What Is It Like to Be Christ-like – 4 Meekness
TEXT: 1 Peter 2:21.
INTRODCUTION
1. Recently the former feather boa festooned wrestler and now governor of a Midwestern state is reported to have said that "organized religion is a sham and a crutch for weak-minded people."
2. It seems somewhat Ironic that our topic today is meekness.
3. We are discussing what it is like to be Christ-like.
4. This is the 4th in the series. If you missed any of the series you can get a tape from Carl.
DISCUSSION:
I. Definition
A. What it is not
1. Webster’s Dictionary defines the English word as, "soft, pliant, supple. Mild of temper; gentle; not easily provoked or irritated; submissive; lacking courage ."
B. What it is – hard to define.
1. Barclay said it was the hardest word in the Bible to translate.
C. Great men are described as meek.
1. Moses (Numbers 12:3)
2. Jesus (Matthew 11:29, 21:5; 2 Corinthians 10:1)
D. It is STRENGTH UNDER CONTROL.
1. The word was used to define a powerful horse that was under control of its master
E. It is EMOTION under control.
1. QUOTE" "It is the ability to "govern our passions and resentments, so as not to be easily provoked, and when we are so, to be soon pacified." Matthew Henry
II. Can that be right?
A. "Blessed are the meek?" What about spiritual pride, self-sufficiency, external pomp and glory? They must go. . . completely. To climb the ladder of success in God’s kingdom, Jesus says you must first take three giant steps down: (1) Poverty of spirit which leads to (2) mourning which leads to (3) meekness.
B. It is sad that our word "meek" sounds so similar to the word "weak," for the two have absolutely nothing in common. The meek Christian is not one who is morally indifferent or passive regarding his values, or who conforms to the world’s mold for his life. Meekness is not exemplified in the teenager who relents to peer pressure and talks filth and behaves in an ungodly way; or the businessman who is dishonest and adapts his behavior to any given circumstance.
C. No, meekness is far more noble than that. Behind meekness there is strength and stability. The word originally referred to an animal that had been tamed, e.g., a horse once wild but now obedient to the bridle and bit and, thus, of service and value to its master. So, too, we have been tamed to the yoke of Christ (Matthew 11:29), not to do away with our energy and spirit, but to channel them into productive service for the Master of our souls.
D. Have you ever prayed for God to help make you meek? For Him to make you meek after the fashion of His Son or Moses? For Him to make you strong and committed to His controlling influence in your life? Perhaps it is time to pray.
III. Some Bible Facts about meeknes.
A. Meekness is to be sought after.
"Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD’S anger." - Zephaniah 2:3.
"But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness." - I Timothy 6:11
B. Meekness is a character quality of Christ.
"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." - Matthew 11:29.
"Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:" - II Corinthians 10:1.
C. Meekness is a fruit of the Spirit.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." - Galatians 5:22,23.
D. The meek receive salvation.
"For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation." - Psalm 149:4.
"The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek;" - Isaiah 61:1a.
E. The meek have extra joy.
"The meek also shall increase their joy in the LORD..." - Isaiah 29:19.
F. The meek receive satisfaction.
"The meek shall eat and be satisfied:" - Psalm 22:26.
G. The meek are blessed.
"Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth." - Matthew 5:5.
H. We are called to meekness.
"I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." - Ephesians 4:1-3.
I. The meek are able to restore fallen brothers.
"Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." - Galatians 6:1.
"And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;" - II Timothy 2:24,25.
J. The meek are exalted by the Lord.
"The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground." - Psalm 147:6.
K. The meek receive peace.
"But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace." - Psalm 37:11.
L. Meekness enhances our ability to receive God’s Word.
"Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls." - James 1:21.
M. The meek receive guidance from the Lord.
"The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way." - Psalm 25:9.
IV. Meak toward?
A. Those who have sinned. (Galatians 6:1)
1. Weakness turns its back on them.
2. Meekness restores them.
B. Those with whom you serve the Lord. (Ephesians 4:1-3)
1. Weakness brings disunity.
2. Meekness brings unity.
C. Those who have done you wrong. (Colossians 3:12-13)
1. Weakness returns the abuse.
2. QUOTE "One poll found that 38% of Southern Californians admitted having made an obscene gesture at another driver..." (From "Insight," Dec. 2, 1991
3. Meekness TAKES the abuse.
4. ILLUS. David/Shimei (2 Samuel 16:5f)
5. ILLUS. Jesus Christ "Who when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously." 1 Peter 2:23
D. Those who disagree with you. (2 Timothy 2:24-26)
1. Weakness argues.
2. Meekness instructs.
E. Everybody. (Titus 3:2)
CONCLUSION:
1) "Meekness is the strength to back down from a fight you know you could win."
2) Are you demonstrating the meekness that the Holy Spirit has provided for you?
3) It’s PROVIDED, but you must DAILY and CONTINUALLY demonstrate its presence in your life. "The fruit of the Spirit is... meekness...." Gal. 5:23
