Growing in Christ - Put on meekness.
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Communion Sunday
Communion Sunday
I would like to begin a discussion this morning about the Lord’s Supper.
God’s provision of the Supper is part of a long standing patter of His gracious dealings with His people throughout history.
We see throughout scripture, evidence of God’ making covenants with His people. In scripture we see covenant signs and covenant meals as tangible signs, reminders of the promises that are tied to them.
The word covenant is not often used in our modern western society.
One example that is primarily in a Christian context would be the covenant of marriage.
The term is generally unfamiliar to us.
If you think with me to a couple of prominent examples, the rainbow is a covenant sign from God that he would not destroy the world in that manner again.
One of the most notable covenant meals is the Passover, which is where our meal today has its roots. The people celebrated God freeing them from slavery in Egypt.
In the Bible, covenants are used in two basic settings, between people, an example of this is the covenant that David and Jonathan made as Saul, Jonathan’s father was out to kill David.
18 And the two of them made a covenant before the Lord. David remained at Horesh, and Jonathan went home.
Jonathan pledged his allegiance to David through that covenant.
The most important covenants we see in the Bible though are those made between God and people.
A significant example of this is when God made a covenant with Noah that He and is family would be saved from the flood.
18 But I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you.
God committed to saving Noah and his family. He promised to do so and followed through on His promise.
What we celebrate today is a covenant.
Communion, the Lord’s Supper is a covenant mean.
It is a promise form God.
Jesus called it to be so.
20 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.
So what is this covenant, this promise that we celebrate
First a covenant assumes and existing relationship between two parties and serves at a ratification of that relationship.
The relationships are elective in that God was not obliged to enter into the relationship.
God chose to establish the relationship.
Second, this covenant addresses important life and death issues.
Jesus death rescues us from the eternal condemnation and wrath.
Third, this covenant is a sovereign administration of God’s promise.
This covenant that we celebrate is a covenant of grace.
In obedience to God, Christ died on the cross to pay for the penalty of our sin.
We eat and drink out of the remembrance of what Jesus has done for us.
We eat and drink in celebration of Christ taking the punishment for our sins.
What Is the Lord’s Supper? Chapter One: The Significance of the Passover
A sacrament gives a dramatic sign that points beyond itself to some truth of redemption that is crucial to the life of the people of God.
As we partake together, let us remember this truth. The truth that we are redeemed because of Jesus.
We can have a relationship because of Jesus.
23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
Pass Bread
Jesus left the standard tradition of the passover when he attached a new significance to the bread.
Pray Eat
25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Pass the cups
Jesus also attached a new significance to the cup saying “I am the Passover, I am the Lamb, the one who will be sacrificed for you. It is by my blood being marked over the door of your live that you will escape the wrath of God.
From now on, this is my blood, which is shed for you for the remission of your sins.
This is the blood of the new covenant, a covenant of grace.
Pray Drink
Intro
Intro
I would like to begin this morning by building a picture in our minds.
Picture with me if you will a wild horse, unbroken, free to roam and do as it pleases.
This horse, is young and strong, it can work for its own purpose. Doing what it wishes.
This horse expends its great strength running the fields, but doesn’t accomplish anything in terms of work.
Now take this same horse, break it, tame it, make it meek, and that same strength, now brought under control can be used for the purpose of its master.
The horses strength is now harnessed for a purpose.
We all like this horse have strength. Without a
We also, like the horse must put on meekness.
We must put on this trait in order that we be best used by our Lord.
It is when we put on the meekness that Jesus modeled that we will grow in Christ.
12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
What is meekness?
What is meekness?
Meekness is a funny often misunderstood word.
It’s one of those words that we don’t frequently use so what it means is not on the tip of our tongues.
On another note, what little that does come to mind is not a good thing.
Our culture does not hold meekness to be a virtue.
The term meekness often conjures pictures in our mind of mildness or gentleness and even suggests weakness.
This leads us to some problems when we are reading our bibles and come across the word.
Meekness has nothing to do with weakness.
You may have heard the phrase, meekness isn’t weakness, and it is true.
Weakness, when not used in physical terms, has to do with lacking in judgment or good sense.
We must address the discrepancy that has formed for us to properly understand why Paul is telling us to put on this trait.
The meaning of the word meekness is difficult to express which is why it is often misconstrued as weakness.
If we look to the King James version, it uses the word meek or meekness 31 times, modern translations change many of these to the words gentle or humble.
Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary Meekness
Biblical meekness is usually not simply gentleness and humility but those qualities displayed with integrity during times of trial.
the quality of not being overly impressed by a sense of one’s self-importance
Think for a moment, what makes you feel good, what makes you feel important?
What happens when something gets in the way of that feeling?
Perhaps a situation or another person.
A typical human response these circumstances include frustration, bitterness, or anger.
Which is the opposite of meekness.
I’m not saying we don’t feel these things, but in putting on meekness we don’t act upon them.
Meekness is therefore an active and deliberate acceptance of undesirable circumstances that are wisely seen by the individual as only part of a larger picture.
Meekness is not a resignation to fate, it is not a passive and reluctant submission to events.
That is not the virtue that Paul is calling his readers to put on.
Paul is calling for the patient and hopeful endurance of undesirable circumstances that identify a person as externally vulnerable and weak, but inwardly as resilient and strong.
Meekness does not identify the weak but more precisely the strong who have been placed in a position of weakness where they persevere without giving up.
Meekness is not only about our response to situations.
To put on meekness really has to do with our approach to one another.
Most all difficult situations involve other people.
If we look to the context where this word is set, each of these virtues have to do with Christians ought to relate to others.
The IVP New Testament Commentary Series: Colossians & Philemon Be Holy (3:12–13)
The virtues listed in Colossians include words that carry a profound emotional content referring to how one feels when responding to another in need.
