Farmerville Church of Christ

Sermon Outlines

Sermon on the Mount #5

Blessed are the Meek

By Bill Denton

INTRODUCTION

• A. We are studying the Sermon on the Mount
• 1. We have learned that the Beatitudes are all about faith
• a. how faith begins
• b. how faith develops
• c. how faith matures
• d. how faith is tested
• 2. Looking at how faith begins we focus on the first three of the beatitudes -- the poor in spirit, the mourners and the meek
• a. poor in spirit = the man who sees that there is a God and who then sees himself in perspective -- the man who simply falls falls at God's feet with nothing in himself
• b. those who mourn = the man who realizes his true situation, how sin has ruined him -- he mourns for himself and for the whole world
• c. both of these are essential to the beginning of faith, for they are at the heart of what turns us away from self-reliance and toward a trust in God
• B. Today, we look at the third beatitude -- blessed are the meek
• 1. Remember, we are talking about how faith begins
• 2. Hab 2:4 Behold the proud, his soul is not upright in him; but the just shall live by his faith. (NKJ)
• 3. Meekness, then, is essential to true living
• 4. If we are going to experience the kind of life God desires for us, then we must learn how to apply these characteristics to our lives

I. MEEKNESS DEFINED

• A. Nelson's Bible Dictionary MEEKNESS -- An attitude of humility toward God and gentleness toward men, springing from a recognition that God is in control. Although weakness and meekness may look similar, they are not the same. Weakness is due to negative circumstances, such as lack of strength or lack of courage. But meekness is due to a person's conscious choice. It is strength and courage under control, coupled with kindness.
• 1. Perhaps the last sentence is the best idea -- strength or power under control
• 2. It is never weakness or fearfulness
• B. Greek word PRAUS
• 1. Used to describe a soothing medicine
• 2. Used by sailors to describe a gentle breeze
• 3. Used by farmers to describe a broken colt
• 4. All three are example of great power under control
• C. Psalm 37 -- meekness is the ability not to take up arms in defense against the evil in the world, but to patiently wait on God
• D. Other passages that encourage meekness
• 1. Matt 11:29 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. (NKJ)
• 2. Gal 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. (NKJ)
• 3. Eph 4:1-2 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, (NKJ)
• 4. Col 3:12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; (NKJ)
• 5. 1 Tim 6:11 But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. (NKJ)
• 6. 2 Tim 2:24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, (NKJ)
• 7. Titus 3:1-2 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. (NKJ)

II. WHAT DOES MEEKNESS HAVE TO DO WITH FAITH?

• A. Remember, meekness follows poor in spirit and mourning
• 1. This is the man who has already recognized his own emptiness and need to fall at God's feet
• 2. This is the woman who has already felt to the core or her being, the shame and disgrace of her own sin and the sins of the whole world and mourned deeply for the consequences
• B. The meek is now the one who realizes that he has nothing with which to fight the world, nothing that can subdue it or overcome it
• 1. The meek still has power -- he can fight, rebel, stir up a fuss
• 2. But instead he now harnesses that power and uses it only under the direction of the God he acknowledges to be in control
• 3. Meekness is an essential quality that finally and completely causes a person to believe in, trust, depend on, and obey God
• C. Does one give up power to become meek?
• 1. Does the medicine give up power to cure the sick, or does it use power in a controlled way?
• 2. Does the wind give up power to push the ship across the sea, or does it use its power in a controlled way?
• 3. Does the horse give up power when broken to its owners command, or does it use its power in a controlled way?
• 4. Neither does a man give up power when he becomes meek
• a. he uses his power under God's control
• b. he accomplishes what is good and productive instead of causing harm and destruction
• c. he knows he is not the answer, God is, so he is willing to be used by God
• d. he does not need to overcome or overwhelm, for he knows that God will do all of that

III. A LOOK AT MEEK PEOPLE IN THE BIBLE

• A. Abraham
  Gen 13:7-9 And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram's livestock and the herdsmen of Lot's livestock. The Canaanites and the Perizzites then dwelt in the land. So Abram said to Lot, ""Please let there be no strife between you and me, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen; for we are brethren. Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me. If you take the left, then I will go to the right; or, if you go to the right, then I will go to the left. (NKJ)
• B. Joseph
  Gen 45:3-5 Then Joseph said to his brothers, ""I am Joseph; does my father still live?'' But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed in his presence. And Joseph said to his brothers, ""Please come near to me.'' So they came near. Then he said: ""I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. But now, do not therefore be grieved nor angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. (NKJ)
• C. Jesus
• 1. Luke 4:36 Then they were all amazed and spoke among themselves, saying, ""What a word this is! For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out.'' (NKJ)
• 2. John 10:18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father." (NIV)
• 3. Isa 53:7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; he was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth. (NKJ)

CONCLUSION

• A. The first three beatitudes fit together to form the beginning of faith
• 1. The poor in spirit
• 2. Those who mourn
• 3. The meek
• 4. Each of these is important to turning us away from ourselves toward God
• 5. Without them, faith cannot truly begin
• B. How's your faith?
• 1. Could be that the answer is found in how well these characteristics are rooted in your life
• 2. They help us answer the question, "Who are we depending on?"
• C. Invitation

Copyright © 1995, Bill Denton. Permission granted to use sermon outlines for personal study and preparation of sermons, Bible classes or other teaching format. Sermons may not be reprinted in any form without written permission of the author.

Additional Resources

Sermon on the Mount Index
CrossTies Home Page

You can reach me at: BillDenton@crossties.org