How Low Can You Go

The more we study the Beatitudes, the clearer becomes the fact that they are not simply a collection of unrelated sayings, but rather the unfolding of a progressive revelation. Dr. Alexander Maclaren put it concisely when he said, “The Beatitudes are stages in the evolution of Christian character” (Maclaren’s Expositions of Holy Scripture, vol. 4 on Matthew, Eerdmans, p. 118).

Aim: We will place the need of others above our own.

Introduction:

I remember a game we used to play that required us to lower a stick and we would bend backwards to move under it. We would continue to lower the stick until we were unable to go any lower under the stick.

So, it is with meekness, meekness is not about rising to the top or being self-exalted above others, meekness is learning to bend and subject one’s self to lowliness.

This lowliness is not the idea of hatred or indecency but the lowliness in heart, which says that we are committed to placing our own needs and desires to be first, to be exalted and to be important aside and placing the significance of others ahead of our own. It is from this sense we wish to address this text, today.

How low can you go? Do you need to be and feel important? Do you believe the world revolves around you? Is it difficult for you to empathize with other people? If your answer to these questions is yes, then might I suggest that you have not gone low enough.

Our text today, introduces us to the term meek. By definition the word meek means, to not being overly impressed by a sense of one’s self-importance, it refers to being gentle, humble, considerate.

to not being overly impressed by a sense of one’s self-importance, gentle, humble, considerate

Jesus teaches that the method for attaining the blessings of God is not by self- absorption and egoism, but it is through selflessness and humility.

The Christian does not place himself high and above others; He subjects himself to the authority of God which teaches, whoever humbles himself like a child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. ()

We have gotten things confused lately. Many believe that the way to greatness is through our achievements, outdoing others, being the loudest and smartest in the room but Jesus teaches us differently.

Transition: Today as we consider this verse, I want to challenge the way we think about ourselves and the positions God has both allowed and placed us by asking the question how low can you go?

Can You Go Low Enough to Change Your Attitude?

Meekness is not merely a word that describes the outward appearance. Meekness is an inward attitude that oozes out of us regardless of the situation or circumstance.

Attitude of Patience

Patience with God

It has been said that what God has for you is for you. This is very true, but do we really believe this? Meekness reminds us that we are not in control but God is in control.

Isaiah 40:31 ESV

31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Patience with Others

Everyone is not necessarily at our level. We can not impose things upon people and have an unwillingness to wait and work with and on those people to grow.

1 Thessalonians 5:14 ESV

14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.

Attitude of Value

Value The Blessings of God

Do you appreciate what God has already done? I’m afraid that many people often dwell on what they do not have and what others do have more than they consider what God has done and blessed them with. The meek are cognizant of the blessings of God and refuse to take His blessings or granted. An attitude of value for the blessings God has bestowed upon us is an attitude of thanksgiving. Truth be told God has done enough already to be given our praise of appreciation. Value what God has already done in your life.

The writer of Hebrews says it this way:

Hebrews 12:28 ESV

28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,

Value The Potential of Others

We are all in some way valuable to the kingdom. If God can purpose us, than none of us have the authority to write anyone off. Treat people the way you desire to be treated.

Attitude of Humility

Be Humble

Humility is an attitude that many of us if we are honest must work really hard to exhibit. We live in a society that glorifies the individual who exudes high levels of self assurance and overconfidence. Jesus teaches; however, that our confidence must be in not what we can do but what Christ does through us. The meek realize that they are not the answer to all problems and are not always right. They do not take issue with other people getting credit or being in the lime light. Plain and simple the meek refuse to make everything about themselves. They know they are not all of that . . .

Philippians 2:3 ESV

3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Phil

Transition: Can you go low enough to change your attitude?

Illustration: I recall while working on my undergraduate degree, in one of my classes I had a high B. The instructor asked me to meet with him after class so that we could review my scores for my final grade. I met with him and as we were closing the meeting, my professor said, “The right attitude will bring higher altitude. The better your attitude is the higher you will go in life. So, Mr. White, because of your attitude I’m giving an A”. Look, I worked hard but i didn’t quite get the grade I was looking for through the work, but my attitude pulled me further!

I believe the same can be said for each of us as believers. We may not always come in first in achievements. We may even work hard and find difficulty in accomplishing our goals, but the right attitude can get us over the hump.

Application: Live with the correct attitude towards God and people. If you believe God is in control of your life, stop trying to be in control. Do not make life with others a competition. Remember God has purposed us all not just you. In other words stay in your lane. Celebrate other people. Sometimes you are not going to be on stage but you can cheer others on from the audience. If it is someone else's turn let it be their turn and do all you can to help them.

Transition: Lowliness, meekness is a challenge when it come to our hearts but it is just as important when it comes to putting it on display. We must consider if we can go low enough to model Christian character

Can You Go Low Enough to Model Christian Character?

