:5
How did Jesus show His meekness?
- John 8:7-11; 2:14-16
- Luke 23:34
- Matthew 26:39
We need to learn to be like Christ. Meekness is something that can be learned. Some make the mistake in viewsing that some are meek and some are not. But, God commands us to be meek, therefore it is something that we can learn.
- Colossians 3:12
To put on, means to put on something we don't have. We're to put it on. We are to embrace meekness. If we don't have it now, we need to learn meekness.
- James 1:19
To be self-willed is the opposite of meek. They are enslaved to their emotions. Quick to wrath or speak in anger, that is not meek. We are commanded to be slow to wrath, we can't try to justify ourselves by saying "I was born with a hot-temper." That's not an excuse. Meekness is a quality that with the Lord's help we can develop in our lives.
- James 1:21
In order to have the Word have effect in our lives, it has to be received with meekness. Without such we're not going to be saved.
"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." — Matthew 5:5
What are the Blessings for the Meek?
This is a spiritual promise. Some try to say the meek shall inherit the literal earth. But, that's not what this means. It is a spiritual promise.
- Inherit the Earth, (Spiritually)
- Psalm 37:16
- John 10:10
- Mark 10:29-30
- Meekness is the secret of possessing everything.
- 1 Timothy 6:6-8
Being content, being meek and accepting God's will, means you have a calmness and are not shaken by external circumstances. Because you know, that God is in control. There is mildness, and you can avoid extreme reactions and behavior. A meek person is mild, bringing comfort calm and peace to those around them.
The great spiritual blessigns that are available to us, as a child of God, the great spiritual blessings are promised to the meek, to those who do God's will.
- Blessed are the poor in spirit, we must set aside human wisdom and accept God's the Divine revelation.
- Blessed are they that mourn, and accpept their own guiltiness of sin, and the sorrow that comes with it. This leads to repentance and a change of life.
- Blessed are the meek, not the weak or spineless, but the one who places themselves under God's control.
The poor in spirit recognizes their lost state and their need for God. Those that mourn for sin, they have godly sorrow. They recongnize the price that was paid for their sin; that Christ had to go to the cross for sin. Thinking about Christ on the cross, always brings me sorrow, that it was my sin that put Him there. The meek are the ones who will humble themselves and submit to God's will. That leads to those that hunger and thirst after righteousness for they will be filled. If you are one who recognizes your need for God, but you've not repented of your sin and sumbitted to God's will we hope that you will do this, to put on Christ in baptism, to yeild to His will.
If you're not a child of God, or a faithful Christian, we would be honored to study with you more about the humility and meekness of Christ and how you can come to learn to live in such a way as one who learns to submit to God through Christ. Please contact us so that we can study with you.
