The Beatitudes Matthew 5:1-12 “Blessed” The 3rd Beatitude 1. Aim: To explain the meaning of the third beatitude and make application to us today. 2. Matt. 5:5 “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” “Blessed” The 3rd Beatitude

The 8 Beatitudes Man to God Relationship Man to Man Relationship 1-4 Remove sin – peace with God Man to Man Relationship 5-8 Live peaceably with others a. The first 12 verses of the Sermon on the Mount contain what we call the beatitudes b. In order to be happy we must be in a right relationship with God and our fellow c. Read slide

Blessed are the Poor in Spirit Poor – to be without Without pride and arrogance Humble = teachable 1. Summary of first two beatitudes a. Blessed are the poor in spirit - to be poor is to be without - the poor in spirit are without pride and arrogance and therefore humble and can be taught God’s will b. For theirs is the kingdom of heaven The 1st Beatitude

Blessed are they that Mourn Mourns - to grieve, to be in sorrow Sorry for our sins Repentance a. Blessed are they that mourn - these are people who can grieve for their sin and therefore will turn away from sin - this is called repentance - a change of heart that results in a change of life. b. For they shall be comforted The 2nd Beatitude

“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” The 3rd Beatitude “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5

Meek Does not mean: Weakness, timid Indifference Inferiority complex Coward False humility I. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE MEEK ? A. It does not mean: 1. Weakness - being timid - being easily moved – or spineless 2. Indifference – not someone who shows a lack of interest or unconcerned 3. Having an inferiority complex - shy and backward 4. A meek person is not a do nothing coward, who simply gives in when difficulties arise 5. Meekness is not hypocritical humility. It is not a false humility. It is not someone who portrays the idea of “look how humble I am.”

Opposite of: “self will” “stubbornness” Meek Break a young horse He will be Obedient Opposite of: “self will” A. The word for meekness 1. Used the word to describe a young horse that was broken to the harness. A horse that once was wild but has become obedient to the bit and bridle. 2. So meekness is when the spirit of man is broken [subdued] - or it may be better to say a yielding spirit -- yielding to God. 3. Meekness is the opposite of “self-will” toward God, and “ill-will” toward man. 4. Meekness is the opposite of stubbornness. “stubbornness”

Meekness is: Power under control Willing to submit to God Demands great inner strength Person under control, yet allowing God to control 1. Meekness is power that is under control, like the bit in a horse’s mouth that controls the strength and will of the horse. That horse has a great amount of power, but it is controlled by the bit in his mouth 2. A meek person willingly submits to God's directions. Meekness demands great inner strength. It is power under control. 3. Meekness involves gentleness, but behind the gentleness, there is the strength of steel a. It is the man who is under control -- self control - not just self control but allowing God to control our feelings and behavior. b. It is strength under Godly control. 4. It is not a lack of emotion and passion; instead it is a proper and wise use of them.

Meekness Moses - Num. 12:3 “Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.” A. Meekness has been possessed by all great men of God 1. Moses a. Num. 12:3 “Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.” b. Moses went before the king of Egypt as a representative of God - he led the Israelites out of bondage - He showed great courage and leadership. c. This shows that meekness is not weakness - he submitted to God's message without murmuring. Strength under control.

Meekness David - Ps. 37:11 “but the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in abundance of peace.” 2. David a. He has more to say about meekness than any other writer of the O.T. b. Ps. 37:11 is similar to Mt. 5:5 It says: “but the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in abundance of peace.”

Meekness Jesus - Matt. 11:28-30 “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” 1. Jesus - Mt. 11:28-30 “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” 2. Meekness is Christ-likeness Meekness Is Christ-likeness

Meekness is not… Self-seeking but is self-giving Self-willed but is God-willed Cowardice but is Courage Weakness but is Strength b. It is not: (1) Self-seeking, but self-giving (2) Self-willed, but God wiled (3) Self-glorification, but self humiliation (4) Compromise with evil, but overcoming evil with good (5) Cowardice, but courage (6) Weakness, but strength c. Those who are meek belong to Christ - they strive to pattern their lives after His example

Christ showed Meekness Gentle not harsh - Jn. 8 A. How did he show meekness? (1) To the fallen he was not harsh but gentle - Jn. 8:1-11 woman caught in Adultery. He pointed out the she should sin no more, but he approached her in a gentle way

Christ showed Meekness Gentle not harsh - Jn. 8 Leader not spineless - Jn. 2 Suffered wrong but did no wrong (1) He was not a spineless man, but a courageous leader - John 2:13 -22 drove out the money changers (2) He suffered much wrong, but did no wrong

Christ showed Meekness Gentle not harsh - Jn. 8 Leader not spineless - Jn. 2 Suffered wrong but did no wrong Forgiving not vengeful – Lk. 23:34 (4) He was not vengeful, but forgiving- Lk. 23:34 “Father forgive them; for they know not what they do.”

Christ showed Meekness Gentle not harsh - Jn. 8 Leader not spineless - Jn. 2 Suffered wrong but did no wrong Forgiving not vengeful – Lk. 23:34 Matt. 26:39 Yielded to Father’s will “not as I will, but as thou wilt” (1) He yielded to the Father’s divine will, though it lead to His crucifixion - Mt. 26:39 “And he went a little further, and fell on his knees, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.”

