✎ A professional football team was preparing for the annual draft. As the coaches talked about possible picks the head coach was asked, “What kind of player are we looking for? Do we want the guy that gets knocked downs and gets back up, the guy that gets knocked down at gets up and gets knocked down again and stays down, or the guy that get’s knocked down and gets up every time?” The head coach responded, “We don’t want any of those guys; we want the guy that’s knocking everybody down.” Simple strategy; maybe the Browns should try that in the upcoming draft?
If we were to summarize the unwritten rule of American life from professional football to the elementary playground–from big business to the kids lemonade stand, what would it would be? Many would agree, “THE STRONG RULE THE WEAK.” Putting it another way the rule says, “LOOK OUT FOR NUMBER 1,” or my all time favorite, “THE ONE WITH THE MOST TOYS WINS.”
✎ We live in a day when people push to get their way, where people push for power; they use power lingo and power plays; and they wear power clothes. Did you know there are even power table manners. The queen of courtesy Maribel Stewart says, “manners can take you where your money can’t.” For $6,000 you can attend one of her seminars and learn to eat your way to the top. Here are a few examples of what Stewart calls power failures; things not to do if you are having a power lunch or dinner.
> Never tuck your napkin into your collar.
> Never leave a lipstick mark on the rim of a glass. (Especially if you’re a gentleman.)
> Never mash or stir your food.
> Never haggle over the bill.
> Never, ever hand your plate to the water.
> Never read the menu like a Bible. You aren’t there to eat, but to do business.
> Never stoop down to retrieve dropped silver.
In fact another rule for American life might say, “NEVER STOOP FOR ANYTHING.” Never bend over to pick up anything. Never place yourself below others. Never give up your rights. Never let somebody else win. The world says, “IF YOU WANT TO BE HAPPY, NEVER IN ANY WAY APPEAR TO BE WEAK.”
This morning we continue with a series of messages called, “The Beatitudes: Building Blocks to be like Jesus.” What are two things we should remember about the beatitudes? When you read these opening verses of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount what two things should we hear Him saying?
1. These are the “BE-ATTITUDES,” the building blocks, the attitudes, characteristics and qualities essential to being Christlike. Theses are not eight unrelated statements. Instead the beatitudes show us how we are to live our lives just like Jesus. You may remember I said God loves you just the way you are, but He doesn’t want to leave you that way. God wants you to be like Jesus. The beatitudes show us how to be like Him.
2. These are essential qualities of joy or what I have called PARADOXICAL STATEMENTS OF JOY. If you want to have real happiness not dependant upon your circumstances you need to put the beatitudes into practice in your life. Nine times Jesus repeats the statement “BLESSED.” You are most happy, most joyful when live your life like Jesus. Why? God responds with His grace and favor: the poor in spirit receive the kingdom of God; those who mourn are comforted. You are the recipient of joy the world cannot give–a joy the world cannot take away!
We come today to Jesus’ third paradoxical statement of joy.
As we turn our attention to the third beatitude, we’re going to answer 3 questions: What? So What? And Now What? (By the way anytime your listening to a sermon you ought to be able to answer those questions.)
+ Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. (NIV)
Some of us need to slow down and read that one again. Did Jesus say what I think He said? Blessed are the meek?
Let’s be honest. None of us like the idea of being meek; who wants to be a door mat for people to walk all over? Remember the American rules for life? Meekness flies in the face of the way we think we should live.
The dictionary defines meekness as “having or expressing feeling of humility.” If you are meek then you are humble, unassuming and unpretentious. Meekness is also defined as being “easily managed or handled.” It is to be gentle, mild, tame or docile. Anyone want to be like that?
Put plain and simple for many of us meekness means WEAKNESS. If we are weak then we are vulnerable. Blessed are the meek; how can that be? This is a paradox we don’t easily understand! How many of you have already figured out that our idea of meekness is not what Jesus had in mind? Jesus did not say, “Blessed are the weak.”
QUESTION #1: WHAT? What does it really mean to be meek? In order to understand meekness from a biblical perspective and not as Americans, we need to see how it is used in the Bible.
The word translated meek comes from the Greek word “praus.” This word is used only four times in the New Testament. Only in Matthew 5:5 is “praus” translated meek in the NIV; the other occurrences are translated gentle. This is just one example of how the English language has changed in the more than 350 years since the KJV was written. And by the way our language is continuing to develop and evolve.
Let’s look quickly at the other three uses of this word, so we can try to capture its meaning. In 1 Peter 3:4 women are instructed not to cultivate beauty through outward appearances–the latest hair styles, fine clothes or great makeup; instead real beauty comes from within, from a “gentle and quiet spirit.”
