"The world says that we are not to let others step on us; we are not to be trounced upon. We are to stand up and be noticed - make people notice us."
[This sermon is one of a series entitled "Sermon on the Mount, Concentrating on the Beatitudes," which is being preached on Sunday mornings by Pastor Tim Senter.]
To mourn–I pray you have remembered this, which is our lesson from last week. I pray as well that you have also retained what you learned from the poor in Spirit, and that you have become just that. As we study the Beatitudes, it must grow more visible in your mind that we are far from the mark that God has set for His kingdom, and that we first must be poor in spirit. This sense follows a natural recognition that creates a mourning spirit within us for all those who do not know our great God. In this we mourn also at our ineptitudes, and our inability to reach His greatness. We reach out for Christ. This is our personal mourning. We mourn too in fellowship because our fellowship is marred here on earth with the imperfection of the world itself. We find opportunities to encourage one another, and to seek strength with and in one another as we seek to encourage others with the great gift of God. This is mourning in fellowship. We mourn then as a group in the church as well. As arms, legs, fingers, eyes and ears of the church, we mourn in the overall happenstances of the world and the evil intrusion into the purity of the church. The business that church has become is now on display and this business is of Satan, not of God. We mourn because people go to what they call “church” to be entertained in some sort of pseudo-holy parade of talent, musically, theatrically, or both. The church, therefore, mourns because God is not the focus; but the talent of people who are not serving God but themselves instead seems to be the substance. “How can we make more people come?” is one question. “What is it that people do not like about church?” is another question. The question should be, “Is that what God’s Word says?–Is that how God asks us to worship Him in His word?” One of my favorites is, “Is that what was done in the first century with the Word of God that was available to them?” What did Paul, Timothy, Titus, Peter, and John do? What did they use to minister? They used the Word of God (Acts 6:2; 2 Tim 2:15) – not a skit or play (which were quite prevalent in those days too). Finally, we found the Lord mourning. Our Savior grieves because He stands right before you every day in His creation, in the vast complexity of the world, in the testimony of believers, in the testimony of Bible preaching and teaching churches–yet you still reject Him. In this, though, we found comfort, the comfort of salvation. However, in salvation we found comfort. We found comfort in scripture that tells us to rejoice in our heavenly destiny (Lk 17:20).
Today we study another pinnacle passage in scripture. We find in this verse great instruction, again presenting a paradox when compared to life on earth, as we know it. Look at Matthew 5:5 please, and we will read briefly. Here is our “Tim’s Translation”:
“Contented are the meek because they will inherit (receive or gain possession of something of considerable value that has not been earned) the earth.”
In this short verse, we find the most succinct description of the Lord’s humiliation. As we view the meek, we must consider that we are also viewing the Lord in the Beatitudes. We must see Him as He is, describing Himself for us to emulate. We found Him first humbling His spirit, and then mourning for the lost. Now we see our great, gracious, loving Savior in His true humanity – meek. We find this meekness in Psalm 37 especially in verse 11.
Power, strength, “survival of the fittest,” aggressive, braggadocio, bombastic–these words describe how we are to assert ourselves today in order to be noticed. People expect that we need to demand respect and demand our rights. The world says that we are not to let others step on us; we are not to be trounced upon. We are to stand up and be noticed – make people notice us. We hear about stories of how some famous people are treated. I have heard many people say to me, “What about what I want?” Famous people are pampered, coddled, and told repeatedly they are great, they are the best, and they are the stars. Celebrities hear this so much and are treated with such fanfare that they actually begin to believe these things. I read once that one movie star, while filming a movie, was put up in a penthouse suite while the rest of the cast and crew dealt with the lowest priced motel accommodations to stay in budget. The celebrity demanded these accommodations because he was “worth it.” That is what the world has grown to expect though – elitism. There are actually songs that celebrate these ideas of expressing yourself or being bombastic.
We find the world of man’s self aggrandizement in various third world military dictatorships. These dictators use their military might to suppress and oppress their people into submission. They set up police states that dictate the minutest personal operations – even to impose rules concerning the number of children a family is permitted to have. They use mostly strong-arm tactics, propaganda, information control, and social programs to guide the wayward populace to produce for the potentate’s benefit. They tyrannize the people such that any disobedience results in punishment not just for the offender, but also for the offender’s family. This happens in most underdeveloped and least-advanced countries such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and other Asian countries. There are dictatorial leaders throughout the African continent in Algeria, Libya, and Sudan, to name a few. Keeping the populace poor and needy keeps them wanting and keeps you in power. The best thing they can do, the way they see it, is promote themselves and use all the resources for themselves. They are the “King” and deserve to be treated as such.
