Meek not Weak

Beatitudes: Meek

Math “Dad” Jokes

Why was the fraction apprehensive about marrying the decimal? Because he would have to convert.

Why can you never trust a math teacher holding graphing paper? He must be plotting something.

Why was the math book depressed? It had a lot of problems.

Why was the equal sign so humble? Because she knew she wasn’t greater than or less than anyone else.

If I were to hand you a blank slate and you could design the perfect citizen in a kingdom of your design.

Intellegent

Loyal

Strong

Patriotic

Refrained from telling dad jokes

We’ve been describing the type of behaviors and attitudes consistent with a person who is a citizen on the kingdom of heaven.

There’s a theme that runs through these, and it sounds a lot different than the world we often find ourselves in.

Poor in Spirit - Recognizing your need for God

Mourning - Things that Break God’s heart, also break yours.

Today is:

Matthew 5:5 ““Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”

One of the themes that runs through the first three beatitudes is the follower of Jesus does not aggressively insist on their own rights, but displays genunie humility.

There are many Scriptures that encourage us to lay down our right to be right...

Ephesians 4:2 “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,”

Phil. 2:3 “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”

James 4:10 “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.”

Prov 29:23 “One’s pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.”

Romans 12:16 “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.”

Mark 9:35 “And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.””

One of my favoriate quotes I’ve shared several times on humility is from C.S. Lewis

“Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking about yourself less.”

This one can feel unatural to us for several reasons. - When we are inwardly focused

When our rights feel violated we often have the immediate reaction of defending ourselves.. or our honor.

Sometimes retreat and fake peace… when I was a teenager the word most commonly used to avoid conflict. “Whatever.”

To be meek or gentle is not about hating yourself…

To be meek is not being a doormat for others either.

Being meek is not being weak… In fact, meekness is consistent with strength.

To be meek is to have “Strength under control, for the benefit of others”

in fact, a common word associated with the Christian idea of being meek is love.

Love is an attribute of God. - Meaning, God himself is the ultimate expression of what love is.

Consider the meekness of God towards us:

John 3:16 ““For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

Romans 5:8 “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Phil 2:7 “but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.”

In the new kingdom, followers of Jesus Christ will not insisnt on their own way, but instead have these first three ideas woven together in their inner being as a default setting for live.

To be dependent upon God in his strength, moved by the brokenness of sin in our world to exercise their strength in submission to Christ for the benefit of others.

What does that look like in our lives?

Sitting with someone who is suffering, offering support in their difficult time

Advocating for someone whose voice has been marginalized

Listening to your brother and sister in Christ when they have a concern or a rebuke

Being self aware of your own flaws and faults and subbmitting them to Jesus so they don’t get in the way of his mission

Personal Stories

My story on the plane when the flight attendtend had an angry passenger

My story with Logan?

My story with Tim?

My story recently with my employee

I have at times demanded my own way… I’m not perfect!!

Consider the standard that God places upon those who would be leaders and elders in the church.

1 Peter 5:1-8 “So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

“If it’s not focused on others it’s broken.”

We avoid advancing our own agenda and we advance the agenda of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God.

Matthew 27:27-31 “Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters, and they gathered the whole battalion before him. And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they spit on him and took the reed and struck him on the head. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him and led him away to crucify him.”

Advancing your own agenda will exhaust you and ultimately leave you burned out.

Matthew 11:28-29 “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

1 Peter 3:4 “but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.”

Here’s the deal… being meek… being gentle.... will place you in a position where you will suffer.

When you choose to not assert “the self” but instead God’s kingdom… there will be trouble. You may suffer for the truth.

1 Peter 3:14-15 “But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,”

“There’s a tremoundous ammount of freedom becoming a person who cannot be offended.”

When my agenda doesn’t matter, when my way isn’t “highest,” when people attack…. I can have peace knowing that God’s agenda is in God’s control..

What do the meek inheret friends?

Ps 37. 10-11 “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.”

We have a glorious future waiting for us in Heaven...

Everything will fail in comparrision to the future eternity we will spend with Christ.

“What was once a pearl is now sand that blows away in light of him.”