1 00:00:00,040 --> 00:00:02,440 Father, we thank you for today, We thank you for all that you 2 00:00:02,440 --> 00:00:04,160 do. And we thank you Lord, for the 3 00:00:04,160 --> 00:00:07,120 opportunity we had to study Your word tonight. 4 00:00:07,120 --> 00:00:09,600 Open our eyes to behold your beauty. 5 00:00:09,600 --> 00:00:11,280 Help us to see the glory of the Lord. 6 00:00:11,640 --> 00:00:15,720 Help us to understand our responsibility to follow you and 7 00:00:15,720 --> 00:00:18,160 pray God that you touch all of our hearts as only you can, 8 00:00:18,640 --> 00:00:21,240 because you are a great and wonderful God. 9 00:00:21,600 --> 00:00:25,200 And we thank you that we can be together in Jesus name, Amen. 10 00:00:26,400 --> 00:00:32,040 If you have your Bible, turn with me to John chapter 18, John 11 00:00:32,040 --> 00:00:38,000 chapter 18 years from now we will be in chapter 18 of John, 12 00:00:38,480 --> 00:00:44,360 just not anytime soon. And the 18th chapter of John is 13 00:00:44,840 --> 00:00:49,240 just a whether it's all a great passage, but I preach on this 14 00:00:49,240 --> 00:00:53,360 section of Scripture in the Garden of Gethsemane when we go 15 00:00:53,360 --> 00:00:57,560 to Israel simply because it's such a powerful, powerful 16 00:00:57,560 --> 00:01:00,240 passage. But but it sets the tone for 17 00:01:00,360 --> 00:01:02,600 what we want to talk to you about this evening. 18 00:01:02,600 --> 00:01:06,240 Because the Bible says in Matthew chapter 5 verse #5 19 00:01:06,440 --> 00:01:12,520 blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 20 00:01:13,560 --> 00:01:18,120 And there's no greater example of meekness than Christ. 21 00:01:18,880 --> 00:01:22,920 And one of the areas in which it's illustrated the best is in 22 00:01:22,920 --> 00:01:27,240 John chapter 18. And it says this, when Jesus had 23 00:01:27,240 --> 00:01:30,840 spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over 24 00:01:30,840 --> 00:01:34,960 the ravine of the Kidron, where there was a garden in the in 25 00:01:34,960 --> 00:01:36,920 which he entered with his disciples. 26 00:01:37,360 --> 00:01:41,760 Now Judas also, who was betraying him, knew the place, 27 00:01:41,760 --> 00:01:44,680 for Jesus had often met there with his disciples. 28 00:01:45,600 --> 00:01:50,160 Judas then, having received the Roman cohort and officers from 29 00:01:50,160 --> 00:01:53,760 the chief priests and the Pharisees, came there with 30 00:01:53,760 --> 00:01:56,960 lanterns and torches and weapons. 31 00:01:57,800 --> 00:02:02,280 So Jesus, knowing all the things that were coming upon him, went 32 00:02:02,280 --> 00:02:04,160 forth and said to them, Whom do you seek? 33 00:02:05,280 --> 00:02:07,360 They answer him. Jesus and Nazarene. 34 00:02:08,639 --> 00:02:13,040 He said to them, I am. And Judas also, who was 35 00:02:13,040 --> 00:02:14,920 betraying him, was standing with them. 36 00:02:16,000 --> 00:02:23,240 So he said to them, I am. They drew back and fell to the 37 00:02:23,240 --> 00:02:26,360 ground. Therefore he again asked them, 38 00:02:27,240 --> 00:02:30,240 Whom do you seek? And they said, Jesus and 39 00:02:30,240 --> 00:02:33,680 Nazarene. Jesus answered, I told you that 40 00:02:33,680 --> 00:02:36,840 I am. So if you seek me, let these go 41 00:02:36,840 --> 00:02:41,240 their way to fulfill the word which He spoke Of those whom you 42 00:02:41,240 --> 00:02:43,120 have given me. I lost not one. 43 00:02:44,160 --> 00:02:47,880 Simon Peter then having a sword, drew it and struck the high 44 00:02:47,880 --> 00:02:50,880 priest slave and cut off his right ear. 45 00:02:51,320 --> 00:02:56,160 And the slaves name was Malchus. So Jesus said to Peter, Put the 46 00:02:56,400 --> 00:03:00,840 sword into the sheath, the cup which the Father has given me, 47 00:03:00,840 --> 00:03:05,360 shall I not drink it? So the Roman cohort and the 48 00:03:05,360 --> 00:03:12,440 commander and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and 49 00:03:12,440 --> 00:03:19,680 bound him. So Jesus goes off to one of his 50 00:03:20,600 --> 00:03:30,360 four trials as a prisoner. But Jesus was not a prisoner, He 51 00:03:30,360 --> 00:03:39,040 was a free man. But Judas and the Roman army, 52 00:03:40,720 --> 00:03:45,080 they were not free men, but they were truly prisoners. 53 00:03:46,440 --> 00:03:48,800 They just not, did not understand that. 54 00:03:49,520 --> 00:03:51,640 Think of it. Here is Jesus in the middle of 55 00:03:51,640 --> 00:03:55,160 the night and there are no St. lights in the Garden of 56 00:03:55,160 --> 00:03:58,840 Gethsemane. And so they come with torches 57 00:03:58,840 --> 00:04:05,720 and lanterns and weapons to imprison the Prince of Peace. 58 00:04:07,440 --> 00:04:12,320 And the cohort is 600 men. And you think of the Temple 59 00:04:12,320 --> 00:04:16,320 police being somewhere between 100 and 200 police. 60 00:04:16,320 --> 00:04:21,519 So you have around 800 people plus Pharisees and and some 61 00:04:21,519 --> 00:04:25,040 probably Sadducees and scribes all gathering together. 62 00:04:25,160 --> 00:04:30,760 So you have over 800 people all coming from Jerusalem, crossing 63 00:04:30,760 --> 00:04:35,080 over the Kidron with torches and and lanterns looking for the 64 00:04:35,080 --> 00:04:39,800 light of the world. And Jesus meets them at the 65 00:04:39,800 --> 00:04:44,000 entryway to the garden and asks them, well, whom do you seek? 66 00:04:44,000 --> 00:04:48,720 And they respond by saying Jesus and Nazarene and he says I am. 67 00:04:48,720 --> 00:04:50,400 And they all fall over backwards. 68 00:04:50,400 --> 00:04:53,000 And the most amazing thing is they get back up again. 69 00:04:53,320 --> 00:04:56,760 So he asked him the same question, whom do you seek? 70 00:04:57,760 --> 00:04:59,840 And they repeat Jesus and Nazarene. 71 00:05:00,920 --> 00:05:06,920 He says I am and they take him prisoner, but he's the only free 72 00:05:06,920 --> 00:05:12,080 man in the bunch, while those who perceive themselves to be 73 00:05:12,080 --> 00:05:18,200 free are really prisoners. You see, Jesus was in complete 74 00:05:18,200 --> 00:05:23,360 control of the situation and he had all the power to do whatever 75 00:05:23,360 --> 00:05:29,640 he wanted, but he chose, he chose willingly to go with them 76 00:05:30,480 --> 00:05:36,440 because why? He was the meekest on the face 77 00:05:36,440 --> 00:05:39,360 of the earth. He becomes the supreme 78 00:05:39,360 --> 00:05:41,440 illustration of what it means to be meek. 79 00:05:43,760 --> 00:05:47,400 But Christ is the is the master of the paradox. 80 00:05:48,440 --> 00:05:54,320 One day I would like to do a a series on on on all those 81 00:05:55,080 --> 00:06:04,160 paradoxes that Christ speaks of. Christ says the last are first. 82 00:06:06,400 --> 00:06:14,360 Those who give receive. Those who die live. 83 00:06:16,160 --> 00:06:23,400 Those who lose find. Those who are the least are 84 00:06:23,400 --> 00:06:28,040 really the greatest. Those who are the poorest are 85 00:06:28,040 --> 00:06:31,600 the richest. Those who are the weakest are 86 00:06:31,600 --> 00:06:39,280 the strongest, and those who serve are really those who rule. 87 00:06:41,000 --> 00:06:45,640 He's the master of the paradox. Nobody can say it quite like 88 00:06:45,640 --> 00:06:49,120 Jesus says it. And the way he puts it in the 89 00:06:49,120 --> 00:06:52,120 way he phrases it is so startling. 