Meek

Todd Nance

A Look at the Sermon on the Mount • Sermon • Submitted 2 years ago

Matthew 5:5

Sermon on the Mount/Plain

Meekness

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True happiness is found in meekness, but what is meekness?

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To find "godly" happiness in this world Jesus says you must be poor in spirit - you achieve this when you realize you are destitute of any ability to please God. You must be willing to mourn - not over the loss of a loved one or some great treasure, but over your sinful condition. The third characteristic of "godly" happiness lies at the feet of those who are meek.

Here's the problem we face with this. Meekness is misunderstood in our world. In the church meekness is viewed as being cowardly, quiet, or mousy - seen but not heard. The world views those people as followers, not leaders, not "go-getters". This could not be further from the truth. There are two people, and by my count, only two people in all of Scripture referred to as "Meek": Moses and Jesus. Neither of these two men would I dare call "weak".

I want to make a case this evening for having a desire to be meek. I believe we can understand this verse better by answering just two simple questions from this verse: 1. What is meekness, 2. What meekness accomplishes?

What is meekness?

Meekness is commonly equated with weakness

Those who are said to be meek are usually viewed as being quiet, behind the scenes people who do not seek credit for their actions

In this sense of the word, anyone, whether they are famous or not, who is not willing to step up and be recognized for their accomplishments would be considered, wrongly, to be meek

Meekness, however, is not weakness

True, Biblical meekness, is not characterized as being powerless

Meekness is the opposite, it is power, under control

The word translated here in our verse is one often used by the Greeks to describe a horse that has been broken

One of the most frightening things I've ever witnessed in my life was a friend trying to ride an unbroken horse.

He got him saddled, got the bits in and the reigns on fine, but that was as far as this horse had ever been before.

When he finally mounted this beast, it was hard to tell who was riding who.

The ride lasted for about 20 seconds, and then the horse reared back and my friend slid of its back, just in time for the horse to turn around, rare back again and come down with its front legs and hooves, and had my friend not been watching, that would have been it for him.

Horses are one of the most beautiful, and powerful animals on the planet. They are dangerous, but they can be broken, they can be trained.

When a horse is broken you do not take away its power, but rather you convince that horse to place its power under your control.

That is what meekness truly is, power under control.

Consider the two examples of meekness from our Bible:

Moses Numbers 12:3 “(Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)”

Stood up for God's people and slayed an Egyptian

Was chosen by God to lead His people from bondage

Faced off with the most powerful leader on the planet, but was not afraid

Led millions of people across a desert towards the home God had intended for them

Rebuked their unbelief and idolatry

Interceded before God on their behalf when God wanted to wipe them out

This is not a man I would call weak

Jesus Christ Matthew 11:29 “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”

Stood up to and cast out demons - how many of you would dare even attempt that?

Sat down on the steps of the temple and braided together a whip and then cast out the money changers and merchants

Rode into Jerusalem as a King, on an ass, not a war horse

Think about the courage that took!

The people could have laughed him to scorn

The religious leaders could have used it against Him

He rode in victorious nonetheless

Went to the cross and died for mankind, but He could have called a legion of angels to release Him

Was buried in a tomb and rose again in victory over death

Seated today at the Father's right hand

Meekness isn't weakness, its power under control. It's recognizing God's authority and submitting yourself to it. It's understanding your own ability and your own power and its laying control of such things at the feet of God and saying "I'm Yours. Use me as You see fit." This is what meekness is, and this is…

What Meekness Accomplishes

Right now: Happiness

"blessed" = happy

Not worldly happiness, but Godly happiness

Worldly happiness says you can only be happy if you have it your way

Godly happiness says you can only be happy if you are happy God’s way

In the future: Inheritance of the earth

There are trials in this life, but in the life to come there are only victories

In this lifetime, you may not have much, but if you have Jesus Christ then you are far better off than the wealthiest person on the planet

When Jesus Christ sets up His kingdom of 1000 years on this earth, guess who will take part in it? Those who have submitted themselves to Him in their lifetime!

Conclusion:

Meekness is the way to happiness. IT may be mocked by the world, but it will not go unnoticed by the Savior.

I want you to know right now that you cannot know happiness if you are trying to be happy in your own strength. You can't know happiness until you are first willing to submit yourself, your power, and your strength to the God of heaven. You cannot know happiness if you do not first realize your need, your inability to meet that need, deep sorrow for your sinfulness.

If you have never trusted Christ as your Savior, what are you waiting for? Why don't you turn to Him right now and ask Him to forgive you of your sin?