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MATTHEW 5: 5

BLESSED ARE THE MEEK"

Intro: Opposed to natural thinking -"world conquest, possession given to
the meek." World thinks in terms of strength, power, aggressiveness.
Christian an enigma to the world. Great shock to Jews - thinking of
kingdom in terms of military and material. Contrast to much thinking in
Christian church. Fighting sin, communism, world, by organization. Nature
of denominations to exalt individuals.

I. RELATION TO OTHER BEATITUDES.
        A. Logical sequence.
        B. Progressive sequence.
                1. More searching and more humbling.
                2. First asks me to see myself in presence of God, His
                   light.
                        a. The second is my immediate response to such
                           vision.
                                1. I am ready to say, "O wretched man that
                                   I am."
                                2. Am I ready to hear others say it?
                        b. Up till now it has been confined to God and me.
                                1. Now my relation to others, my reactions
                                   to what they do to me.

II. WHO IS THIS MEEK PERSON, WHAT IS HE LIKE?
        A. Old Testament examples:
                1. Abraham - attitude towards Lot's choice.
                2. Moses - esteemed reproach of Christ, greater riches.
                3. David - attitude toward Saul.
                4. Jeremiah - non conformist, not cooperative.
        B. New Testament examples:
                1. Paul.
                2. Christ, "For I am meek and lowly of heart."
                        a. PhiI. 2, " Let this mind be in you."

III. WHAT IS MEEKNESS?
        A. Not a natural quality.
                1. All Christians are meant to be meek, regardless of
                   their natural dispositions.
                        a. David, Moses, Paul.
        B. Does not mean indolence.
        C. Not weakness.
                1. Meekness compatible with great strength.
                        a. Martyrs.
        D. Meekness is my attitude towards others in light of the truth I
           know about me.
                1. A man cannot be meek who is not first poor in spirit
                   and mourning.
                2. Not desiring to assert self, ashamed of self.
                3. Does not make demands for himself, position, status.
                4. Is not sensitive about himself. Not on constant
                   defensive.
                        a. One of greatest curses as result of fall,
                           sensitivity about self.
                        b. Knowing you are nothing and claiming no rights,
                           no one can harm you. You do not fear falling.
                        c. Amazed at grace of God.
                5. Expressed in mildness - Jesus. No spirit of
                   retaliation - "reviled, reviled not again."
                        a. If you are guilty and take it well, what
                           reward?
                        b. We leave everything in God's hands - life,
                           future, rights.

IV. RESULT - "THEY SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH."
        A. They already possess the earth.
                1. They are satisfied "as having nothing yet possessing
                   all things." "All things are yours."
        B. Future sense. Coming kingdom.