90 00:06:54,040 --> 00:06:56,800 And so if you're a Jew and you're you're on the North Shore 91 00:06:56,800 --> 00:07:01,040 of the Sea of Galilee in Christ ascends this mount and takes his 92 00:07:01,040 --> 00:07:05,560 seat and begins to say blessed are the poor in spirit, for 93 00:07:05,640 --> 00:07:08,840 theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. And blessed are those who mourn, 94 00:07:08,840 --> 00:07:12,680 for they shall be comforted and blessed are the are the meek, 95 00:07:12,800 --> 00:07:14,200 for they shall inherit the earth. 96 00:07:14,400 --> 00:07:18,920 All these things are are supreme paradoxes in the minds of the 97 00:07:18,920 --> 00:07:26,440 people listening. But Jesus, Jesus knows how to 98 00:07:26,440 --> 00:07:35,400 say it in just the right way. He says very simply that those 99 00:07:35,400 --> 00:07:43,040 who realize their poverty are those who repent from their 100 00:07:43,040 --> 00:07:48,160 iniquity. And those who repent from their 101 00:07:48,160 --> 00:07:59,480 iniquity respond with humility. And what Jesus says goes against 102 00:07:59,480 --> 00:08:03,800 everything we believe. If you want to inherit the 103 00:08:03,800 --> 00:08:05,880 world, you're, you're the aggressor. 104 00:08:07,680 --> 00:08:11,400 If you want to rule the world, you, you are the powerful one, 105 00:08:11,680 --> 00:08:14,880 you're the rich one, you're the strong one. 106 00:08:15,440 --> 00:08:18,560 You're the one who overrides everyone else. 107 00:08:19,440 --> 00:08:24,920 So we think, try to tell Aceo that his greatest quality will 108 00:08:24,920 --> 00:08:30,960 be meekness and he will laugh at you because that's just unheard 109 00:08:30,960 --> 00:08:35,880 of. But in God's Kingdom, those who 110 00:08:36,360 --> 00:08:43,120 understand meekness are the ones who inherit the earth. 111 00:08:44,880 --> 00:08:50,040 In fact, Jesus said this way. All you that are heavy laden 112 00:08:50,040 --> 00:08:57,600 come to me, I will give you rest for I am meek and lowly in 113 00:08:57,600 --> 00:09:01,880 hearts. He He opens the door for us to 114 00:09:01,880 --> 00:09:06,040 see the inner workings of the of the Messiah. 115 00:09:07,360 --> 00:09:12,600 He is meek and he is lowly at heart. 116 00:09:14,040 --> 00:09:19,520 This was a a a difficult pill for the nation of Israel to 117 00:09:19,520 --> 00:09:25,520 swallow because of Jesus is their Messiah, which he claims 118 00:09:25,520 --> 00:09:30,520 to be and and he is. Their perception of the Messiah 119 00:09:30,520 --> 00:09:39,840 is different than than meekness, it's strength, it's power and 120 00:09:39,840 --> 00:09:43,400 they would they would begin to think in the Jewish mind. 121 00:09:44,560 --> 00:09:51,320 These verses about the Messiah Daniel 7 verse 13 Well Daniel 122 00:09:51,320 --> 00:09:54,040 says, I kept looking in the night visions, and behold with 123 00:09:54,040 --> 00:09:57,680 the clouds of heaven. 1 Like a son of man was coming, and he 124 00:09:57,680 --> 00:10:01,480 came up to the ancient of days and presented him, or presented 125 00:10:01,480 --> 00:10:04,520 before him. And to him was given dominion 126 00:10:04,520 --> 00:10:08,480 and glory in a Kingdom that all the peoples, nations, and men of 127 00:10:08,480 --> 00:10:12,280 every language might serve him. His dominion is an everlasting 128 00:10:12,280 --> 00:10:16,760 dominion which will not pass away, and his Kingdom is 1 which 129 00:10:16,760 --> 00:10:21,720 will not be destroyed. They think of the Messiah, which 130 00:10:21,720 --> 00:10:27,240 is a very, very familiar passage to Jews, that this is the the 131 00:10:27,240 --> 00:10:31,400 coming of the Messiah. He rules and reign with power 132 00:10:31,480 --> 00:10:35,360 and dominion. And then they would think of 133 00:10:35,440 --> 00:10:39,520 those very familiar words. And Isaiah Chapter 9, verse #6 134 00:10:40,000 --> 00:10:43,440 For a child will be born to us, and the Son will be given to us, 135 00:10:44,040 --> 00:10:47,400 and the government will rest on his shoulders. 136 00:10:48,600 --> 00:10:51,400 This name will be called wonderful Counselor, mighty God, 137 00:10:51,520 --> 00:10:54,960 eternal Father, Prince of Peace, And there will be no end to the 138 00:10:54,960 --> 00:11:00,280 increase of His government or of peace on the throne of David and 139 00:11:00,280 --> 00:11:03,800 over His Kingdom to establish it and to uphold it with justice 140 00:11:03,960 --> 00:11:07,400 and righteousness from then on and forever more. 141 00:11:07,640 --> 00:11:13,240 The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this. 142 00:11:14,280 --> 00:11:17,240 They're thinking of their Messiah and understanding that 143 00:11:17,240 --> 00:11:20,920 when He comes, He rules over all. 144 00:11:22,040 --> 00:11:26,320 And then they would be drawn to Malachi chapter 4 verse #1 For 145 00:11:26,320 --> 00:11:29,040 behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace, and all 146 00:11:29,040 --> 00:11:32,280 the arrogant and every evildoer will be chaffed, and the day 147 00:11:32,280 --> 00:11:36,880 that it is coming will set them ablaze, says the Lord of hosts. 148 00:11:37,360 --> 00:11:40,360 So that will leave them neither root nor branch. 149 00:11:41,080 --> 00:11:44,400 But for you who fear my name, the Son of righteousness will 150 00:11:44,400 --> 00:11:48,160 rise with healing in its wings, and you will go forth and skip 151 00:11:48,160 --> 00:11:50,360 about like calves from the stall. 152 00:11:50,520 --> 00:11:53,480 You will tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under 153 00:11:53,480 --> 00:11:56,640 your the soles of your feet on the day which I am preparing, 154 00:11:56,640 --> 00:12:00,600 says the Lord of hosts. And they would think that here 155 00:12:00,600 --> 00:12:04,240 is the Lord who comes and he tramples everyone down, and he 156 00:12:04,360 --> 00:12:08,760 rules over all, and he is strong and mighty, and the dominion is 157 00:12:08,760 --> 00:12:10,680 his. That's what they're thinking 158 00:12:10,920 --> 00:12:14,200 about the Messiah. And Jesus comes and says, 159 00:12:14,760 --> 00:12:19,560 blessed are those who are poor, for I give them my Kingdom. 160 00:12:21,360 --> 00:12:26,520 Blessed are those who who mourn they and they only will be 161 00:12:26,520 --> 00:12:32,120 comforted and, and blessed are the meek for the earth is 162 00:12:32,120 --> 00:12:35,600 theirs. There's and and there's only, no 163 00:12:35,600 --> 00:12:40,160 one else's. And this was completely shocking 164 00:12:40,160 --> 00:12:45,520 to a, to a Jewish mindset. And so all, all throughout the 165 00:12:45,520 --> 00:12:48,840 ministry, they would hear words like Jesus saying, I've come to 166 00:12:48,840 --> 00:12:53,360 preach the gospel to the poor. I've come to preach the gospel 167 00:12:53,360 --> 00:12:55,800 as I look forward to those who are oppressed. 