Meekness has to do with having the strength to be gentle with one another.
Does anyone remember the movie Kindergarten cop?
I am not referencing anything specific in the movie so much as the idea.
A big burly guy, teaching a bunch of kindergartners.
A picture of strength under control, with the gentleness to teach a child.
This is the sort of meekness that we are called to put on as followers as Jesus that we might grow in Him.
Put on meekness.
Put on meekness.
As followers of Jesus, we then must look to His teaching and His life as the example.
Jesus’ teaching.
Jesus’ teaching.
The first place I would like us to look together at is the sermon on the mount.
2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
There is a theme in these first three that we can’t miss.
All three of these opening beatitudes the truth is brought out that the follower of Jesus does not aggressively insist on his own rights but displays genuine humility.
The poor in spirit, those who mourn, and the meek all have the common thread of humility running though. The difference though is the reason why.
Those who mourn is like an outside source afflicting the mourning.
Poor in spirit may be an outside source, or it might be a choice of the individual.
The meek though is specifically a choice to be humble, gentle, and kind.
Richard Gutzwiller writes
These are not the weak in character, the meekly submissive or the fearful compromisers. Christianity is not a crutch for the sick or a parapet for the dizzy, a substitute for those who have missed something else. Therefore the gospel is not a hymn in praise of people without stuffing or strength
Christianity is full of strong individuals who choose to use place the others before themselves.
To put on meekness is to not be domineering over others.
The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Matthew 2. The Beatitudes, 5:3–12
Meekness is quite compatible with great strength and ability as humans measure strength, but whatever strength or weakness the meek person has is accompanied by humility and a genuine dependence on God.
The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Matthew 2. The Beatitudes, 5:3–12
True meekness may be a quality of the strong, those who could assert themselves but choose not to do so. The strong who qualify for this blessing are the strong who decline to domineer. Self-assertion is never a Christian virtue; rather, it is Christian to be busy in lowly service and to refuse to engage in the conduct that merely advances one’s personal aims.
Jesus is teaching here of service. Meekness has to do with service.
Jesus provides the ultimate example of this service in his life, death, and resurrection.
Even in his ascension, Jesus tells his disciples that he goes to prepare a place in John 14.
In the end it is the meek, not the self assertive, who will have a place in God’s kingdom.
Jesus’ own example.
Jesus’ own example.
Jesus used the word for meekness in order to speak of His own disposition.
Matthew recounts for his readers a prayer that Jesus offered.
25 At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 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. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Jesus in his prayer expresses thankfulness that the way he teaches is not something that is open only to the learned and intelligent, even children can understand it.
Jesus reflects on His relationship with the Father.
Finally Jesus invites the world’s downtrodden ones to find rest and peace in him.
28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 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.
Jesus gives the invitation to come.
Jesus is calling anyone who is wearied with life’s burdens. He gives opportunity for refreshment.
Not to stay in that state though, he gives opportunity for rest to be reinvigorated.
He grants a rest in mind that enables the worker to return refreshed.
Verse 29 begins with the verb to take up.
Take up the yoke upon you.
A yoke that represents servitude.
The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Matthew 3. Jesus’ Invitation, 11:25–30
Jesus is inviting people to follow him, to serve him, and to learn from him. In the New Testament yoke is always used metaphorically and signifies bondage or submission to authority of some kind.
Jesus instructs his disciples to learn from him.
There is an emphasis here on the idea of discipleship.
The idea is to learn through instruction.
Think for a moment, would you yoke up and couple of animals and let them go off on their own?
No, we give them instruction.
This is the same idea here. We are to take up the yoke and seek Jesus for instruction in our lives.
To be a follower of Jesus is to be a disciple. As a disciple we are learners.
It is not enough for us to indicate that we simply want to be followers of Jesus. We must commit ourselves to him. This means committing ourselves to a lifelong learning process.
I pray, especially for those of you that are younger than me. Make it a point in your life to commit yourself to learning about Jesus.
Commit yourselves to building a lifelong relationship with Him. This doesn’t mean that you have to become a pastor.
This means learning who Jesus is, and how he should influence your life.
Learning to do as 1 Cor. 10:31 says
31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
For those who are older as well, there is no time like the present to begin this process if you have not already.
This is not meant to scare us.
Jesus teaching is not harder.
The verse brings us back to our word for meekness.
Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart.
Gentle here is the same word for meekness that Paul is commanding us to put on.
Looking to Jesus as the example, he did not display His full strength. He was under control.
Leaders and teachers always tend to take a superior place, but Jesus did not. He left his place in heaven to come to earth and take on the role of a servant.
Jesus as our example in putting on meekness, gives us an example for humility, gentleness, grace, and peace.
Think of how he related to children. Do children come running to man that they don’t know often?
This doesn’t mean that he was walked all over though.
Remember meekness is power and strength under control.
Jesus was meek, not weak, look to the examples in the temple of Him turning tables.
13 The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. 15 And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. 16 And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade.” 17 His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.”
Jesus was meek not weak in going to the cross.
The excruciating pain and torment that he experienced before he even made it to the cross killed many people.
Then being nailed to the cross in that condition, he still survived long enough to see the thief next to Him repent.
Jesus provides for us the ultimate example of strength and power under control.
A little food for thought looking ahead in Colossians 3 as well we are coming up on the section that my Bible titles Rules for Christian Households.
Again putting on the things that Paul has listed here is important.
We put these on with the help of the Holy Spirit.
But we must do our part in seeking for them.
We must do our part in growing the desire to have a compassionate heart, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.
We put these on that we might bear with one another forgiving each other as the Lord has forgiven us.
We grow in Christ when we put on the meekness that He displayed.