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MATTHEW 5: 5

"BLESSED ARE THE MEEK"

Intro: Unbelievable to natural mind - world conquest - world dominion -
to the meek! Worldly view - strength, power, self-assertion,
self-expression to get on in this world.

I. THE CHRISTIAN DESCRIBED AS MEEK.
        A. Altogether different from world.
                1. A "new man" beIongs to different kingdom.
                2. He is enigma to world - if you are not you had better
                   examine your ground.
        B. Statement must have shocked Jewish listeners.
                1. They had ideas of military kingdom.
                        a. Conquest - fighting.
        C. This statement in contrast to much thinking in churches today. 
                1. We think of fighting world and sin with great
                   organizations.
                        a. Churches establish lobbies in Washington.
                2. Blessed are the meek - those who are not trusting in
                   their own wisdom or abilities, but in God.
                3. God works opposite to man's way many times, and as with
                   Gideon reduces numbers before he gives victory.

II. THE RELATION TO THE OTHER BEATITUDES.
        A. Poor in spirit, results from seeing God. 
        B. Mourning, results from seeing self.
        C. Meek, results from seeing task.

Ill. EXAMPLES OF MEEKNESS.
        A. Abraham - giving Lot the choice.
        B. Moses.
        C. Gideon.
        D. David - relation to Saul.
        E. Jeremiah - individualist - non-cooperative, he would not say
           all saying.
        F. Paul - the things he suffered from the hands of men. "My
           sufficiency is of Christ." "I can do all things through
           Christ..."
        G. Christ, "Come unto me." "I am meek and lowly of heart." "I do
           nothing of myself -The Father that dwelleth in me - He doeth
          the works."

IV. WHAT IS MEEKNESS?
        A. Not a natural quality - not natural disposition.
                1. Look at Paul by nature.
        B. Meekness does not mean indolence.
                1. Some may appear to be meek - just plain lazy.
        C. It does not mean niceness.
                1. Some people born nice - biological.
                2. Even as dogs - that's a nice dog.
        D. Not peace at any price.
                1. Jeremiah.
                2. The martyrs were meek but never weak.
        E. Not merely outward manner.
                1. Inner quality.