168 00:12:56,360 --> 00:13:00,560 And Israel saw themselves as oppressed, but not because of 169 00:13:00,560 --> 00:13:03,800 their iniquity, but because of their their enemy, Rome. 170 00:13:04,080 --> 00:13:05,800 They were under the oppression of Rome. 171 00:13:05,800 --> 00:13:10,440 And so if the Messiah comes, he is going to relieve their 172 00:13:10,440 --> 00:13:14,360 oppression. He will release them from their 173 00:13:14,360 --> 00:13:16,760 imprisonment. And they think, they're thinking 174 00:13:16,760 --> 00:13:20,880 their imprisonment is Rome, that Rome is is hovering over them 175 00:13:20,880 --> 00:13:23,600 and ruling over them. And they can be set free from 176 00:13:23,600 --> 00:13:26,920 that, not knowing that they are enslaved to their sin. 177 00:13:28,640 --> 00:13:32,040 They did not understand the arrival of the Messiah, even 178 00:13:32,240 --> 00:13:37,800 even at the end of his ministry. Remember Matthew chapter 21 it 179 00:13:37,800 --> 00:13:41,840 says when they had approached Jerusalem, Matthew chapter 21 180 00:13:41,840 --> 00:13:45,480 verse #1 and had come to Bethpage at the Mount of Olives. 181 00:13:45,640 --> 00:13:48,960 Then Jesus said two disciples saying to them, go to the 182 00:13:48,960 --> 00:13:51,800 village opposite you, and immediately you will find a 183 00:13:51,800 --> 00:13:54,840 donkey tied there in a colt with her. 184 00:13:55,360 --> 00:13:59,240 Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, 185 00:13:59,240 --> 00:14:04,000 you shall say the Lord has need of them, and immediately He will 186 00:14:04,000 --> 00:14:08,200 send them. This took place to fulfill what 187 00:14:08,200 --> 00:14:13,600 was spoken through the prophet and he quotes Zechariah 9 verse 188 00:14:13,600 --> 00:14:18,760 #9 say to the daughter of Zion, behold, your king is coming to 189 00:14:18,760 --> 00:14:26,000 you meek and mounted on a donkey, even on a colt, the full 190 00:14:26,560 --> 00:14:32,400 of a beast of burden. They would know Zechariah 9. 191 00:14:33,440 --> 00:14:38,280 They would understand that and they would try to, to connect 192 00:14:38,280 --> 00:14:42,720 the dots of how it is that the, the Son of Man 1 like a Son of 193 00:14:42,720 --> 00:14:45,760 man would come and come up to the ancient of days, that he 194 00:14:45,760 --> 00:14:48,800 would have received glory and power and the Kingdom. 195 00:14:49,520 --> 00:14:53,680 And, and it's the, the, the power of the Lord of hosts that 196 00:14:53,880 --> 00:14:56,280 caused him to accomplish these kinds of things. 197 00:14:56,280 --> 00:14:59,000 And and then they would read that, that the Messiah would 198 00:14:59,000 --> 00:15:05,120 come on the backside of a donkey instead of a, a Persian steed 199 00:15:05,120 --> 00:15:07,800 instead of a, a, a white stallion. 200 00:15:07,920 --> 00:15:11,640 He comes on the backside of a of a donkey. 201 00:15:12,720 --> 00:15:18,240 And yet, and yet disciples went and did just as Jesus had 202 00:15:18,240 --> 00:15:22,040 instructed them and brought the donkey in the colt and laid 203 00:15:22,040 --> 00:15:25,800 their coats on them. And he sat on their coats for 204 00:15:25,800 --> 00:15:27,640 Satan. Most of the crowd spread their 205 00:15:27,640 --> 00:15:31,880 coats in the road, and others were cutting branches from the 206 00:15:31,880 --> 00:15:34,040 trees and spreading them in the road. 207 00:15:34,640 --> 00:15:37,280 The crowds going ahead of him and those who followed were 208 00:15:37,280 --> 00:15:40,280 shouting Hosanna to the Son of David. 209 00:15:40,440 --> 00:15:43,040 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. 210 00:15:43,240 --> 00:15:47,960 Hosanna. Excuse me, Hosanna in the 211 00:15:47,960 --> 00:15:50,560 highest. Now you have to understand that 212 00:15:51,720 --> 00:15:54,760 here is Christ and he's making his way up to Jerusalem. 213 00:15:55,560 --> 00:15:59,960 It's Passover time and there are thousands upon thousands of 214 00:15:59,960 --> 00:16:04,120 people moving toward Jerusalem, and he's making his way up 215 00:16:04,120 --> 00:16:08,000 through Jericho, healing 2 blind men in Jericho, and the crowds 216 00:16:08,000 --> 00:16:12,760 begin to swell beyond number. And so they're following him 217 00:16:12,840 --> 00:16:17,400 into Jerusalem, while the crowds in Jerusalem are already there. 218 00:16:18,640 --> 00:16:24,320 And here comes Jesus fulfillment of Zechariah 99 and they see him 219 00:16:24,320 --> 00:16:27,960 coming and they begin to take off their their coats and, and 220 00:16:27,960 --> 00:16:32,200 lay them down in front of this beast of burden, this, this 221 00:16:32,200 --> 00:16:32,960 donkey. Why? 222 00:16:33,240 --> 00:16:37,040 Because they are saying, I'm giving all I have to you. 223 00:16:37,920 --> 00:16:40,080 You're in charge, you're the king. 224 00:16:41,120 --> 00:16:44,600 Others were taking branches and, and and waving them and laying 225 00:16:44,600 --> 00:16:46,240 them down. And that's why, that's why the 226 00:16:46,240 --> 00:16:49,320 Pharisees were so upset because of Passover. 227 00:16:49,400 --> 00:16:51,560 You don't cut down the branches and wave them. 228 00:16:51,800 --> 00:16:55,360 You do that at the Feast of Tabernacles, not at Passover. 229 00:16:56,840 --> 00:17:00,000 And the Pharisees knew that if they're doing this, they're 230 00:17:00,000 --> 00:17:03,120 doing it because they believe that their Messiah is coming. 231 00:17:04,119 --> 00:17:08,119 And if the Messiah is coming and they don't think he is, we got a 232 00:17:08,119 --> 00:17:11,319 major problem. Thus says the religious 233 00:17:11,319 --> 00:17:18,520 establishment. And so they believe in some 234 00:17:18,520 --> 00:17:20,839 small way that this is their Messiah. 235 00:17:22,760 --> 00:17:28,160 And then over in Luke's Luke's comment on this, he says the 236 00:17:28,160 --> 00:17:31,160 whole crowd of the disciples began to praise God joyfully 237 00:17:31,160 --> 00:17:35,680 with a loud voice because of his miracles, not because of his 238 00:17:35,680 --> 00:17:38,480 message. His message was blessed are the 239 00:17:38,480 --> 00:17:41,080 poor, blessed are those who mourn. 240 00:17:41,800 --> 00:17:46,520 Blessed are the are the meek and the and the hungry and the 241 00:17:46,880 --> 00:17:54,280 peacemakers and the pure heart. But they didn't listen to that. 242 00:17:55,920 --> 00:18:01,120 It was it was the the miracles that got them excited. 243 00:18:03,680 --> 00:18:06,280 And they've said blessed is the king who comes in the name of 244 00:18:06,280 --> 00:18:08,600 the Lord, peace in heaven and glory in the highest. 245 00:18:08,760 --> 00:18:12,040 They even quote the Bible. They quote Psalm 110 and Psalm 246 00:18:12,040 --> 00:18:17,280 40, both Messianic Psalms, saying that Jesus is the 247 00:18:17,280 --> 00:18:22,800 Messiah, is the king, and Jesus goes into Jerusalem and he weeps 248 00:18:22,800 --> 00:18:29,200 over Jerusalem because he says, if you had known for on this day 249 00:18:30,440 --> 00:18:36,120 what I was here for, oh, I would have gathered you together, but 250 00:18:36,120 --> 00:18:39,880 you weren't willing. You did not recognize the day of 251 00:18:39,880 --> 00:18:46,320 your visitation and they should have recognized the day of his 252 00:18:46,320 --> 00:18:55,040 visitation because it was the exact day 173,880 days as 253 00:18:55,040 --> 00:18:58,120 prophesied by Daniel and Daniel 924 to 27. 