The Meek will Inherit the Earth
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Offertory Prayer:
Offertory Prayer:
SUNDAY MORNING, JANUARY 19 Title: Meekness—The Way to Happiness Text: “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth” (). Scripture Reading: Hymns: “Reach Out and Touch,” Brown “Rescue the Perishing,” Crosby “Am I a Soldier of the Cross?” Watts
Offertory Prayer:
We come to you, our heavenly Father, knowing that apart from you all is vanity, that all other cisterns are broken and empty and that in you alone is the water of life. From the anxiety of our petty problems, we seek refuge in your presence this hour. We bring to you ourselves and our gifts. Accept and use both, we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Introduction
Introduction
Can you truly be meek and happy at the same time? Can you picture a meek person who is also a happy person? You probably find it rather challenging.
Our misunderstanding of meekness creates this difficulty.
In a world that thinks only an aggressive and ambitious person can get ahead in life, it is hard to believe that those who are meek will inherit anything, much less the earth! Yet Jesus upheld meekness as the way to happiness.
5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
). If anyone knows human nature and what it takes to make a person happy, Jesus Christ is that person. He did not imply that being fearful or weak brings happiness. Instead, Jesus referred to attitude or outlook. The meekness he described requires us to be strong people who are grounded in Christ. It demands us to have a personal relationship with God. This kind of meekness inevitably brings happiness. Meekness is the way to happiness for several reasons.
If anyone knows human nature and what it takes to make a person happy, Jesus Christ is that person.
Let us not mistake meekness or something else. Meekness is not weakness and it is not fearfulness, its also not timidity or shyness.
The meekness he described requires us to be strong people who are grounded in Christ. It demands us to have a personal relationship with God. This kind of meekness inevitably brings happiness. Meekness is the way to happiness for several reasons.
Meekness maintains an even temperament.
Meekness maintains an even temperament.
Meekness cannot floiursh while anger is allowed to stomp around.
Impatience and a sign of werakness, while patience is a sign of meekness and strength.
A meek person is a person who is in change of their own selfes and are not manipulated or easily provoked by others.
53 And as he said these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to urge him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things:
But Jesus, being meek, gave them no oppertinity.
But how can we develop this even temperament?
Through the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives.
Meekness develops self-control.
Meekness develops self-control.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Meekness develops self-control.
Meekness develops self-control.
Once again: Meekness is NOT weakness.
Therefore the beatitude could be translated, “Blessed are they who are entirely self-controlled.” Weakness is giving in to the worst that is in you. Meekness is mastery over it. To be meek does not mean that you are cowardly, but it does mean that you are strong enough not to retaliate when wrongly treated. Having their rights, those who are meek do not insist on them. Possessing great ability, those who are meek do not flaunt it. They would rather forgive than accuse. Such self-control results in peace with oneself. Those who cannot control their anger, greed, lust, tongue, or ambition will never be at peace within. They will constantly be at war with themselves. III.
Weakness is giving in to the worst that is in you. Meekness is mastery over it.
To be meek does not mean that you are cowardly, but it does mean that you are strong enough not to retaliate when wrongly treated.
Jesus said:
38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.
28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
31 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:
32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.
33 Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:
34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne:
35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.
36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.
37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.
This is meekness in action.
Having their rights, those who are meek do not insist on them.
Having their rights, those who are meek do not insist on them. Possessing great ability, those who are meek do not flaunt it. They would rather forgive than accuse. Such self-control results in peace with oneself. Those who cannot control their anger, greed, lust, tongue, or ambition will never be at peace within. They will constantly be at war with themselves. III.
Possessing great ability to retailiate and do harm, but choose forgivess over eveness.
The great challane to meekness is our prid - we cant be meek and let it fgo because we dont want them to think they “won”.
But the true “winner” is the one who trusts that the Lord will judge.
22 For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us.
Meekness expresses itself through gentleness.
Meekness expresses itself through gentleness.
, those who are meek do not flaunt it. They would rather forgive than accuse. Such self-control results in peace with oneself. Those who cannot control their anger, greed, lust, tongue, or ambition will never be at peace within. They will constantly be at war with themselves. III.
Meekness expresses itself through gentleness.
Meekness expresses itself through gentleness.
A third meaning of the Greek word for meekness tells us something else about this quality of a happy life. Meekness may be translated “kindness” or “gentleness.”
