Seeing the crowds, He went up on a mountain, and when He sat down, His disciples came to Him. And He opened His mouth and taught them, saying: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:1-3 (ESV)
Kingdom Life Principles: the reign of God Meekness Mourning Brokenness & Dependency
Blessed Are The Meek
Seeing the crowds, He went up on a mountain, and when He sat down, His disciples came to Him. And He opened His mouth and taught them, saying: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Matthew 5:1-4 (ESV)
Meekness Defined: Webster s dictionary defines meekness as: Deficient in courage; too mild, lacking spirit. Praus which means gentle, mild, tender. A soothing medicine, a gentle breeze. Power under control.
Truths about Meekness: Meekness is the result of brokenness 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, But He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Truths about Meekness: Mark 3:1-5, Again He entered the synagogue, and a man was there with a withered hand. And they watched Jesus, to see whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse him. And He said to the man with the withered hand, Come here. And He said to them, Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill? But they were silent. And He looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, Stretch out your hand. He stretched it out, and his hand was restored. Brokenness that creates meekness does not produce spinelessness.
Truths about Meekness: Brokenness that creates meekness does not produce spinelessness. Matthew 21:12-13, And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and He overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. He said to them, It is written (Isaiah 56:7), My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you make it a den of robbers.
Truths about Meekness: Meekness is tough minded faith. 1 Peter 2:21-23, For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in His steps. He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when He was insulted, nor threaten revenge when He suffered. He left His case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. Ephesians 4:15, Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up...
Truths about Meekness: Meekness is teachable. James 1:21, Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. Proverbs 9:9, Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
Truths about Meekness: The meek will receive God s blessings & peace. Matthew 5:4, Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Psalm 37:1-11, Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers! For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb. Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself 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 act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land. In just a little while, the wicked will be no more; though you look carefully at his place, he will not be there. But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace.