IntroductionWhen we consider the mightiest leaders in When we consider the mightiest leaders in

history we think of Nebuchadnezzar of history we think of Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, Cyrus of Persia, Alexander the Babylon, Cyrus of Persia, Alexander the

Great of Greece, Caesar of Rome.Great of Greece, Caesar of Rome.

Daniel interpreted Nebuchadnezzar’s Daniel interpreted Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and prophesied about these dream and prophesied about these world kingdoms. world kingdoms. (Daniel 2:37-40)

In the 4th kingdom, he prophesied that there would be a kingdom God would

set up which would never be destroyed (Daniel 2:44).

IntroductionDavid was told that the David was told that the Lord would

establish His kingdom forever from one of his descendants (2 Samuel 7:12-13).

The Jews believed the Messiah would The Jews believed the Messiah would conquer the Roman kingdom and set conquer the Roman kingdom and set

up an earthly kingdom where He would up an earthly kingdom where He would be sitting on David’s earthly throne in be sitting on David’s earthly throne in

Jerusalem forever. Jerusalem forever.

When Jesus performs miracles and they When Jesus performs miracles and they think that He is the One, He says, think that He is the One, He says,

“blessed are the meek” and they are “blessed are the meek” and they are perplexed. perplexed.

What Meekness is NotMeekness is not weakness.Meekness is not weakness.

It does not mean that a person lacks It does not mean that a person lacks confidence, courage, or conviction.confidence, courage, or conviction.

It does not mean that he is timid, shy, or It does not mean that he is timid, shy, or indecisive. indecisive.

It does not mean that he will compromise It does not mean that he will compromise the truth in order to have peace at any the truth in order to have peace at any

price. price.

Meekness is Strength Under Control

The Greeks used this word “praus” The Greeks used this word “praus” translated “meek” to describe a horse translated “meek” to describe a horse that was trained and controlled by his that was trained and controlled by his

master. master.

The horse had the potential to be wild but The horse had the potential to be wild but it had been trained to obey. it had been trained to obey.

In the same way that the horse has its In the same way that the horse has its strength under control of the rider, our strength under control of the rider, our strength is under control or direction of strength is under control or direction of

God’s word. God’s word.

Moses- Strength out of ControlHe was spared from certain death as an He was spared from certain death as an

infant and was raised in the palace of infant and was raised in the palace of Egypt. Egypt.

When he was 40, he saw an Israelite When he was 40, he saw an Israelite treated unjustly by an Egyptian and treated unjustly by an Egyptian and killed him supposing that God was killed him supposing that God was going to grant them deliverance

through him (Acts 7:24-25).

Was that meekness? No, that was weakness, because his strength was not under God’ s control but his own

and he fled for 40 years from Pharaoh (Acts 7:29-30).

Moses- Trained by God to be Meek

God calls him from the burning bush to go God calls him from the burning bush to go to the Egyptians using to the Egyptians using miracles so that

Pharaoh would let His people go (Exodus 3).

After Moses makes many excuses concerning his lack of ability, he

decides to go (Ex. 4).

After God delivers the people from Egyptian bondage, Moses has to

endure the criticism and complaints of the faithless Israelites who wanted to

stone him (Numbers 14:1-10).

Moses- the Weak becomes Meek

Instead of desiring that the Israelites be Instead of desiring that the Israelites be killed for their rebellion and God killed for their rebellion and God

beginning a new nation through him, beginning a new nation through him, Moses prays that God would forgive Moses prays that God would forgive

their their sins (Nu. 14:11-19).

Moses rebuked Aaron and the people for their sins when they made the golden

calf. (Exodus 32:19ff)

Moses learned to have his strength under control of God’s will and not his own.

(Num. 12:3)

The Sons of Thunder Desire Power

Jesus chose James and John as apostles. Jesus chose James and John as apostles. (Mark 3:17)

They asked Jesus if they could call down fire from heaven to destroy the

Samaritans like Elijah did (Luke 9:54).

Jesus rebuked them since He came to save souls (Luke 9:55-56).

Another time, they asked Jesus for positions of power which caused the other 10 apostles to be mad at them

(Mk. 10:35ff).

The Sons of Thunder Learn Meekness

James and John learned meekness from James and John learned meekness from the Master in many different situations: the Master in many different situations: transfiguration; resurrection of a child; transfiguration; resurrection of a child; in the Garden of Gethsemane before in the Garden of Gethsemane before death. death. (Mark 5:37ff; 9:2ff;

14:33ff)

John becomes the beloved apostle who used his power under control of God’s

word to write a gospel and epistles which evidence that Jesus is God’s son while also rebuking sin. (John

20:30-31; 1 John 2:3-5)

James became a martyr for Christ (Acts 12:2).

We Must Learn Meekness from Jesus

He is the Son of God who voluntarily gave He is the Son of God who voluntarily gave up His will to do the Father’s will for our up His will to do the Father’s will for our

salvation salvation (Philippians 2:5-8).

In the Garden of Gethsemane, he prayed, "Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours

be done“ (Luke 22:42).

He had 72,000 angels at his disposal to prevent his arrest, but He was

concerned about the Scriptures being fulfilled (Mt. 26:53ff).

We Must Learn Meekness from Jesus

Jesus did not seek vengeance on those Jesus did not seek vengeance on those who mocked, ridiculed, beat, scourged who mocked, ridiculed, beat, scourged

and crucified Him but instead said, and crucified Him but instead said, “Father forgive them for they “Father forgive them for they do not

know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).

He was led as a lamb to the slaughter but did not open his mouth in his own

defense, but only in accordance with God’s will. (Isaiah 53:7;

Matthew 27:11-14; 26:62-64)

We Must Learn Meekness from Jesus

The Lamb of God is also the Lion of the The Lamb of God is also the Lion of the Tribe of Tribe of Judah (Revelation 5:5).

Jesus threw the moneychangers out of the temple at the beginning and end of His ministry (John 2:13-17; Luke 19:45-46).

Jesus severely rebuked the Pharisees for their sins but wept over their

unwillingness to repent (Matthew 23:31-39).

How do we apply meekness to our lives?

When God speaks we humbly listen and When God speaks we humbly listen and obey. obey. (Psalm 25:9)

When we suffer persecution, we don’t retaliate with personal insults or

violence, but with kindness so they can be saved through the word of God (2

Timothy 2:24-26; 3:12).

When error is taught, we will have the courage to cast down everything that is raised up against the knowledge of God rather than compromise with it (2 Cor.

10:3-6).

ConclusionIt is not the mighty that shall inherit the It is not the mighty that shall inherit the

earth but the meek. earth but the meek.

They enjoy all spiritual blessings in Christ They enjoy all spiritual blessings in Christ here here (Eph. 1:4; 1 Cor. 3:21-23) and look forward to a new heavens and a new earth where righteousness dwells (2

Peter 3:13).

Is your strength under control of God’s will or your own (Proverbs 14:12; Eph.

6:10)?

This is a lifetime commitment that takes much longsuffering and patience.

Conclusion

Only the gospel is God’s power to save Only the gospel is God’s power to save your soul. your soul. (Romans 1:16; James 1:21)

Will you allow Jesus to rule the reins of your heart or sin (Romans 6:16-17)?

“Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart:

and you shall find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light”

(Matthew 11:28-30).