254 00:18:59,480 --> 00:19:05,280 They should have known, but they missed it because they they 255 00:19:05,280 --> 00:19:09,120 believed in the dominion and power of the Messiah. 256 00:19:10,400 --> 00:19:12,960 And Jesus turns around and goes back to Bethany, comes back to 257 00:19:12,960 --> 00:19:14,920 the next day and cleanses the temple. 258 00:19:16,320 --> 00:19:19,480 Instead of setting up his Kingdom, instead of overthrowing 259 00:19:19,480 --> 00:19:24,440 Rome, he turns over the the tables in the temple. 260 00:19:25,600 --> 00:19:29,600 They are extremely confused. So confused that three days 261 00:19:29,600 --> 00:19:34,960 later they yell, crucify him, crucify him. 262 00:19:36,440 --> 00:19:40,120 See, the Messiah didn't come to be crowned, He came to be 263 00:19:40,120 --> 00:19:46,480 crucified. He didn't come to be exalted. 264 00:19:47,360 --> 00:19:51,480 He came to be humiliated. That's why he came. 265 00:19:52,800 --> 00:19:56,880 He came to die and they missed it all. 266 00:19:58,960 --> 00:20:02,960 So Jesus comes along early on in his ministry. 267 00:20:03,840 --> 00:20:09,840 He is paving the way to the end. He's helping them to understand 268 00:20:10,600 --> 00:20:14,520 He's the king. I want you to be children of My 269 00:20:14,520 --> 00:20:17,680 Kingdom. To do so, you must understand 270 00:20:17,680 --> 00:20:22,520 how to enter the Kingdom and how to grow up in the Kingdom. 271 00:20:23,800 --> 00:20:25,520 It begins with poverty of spirit. 272 00:20:26,480 --> 00:20:29,240 The moon moves to mourning over your sin. 273 00:20:30,440 --> 00:20:35,120 Then it moves to meekness. But with all that comes 274 00:20:35,160 --> 00:20:44,840 blessedness comes true joy comes happiness on the inside, a joy 275 00:20:44,840 --> 00:20:48,920 that's unaffected by anything on the outside because you're right 276 00:20:48,920 --> 00:20:52,280 with God on the inside and that's all that matters. 277 00:20:54,840 --> 00:20:58,080 And so he says, blessed are the meek. 278 00:20:59,720 --> 00:21:01,800 So hopefully you picked up an outline and you're able to 279 00:21:01,800 --> 00:21:04,640 follow us tonight because the outline is the same as it has 280 00:21:04,640 --> 00:21:06,680 been the last two weeks, and we'll be the same. 281 00:21:07,080 --> 00:21:11,000 As we go through the beatitudes #1 we will make sure that we 282 00:21:11,000 --> 00:21:14,840 define the condition for you, describe the consequences, 283 00:21:15,720 --> 00:21:19,720 detail the characteristics, and then determine our course. 284 00:21:21,400 --> 00:21:22,880 Follow this through with me, if you will. 285 00:21:24,960 --> 00:21:29,360 What meekness is not and what meekness is. 286 00:21:30,400 --> 00:21:35,920 So many times we equate meekness with weakness, meekness with 287 00:21:36,120 --> 00:21:44,320 shyness, meekness with spinelessness, meekness with 288 00:21:44,760 --> 00:21:51,280 mere niceness. We we really have a hard time 289 00:21:51,280 --> 00:21:55,960 defining meekness. But just let me give you just a 290 00:21:55,960 --> 00:22:02,120 real simple illustration. The Bible says there's a man who 291 00:22:02,120 --> 00:22:04,240 was the meekest man on the face of the earth. 292 00:22:05,120 --> 00:22:13,680 That's Numbers 12 verse #3 Moses writes the Pentateuch under the 293 00:22:13,680 --> 00:22:18,840 inspiration of God. He says that he himself is the 294 00:22:18,840 --> 00:22:21,440 meekest man on the face of the earth. 295 00:22:23,320 --> 00:22:27,360 And so think of Moses as the essence of meekness in the Old 296 00:22:27,360 --> 00:22:32,400 Testament. And Moses was the one who who 297 00:22:32,600 --> 00:22:37,840 slew an Egyptian as the the meekest man on the face of the 298 00:22:37,840 --> 00:22:42,040 earth. He was the one who coming down 299 00:22:42,040 --> 00:22:46,680 from Mount Sinai with the the tablets, the 10 commandments 300 00:22:46,840 --> 00:22:51,800 written in stone by the finger of God, coming down only to see 301 00:22:51,920 --> 00:22:55,960 and hear the idolatry of the people of God. 302 00:22:56,600 --> 00:23:00,520 So the meekest man on the face of the earth takes the stones 303 00:23:01,720 --> 00:23:06,720 and throws him down to the ground and crushes them, and 304 00:23:06,720 --> 00:23:12,880 then he takes the molten calf that they had made as a symbol 305 00:23:12,880 --> 00:23:14,960 of their God that they would worship. 306 00:23:15,080 --> 00:23:20,640 He melted it down, let it dry, pounded it into dust, threw the 307 00:23:20,640 --> 00:23:25,320 dust into the water, and then made Israel drink the water. 308 00:23:26,920 --> 00:23:29,040 That is the meekest man on the face of the earth. 309 00:23:31,680 --> 00:23:36,320 That's just amazing because we don't understand meekness. 310 00:23:37,800 --> 00:23:43,080 Meekness is one who has all the power, but all that power is 311 00:23:43,080 --> 00:23:49,600 completely under control. It's a It's another word for 312 00:23:49,600 --> 00:23:54,520 being self controlled. Think of it this way. 313 00:23:57,120 --> 00:24:01,840 William Barkley says in his commentary on On the Beatitudes 314 00:24:02,040 --> 00:24:07,320 that meekness is a word with caress in it. 315 00:24:08,720 --> 00:24:11,000 And Colin Brown in his commentary in the New Testament 316 00:24:11,000 --> 00:24:16,800 says it's a word used to describe tame animals. 317 00:24:17,440 --> 00:24:23,280 A soothing medicine, a mild word, a gentle breeze. 318 00:24:24,240 --> 00:24:26,360 In other words, it implies self-control. 319 00:24:26,360 --> 00:24:30,160 Think about it, a gentle breeze. We, we love to to sit on the 320 00:24:30,160 --> 00:24:34,160 beach and, and have a have a gentle breeze or in the backyard 321 00:24:34,160 --> 00:24:40,600 and feel a gentle breeze. But if the wind is out of 322 00:24:40,600 --> 00:24:45,840 control, that gentle breeze becomes a hurricane, right? 323 00:24:47,440 --> 00:24:51,960 We love domesticated horses because they do what we tell 324 00:24:51,960 --> 00:24:55,840 them to do. They ride smooth and and quick. 325 00:24:56,160 --> 00:25:03,160 But an undomesticated horse is a wild horse and runs all over the 326 00:25:03,160 --> 00:25:07,320 place. Medicine is good if you take the 327 00:25:07,320 --> 00:25:12,520 dosage that the doctor gives to you, but if you overdose on the 328 00:25:12,520 --> 00:25:17,800 medicine, it can be deadly. You see, the essence of meekness 329 00:25:17,920 --> 00:25:22,600 is that it is power that is completely tamed and under 330 00:25:22,600 --> 00:25:25,360 control. And that's why our Lord would 331 00:25:25,360 --> 00:25:29,840 say that He has all the power in all the world, and yet He is the 332 00:25:29,840 --> 00:25:34,240 meekest because He is lowly and He wants you to come to Him 333 00:25:34,240 --> 00:25:38,920 because only He can do what no one else can do. 334 00:25:40,360 --> 00:25:42,400 That's so important to understand. 335 00:25:43,760 --> 00:25:47,760 Proverbs 1632 says he that is slow to anger is better than the 336 00:25:47,760 --> 00:25:53,400 mighty, and he ruleth that ruleth the spirit, than he that 337 00:25:53,400 --> 00:25:57,920 taketh a city. That's self-control. 338 00:25:57,920 --> 00:26:04,440 That's power under control. Point #2 Let's let's describe 339 00:26:04,440 --> 00:26:08,360 the consequences for today and for tomorrow, for today. 340 00:26:08,360 --> 00:26:12,080 There there is guidance for today there is blessing, for for 341 00:26:12,080 --> 00:26:17,440 today there is joy for today there is salvation. 342 00:26:17,960 --> 00:26:19,520 Listen to what the Old Testament says. 343 00:26:20,160 --> 00:26:26,400 It says in Proverbs 2226 The meek shall eat and be satisfied. 344 00:26:27,520 --> 00:26:31,520 Proverbs 25 verse #9 The meek will he guide injustice, and the 345 00:26:31,520 --> 00:26:36,960 meek will he teach his ways. Psalm 147 verse #6 The Lord 346 00:26:36,960 --> 00:26:41,920 lifts up the meek. Isaiah 2919. 347 00:26:42,120 --> 00:26:48,120 The meek also shall increase their joy in the Lord. 348 00:26:49,280 --> 00:26:52,960 Think of it this way, the rich and the powerful never have 349 00:26:52,960 --> 00:26:54,960 enough. They never get enough. 350 00:26:55,200 --> 00:27:00,080 But the meek don't fight for that because they know in the 351 00:27:00,080 --> 00:27:05,520 end it's all going to be theirs anyway because they inherit the 352 00:27:05,520 --> 00:27:08,560 earth. So they're not worrying about 353 00:27:08,560 --> 00:27:12,280 what they don't have today or tomorrow because everything that 354 00:27:12,280 --> 00:27:18,040 the unbelieving world has is theirs That anyway because they 355 00:27:18,640 --> 00:27:23,280 along with the Lord inherit the earth. 356 00:27:25,120 --> 00:27:31,520 But tomorrow, tomorrow there's a, a ruling and reigning on this 357 00:27:31,520 --> 00:27:39,120 earth with the king. And over in Psalm, Psalm 37, the 358 00:27:39,120 --> 00:27:43,320 psalmist says this, which is so unique, he says in verse #9 for 359 00:27:43,320 --> 00:27:46,080 evildoers will be cut off. But those who wait for the Lord, 360 00:27:46,760 --> 00:27:50,800 they will inherit the land. That the meek person is one who 361 00:27:50,880 --> 00:27:56,160 who waits and and trusts because he is, he is patient for what 362 00:27:56,160 --> 00:27:58,240 God's going to do. And that person inherits the 363 00:27:58,240 --> 00:28:01,560 land, verse 11. But the humble will inherit the 364 00:28:01,560 --> 00:28:04,760 land, verse 18. The Lord knows the days of the 365 00:28:04,760 --> 00:28:08,520 blameless, and their inheritance will be forever. 366 00:28:08,680 --> 00:28:11,680 Verse 22. For those blessed by Him will 367 00:28:11,960 --> 00:28:14,640 again inherit the land. Verse 29. 368 00:28:14,720 --> 00:28:17,200 The righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever. 369 00:28:17,320 --> 00:28:19,760 Verse 34. Wait for the Lord and keep His 370 00:28:19,760 --> 00:28:26,160 way, and He will exalt you to inherit the land. 371 00:28:27,560 --> 00:28:32,360 There's coming today because we are heirs of God and joint heirs 372 00:28:32,360 --> 00:28:37,720 with Christ. And in Psalm 2, the psalmist 373 00:28:38,160 --> 00:28:43,480 says this in verse #8 ask of me, and I will surely give you the 374 00:28:43,480 --> 00:28:48,880 nation's for your inheritance and the very ends of the earth 375 00:28:48,880 --> 00:28:52,040 as your possession. That's God speaking to the 376 00:28:52,040 --> 00:28:55,600 Messiah. And because we're joining us 377 00:28:55,600 --> 00:29:02,960 with Christ, what He receives, we receive, and therefore the 378 00:29:03,000 --> 00:29:06,280 earth is his and the fullness thereof. 379 00:29:06,520 --> 00:29:10,080 And one day, according to the Book of Revelation, we will rule 380 00:29:10,080 --> 00:29:13,320 and reign with Christ as he sits on the throne of his Father 381 00:29:13,320 --> 00:29:17,760 David in Jerusalem. And we will reign over the land 382 00:29:18,280 --> 00:29:21,520 because we would have inherited the earth. 383 00:29:23,880 --> 00:29:26,880 But let me, let me try to describe for you the 384 00:29:26,880 --> 00:29:32,320 characteristics. Now follow very carefully. 385 00:29:32,320 --> 00:29:35,400 They're they're in your notes. 1 builds upon the other. 386 00:29:36,240 --> 00:29:40,240 The characteristics of the meek person is allegiance, 387 00:29:40,560 --> 00:29:46,760 benevolence, confidence, deference or preference, 388 00:29:48,520 --> 00:29:54,800 defense, and in essence, patience and obedience. 389 00:29:56,840 --> 00:30:02,360 Let me begin this way. Characteristic #1 is that those 390 00:30:02,360 --> 00:30:07,600 who are meek have an allegiance to God's sovereignty. 391 00:30:08,680 --> 00:30:11,360 If I had time, I could take you back to the book of Genesis and 392 00:30:11,360 --> 00:30:12,920 talk to you about the man Joseph. 393 00:30:14,200 --> 00:30:17,920 Joseph rose to a level of prominence in Egypt unlike any 394 00:30:17,920 --> 00:30:22,040 other person ever. And as he rose to a level of 395 00:30:22,040 --> 00:30:26,480 prominence, he became basically the Prime Minister of Egypt. 396 00:30:27,560 --> 00:30:31,440 And he had the opportunity to take care of Potiphar's wife, 397 00:30:31,600 --> 00:30:34,600 who had lied about him, but he chose not to. 398 00:30:35,840 --> 00:30:39,280 And when his brothers came to Egypt because they were starving 399 00:30:39,280 --> 00:30:43,360 and hungry and didn't recognize Joseph, he could have refused to 400 00:30:43,360 --> 00:30:49,280 give them food, but he didn't. He gave them food, and now he 401 00:30:49,280 --> 00:30:50,840 did. He give him food. 402 00:30:50,960 --> 00:30:54,640 He forgave them for what they did to him, while he had it in 403 00:30:54,640 --> 00:30:59,200 his power to destroy them. As the Prime Minister of Egypt. 404 00:31:00,920 --> 00:31:06,200 That is the essence of meekness. He had the power to destroy 405 00:31:06,200 --> 00:31:09,760 them. Meekness is always seen not when 406 00:31:09,760 --> 00:31:14,000 you do that which is wrong, but when you do that which is right. 407 00:31:15,520 --> 00:31:19,560 Because in doing that which is right and you're not in the 408 00:31:19,560 --> 00:31:23,000 wrong, you had the power to destroy those who are in the 409 00:31:23,000 --> 00:31:25,720 wrong, but you choose not to. Why? 410 00:31:26,040 --> 00:31:30,240 Because your allegiance is to God's sovereignty. 411 00:31:30,800 --> 00:31:34,080 And Joseph knew about the sovereign work of God in his 412 00:31:34,080 --> 00:31:38,400 life, how God had moved specifically in every aspect of 413 00:31:38,400 --> 00:31:40,480 his life to move him to where he was. 414 00:31:40,640 --> 00:31:43,360 So much so that at the end he could say you meant it for evil, 415 00:31:43,440 --> 00:31:46,240 but God meant it for good, because God's sovereignty is 416 00:31:46,240 --> 00:31:49,680 ruling over all. And because of that, two nations 417 00:31:49,680 --> 00:31:53,280 were saved, both Egypt and Israel. 418 00:31:54,720 --> 00:31:59,600 So the first characteristic is allegiance to God's sovereignty. 419 00:32:00,000 --> 00:32:04,680 The second characteristic is benevolence toward your enemy. 420 00:32:06,000 --> 00:32:09,240 Benevolence towards your enemy. You had the power to destroy 421 00:32:09,280 --> 00:32:13,760 them, but instead you show them kindness and goodness. 422 00:32:13,760 --> 00:32:16,040 In the illustration. For this is David, King David. 423 00:32:16,200 --> 00:32:20,800 He was anointed king over Israel and for over a decade Saul was 424 00:32:20,800 --> 00:32:24,240 so angry with him and hated him so much and tried to kill him. 425 00:32:24,520 --> 00:32:28,840 And when David had the opportunity to kill Saul, even 426 00:32:28,840 --> 00:32:34,200 though he was already anointed king of Israel, he did not kill 427 00:32:34,320 --> 00:32:40,600 Saul but spared his life. He was in complete control. 428 00:32:40,840 --> 00:32:45,160 He had the power as king of Israel already been anointed and 429 00:32:45,160 --> 00:32:50,760 Saul had already been rejected as king and but yet he, because 430 00:32:50,760 --> 00:32:54,160 of his allegiance to God's sovereignty, then would 431 00:32:54,160 --> 00:32:57,200 demonstrate his benevolence toward his enemy. 432 00:32:57,720 --> 00:33:01,560 That's exactly what he did even with Shemi. 433 00:33:01,640 --> 00:33:05,360 Remember that in, I think it's second Samuel when he was going 434 00:33:05,360 --> 00:33:09,080 along the, the, the hillside and throwing stones at David and 435 00:33:09,080 --> 00:33:12,880 cursing to David and Abishai said, Hey, let me go up there 436 00:33:12,880 --> 00:33:16,000 and cut off his head. And David said, no, no, let it 437 00:33:16,000 --> 00:33:18,080 go. If he's doing this, it's 438 00:33:18,080 --> 00:33:20,240 probably because God told him to do so. 439 00:33:21,640 --> 00:33:26,680 And David was the king and David could have had him executed, but 440 00:33:26,680 --> 00:33:30,920 he did not. He had the power to, but because 441 00:33:31,600 --> 00:33:35,240 of his allegiance to God's sovereignty, he could show 442 00:33:35,240 --> 00:33:40,080 benevolence toward his enemy. And those who show benevolence 443 00:33:40,080 --> 00:33:45,000 toward their enemy do so because they have confidence in the 444 00:33:45,000 --> 00:33:49,280 Almighty. And that was the apostle Paul. 445 00:33:50,240 --> 00:33:53,760 That's why he said, I can do all things through Christ who 446 00:33:53,800 --> 00:33:58,000 strengthens me. And the apostle Paul was the one 447 00:33:58,000 --> 00:34:02,280 who said we put no confidence in the flesh. 448 00:34:02,280 --> 00:34:04,680 Why? Because all of our confidence is 449 00:34:04,680 --> 00:34:08,920 in the Almighty God, and that's what the meek person does. 450 00:34:09,120 --> 00:34:11,600 And Paul is a perfect example of that. 451 00:34:11,800 --> 00:34:15,600 So the person who has allegiance to God's sovereignty shows 452 00:34:15,600 --> 00:34:19,600 benevolence toward his enemy because he has confidence in the 453 00:34:19,600 --> 00:34:22,719 Almighty. And those who have confidence in 454 00:34:22,719 --> 00:34:30,600 the Almighty show deference within their family, whether it 455 00:34:30,600 --> 00:34:34,480 be their personal family or their church family. 456 00:34:35,520 --> 00:34:37,400 In the illustration of this is Abraham. 457 00:34:38,080 --> 00:34:43,360 Remember in Genesis when lots herdsmen and and Abraham's 458 00:34:43,360 --> 00:34:48,080 herdsmen had this great fight that would break out and so they 459 00:34:48,080 --> 00:34:50,480 knew that they had to separate. So what did Abraham do? 460 00:34:50,480 --> 00:34:53,360 Abraham's the the father who received the promise. 461 00:34:53,920 --> 00:34:56,360 He knew what the land. The land was his. 462 00:34:57,000 --> 00:34:59,360 The promised land was was Abraham's. 463 00:34:59,480 --> 00:35:02,680 It was given to him. Not to lot, but lots. 464 00:35:03,000 --> 00:35:06,760 But but Abraham says a lot. You choose which way you want to 465 00:35:06,760 --> 00:35:08,520 go. You want to go right, I'll go 466 00:35:08,520 --> 00:35:09,840 left. You want to go left? 467 00:35:10,240 --> 00:35:12,520 I'll go right. You want to go north, I'll go 468 00:35:12,520 --> 00:35:14,440 South. You want to go South, I'll go 469 00:35:14,440 --> 00:35:16,680 north. Choose the way you want to go. 470 00:35:16,800 --> 00:35:22,200 So what a lot choose. He chose the lush green area, 471 00:35:22,200 --> 00:35:28,360 the best area, and Abraham let him, although it was Abraham's. 472 00:35:29,440 --> 00:35:32,520 Why? Because he showed deference and 473 00:35:32,520 --> 00:35:37,640 preference in his family. What does Paul say in Romans 474 00:35:38,000 --> 00:35:42,280 chapter 12? He says give preference to one 475 00:35:42,280 --> 00:35:46,800 another in honor. That's within the church. 476 00:35:48,400 --> 00:35:51,200 You see, we need more of that in the church, don't we? 477 00:35:51,320 --> 00:35:55,240 We need meek people in the church who are willing to give 478 00:35:55,240 --> 00:35:59,880 preference to others, give honor to others, to lift up others. 479 00:35:59,920 --> 00:36:02,360 Why? Because they understand that 480 00:36:02,360 --> 00:36:06,000 within their family they want to lift others up above them, 481 00:36:06,000 --> 00:36:08,840 whether it's their personal family or their church family, 482 00:36:08,920 --> 00:36:11,640 because they do have confidence in the Almighty. 483 00:36:11,760 --> 00:36:14,440 Therefore, they want to show benevolence even toward their 484 00:36:14,440 --> 00:36:17,320 enemy because they have an allegiance towards God's 485 00:36:17,320 --> 00:36:20,760 sovereignty. That's the characteristic of 486 00:36:20,760 --> 00:36:26,920 those who are meek. And then, of course, there's the 487 00:36:26,920 --> 00:36:33,560 defense of your authority. That is, those who are meek are 488 00:36:33,560 --> 00:36:38,360 always willing to defend their God and defend the truth of the 489 00:36:38,360 --> 00:36:42,600 Word of God. And that is how Moses lived his 490 00:36:42,600 --> 00:36:47,520 life, how Paul lived his life, always standing strong in the 491 00:36:47,520 --> 00:36:52,000 truth, always defending his God, fighting the good fight of the 492 00:36:52,000 --> 00:36:57,440 faith, always living in defense of their great and grand 493 00:36:57,440 --> 00:37:03,880 authority, never living in defense of themselves, but 494 00:37:03,880 --> 00:37:10,960 always in their God. And of course, in essence, make 495 00:37:10,960 --> 00:37:19,640 people show patience and they are the ones who demonstrate 496 00:37:19,640 --> 00:37:24,720 obedience, and that's Christ. Christ himself was completely 497 00:37:24,720 --> 00:37:28,560 obedient to his Father, even though he is ridiculed, even 498 00:37:28,560 --> 00:37:31,600 though he was spat upon, even though he was mocked and he had 499 00:37:31,600 --> 00:37:35,320 the power to destroy, even as he hung on the cross, and he could 500 00:37:35,320 --> 00:37:38,360 have called legions of angels to come and save him. 501 00:37:38,360 --> 00:37:41,480 He did not. Instead he said, Father forgive 502 00:37:41,480 --> 00:37:43,880 them, for they know not what they do. 503 00:37:45,360 --> 00:37:46,960 And Peter, when he denied him, what did he do? 504 00:37:46,960 --> 00:37:50,600 He restored him. He restored him because that's 505 00:37:50,600 --> 00:37:55,120 what make people do. They give preference to others, 506 00:37:55,600 --> 00:37:59,840 they minister to others. And Christ live a life of 507 00:37:59,840 --> 00:38:04,840 obedience to His Father, always wanting to do the will of His 508 00:38:04,840 --> 00:38:10,520 Father in heaven, simply because He lived out the meek and quiet 509 00:38:10,520 --> 00:38:12,800 spirit. How about you? 510 00:38:14,240 --> 00:38:16,520 What characterizes your daily life? 511 00:38:18,200 --> 00:38:21,800 Are you the kind of person who, when you have the power to 512 00:38:21,800 --> 00:38:26,240 destroy, or you have the power for revenge, or you have the 513 00:38:26,240 --> 00:38:30,280 power to conquer, it's all under your authority. 514 00:38:31,320 --> 00:38:35,560 You choose not to because you want to demonstrate kindness, 515 00:38:36,760 --> 00:38:42,520 goodness, and gentleness. So lastly, what's, what's our 516 00:38:42,520 --> 00:38:45,520 course of action? How do we explain that? 517 00:38:45,520 --> 00:38:50,120 Let me, let me give you a few principles #1 is understand that 518 00:38:50,120 --> 00:38:53,880 meekness. Realize, realize it's a gift. 519 00:38:53,880 --> 00:38:59,640 Do you understand that Galatians chapter 5, the fruit of the 520 00:38:59,640 --> 00:39:05,760 Spirit is meekness, gentleness. It's a gift of God. 521 00:39:06,040 --> 00:39:08,760 Second Peter 14, we are partakers of the divine nature. 522 00:39:09,800 --> 00:39:15,080 As a child of God, you're a partaker of God's divine nature. 523 00:39:15,200 --> 00:39:17,400 And God's nature is that he's meek and lowly. 524 00:39:17,480 --> 00:39:22,040 So you become a part of that. His nature is in you. 525 00:39:22,160 --> 00:39:29,080 You now automatically have the opportunity to live a meek and 526 00:39:29,080 --> 00:39:34,120 quiet life. So important, but you got to #1 527 00:39:34,120 --> 00:39:43,080 realize it's a gift from God and then #2 resolve to pursue 528 00:39:43,520 --> 00:39:48,240 meekness. Listen to what Paul says in 529 00:39:48,240 --> 00:39:51,280 first Timothy chapter 6, verse 11. 530 00:39:51,280 --> 00:39:55,080 But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue 531 00:39:55,480 --> 00:39:58,760 righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and 532 00:40:00,120 --> 00:40:05,600 meekness. Meekness is not only gift, but 533 00:40:05,600 --> 00:40:09,560 meekness is something that we are to pursue constantly. 534 00:40:11,000 --> 00:40:18,640 And then over in Second Timothy chapter 2 verse #24 Paul says 535 00:40:18,640 --> 00:40:21,880 the Lord's bond servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to 536 00:40:21,880 --> 00:40:26,560 all, able to teach patient went wronged, and with meekness 537 00:40:27,200 --> 00:40:34,040 correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God might 538 00:40:34,040 --> 00:40:37,880 grant them repentance. Wow. 539 00:40:38,880 --> 00:40:43,280 So not only do we realize that meekness truly is a gift from 540 00:40:43,280 --> 00:40:47,280 God, but we also need to understand that we are to to 541 00:40:47,360 --> 00:40:52,560 seek meekness. We are to pursue meekness and 542 00:40:52,560 --> 00:40:58,000 then #3 understand this. Oh by the way, Zephaniah 2-3 543 00:40:58,000 --> 00:41:07,280 says seek meekness and then we should always respond humbly to 544 00:41:07,280 --> 00:41:10,840 scripture. Make people do that. 545 00:41:12,000 --> 00:41:19,240 Listen to James chapter 1 verse #19 this you know my beloved 546 00:41:19,240 --> 00:41:21,760 brethren, but everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, 547 00:41:21,760 --> 00:41:23,720 and slow to anger. For the anger of man does not 548 00:41:23,880 --> 00:41:25,520 achieve the righteousness of God. 549 00:41:25,920 --> 00:41:29,640 Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains 550 00:41:29,640 --> 00:41:36,240 of wickedness, in meekness receive the word implanted, 551 00:41:36,240 --> 00:41:37,960 which is able to save your souls. 552 00:41:39,440 --> 00:41:45,440 In other words, we are the kind of people who respond humbly to 553 00:41:45,440 --> 00:41:47,840 the Scriptures. That's what meek people do. 554 00:41:48,920 --> 00:41:54,800 They hear the Word of God and they respond in humility because 555 00:41:54,800 --> 00:41:59,080 they recognize that the all powerful God of the universe who 556 00:41:59,080 --> 00:42:03,680 could destroy them in a moment, His mercies are new every 557 00:42:03,680 --> 00:42:08,600 morning, and that His grace is sufficient for every situation. 558 00:42:09,800 --> 00:42:21,840 And then and then #4 Meek people receive criticism. 559 00:42:22,680 --> 00:42:28,720 Well, meek people receive criticism. 560 00:42:29,640 --> 00:42:37,280 Well, look at Titus chapter 3. Remind them verse #1 to be 561 00:42:37,280 --> 00:42:40,160 subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to 562 00:42:40,320 --> 00:42:45,000 be ready for every good deed, to malign no one, to be peaceable, 563 00:42:45,560 --> 00:42:50,360 meek, showing consideration for all men. 564 00:42:51,360 --> 00:42:55,720 For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, 565 00:42:55,720 --> 00:43:00,480 deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending 566 00:43:00,480 --> 00:43:04,000 our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. 567 00:43:04,360 --> 00:43:07,680 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind 568 00:43:07,680 --> 00:43:13,600 appeared, He saved us not on the basis of our deeds which we have 569 00:43:13,600 --> 00:43:17,480 done in righteousness, but according to His mercy by the 570 00:43:17,480 --> 00:43:21,080 washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit we 571 00:43:21,080 --> 00:43:26,680 poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior. 572 00:43:27,920 --> 00:43:34,400 We we are to respond to the authorities, those who are over 573 00:43:34,400 --> 00:43:41,120 you, whether they're in your workplace or whether they're in 574 00:43:41,120 --> 00:43:45,760 the government or whether they're in your family, with an 575 00:43:45,760 --> 00:43:52,720 attitude of meekness. And then note this over in first 576 00:43:52,720 --> 00:44:03,880 Peter, First Peter chapter 3 verse #4 Peter says this about 577 00:44:05,520 --> 00:44:10,080 women who are married to unsaved men, says, yet your your 578 00:44:10,080 --> 00:44:13,600 adornment, adornment, excuse me, must not be merely external. 579 00:44:14,120 --> 00:44:18,240 Braiding of the hair and wearing gold jewelry or putting on 580 00:44:18,240 --> 00:44:21,360 dresses. It's not that it can't be 581 00:44:21,360 --> 00:44:23,920 external. It just must not be merely 582 00:44:24,080 --> 00:44:27,520 external. But let it be the hidden person 583 00:44:27,520 --> 00:44:33,680 of the heart with the imperishable quality of a meek 584 00:44:34,200 --> 00:44:41,400 and quiet spirit which is precious in the sight of God. 585 00:44:42,600 --> 00:44:48,040 Wow. So many times as women who are 586 00:44:48,040 --> 00:44:50,880 married to unbelievers or yet who are married to unbelievers, 587 00:44:50,920 --> 00:44:56,520 receive all kinds of criticism because of what they do or don't 588 00:44:56,520 --> 00:44:58,680 do. Or if they go to church, or they 589 00:44:58,680 --> 00:45:02,160 want to raise their kids in the ways of God and their husbands 590 00:45:02,160 --> 00:45:06,160 criticize them and malign them, They are to respond with 591 00:45:06,160 --> 00:45:13,160 meekness and in gentleness because this is precious in the 592 00:45:13,160 --> 00:45:19,600 sight of the Lord. Realize that meekness is a gift. 593 00:45:21,160 --> 00:45:25,080 Resolve to pursue meekness, Respond humbly to the 594 00:45:25,080 --> 00:45:36,040 Scriptures, receive criticism well, and restore a brother who 595 00:45:36,040 --> 00:45:43,280 sins. Galatians chapter 6 verse #1 596 00:45:44,200 --> 00:45:48,560 Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who 597 00:45:48,560 --> 00:45:55,800 are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of meekness, each 598 00:45:55,800 --> 00:46:01,880 one looking to yourself so that you too will not be tempted. 599 00:46:03,400 --> 00:46:09,680 Meet people, restore sinning, brothers and sisters, and they 600 00:46:09,680 --> 00:46:19,600 do it in the spirit of meekness. And one more I added it right 601 00:46:19,600 --> 00:46:28,800 before the service, and that is meek people react by walking 602 00:46:29,400 --> 00:46:35,960 worthy. Ephesians chapter 4, verse #1 603 00:46:36,920 --> 00:46:40,560 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a 604 00:46:40,560 --> 00:46:44,120 manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 605 00:46:44,920 --> 00:46:53,680 with all, with all meekness and gentleness, with patience, 606 00:46:54,600 --> 00:47:00,200 showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent 607 00:47:00,200 --> 00:47:03,640 to preserve the unity of the Spirit, the bond of peace. 608 00:47:05,040 --> 00:47:15,360 Meet people, spend their energy maintaining the peace that we 609 00:47:15,360 --> 00:47:20,360 have in the body of Christ. And they do it because they 610 00:47:20,360 --> 00:47:23,880 prefer others more important than themselves. 611 00:47:25,360 --> 00:47:27,960 They do it because they trust in the sovereignty of God that 612 00:47:27,960 --> 00:47:31,600 rules over all. They do it because they know 613 00:47:31,600 --> 00:47:34,600 they have confidence in the Almighty God to accomplish His 614 00:47:34,600 --> 00:47:39,560 purposes, that they can sit back and rest and know that their God 615 00:47:39,560 --> 00:47:45,120 is in complete control. So Christ comes and he begins to 616 00:47:45,120 --> 00:47:49,560 preach. He begins to speak forth the 617 00:47:49,560 --> 00:47:53,480 truth of the Word of God, helping people understand that 618 00:47:53,720 --> 00:47:57,600 that entrance into my Kingdom comes because of poverty of 619 00:47:57,600 --> 00:48:01,360 spirit, complete spiritual bankruptcy. 620 00:48:01,480 --> 00:48:05,000 You have nothing to give me. You have nothing to earn my 621 00:48:05,000 --> 00:48:07,360 favor. You have nothing that will cause 622 00:48:07,360 --> 00:48:12,400 me to love you. You can't get God to love you. 623 00:48:12,800 --> 00:48:17,400 God is a lover of mankind. God so loved the world that He 624 00:48:17,400 --> 00:48:22,160 gave His only begotten Son. You can't affect the love of God 625 00:48:22,320 --> 00:48:26,960 by anything that you do, but it's the poverty of spirit, the 626 00:48:26,960 --> 00:48:30,880 recognition that I have nothing to give you, that causes me to 627 00:48:30,880 --> 00:48:35,720 cry out and mourn over my sin, recognizing that I'm separated 628 00:48:35,720 --> 00:48:41,440 from you. And then understand that the 629 00:48:41,440 --> 00:48:48,920 meek will inherit the earth. All foreign to a Jewish mind. 630 00:48:49,720 --> 00:48:53,560 Foreign basically even to our minds because we don't look at 631 00:48:53,560 --> 00:48:57,920 life the way Christ looks at it. But this is the way to true 632 00:48:57,920 --> 00:49:03,560 blessedness, true joy, true happiness, true gladness. 633 00:49:03,560 --> 00:49:06,800 It comes only God's way. It doesn't come my way or your 634 00:49:06,800 --> 00:49:08,680 way. It only comes God's way. 635 00:49:09,520 --> 00:49:12,240 And so therefore, you have to say, OK, am I going to submit to 636 00:49:12,240 --> 00:49:15,400 the sovereignty of God and follow his marching orders, or 637 00:49:15,400 --> 00:49:18,760 am I going to kick against the goads and, and, and continually 638 00:49:18,760 --> 00:49:24,880 fight against what God says? Or while I'm humility, receive 639 00:49:24,880 --> 00:49:28,640 with meekness the implanted word of God, which is able to save 640 00:49:28,640 --> 00:49:32,200 your soul. That's my prayer for you and my 641 00:49:32,200 --> 00:49:35,720 prayer for for me that that would be our attitude. 642 00:49:36,000 --> 00:49:38,960 Let's pray together. Father, we thank you for today 643 00:49:38,960 --> 00:49:42,320 and the opportunity you give us to praise your glorious name. 644 00:49:43,400 --> 00:49:47,640 Thank you, Lord, for your word. There's so much to unfold, so 645 00:49:47,640 --> 00:49:51,600 much to uncover, so much to study and so little time to do 646 00:49:51,600 --> 00:49:53,120 it. But yet you've given us this 647 00:49:53,120 --> 00:49:56,320 opportunity and we are grateful. We thank you, Lord, for that. 648 00:49:56,320 --> 00:49:58,760 We can spend some time in the middle of the week. 649 00:49:58,760 --> 00:50:01,640 It's like, it's like a refueling, It's a, it's like a 650 00:50:01,640 --> 00:50:05,240 refocusing. It's, it's like a redirecting of 651 00:50:05,240 --> 00:50:08,800 our lives to make sure we're in line, to make sure that we are 652 00:50:08,800 --> 00:50:10,840 truly following the word of the Lord. 653 00:50:11,680 --> 00:50:16,360 Oh, so often we need that reminder of what Your Word says. 654 00:50:17,600 --> 00:50:19,640 And my prayers for everyone in the room. 655 00:50:21,200 --> 00:50:25,360 My prayer is always for those that are in the room. 656 00:50:26,480 --> 00:50:31,400 They're here because in the sovereignty of Your plan, You 657 00:50:31,400 --> 00:50:34,840 brought them here. They're not here by accident. 658 00:50:36,120 --> 00:50:37,680 They're here by divine appointment. 659 00:50:38,760 --> 00:50:42,520 And therefore, Lord, you want to use Your word in their lives. 660 00:50:43,600 --> 00:50:45,720 So, Lord, if there's someone here tonight who's not born 661 00:50:45,720 --> 00:50:47,560 again, that you'd save them from their sin. 662 00:50:48,760 --> 00:50:51,240 For those who are, may they understand that they need to 663 00:50:51,240 --> 00:50:56,360 live like a child of the King, honoring the King, glorifying 664 00:50:56,360 --> 00:51:00,480 his name. For there is nothing better than 665 00:51:00,480 --> 00:51:06,960 to understand that we are citizens of the Kingdom of the 666 00:51:06,960 --> 00:51:10,200 living God. For that we thank you in Jesus 667 00:51:10,200 --> 00:51:12,240 name, Amen.