“Praus” is also used in Matthew 21:5 which quotes Zechariah 9:9. The Jews expected the Messiah to come to Jerusalem as the conquering hero; a mighty warrior setting them free from the Romans. Jesus had the power to come as a victorious king, and when He comes again, Jesus will defeat all His enemies; riding on a white horse with a banner which reads “King of kings and Lord of lord” (see Revelation 19). However, that was not how Jesus came into Jerusalem. At Jesus’ triumphant entry into the city on the first Palm Sunday, Matthew shows how Jesus fulfilled Zechariah’s prophecy coming as the king who was “gentle and riding on a donkey.”
In Matthew 11:29 Jesus again used the word “praus” when he said, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart” (NIV). Jesus describes Himself as meek. Jesus invites us to “find rest for our souls” as we are yoked, or joined together with Him learning by His example.
The Message Bible puts it like this. “Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you” (Matthew 11:29 MsgB). Meekness is described as “THE UNFORCED RHYTHMS OF GRACE.”
Put simply “the unforced rhythms of grace” means we align ourselves with God. We choose to let God set the course and direction for our lives. It’s the next step in the building blocks of the beatitudes.
BE-ATTITUDE #1: Poor in spirit–die to self through brokenness, humility and dependance upon God.
BE-ATTITUDE #2: Those who mourn–let your heart be broken over sin, personal sin, the sin of other believers, and the sin of society.
BE-ATTITUDE #3: The Meek–let God direct your life, make a total surrender and put God on the throne of your heart.
Meekness then is not the American idea of weakness, and it is more than just the idea of gentleness. MEEKNESS IS SUBMITTED STRENGTH; the meek yield self-will and control to God. We march to the beat of a different drummer; we are in tune with “the unforced rhythms of grace.”
✎ Think back to Peter’s beauty lesson. Ladies, you have the ability and power to become a knock out. If you follow the example of prime time TV or the latest magazines, you can put on a seductive appearance turning the heads of a lot of men. All you need to do is buy the right clothes, get a make over, and start batting your eyes. Peter says, be meek–put your natural seductive power under God’s control, have a submitted strength or power which produces an inner beauty no one can take away.
✎ Gentlemen, the same lesson can apply to us. We can choose to live like a jock; we can become the tough guy who won’t give in to anyone. We can inflate our egos and build up a facade of being the self made man, except there is only one problem. You will have to prove yourself everyday, and especially to those men who think they are stronger than you. Or you can surrender your strength to God and let Him give you an inner identity that cannot be beaten down by others.
Think of Jesus example entering Jerusalem. Jesus didn’t need to raise an army to defeat the Romans, or anyone else who would try to stand in His way. Jesus had the power to call the dead to life with His spoken word; certainly He could bring the living to their graves the same way. Jesus was meek; He submitted His strength to the will of the Father.
As Jesus was arrested and then falsely accuse of blasphemy, He continued to yield control to the Father. Jesus did not try to defend Himself. When He was beaten He did not resist; when He was nailed to the cross He did not call for an angelic rescue. When the crowd mocked and spit at Him Jesus did not retaliate. Jesus’ response was simple, “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34 NIV).
✎ What does submitted strength look like? I don’t know a lot a bout horses, but I do know this: A HORSE IS BIGGER AND STRONGER THAN I AM. A wild horse wants nothing to do with a rider; it’s aggressive and will resist any attempt to put a bridle and saddle on it. However, a trainer can work with a horse, so it will let a rope be put around its neck, then a blanket on its back. Before long a rider is sitting atop the horse in a saddle with the reigns in his hands. When a wild horse is “broken” it does not become weak and useless. The strength of the horse is under submission to the rider. I’ve watched as Pearl fearlessly takes the bridle puts it over a horse’s head and puts the bit in its mouth. If I were the horse I don’t think I would let her do that or put a saddle on my back and strap it snugly around my belly–I know what the horse doesn’t–I can take Pearl because I’m bigger and stronger than she is. The horse is meek, but it is not weak. The strength of the horse has been given to another.
MEEKNESS IS SUBMITTED STRENGTH. We give God the reigns of our life to direct our footsteps, and when necessary we even stop in our tracks when the Lord pulls back on the reigns.
QUESTION # 2: SO WHAT? What’s the big deal? What is the purpose of meekness in our lives? What should it accomplish in us?
+ Matthew 5:5 You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought. (MsgB)
Again we can see how meekness is submitted strength; we are “content with just who you are–no more no less.” Why?
That’s the blessing, the joy we receive from being like Jesus. When we are meek, “that’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.” “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”
Meekness–submitted strength–gives us a new perspective on life. No longer are we limited to seeing only the here and now. Meekness opens our eyes eternity.
Regardless of how I may be treated by other people, or what the circumstance of my life might be like today, I KNOW I HAVE RECEIVED AN INHERITANCE NO ONE CAN TAKE FROM ME. I’m a winner who cannot be defeated, and MY CONFIDENCE IS NOT IN ME BUT GOD WHO HAS GIVEN ME EVERYTHING I NEED.
Where do you place your confidence? What will you boast or brag about? Until you are meek like Jesus–until your strength is submitted to God your confidence is not in God. You’re still trusting your own strength and abilities.
