Be-Attitudes
January 22, 2006
Blessed are the Meek
Note: When’s the last time you heard someone say, “If you want to succeed in life, try being meek?” Or, “If you want to rise to the top and get somewhere in life, display meekness along the way?” Unfortunately, meekness isn’t a valued quality in our day. The world’s philosophy of success says be assertive / aggressive and go for the throat! Do whatever is necessary to come out ahead, but that isn’t what Jesus said.
Trans: We’re in a series focusing on the (8) attitudes Jesus mention in the Sermon on the Mount in Mt. 5 – (4) of them relate to God and (4) relate to man. I want to remind you that Jesus is speaking to His disciples about the attitudes they’re to possess as kingdom citizens. Remember if your attitude determines our altitude then it also testifies to your disposition and determination. Now the vital item to note is that Jesus wasn’t focusing on outward performance like going to church, giving, or serving, but His concern was to mark out how a disciple should be on the inside.
Quote: Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount so that his Father would get the glory for the way the disciples lived. Piper
Note: The purpose of the Sermon on the Mount is to inform God’s disciples of the qualities they are to possess and display to a watching world.
Trans: So far we’ve come to see that a Christian is someone who is poor in spirit by recognizing their own spiritual bankruptcy and who is mournful and has a genuine sorrow over their sin and the sin of others. This AM, we’re going to look at the next attitude Jesus states is necessary to be a Christ-follower – meekness.
Insert: In considering meekness, I’ve thought about, The Passion of the Christ. In the movie, Jesus modeled meekness. At Gethsemane when the soldiers came to arrest him and chaos reigned – Jesus showed meekness. During the kangaroo courts of Pilate, Herod, and Caiaphas, through the scourging and walk to Golgotha, up to the moment He breathe His last breathe – Jesus modeled power under control.
I The CONDITION
Trans: It is vital we clarify what meekness is b/c some people equate meekness w/ weakness, but that couldn’t be further from Jesus’ mind. In fact, if you were to tell someone they were meek, I’m not sure they’d receive your words as a compliment.
Note: I say this b/c if you were to look at a thesaurus it wouldn’t help matters as the typical synonyms for meekness include – docile, mild, tame, soft, passive and spineless. It’s no wonder we don’t want to be called meek. But when Jesus employed the term, He was speaking of something completely different. And since this characteristic is part of Jesus’ definition of a disciple, I think that it is in our best interest that we understand what Jesus meant when He said, “Blessed are the meek…”
A The MEANING of Meekness
Word: meek (praeis) was used (4) in completely different capacities in the N.T. that together help to demonstrate a godly attitude.
Note: In the Greek culture, meekness was considered a virtue that was balanced b/w too much and too little anger. The meek man was neither timid nor given to fits of rage.
Greek physicians used the word to describe a soothing medicine. If too little was given, it wouldn’t work; but if too much was prescribed, it could hurt instead of heal. Yet if the proper amount was offered, then it could work wonders.
Meek was also used to describe a gentle breeze blowing in from the ocean. Wind can rage and do great damage or when it blows gently, it brings soothing comfort.
The most common use of Meekness describes a wild stallion that had been tamed. The broken horse was powerful, but his power was under the control of a bridle.
Note: The common thread in these images is that meekness represents different forms of power that can be used for good. Meekness is power harnessed for good.
Trans: Yet when you put this statement into the context of Jesus setting, it’s a certainty that the people present scratched their heads. They likely thought, “Didn’t Jesus just mention that the kingdom of heaven was near?” (See Mt. 4:17) If the kingdom is coming, then don’t we need to get ready to rumble w/ the Romans?
Text: Let’s not forget, the story of Jesus falls w/in the framework of a nation in bondage to Rome. While the Jews believed Messiah was coming, most thought He was coming to deliver them from their physical oppressor and not their spiritual condition.
Insert: The kingdom the Pharisees wanted was miraculous, the Sadducees idea was materialistic, the Essenes wanted a monastic kingdom, while the Zealots were looking for a military kingdom. Thankfully, Jesus offered a meek kingdom.
Note: All of these groups eagerly anticipated that the Messiah would deal gently w/ them and harshly w/ their oppressors. Thus, when Jesus came on the scene they got excited b/c they believed the Messiah had come and that He would commend them for their goodness and would, at last, give the Jewish people their rightful place in the world — a position above all other people, b/c they were God’s chosen people.
Note: But God’s plan was not focused on the temporary but on the eternal. Thus, when Jesus started talking the way He did in the Sermon on the Mount, you can imagine their reaction? They hated Him b/c He disappointed them and didn’t fulfill their expectations. Then to introduce meekness in a time of oppression was tantamount to heresy – it was the last thing on their minds.
