“Meekness Is Not Weakness” (Matthew 5:5)

“Meekness Is Not Weakness” (Matthew 5:5)
^{Cameron Jungels/Eastside Baptist Church/Sunday PM, July 26, 2015}

“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” (Matt. 5:5, NIV)

1.    Meekness Is Not…

a.    Physical, emotional, or spiritual weakness
b.    An inability or unwillingness to help the oppressed or stand up for truth or justice
c.    A passive or quiet personality

2.    Meekness Is…    

a.    Poor, Lowly, or oppressed in adverse circumstances

But those who suffer he delivers in their suffering; he speaks to them in their affliction. (Job 36:15, NIV)

I will glory in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. (Psalm 34:2, NIV)

when you, God, rose up to judge, to save all the afflicted of the land. (Psalm 76:9, NIV)

Feet trample it down-- the feet of the oppressed, the footsteps of the poor. (Isa. 26:6, NIV)

b.    Patient, gentle spirit willing to wait on God’s justice instead of seeking immediate vengeance

⁷ Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.  ⁸ Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret-- it leads only to evil.  ⁹ For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.  ¹⁰ A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found.  ¹¹ But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity. (Psalm 37:7-11, NIV)

¹⁸ If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.  ¹⁹ Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.  ²⁰ On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."  ²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.   (Romans 12:18-21, NIV)

c.    Willing, Humble and Gentle Disposition, willing to defer to others – the opposite of a proud, self-willed, assertive disposition

He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. (Psalm 25:9, NIV)

The LORD sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground. (Psalm 147:6, NIV)

³ Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes.  ⁴ Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. (1 Pet. 3:3-4, NIV)

d.    A description of the character of Moses

(Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.) (Num. 12:3, NIV)

e.    A description of the character of our Savior, Jesus Christ

Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. (Zech. 9:9, NIV, cf. Matt 21:5)

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Matt. 11:29, NIV)

3.    The Meek Will Be Rewarded With….

a.    The Land

Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. (Psalm 37:3, NIV)

For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land. (Psalm 37:9, NIV)

But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity. (Psalm 37:11, NIV)

those the LORD blesses will inherit the land, but those he curses will be destroyed. (Psalm 37:22, NIV)

Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever. (Psalm 37:27, NIV)

The righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever. (Psalm 37:29, NIV)

Hope in the LORD and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are destroyed, you will see it. (Psalm 37:34, NIV)

¹¹ On that day you, Jerusalem, will not be put to shame for all the wrongs you have done to me, because I will remove from you your arrogant boasters. Never again will you be haughty on my holy hill.  ¹² But I will leave within you the meek and humble. The remnant of Israel will trust in the name of the LORD. (Zeph. 3:11-12, NIV)

b.    Prophetically extended to refer to the whole world, including the final consummated kingdom of Christ in the new heavens/new earth (Rev 21:7)

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. (Matt. 5:5, NIV)

Those who are victorious will inherit all this [new heavens/earth], and I will be their God and they will be my children. (Rev. 21:7, NIV)

It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. (Romans 4:13, NIV)

Instead, they were longing for a better country-- a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. (Heb. 11:16, NIV)

Main Idea: Meekness is not inherent weakness, but a willing disposition to humble oneself before others in a gentle spirit. It is an attribute of Christ, and his followers who exhibit it will share in the worldwide kingdom of their Savior.