This happens in our nation too, as the welfare state has received a new breath of life from our government lately. As people become more dependent upon the federal government, the people give the federal government more control and forfeit their freedoms. The leaders of our government brag about how they will give and provide and that they are the ones who can save you and your possessions. As they do these things, they demand you serve them more, you pay them more, you need them more, and therefore you forfeit more of yourself. The government gathers power unto itself as it continues to promote itself as the provider, determinant, and arbiter, in all things for each person.
For these reasons this Beatitude creates a great conundrum, a quandary, and an enigmatic relationship for many. This Beatitude is uncomprehendable because gathering power and self-promoting is how we we are taught we can gain power. This is how you are to gain contentedness, happiness, or blessedness. You have to sell yourself to get anywhere in this life, to make money, and to succeed. No one is going to brag on you except you, so how can the meek inherit the entire earth? Man has no concept of God because men that are worldly could never conceive of His great humility. The people of the world would ask, “If He is God, why didn’t He save Himself from the cross?” This passage displays the foolish truth in that, “Man still thinks meekness is weakness, but it carries the strength of God.“ The proof of this foolishness that “might makes right” is in the understanding that the meek receive the world as their reward. It is not the strong, not the meanest, not the one with the biggest mouth, or the one with the fastest wit. None of this makes a bit of difference because we will learn today that it is, “Meek, Godly humility, which receives extraordinary rewards.“
Well, what is meekness then? Can we truly understand how people can be meek, can be humble, can permit others to trample all over them–yet be content, blessed, and happy? Can this be true? How do we find these things in our lives – this paradox makes no sense.
I. Meekness
Our first effort again is to look back, to review. When we discuss the meek, we are again doing so in the light of the “poor in spirit” and those who “mourn.” When reality hits man, where can he go but to the God who controls all things? Because this is the foundation, we first found being “poor in spirit” to be a necessity, and the first Beatitude therefore sets the pace for the rest. The poor in spirit have seen and recognized the truth of their heart. This, then, breeds mourning in their soul for lost souls. This is an awareness of sin within others and us that creates a mourning condition. The saved seek to be a tool of God to bring others to know His great grace. In this, also, is an inherent meekness. Once again, these are Christlike attributes first; therefore, the Christian exemplifies these characteristics. People who have Christ as their Savior live with these challenges and affirmations in their hearts. This means the meek are children of God as well. Once man is confronted with himself, he will either run from it in terrifying fear, or face it and seek change. Facing the reality of one’s spiritual condition compared to Christ must produce a level of humility and acquiescence–an unassuming, or lamb-like contemplation (Rom 3:23). Now we find that meekness develops in the believer as a result of the first two Beatitudes (1 Jn 1:10).
If we look through scripture, we find many examples of this meekness. Meekness is Godliness that draws people to it. Meekness provides for leadership, and gives God opportunities to use His servants in magnificent ways.
A. Men of Meekness
Looking through the record of scripture we can point to many who display meekness. In fact, we could argue that no one who is used of God will be able to do so without meekness. Today, we will simply start with Moses. Who could say Moses was meek in today’s terms? Meekness means “weakness” to anyone today. For instance, for the person who lives their life before a camera, intentionally challenging the eyes of the masses with the “next daring act,” meekness is the last quality they would want. Moses was in the spotlight throughout his life, too. However, Moses did not shine the spotlight upon himself, the spotlight was brought upon him by God, and Moses personally shunned the popularity because of a proper estimate of self-worth.
We find Moses displaying a meek spirit when he chose to follow the path of a slave instead of being the prince of Egypt (Acts 7:23; Heb 11:25-27). You see Moses in Exodus humbling himself before God and submitting to His will. Here is a man taught in Egypt to promote himself, to oppress the slave, to command and demand of others; yet he finds better the ways of God in his life. A man of brilliance taught in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, yet he saw his life in a far more humble state. His assessment of the treasures in Egypt as opposed to those of God brings him into a humble position and enables him to do the will of his great God and Creator of all. Moses never finds himself worthy of the task that is set before him. He seeks assistance from God on every occasion to provide for the people, to teach them, and initially to free them from the tyrannical Pharaoh.