Trans: Our society isn’t far removed from the one in Jesus’ day. We too focus on the temporary at the expense of the eternal and shake our fist at Jesus b/c He isn’t serving our expectations or desires. But He is God – and your not! Remember – the biggest difference b/w you and God is that God doesn’t think that He is you.
B The MANDATE of Meekness
1 A DISPOSITION under Submission
Trans: If meekness is power under control, then first area it must address is one’s character.
Verse: Losing self-control leaves you as helpless as a city w/out a wall. Pr. 25:28
Note: A man who possesses meekness is in control of his faculties and his life is fortified by his disposition, b/c he is under the control of the Spirit of God.
Verse: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control. Gal. 5:22-23
Note: This verse expresses a central truth – meekness is not a natural ability, but a divine attribute invested by God into the life of every believer. We are the wild stallion being tamed and broken by the H.S., and the more we submit to God’s bridle the less He has to use His spurs to tame us. A person w/ meekness is one who responds to the initiative of Christ in them and then moves into the world trusting God.
Story: Two wives were washing clothes at a laundry mat. Both were mending their husband’s pants. As they were sowing, the one lady said, "My husband is so discouraged and cold. Nothing seems to go right for him. Every one at work picks on him and he’s not appreciated by anyone. We cry a lot b/c our home is so sad, even our kids are brats. What’s worse, when we go to church the music is dead, and the pastor is an idiot!” The other lady said, "My husband is so excited. He can’t wait to go to church. He loves the sermons. We go visit people all the time. And we laugh in our home. We can’t wait to see what God is going to do next." It got very quiet in the laundry mat as the women continued sewing on their husbands pants. Seems one was patching the seat of the pants and the other was mending the knees.
Note: Meekness requires a right disposition and a right disposition requires trust in God. And trust in God begins on your knees.
2 A RELATIONSHIP held in Check
Verse: As a prisoner for the Lord, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be humble and meek; patient, bearing w/ one another in love. Eph 4:1-2
Verse: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature w/ its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step w/ the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. Gal. 5:22-26
Note: Meekness isn’t only a trait we share w/ God it is also a quality we share w/ others. Meekness is the fruit of the Spirit that helps us to see others from God’s perspective.
Trans: Meekness is a true view of oneself, expressing itself in attitude and conduct w/ respect to others. Jones
Note: Meekness causes us to act in the best interest of others for their well-being – the meek stand in the gap to love others w/ a balance of humility and compassion.
Verse: Brothers, if any person is overtaken in sin, you who are spiritual should set him right and restore and reinstate him, w/out any sense of superiority and w/ all meekness, keeping an attentive eye on yourself, lest you be tempted also. Gal. 6:1
Note: God says that when we see a person caught in sin – in meekness we are to gently confront them. Not unto condemnation but towards restoration. He says, “Be fair and just, but also be careful and compassionate b/c their broken lives are fragile.”
Note: When Jesus dealt w/ the woman caught in adultery, He lovingly confronted her, identified her sin, and w/ compassion restored her by grace. That’s how we’re to confront others. We never condone sin, but neither do we condemn the sinner. We confront in love, identify the act, point them to Jesus, and say, “go and sin no more.”
II The RESPONSE
A MIMIC the Master
Trans: Jesus gave Himself a number of titles, but when it came to describing His character He used specific words to describe His virtue – one of them being meekness.
Verse: Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Mt. 11:28-30
Note: When an ox accepts a yoke, it models meekness. It is still very powerful, but its power is under the control of another. Jesus is saying, “I want you to hook up w/ me so that we can walk side-by-side. We will work together and walk through the trials of life as one. As you yield to my yoke, you’ll learn from me and discover that I am meek, and you will gradually become meek too.
B WELCOME the Word
Note: If you want to be meek, then you cultivate a submission to God’s Word. The Bible is the bit and bridle that controls our wild spirits.
Verse: Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive w/ meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. Jm. 1:21
Word: Receive – There are (2) Greek words translated “receive.” The first has the idea of grasping and reaching out – and it is what many of us do w/ the Bible. We study the facts and put them in our heads but never welcome them into our lives. The other word means to “welcome w/ humility” and has the idea not of taking, but welcoming. To welcome the word means to receive it and apply it to your life regardless of what it says? If God said it, we yield to it in meekness and practice it.
C SUBMIT to the Spirit
Note: I’ve already mentioned the fruit of the Spirit Gal. 5:21-22. But to produce spiritual fruit, a life must be submitted to the leading of the H.S. The Spirit’s fruit isn’t some thing we do; it’s what we display as supernatural byproduct of a surrendered life.
