Categories: English ServiceSermon On The Mount

MEEKNESS IS NOT WEAKNESS

TEXT: MATHEW 5:5

INTRODUCTION

The beatitudes are Kingdom attitudes, characteristics and principles that every child of God ought to pursue. The kingdom attitudes don’t come naturally, but they are produced by grace alone as a believer allows the Holy Spirit to live and work in his /her life.

Today let us look at “ Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (5:5). In Matt.5:1, Jesus begins to set forth what a citizen of the kingdom of heaven is to look like.

The people came with the expectation that Jesus Christ is the Messiah, But they have also come with their own expectations of what the Messiah will do and what His kingdom will look like. Expectations are as strong as hopes. Failed expectations break relationships. We all have expectations of each other. The kingdom that Jesus is proclaiming is not at all like what the people were anticipating. They expected a military leader to overthrow the Romans, the Messiah instead told them “Blessed are the Meek” . Jesus did not live to His people’s expectations, so they crucified Him. The beatitudes are still counter-cultural and separate us from the world in which we live.

Let us Learn:-

I. FIRST, WHAT IS MEEKNESS?

The biblical and dictionary definition of meekness differ greatly.
The dictionary defines meekness as “Deficient in courage”
The Biblical definition of meekness (Praus-Greek) is not passive submission, not cowardice, not indecisiveness or shyness but it means a soothing, gentle breeze and self-controlled.
Meekness means disciplined (Prov.15:1)
It brings the idea of being submissive to a superior authority.
Meekness is, therefore, gentleness, humble not proud, controlled not undisciplined, gentle not easily provoked, forgiving not revengeful

II. SECOND, WHAT DOES MEEKNESS LOOK LIKE?

Abraham was meek.(Gen.13:5-9). In the strife between Lot’s and Abraham’s herdsmen, Abraham chose meekness.
Joseph was meek. The way he dealt with his brothers in Egypt-He overlooked the sins of his brothers (Gen.45)
Moses was meek. The meekest man who ever lived (Numbers 12:3). He let God defend him (Numbers12:4-10).*Moses submitted himself to God and was vindicated.
JESUS CHRIST was meek. He was the strongest and most powerful man who ever lived, yet He said “Father forgive them “ (Luke 23:34)

III. THIRD, HOW IS MEEKNESS ACQUIRED?

Meekness is not acquired naturally but supernaturally.
Meekness is not self-effort but control of the Holy Spirit.
Meekness is self-control which is shown by a gentle spirit based on an unshakable confidence in God.
When you submit to God, God takes over and fights and works on your behalf.

IV. FOURTH, WHAT IS THE TEST OF MEEKNESS?

*Meekness is measured by attitude.

Attitude towards the circumstances of our lives (Psa. 37:1,11,22,34)

By faith cast your burdens on the Lord, trusting that he cares for you.(I Peter 5:17)

Attitude towards a brother who sins.

How do we treat a fellow believer who sins? (Gal.6:1)

Attitude towards those people who disagree with us. (2 Tim 2:24-25)

V. FIFTH, WHAT IS PROMISED TO THE MEEK?

Each of the Beatitudes has a promise attached. “They shall inherit the Earth”.
The Lord says “They shall inherit the Earth”.
How can this be ?. The wicked rule and the good people just die young.
A better day is coming, a day when Jesus Christ will Judge the wicked and the true children of God will be the only ones left on earth.
For now, though the meek are the only people contented.
Through Jesus Christ we already posses all things (II Cor. 6:10)
In the future, we shall inherit the earth. Inheritance is always future !! He now Invites us to Join His Meekness. (Matt.11:28-29)

CONCLUSION.