Meekness Can Be Learned God commands us to be meek Jas. 1:19 “slow to wrath” We can develop it in our lives when we submit to His will B. Meekness can be learned 1. Some have the mistaken view that some people have meekness and others do not! 2. God commands us to be meek, so we know it is a behavior we can learn how to do since it is a commandment 3. It is a quality that can be acquired E. Value of meekness 1. In James 1:19 we are commanded to be “slow to wrath” -- we cannot justify our self by saying we were just “born quick-tempered.” 2. Meekness is a quality that with the Lord's help we can develop in our lives. 3. We learn to be submissive to His will

“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” The Third Beatitude “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5

Blessing for the Meek “Shall inherit the earth” Spiritual Meaning = Get more out of life on earth “A little that a righteous man has is better than the riches of many wicked.” Ps. 37:16 II. THE BLESSING FOR THE MEEK A. They shall inherit the earth 1. It has a spiritual meaning - not a literal inheriting of the earth 2. The meek will get much more out of life on earth than those who are not meek 3. Ps. 37:16 “A little that a righteous man has is better than the riches of many wicked.” a. A meek man derives greater joy from a simple meal in a humble cottage than the proud man from the finest of foods in a stately mansion. b. It is Meekness that gives us the capacity to enjoy the things of God

Blessing for the Meek Person of meekness is happier Abundant life here and… In the world to come eternal life. Meekness is the secret of possessing everything A. The person of meekness is happier in their life B. Real enjoyment of earthly blessings can come only to the meek! C. Christians have the abundant life here and in the world to come eternal life. 1. Best of both worlds. 2. Folks who cannot control themselves are never satisfied! They are always wanting a little bit more than what they already have D. Meekness is the secret of possessing everything:

Blessing for the Meek “Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.” 1 Tim. 6:6-8 1. You have a grip of what life on this earth is all about - 1 Tim. 6:6-8 “Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.” 2. When you have meekness and are content, you have calmness a. You are not shaken or excited by circumstances. Why? b. You know God is in control ! 3. You have mildness a. You can avoid extreme reactions and behavior whether it be to a person or situation b. A meek person is mild and approachable, bringing comfort, calmness and peace to those around them.

“The meek man is not a human mouse afflicted with a sense of his own inferiority. Rather he may be in his moral life as bold as a lion, and as strong as Samson; but he has stopped being fooled about himself. He has accepted God's estimate of his own life. He knows he is as weak and helpless as God declared him to be, but he knows at the same time that he is in the sight of God more important than angels. In himself, nothing; in God, everything. That is his motto."  - A.W. Tozer

The Beatitudes The 3rd Beatitude Matthew 5:1-12 The 1st Beatitude The 2nd Beatitude The 3rd Beatitude

Blessed are the Poor in Spirit Specific - Poor in Spirit – without Results - Kingdom of Heaven Principle - Humility - teachable Application - Trust in God - Faith 1. BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT a. Specific (1) Poor means to be without - spiritually it means we are without pride, arrogance and haughtiness (2) We must lay down human wisdom and accept guidance of Divine Revelation b. Results (1) Kingdom of Heaven (2) The poor in spirit will receive God's greatest blessing! c. Principle (1) Humility is the principle of this beatitude (2) We must humble our self - no one else can do it for us (3) A human man is teachable - moldable d. Application (1) This attitude of humility opens the way for faith in God (2) Faith is trusting in God -- not self. (3) The poor in spirit will trust God. The 1st Beatitude

Blessed are they that Mourn Specific - Mourns for his sin Results - Comforted by forgiveness Principle - Godly sorrow Application - Repentance 2. The Second beatitude says: BLESSED ARE THEY THAT MOURN a. Specific i. This is the person who mourns for his sin and is filled with sorrow ii. This is Godly sorrow -- 2 Cor. 7:9-10 iii. It is a change of mind because of God's message in the Bible, and it brings a change of life. b. Result i. The people who can mourn for their sins will be comforted by forgiveness ii. Consolation is available c. Principle i. Godly sorrow is the principle that causes mourning ii. A person who believes in God realizes that sin is against God and hurts Him iii. The Jews on Pentecost were pricked in their hearts when they realized they had killed the Son of God - Acts 2:37 d. Application i. Repentance ii. It is more than reform or change iii. Repentance is a change of life brought about because of a change of mind which was caused by Godly sorrow -- 2 Cor. 7:10 The 2nd Beatitude

Specific - Allows God to control Results - Inherit the earth Blessed are the Meek Specific - Allows God to control Results - Inherit the earth Principle - Submission - trust Application - Confession of faith 3. BLESSED ARE THE MEEK a. Specific i. A meek person is not a weak person ii. But he is a person who is under self control and allows God to control his life iii. If we have meekness then we can have a proper reception of the Word - Jas. 1:21 “receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” Jas. 1:21 b. Results i. They inherit the earth ii. In order to inherit the earth [as He promises] it requires a death - the death to self- not my will but thine be done iii. The good things of God and eventually heaven are for the meek c. Principle i. Meekness is Christ-like ii. It is yielding to God's will - being under His control iii. Meekness is submission which flows from a heart of faith [Trust] d. Application i. A confession of our faith in Christ ii. It is an expression of our meekness or that we are willing to be under the control of Christ. iii. It implies that we are now ready to let Christ be in Charge. 4. Meekness - the quiet, gentle, tenderhearted and supremely self-controlled life that comes from knowing God’s holiness and surrendering to His control of our lives and our circumstances. The 3rd Beatitude

“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” The Third Beatitude “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5

What Must I Do To be Saved ? In Christ = SAVED Baptized (Gal.3:27) Confess (Rom.10:10) Repent (Lk.13:3) Believe (Jn.8:24) Hear (Rom.10:17)