Meek Not Weak

Matthew 5:1–5 NASB95

1 When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. 2 He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying, 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 “Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.

Matthew 5:1–2 NASB95

1 When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. 2 He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying,

V1-2) Jesus was aware of the moment, the time to speak had come and he stepped up.

It is here that Jesus lays out what a follower of his is to look like.

Think of this as a call to action, where he lays out a counter-culture.

Our youth and young adults yearn for something authentic, it is the job of the church to be real and reflect these beatitudes Jesus is fixing to lay out.

Matthew 5:3 NASB95

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

V3) Blessed means to have joy, this is much deeper than surface level joy, it is one that belongs only to the faithful.

Poor in Spirit: humble, not arrogant, or self-reliant.

They are blessed bc they recognized their need for Jesus and now have salvation.

Matthew 5:4 NASB95

4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

V4)

MacArthur Study Bible NASB (Commentary) those who mourn. This speaks of mourning over sin, the godly sorrow that produces repentance leading to salvation without regret (2 Corinthians 7:10 “ The “comfort” is the comfort of forgiveness and salvation

2 Corinthians 7:10 NASB95

10 For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.

It also means mourning over the things that grieves God

When one mourns over what greaves God it leads them to seek after those who are enslaved and help them find freedom.

Matthew 5:5 NASB95

5 “Blessed are the gentle (meek, humble), for they shall inherit the earth.

V5) Meek ≠ Weak

It is not weakness, but supreme self-control empowered by the Spirit

Tell about the bucking Belgian horse, the bit gave control.

Take Home: Do we mourn what God does? What are we going to do about it?