The concept of a man being a gentleman was born in the Christian faith.
He is a man who is gentle, courteous, and considerate. Meekness and gentleness are characteristics of a strong, not weak, person.
A. Gentleness is considerate of others.
A. Gentleness is considerate of others.
1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted” ( NIV). A gentle person is considerate of others even when they have done wrong.
A gentle person is considerate of others even when they have done wrong.
A gentle and meek person never uses someelse weakness or stumbeling as a wepon against them. They take time to listen and understand.
“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted” ( NIV). A gentle person is considerate of others even when they have done wrong.
B. Gentleness admits faults to others.
B. Gentleness admits faults to others.
16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
James advised, “Confess your faults one to another” (). Proud, arrogant, or insecure people can never bring themselves to do this. However, meek, gentle, and secure individuals have courage to admit their mistakes to others. Benjamin Franklin asserted, “None but the well-bred man knows how to confess a fault or acknowledge himself in error.” Humble people bravely admit their shortcomings, which leads to happiness for all involved.
Proud, arrogant, or insecure people can never bring themselves to do this.
They may say that they are weak or have done wrong - but they walways quickly add “who hasent”! as an escape.
James advised, “Confess your faults one to another” (). Proud, arrogant, or insecure people can never bring themselves to do this. However, meek, gentle, and secure individuals have courage to admit their mistakes to others. Benjamin Franklin asserted, “None but the well-bred man knows how to confess a fault or acknowledge himself in error.” Humble people bravely admit their shortcomings, which leads to happiness for all involved.
However, meek, gentle, and secure individuals have courage to admit their mistakes to others. Benjamin Franklin asserted, “None but the well-bred man knows how to confess a fault or acknowledge himself in error.”
C. Gentleness encourages others.
C. Gentleness encourages others.
2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
As long as you maximize others’ faults while minimizing your own, you can never be happy.
Paul encouraged us “to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone” ( NIV). As long as you maximize others’ faults while minimizing your own, you can never be happy.
Paul encouraged us “to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone” ( NIV). As long as you maximize others’ faults while minimizing your own, you can never be happy.
D. Gentleness learns from others.
D. Gentleness learns from others.
Gentle people are apt to learn. They accept criticism and are always eager to listen both to God and others; as a result, they learn much. Those who demonstrate meekness are happy.
Meekness is assured of victory.
Meekness is assured of victory.
Jesus said of those who are meek, “They shall inherit the earth” ().
This truth is affirmed many times throughout the Bible.
Listen to these four passages from Psalms.
9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.
10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.
11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
: “Those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. But the meek shall inherit the earth.” : “The meek shall eat and be satisfied.” : “The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.” : “The LORD lifteth up the meek.” It is significant that Jesus said the meek shall “inherit,” not “capture,” the earth. An inheritor is a receiver, not an aggressor. God in his providence has structured the world so that the meek are certain to inherit it.
26 The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.
: “The meek shall eat and be satisfied.” : “The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.” : “The LORD lifteth up the meek.” It is significant that Jesus said the meek shall “inherit,” not “capture,” the earth. An inheritor is a receiver, not an aggressor. God in his providence has structured the world so that the meek are certain to inherit it.
9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.
: “The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.” : “The LORD lifteth up the meek.” It is significant that Jesus said the meek shall “inherit,” not “capture,” the earth. An inheritor is a receiver, not an aggressor. God in his providence has structured the world so that the meek are certain to inherit it.
6 The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground.
: “The LORD lifteth up the meek.” It is significant that Jesus said the meek shall “inherit,” not “capture,” the earth. An inheritor is a receiver, not an aggressor. God in his providence has structured the world so that the meek are certain to inherit it.
It is significant that Jesus said the meek shall “inherit,” not “capture,” the earth. An inheritor is a receiver, not an aggressor.
God in his providence has structured the world so that the meek are certain to inherit it.
Conclusion
Conclusion
“Meekness is so hard to develop,” you say. You are right. I cannot tell myself to be meek and thus become meek. God never intended for us to be able to make ourselves meek. That is not our nature. But what we cannot do for ourselves God does for us—first through salvation and then continuing his work through the daily infilling of the Holy Spirit. Have you been born again? Have you allowed the Holy Spirit to fill you? When you do, the wonderful quality of meekness will be yours, and you will enter the way to happiness!