Joseph is probably one of the more poignant examples of meekness. We find this displayed in his submission to his brothers, his captors, and those who imprisoned him. He never complains that he does not deserve the treatment, but instead sees it as a plan of God in his life. We do not find any place where he boasts of his own doing, only that the conviction of God is upon Him. He asks the cook to remember him before Pharaoh, nothing more. Where he could have made the dream interpretations a condition, he gives these freely, as they are given by God and because Joseph knows God gave him the ability–not for his own personal gain, but to accomplish the will of God. Joseph asks Potiphar’s wife, “How can I sin against God?” He is not concerned about what other people might say; he is not concerned about his personal reputation with Potiphar. Joseph is simply concerned about how God may find him. Joseph has a right assessment of himself, and his position before God.
John the Baptist clearly displays meekness where he states emphatically, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (Jn 3:30). John the Baptist clearly understood where he stood with respect to the Savior. He, the Savior, was the Bridegroom and it was not the best man’s place (John the Baptist) to take the stage before the Lord. John the Baptist was humble in his appearance (Matt 3:4), in his activity (Jn 3:29), in his life, and in his position (Jn 3:31). John the Baptist knew he was only there to introduce the Savior and prepare the way. John the Baptist had a right assessment of himself before God.
The apostle Paul shows us meekness in almost every epistle where he identifies himself as a servant, “doulos,” a bond slave of Christ Jesus. From Acts and his Damascus road experience, through 2 Timothy 4:18 where he expresses in chapter four,
”The Lord will deliver me from every evil deed and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom to Him be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
These would be some of the last words Paul would pen; yet, in them we find his humility and faith in Christ Jesus to deliver him from all evils and into the heavenly kingdom of God. Paul counts all the persecutions, all the pain, all the toil, and trouble and even losing his life as means of testimony to Christ (Phil 1:21; 3:7; 1 Tim 6:5). Paul had a right assessment of himself, his life, and his ministry before a great and loving God.
The Savior shows the greatest meekness of all as He controls the power of God within Him while in His humanity. We read in Matthew 11:29 of this meekness. In the instant it would take to speak a word, Jesus could eliminate sinners from the world; yet He came to save, not to judge man. We find meekness in His quietude before Caiaphas, when He says nothing in the questioning. We find meekness in His silence as the Chief Priests abuse Him physically, tearing out chunks of His beard and chiding Him. We find meekness in the temptations of Satan where He does not judge Satan, but holds to scripture–submitting to the humiliation, yet not submitting to temptation in the flesh. Jesus, above all, maintains a right view of Himself in His humanity compared to the God He is within Himself (Phil 2:6-7). Without this perfect balance of meekness compared to the assertive strength of God, we would never have salvation. Jesus is therefore the most perfect example of meekness.
None of these men were weak. Meekness is not weakness when we look at the fact that Moses led millions for God. There is nothing weak about Joseph, who saved a whole nation and led them to prosperity with Egypt. John the Baptist called the Pharisees and Sadducees a brood of vipers while calling for their repentance. How can this be considered placid or timid? Paul was stoned and like John the Baptist, was also beheaded for his faith. Finally, our Savior was meek in His submission to man for our salvation. Who would say Jesus was weak, delicate, fragile, shy, bashful, or diffident as a man who walked and taught throughout the Judean region for years, then submitted to the ungodly Romans and the most agonizing way to die ever concieved-indeed, beyond man’s imagination-that any human would have to endure. This man underwent great physical strain to minister to all of Judea. Jesus was in no way weak. Morris notes that, “strength and weakness accompanied by humility and dependence upon God” is meekness.[1] Meekness is having the ability to assert one’s power or authority, yet refraining from it. This is our Savior.
No, biblical meekness must mean something else with these examples, and many more, in our scriptures. What is true meekness then?
B. True Meekness
Surely meekness then is not exemplified in the “cover your behind” philosophy where individuals are constantly concerned about their reputation, how they might appear, or how they might offend someone with the gospel. This is mostly clear in our example of Joseph and his comment to Potiphar’s wife. I had a conversation with someone the other day that was somewhat along these lines. A lady called who is very confused about many things in life, and she confessed to me that she felt led to go into ministry. I asked her if I might give her a bit of advice (being a minister myself), and she assented. I advised her never to step outside of scripture in her ministry. She asked what I meant, therefore, I read 1 Timothy 2:11-15 to her. She took great offense in the fact that, scripturally, she could not teach men, but only children and women. I reminded her that it was God whom she was arguing with, not me. It was God’s word from which I had read, not my own personal notes. Standing for the truth does not always seem to be the most profitable thing in the short term, but the long term results are unmistakable – God’s blessings and comfort. It is a service in Christ Jesus that is the focus. This is a recognition equivalent with Philippians 2:6. Not that any minister should claim to be God; but when you read God’s Word, you are recognizing that you do not have the answer, but the Word of God does. This meekness says we are not always on guard or in self-preservation mode. As Lloyd-Jones put it:
To be meek, in other words, means that you have finished with yourself altogether, and you come to see you have no rights or deserts at all…The man who is truly meek is one who is amazed that God and man can think of him as well as they do and treat him as well as they do.”[2]
We, then, as Christians are to be gentle, tender, considerate, understanding, unassuming, and serene. This is because we know where we stand before the all-impressive and completely powerful God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. We have placed ourselves in His service, for His purposes, and His glory. For this reason, we seek not our own, to defend our own, to stand on our own, or to be of our own desires. We, instead, seek Him, His will, His honor, His guidance, His word, and His strength to glorify Him. When we, therefore, come through the recognition that we are poor in spirit, then move to the understanding that our spirit and the spirit of others need Him, we develop meekness in this understanding that it is Him, not us.
We develop, then, a complete dependence upon God as Christ did in His humility. We see Satan’s temptations the same way Jesus would see them, to be fought not through the flesh, not through our own intellect, not through some cunning quip or witty verbal exchange, but through the Word of God. We see ourselves in the flesh as incapable of defending against these attacks. We therefore are amazed when we cannot only be successful in our defense, but that we are used of God in a glorious way through these temptations. Meekness, then, is dependence upon God because of an understood position of vulnerability. Meekness is a sense of amazement to be used of God and have the ability to affect the eternal livelihood of souls through His word, through His spirit, with His power. Meekness is the understanding that through conviction of souls, the Word of God can bring people to repentance, and we are merely the tools by which this Word is presented. Meekness understands it is not within self, but the things from above that change others. Meekness is a level of recognition on par with the first two Beatitudes that brings about quietude and a self-effacing attitude.
Knowing now what meekness is biblically, we should consider what others might think meekness is.
C. False Meekness
I am reminded when considering this subject of a once-famous senator from South Dakota. When he spoke, he always presented himself with an air of humility, as a mild-mannered man, soft spoken and very much appearing to have some sense of natural abasement. However, the words he spoke, and the rhetoric he used, were quite venomous. This is certainly a false humility or a false meekness.
Another form of false humility is the “Regardless of what scripture says, I believe…” crowd. Most do not put it that way. Their statement normally just begins with “I believe…” These folks simply want to believe what they believe, regardless of what scripture says. They know little about scripture and the most striking question you can ask them is, “Can you show me where you learned that?” Then hand them a Bible. They believe they are self-determinant, and therefore are no better off than the atheist humanist who denies God; however they would claim to believe in God. Though they seem humble, they have a sense of honor and integrity about them. They are by no means meek, even if they present a compliant demeanor. People can present themselves and communicate in a mild and quiet voice, yet their hearts desire only what they want, and they take it regardless of the sin, regardless of what God says, regardless of the consequences, or the pain it causes others. I have had people talk to me and present such a quite calm veneer. The seem meek, quiet, and pleasant. They ask for advice, you show them scripture, then behind your back they verbally and openly speak against what you have told them and the scripture they were given.
Just being soft-spoken or giving the appearance of tenderness is not the mark of meekness. Consider the character Uriah Heep, in the Charles Dickens’ novel, “David Copperfield”. Heep displays a continually false and almost annoyingly, dripping humility of ingratiating servitude; however, he has grand ambitions and will stop at nothing to achieve them. Antagonistic, self-promoting, scheming, and conniving are words that better describe him. Heep is greedy and seeks success regardless of the path to reach it. One path is to present a face of meekness which gains immediate acceptance. Satan knows an appearance of meekness tends to disarm.
Another sense of false meekness is someone who is soft spoken, lending themselves to acquiescence in a sense, but still not able to permit another person a word in edgewise. Though they may seem harmless and meek in their appearance and communication, they are nothing except self-promoting in their activity. They simply like to hear themselves talk and expound.
Others claim weakness or frailty is meekness. We have previously discussed this, when we talked of the individuals represented in scripture. Frailty cannot be descriptive of David in any form, nor our Savior as He submitted to many tortures willingly.
Asceticism is another form of false meekness. Those who would deny themselves all that they can–food, any comfort, even proper clothing, in order to punish themselves by whipping themselves and torturing the flesh. This is a false meekness which only brings attention to one’s self as if to say, “Look at what I have given up for the Lord.” This is not meekness, but again a broadcast that cries for attention.
We have seen examples of meekness, we have seen true meekness and false meekness. What are the results of Godly meekness – what does it do to those who live as meek spirits?
D. Results of Meekness
One of the first recognitions of one who has this godly meekness is that the desire for vengeance is in them, and it should not be (1 Pet 2:21-22). We immediately come to terms with the recognition that it is in the power of God to bring about judgment and the proper reckoning in life. “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord,” and meekness leaves it therefore at His feet.
Recognizing our true person and position always brings about the understanding that we are not perfect. In this, we develop an understanding that brings about patience, because we know we too make mistakes. Patience and long-suffering are two traits of God that we greatly enjoy. I know I did with His waiting for so long for me to finally come to Him at age 35. In this mindset we can pray for loved ones for decades, wait patiently for our children to find Him, and rest in His time and not toil over our timelines.
Submission is a true heart recognition. We also find meekness generating greater and greater love for the lost, and an ability to understand them. We knew where we were, and we knew how hard it was for us to believe the amazing gift of salvation. Meekness generates great affection through a newly born heart that also remembers its past.
Meekness generates a submission of all worldly possessions, rights, considerations, quests, future, and our very lives to God. Through our meekness, we recognize our faults and failures, and our desire to be guided by His Word grows. Meekness results in man only seeking what is in God’s Word for them because the meek recognize their place – subordinate to God and His instruction.Finding this instruction also includes prayer in a dedicated effort to search for God’s will in our lives. We should pray for God to show us what He has for us in His Word. Man is not to develop his own personal beliefs because of what he thinks–that makes man a god. The meek man listens to God and His instruction and desires nothing else to influence their beliefs.
If we then see the results of meekness in our lives, what rewards are there concerning this meekness. What is the promise of receiving the world in conjunction with this meekness?
II. Meekness rewarded
The meek have contentedness regardless of location for the Lord is always with them just as He was with the disciples on the Sea of Galilee (Psalm 37:18; Matt 14:23-31). The meek, therefore, realize that with or without their doubt, they are saved. Neither their contemplation nor their effort will save them, just as their failings will not result in a loss of the Savior’s protection. The meek realize they are not the effect of their salvation.
They have contentedness even in strife (Phil 3:7; 1 Cor 11:22-30). The trials and tribulations that the meek might endure are recognized as hardships happening in this life. The meek look forward to the day when they no longer experience the worldly influence of temptation or the satanic abuse, and the meek believer knows this is coming. They know that God will require every knee to bow and every tongue to confess Him as Lord, regardless of what any one individual might think. The meek lean upon this truth as their strength and will rejoice at the judgment of the unbeliever because God’s justice will be done.
They have contentedness regardless of provision (Matt 6:25-31). The meek know God will give them what they need, not necessarily what they want. The meek know God has placed them in a position above the animals on the earth. If these creatures are provided for and do not go without, then how much more will God ensure man’s needs are cared for. This creates the ability for the meek to depend wholly upon God for this provision, and be thankful for any provision that is given–because God is good. The truly meek see this provision as a gift of God and something that is wholly within His control. This assent to God’s perfect sovereignty gives the meek freedom beyond compare.
They have salvation (Luke 9:48). Those who are least among the kingdom of man are brought into a position of great strength and power. This shows God’s glory and His purpose. Man leans upon the strong to survive in this world. However, man should lean upon the strongest Being in the universe. Those who are meek see this great salvation, reach for it, depend upon it, and live within it.
They are given power (1 Cor 6:2-4). The meek know that in truth they will be given authority over all things. As with Solomon and his request for wisdom, the meek seek this Godly wisdom and know they will only be successful in their assignments with this unction of God. The meek will judge those who seem strong, but they will do so in a manner that remembers their own hearts–they will do so fairly and justly. The meek will be given power to judge even angelic beings – fallen angels.
Meekness is many things, then, but it has nothing to do with weakness.
Meekness is not self-oriented, self-absorbed, or self-promoting. Meekness involves focusing upon others for the glory of God. Meekness provides freedom to testify of God, worship God, depend upon God, and grow in love for God. Meekness also provides for the eventual elevation of the believer to a position of authority over the fallen angels in the world today.
Can you say you grow in meekness every day? Conversely, do you see yourself interested only in things you want to do, people you feel comfortable being with? Has anyone ever told you that the world does not revolve around you? Why do you think they had to say that? If your life is oriented such that people see this in you, you are not meek. This scripture teaches that you cannot be this way and be poor in spirit. You cannot be self oriented and mourn for others. You cannot be self-absorbed and be saved. Your salvation alone is recognition of your personal inadequacy. Does your spirit demand meekness in the Lord?
[1] Morris, Leon, The Gospel According to Matthew, (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1992), 98.
[2] Lloyd-Jones, D Martyn, Studies in the Sermon on the Mount, One-volume edition (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1976), 57-58.
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