SF450 - MISSION CONTROL (Matthew 5 1-10)
SF450
MISSION CONTROL
Matthew 5:1-10
INTRODUCTION
Series Background
“The Attitudes that Ought to Be”
Crete is named “makarios” = blessed - all they need to maintain life
Blessed = having everything you need to have real life
Guiding principles
Ø All Christians are to be like this.
Ø All Christians are to have all of these characteristics.
Ø These are supernatural in origin.
Ø These show the difference between Christians and non-Christians.
Ø Jesus is more interested in who I am than what I have.
Ø Character = What God and your wife know about you.
Jesus is more concerned about who you are than what you have.
If you seek happiness and you will never find it - seek God and blessedness will find you.
The World’s View
Ø Blessed are the mighty men
Ø Blessed are the muscle men
Ø Blessed are the mental men
Ø Blessed are the money men
Jesus’ View
Ø Blessed are the Meek
1A. THE DEFINITION OF MEEKNESS
1B. What it is not
Weakness
Ø Go a week trying to be meek
Matthew 11 “I am gentle and humble in heart,”
Gentle = meek
Ø Do you think Jesus was weak?
Fast 40 days
Drive out the money changers
Ø Moses was meek
Great general
Violence and vengeance
Ø The meek person does not defend himself
Ø He trusts God to defend him
Cowardice
1 Peter 2:21 (NAU) For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, 22 WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH; 23 and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly."
2B. What it is...
Meek = yielded, strength under control
Ø Power completely surrendered to God’s control.
A complainant spirit.
Ø A wild stallion being broken to ride. It now yields to the rider.
Ø Words that calmed strong emotions were “meek” words
Ø Ointment that drew fever and pain out of a wound was “meek” medication.
They Come In Order...
Ø “Poor in Spirit” = Our Condition
Ø “They that Mourn” = Our Contrition
These focus on our sinfulness
Ø “Are the Meek” = Our Control - a new master.
This focuses on God’s holiness
Just like the horse we are not weakened we are controlled by a greater master.
How To Tame A Horse
Ø Let Him Run Wild - Liberalism
Ø Self - release
Ø Hobble The Horse - Legalism
Ø Self - restraint
Ø Curb, destroy your desires. If you have no desires you will do no wrong.
Ø Tame Him - Christianity
Romans 6:19 (NAU) I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification.
Turn the Reins Over To Jesus
There are sins we cannot handle we must turn the reins over to Jesus. Wild horses pulling a wagon you would give the reins to the master.
2A. HOW TO DEVELOP MEEKNESS
Remember the sequence
Ø See your condition
Ø Experience contrition - broken
Ø Yield your life to Jesus
1B. You Must Be Submissive To The Son Of God
Matthew 11:28-30
Ø An oxen that has the yoke is meeked.
Ø Now it is you and Jesus
Ø One oxen is the lead oxen - Jesus
Ø For my yoke is easy = it fits right
Ø Christianity is not something you have to do it is something you get to do.
Proverbs 13:15 (NAU) Good understanding produces favor, But the way of the treacherous is hard.
Ø Easy = not lazy
Ø “learn of me” = You must decide to trust Jesus to be yoked with Him! It is your choice!
2B. You Must Be Responsive To The Word Of God
James 1:21 (NAU) Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.
Ø receive with meekness
Let the Word of God be your bridle and bit
Ø “accept” = two possible words: lambano - to grasp by self effort (not here); decomia - to welcome with humility!
Ø The Bible is not meant to be interesting it is meant to be disturbing.
Chinese Custom
You will be served whenever you enter a Chinese home. You are not to reach out with one hand but with two and bow. Reaching with one indicates grasping, two is receiving.
We need to let go of this world with both hand and reach out to Jesus, that is His Word.
The Word is our bridle and bit.
3B. You Must Be Filled With The Spirit Of God
Galatians 5:22 (NAU) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
This is the fruit of the Spirit
3A. THE DYNAMIC OF MEEKNESS
“inherit the earth”
Man Crying
Why are you crying. Rockefeller died. You are not his relative. I know that is why I am crying.
What Does It Mean?
Here and now
1 Corinthians 3:21-23
2 Corinthians 6:10
Ø No matter what you have if you do not have blessedness you cannot enjoy it.
Ø No matter what you do not have if you have blessedness you have it all.
Ø Satan roaring lion - I’ll take everything
Ø Satan angel of light - I’ll give you this and this.
In the world to come
Ø Lord’s prayer - “thy kingdom come..”
Ø One day He will literally and physically rule and reign this earth and we will join Him!
APPLICATION
Meekness is necessary because...
It is required for salvation
Psalm 149:4 (NAU) For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the afflicted ones with salvation.
It is commanded
Zephaniah 2:3 (NAU) Seek the LORD, All you humble of the earth Who have carried out His ordinances; Seek righteousness, seek humility. Perhaps you will be hidden In the day of the LORD'S anger.
We cannot witness without it
1 Peter 3:15 (NAU) but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;
It gives all the glory to God
You Must Kneel Down
A small cathedral outside Bethlehem marks the supposed birthplace of Jesus. Behind a high altar in the church is a cave, a little cavern lit by silver lamps.
You can enter the main edifice and admire the ancient church. You can also enter the quiet cave where a star embedded in the floor recognizes the birth of the King. There is one stipulation, however. You have to stoop. The door is so low you cannot go in standing up.
The same is true of Christ. You can see the world standing tall, but to witness the Savior, you have to get on your knees. (Max Lucado, The Applause of Heaven; p.73)