Jesus wants those He teaches on this mountain that to follow Him is to live like Him. The behavior of the Christian is distinctive and totally different from the worldly man. Meekness is more than an idea and goes beyond attitude. Meekness is displayed daily in the life of the believer. Paul wraps the characterization of the Christian in one verse:

Ephesians 4:32 ESV

32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Model Gentleness

eph 4:

Demonstrate Gentleness

Meekness is not weakness, but it is gentleness. The Christian must not be considered harsh and unapproachable. Being gentle includes the way we address and respond to others. If we are talking about modeling Christian character then it is very necessary to recognize that gentleness should ever be present and demonstrated in our lives.

If we are talking about modeling Christian character then it is very necessary to recognize that gentleness should ever be present and demonstrated in our lives.

Model Forgiveness

What does meekness have to do with forgiveness? It has everything to do with it. Remember we learned that meekness carries the sense and attitude of humility. This attitude reminds us that we are not perfect and knowing this will cause us to be slow to condemn other people for their past mistakes and sins. We do not look for opportunity to expose people. We look for opportunities to do what Jesus did and does for us.

This attitude reminds us that we are not perfect and knowing this will cause us to be slow to condemn other people for their past mistakes and sins. We do not look for opportunity to expose people. We look for opportunities to do what Jesus did and does for us.

Matthew 6:14 ESV

14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you,

Matthew 6:15 ESV

15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

John 8:7 ESV

7 And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.”

jn 8:

Model love

Somebody said that love is an action word. Love is not just what you say; Love is every bit of what you do. When we are meek we do not find it difficult to love. Though we may be pushed and hurt by others we who are meek understand that we are called to love. The meek realize that it is through love that others know who Christ is and that we belong to Christ.

John 13:35 ESV

35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Romans 12:9 ESV

9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.

Romans 13:10 ESV

10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

Ro 12

Romans 13:13 ESV

13 Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy.

Matthew 5:43–44 ESV

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Transition: Can you go low enough to model Christian character? This question should cause us to reflect upon our lives and begin to form our lives so that God is pleased with us.

Illustration: I remember as a teenager my younger cousin and I were arguing and going back and forth until my Grandmother stopped us and asked me, “Claude Jr. who is the older between you and Marvin Paul?” I proudly and boastfully responded, “I am” She then retorted, “Then act like it, you should know better and should be setting the example.”

Transition: That’s really how meekness works. It reminds us to act like we are Christians.

Application: Christians are not mean. Christians are loving. We act like Christians! How about this for a personal challenge, do not hold people to standards that you are not keeping. Remember that no one is perfect and that includes you. No we do not condone sin but neither should we continuously beat people up because of their past. Be the example for others to follow.

Transition: How low are you willing to go? Jesus demands that we place ourselves in the state of lowliness so that we will be blessed. Which brings us to this final point:

Can You Go Low Enough to Trust God?

Meekness is not a new concept from Jesus; neither is it foreign to these in whom Jesus teaches. It appears that Jesus is quoting and referring to .

Psalm 37:11 ESV

11 But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace.

The ancients believed that God remembers those who live justly among and towards others especially the less fortunate. The understanding is that they may not be rewarded in the present but they will gain.

The terminology, inherit the earth, refers to the unstoppable blessings of God. The meek will gain more than they would have ever imagined grasping on their own. The meek inherit they don’t have to scrape and plot because what is coming for them is already in the works and already set aside for them. But the caveat to this is that they TRUST GOD! Yes they are willing to keep going because they trust that what God says He will do, He will do.

Proverbs 3:5–7 ESV

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. 7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.

prov 3

God does not forget those who live, trusting Him. The meek trust God. They believe that God has not forgotten them and they keep living with their focus on the significance of others and their focus on building God’s kingdom. They do not mind living under the subjection of God because they know God cares. They recognize that living right pays off in the end. I may not get it all here but I have an inheritance.

Jn 14:1-

John 14:1–4 ESV

1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.”

ps 24:

Psalm 24:1–3 ESV

1 The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, 2 for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers. 3 Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place?

Psalm 24:1 ESV

1 The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein,

Matthew 6:33 ESV

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Transition: Trusting God is being able to see God’s Hand everywhere in everything. It is being able to trust God’s voice in all situations at all times.

Illustration: Story is told of a man who went mountain climbing. It was cold and just as he reached the summit he slipped and fell. The rope caught him and he dangled from the rope yelling for help. A voice responded and asked, “Will you trust me?” the young man responded in panic and haste, “Yes, Just Help ME!” The voice responded, “Cut the rope” the young man refused to cut the rope and the next day other mountain climbers found him dangling and frozen two feet from the ground.

Transition: Because he couldn’t see it he refused to trust. But trusting God is not about what you see. It’s about believing what He says.

Application: If you are tired of doing it by yourself today is the day to begin trusting God. The meek understand that they are not bigger nor better than God! That’s why they let Him handle it. You don’t need to fight, trust God.

Transition:

Conclusion:

Jesus says, Blessed are the meek for the shall inherit the earth. He is our model for meekness. He is our model for humility and placing oneself low.

He was born to a virgin teenager

He was born in a stable

He was raised by a carpenter

The foxes had holes and the birds had nests; but He had no place to lay His head

Jesus was willing to be low for the sake of you and I

Isaiah says,

Isaiah 53:5 ESV

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.

is 53:

Paul writes,

Philippians 2:6 ESV

6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,

Philippians 2:6–8 ESV

6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.