Verse: So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature… Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step w/ the Spirit. Gal. 5:18, 25
Note: The key isn’t to work harder, but to worship more fully; it’s not to try more, but to trust more. It’s not to walk by sight but to walk by faith.
Quote: Meekness is not merely the absence of pride and arrogance so much as it is the fullness of the presence of God, where pride and arrogance cannot abide. unknown
D PUT UP w/ God’s People
Insert: The porcupine is a member of the rodent family that has around 30,000 quills attached to his body. Each quill can be driven into an enemy, and the enemy’s body heat will cause the microscopic barb to expand and become more firmly embedded. The wounds can fester; the more dangerous ones, affecting vital organs, can be fatal. As a general rule, porcupines have (2) methods for handling relationships: w/drawal or attack. They either head for a tree or stick out their quills. But porcupines don’t want to be alone and love turns out to be a risky business when you’re a porcupine. This is the Porcupine’s Dilemma: How do you get close w/out getting hurt? This is our dilemma too. Every one of us carries our own little arsenal of quills. Our barbs have names like rejection, condemnation, resentment, arrogance, selfishness, envy, contempt. Some people hide them better than others, but get close enough and you will find out they’re there. They burrow under the skin of our enemies; they wound and fester and even kill. We, too, learn to survive through a combination of w/drawal or attack. We, too, find ourselves hurting (and being hurt by) those we long to be closest to. Yet we, too, want to get close. We meet neighbors, go on dates, join churches, form friendships, get married, and have children. We try to figure out how to get close w/out getting hurt. We wonder if there isn’t a softer, less-barbed creature out there — a mink or an otter, perhaps. And of course, we can usually think of a number of particularly prickly porcupines in our lives. But the problem isn’t just them. I’m somebody’s porcupine too and so are you. Ortberg
Note: While it’s true that it’s easier to get close to someone when they have no quills, the reality is that we all have the capacity to attack. In Scripture, meekness is often contrasted w/ words like harsh, violent, unrelenting, strict, and severe, but a meek person seeks to give grace to others, and puts up w/ imperfect people.
Insert: I need to make a point. No one is perfect, except God. Your spouse will disappoint you; your kids will fail you; your friends will let you down; your church will drop the ball; and your pastors won’t meet all your expectations. And the reality is that a time will come when you will have a legitimate gripe. You will be right and they’ll be wrong. It’s at this time that you’ll be at the crossroads of meekness. The question is, which path will you take? Will you launch some quills or grant grace and peace?
Trans: Before deciding, remind yourself how gentle Jesus is toward you. You can choose to live your life disappointed and angry w/ everyone around you, or you can be armed w/ the virtue of meekness and enter into the blessing of authentic community.
Verse: Be completely humble and meek; be patient, bearing w/ one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Eph. 4:2-3
E MOBILIZE for Mission
Note: When unbelievers see us living lives of meekness, they wonder what’s going on. Yet some of us are pretty harsh w/ those who don’t know Jesus, so God has placed a challenge before us to be ready to let people know about our hope but w/ meekness.
Verse: But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this w/ gentleness (meekness) and respect… 1 Pt. 3:15
Quote: A non-Christian once wrote: Do you know, do you understand, That you represent Jesus to me? Do you know, do you understand that when you treat me w/ gentleness that it raises the question in my mind That maybe He is gentle too?
III The PROMISE
Word: Blessed (markarios) An inward contentedness unaffected by surrounding conditions whereby we’ll be approved by God and receive the applause of heaven. In particular, to those who are meek, God promises to give them the earth.
Word: Inherit (kleronomeo) to possess
Note: This Beatitude contains a surprising promise. The meek shall “inherit the earth.” It’s those that have their spirits bridled by Christ who will land the land.
Story: I heard of a man who was sitting on a curb crying. When he was asked what was wrong, he said, “I just found out that Rockefeller, the richest man in the world has died.” The person then asked, “Why are you crying? You’re not a relative of his, are you?” To which the man replied, “No! That’s why I’m crying!”
Note: If you know Christ, then you’re an heir of everything God has. And Jesus promised us (2) things – there will be an inheritance for the meek in the sweet by and by tomorrow and in the nasty now and now today.
CONCLUSION
Trans: Meekness – it doesn’t mean weakness, it means a life that is under the control of God and manifests itself in a life of balance, humility, and compassion.
Story: Corrie ten Boom was once asked if it was difficult for her to be humble. She replied, "When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday on the back of a donkey, and everyone was waving palm branches and throwing garments on the road, and singing praises, do you think for one moment it ever entered into the head of that donkey that any of that was for him?" "If I can be the donkey on which Jesus rides in His glory, then I give him all the praise and honor due Him."