+ 2 Corinthians 12:10 Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size— abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become. (MsgB)
The beatitudes are building blocks to be like Jesus– attitudes, qualities and characteristics which will bring joy into our lives. Some of us are still working on the foundation; we haven’t got the first blocks put in place yet. We’re not much like Jesus and we certainly don’t have much joy either. Why? Our strength hasn’t been submitted to God. We say we trust God, but our confidence is really still in self.
✎ Your checkbook is a spiritual barometer showing three things:
[1] your love for God,
[2] your obedience to God, and
[3] your confidence or trust in God.
If you struggle to tithe and give to the Lord, then your readings for love, obedience and confidence toward God are low, but the gauges for self are higher. Can I tell the truth on Sunday morning? If the church struggles to pay the bills or is only making it from month to month, it’s because you and I have not put God first in our lives.
This brings us to our final question–
QUESTION #3: NOW WHAT? What should my response be to God’s word in my life? What do I need to do in order to change and be more like Jesus?
Galatians 5:22-23 lists the fruit of the Spirit. The last one is self-control. The Holy Spirit does not produce self-confidence, but God confidence. Put simply, SELF-CONTROL IS PRODUCED BY THE SPIRIT AND NOT BY SELF.
The meek have submitted their strength to God; their confidence is not in themselves but in God. Submitted strength, meekness is evidenced in our lives by the fruit of the Spirit which is self-control.
Therefore, when it comes to tithing and giving love offerings to the Lord, I have complete God confidence and can give with the full assurance that God will meet all my needs and give me the wisdom I need to properly manage my finances. Self-control will keep me from becoming fearful or worried about how I’m going to pay the bills. Meekness will empower me to give cheerfully–joyfully and not out of duty or obligation (see 2 Corinthians 9:7).
But what about other areas of my life? Meekness will do more than just affect my wallet.
Meekness–submitted strength is not a one time event. Surrendering control and developing a God confidence doesn’t happen over-night, but meekness must be developed daily. In the same way the poor in spirit must die daily, the meek must continually surrender their will to God; that’s submitted strength.
Why daily? Because at any given moment you will be tested. If we don’t daily submit our strength to God, then we will be tempted to handle situations in our own strength.
Meekness can only be demonstrated through trial and adversity. Until you are faced with a difficult situation or a problem it’s easy to say I’ve submitted my strength to God. Until you are challenged or harassed by that person who has a way of getting under your skin it’s easy to appear gentle.
Many of us can easily get our feathers ruffled when someone offends us or things don’t go our way. However, when you are meek, someone can light your fuse, but you won’t blow up; things won’t go as planned, but you remain calm. Strength under God’s control.
When it comes to difficult situations and circumstances, when things don’t go as planned don’t react in your strength. ACT with submitted strength and self control.
A–ask God for help and wisdom;
C–commit your way to the Lord, trust God and not yourself;
T–take action only when God shows you the way, wait for God to say “Giddy-up.”
Difficult and unexpected events are easier to handle, but the bump in the road is there to slow us down and prepare us for the pot-hole that swallows the car–we need to be meek with Christlike submitted strength as we deal with difficult people.
Do you remember how Jesus dealt with the people falsely accused Him, who hailed Him as king and then yelled for Him to be crucified? Do you remember what Jesus said to those who mocked Him, to those who beat Him and nailed him to the cross?
Jesus forgave them. Like Jesus we need to also forgive the difficult people in our lives. God remembers to forget our sin; we too need to surrender our rights to bitterness and resentment.
+ Colossians 3:13 Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. (MsgB)
How can we practice meekness and forgive other who have hurt and mistreated us?
The short answer, don’t react to the person, but ACT with meekness–A-ask God for wisdom; C-commit your way to God; T-take action as God directs.
What wisdom will God give you? What direction will He lead you?
You may remember I have said real Christian maturity is not based on how much time you spend reading the Bible or praying. Maturity is shown by how much we love–to be like Jesus is to have love be your motivation. Here are four key steps to forgiving others as the Lord has forgiven you. Within these four steps you will find the acrostic love.
L Remain LOW-KEY. Keep your emotions in check and don’t lash out in anger. Do not respond negatively to another person’s offences. It’s hard to remember, but follow Jesus’ example and remain calm and quiet.
O Don’t go on the OFFENSIVE. Never defend yourself; let others do it if necessary. Remember actions speak louder than words, so let everything you do be seasoned with love. If you try to defend yourself, then you will only become more embittered and resentful.
V Don’t become a VICTIM. Put the pain in the past and leave it there. Guard your thoughts; don’t let yourself think badly of the person, but think good things and share these things with others. Speak well of the person; don’t relive the offence by complaining or telling others about how badly you were hurt. Negative talk will feed negative emotions If and when it is brought up give thanks to God for helping you to forgive.
E ENTER into relationship with this person again. Tell the person who hurt you that you forgive them; don’t keep it a secret. Don’t just forgive within your heart; demonstrate your forgiveness by how you treat this person.
