Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5

Transcription

1 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5 Inherit the Earth! The Bible begins and ends with humanity on the earth. The goal of God s redemption is a redeemed humanity living in a redeemed world in right relationship with Himself and each other. 1

2 Adam and Eve Genesis 1:26 31 Then God said, Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground. God blessed them and said to them, Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground. God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning the sixth day. Abraham and Israel The Land The LORD appeared to Abram and said, To your offspring I will give this land. Genesis 12:7 NIV11 So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey Exodus 3:8 NIV11 Messiah Ruling Over the Whole Earth I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the warhorses from Jerusalem, and the battle bow will be broken. He will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth. Zechariah 9:10 NIV11 2

3 Believers in Christ - Heirs of the World It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. Romans 4:13 15 NIV11 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs of God and coheirs with Christ. Romans 8:17 NIV11 Our Resurrection and Creation s Renewal For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. Romans 8:19 23 NIV11 Looking to a New Heaven and Earth Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. Revelation 21:1 7 NIV11 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. 2 Peter 3:13 NIV11-GK 3

4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. Revelation 21:4 Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. Revelation 21:7 Who are The Meek? Weak Cowardly Passive Gullible 1. The Word - Meek / πραεῖς Closely Related to Gentleness and Humility Contrasted with the Angry, Violent and Powerful Connected with the Suffering of God s People Afflicted (Ps 34:2; 76:9) Oppressed (Isa 26:6) The Faithful Remnant of Israel Left in Land (Zeph 3:12) 4

5 2. Psalm 37 Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. Psalm 37 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret it leads only to evil. For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land. A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity. Psalms 37:1 11 NIV11-GK 2. Psalm 37 - Summary - Those who trust in God s promises, patiently waiting for his reward and vindication. - Those who refuse to compromise by doing what is wrong (plotting, violence, oppressing others) for the sake of wealth and power (cf. vv ) - Even though it may mean their present disadvantage. 5

6 Jesus Jesus Had All Power and Authority Power to Heal, Cast Out Demons, Raise the Dead, Call Legions of Angels, Cleanse the Temple Jesus Jesus Had All Power and Authority And He Was Meek Jesus Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle ( meek ) and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:29 NIV11 Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them. Mark 10:14 16 NIV11 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. Isaiah 53:7 NIV11 6

7 1. Those who trust in God s promised inheritance even though they may suffer for it. The future inheritance is ours through faith in Christ. 2. Those who refuse to compromise by doing wrong to others (plotting, violence, oppressing others) in order to gain their own advantage, wealth and power. 3. Those who constrain their power for the good of others Meakness is not Weakness but Power Constrained for the Good of Others - Gentleness Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 1. This is Great News! 2. The Challenge and Call Trust God By Following Jesus in the Way of Meekness. 7

8 Challenge #1 Aggression Seems to Work So Well For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity. Psalm 37:9 11 The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright. But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken. Psalms 37:14 15 Challenge #1 Aggression Seems to Work So Well But not in the End! I had almost slipped I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny. Psalms 73:2-3, 17 NIV11 The Ruthless May Occupy the World For a Time, But Only the Meek Will Inherit It Forever. Challenge #2 Aggression Can Feel So Good Vindication and Retaliation Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun Hope in the LORD and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are destroyed, you will see it. Psalm 37:5-6, 34 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God s wrath, for it is written: It is mine to avenge; I will repay, says the Lord. Romans 12:17 19 NIV11-GK 8

9 Challenge #2 Aggression Can Feel So Good Vindication and Retaliation The vindication you may deserve and the retaliation that others may deserve are in God s Hands. He says so! He Will Carry Out Both with Perfect, All-Knowing Justice Only Those Who Trust God for Their Vindication And Retaliation (Justice) Can Live in Meekness. Meekness on the Highway Meekness in the Home 9

10 Meekness at Work Psalm 37 Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. Psalm 37 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret it leads only to evil. For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land. A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity. Psalms 37:1 11 NIV11-GK 10

11 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5 11