BEATITUDES: THE MEEK
(Message by Tanny Keng)
1. The Beatitudes
a) In Matthew 5:1-12, the term "beatitude" means a state of great blessedness, or a saying that expresses that state. Blessedness is more than happiness.
b) These beatitudes lay down certain conditions in which God will give us his blessing and peace — an abiding joy not subject to the changing fortunes of this world. Blessedness is bestowed by God intentionally and purposefully, and it is sought from God in the same manner.
c) We must seek blessedness. It won't just “happen.”
2. The Meek
Matthew 5:5
"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."
a) The first beatitude held the ideas of contrition and humility, the second sorrow and patience. There is a natural progression to the idea of meekness in the third beatitude.
b) These states of mind — contrition, sorrow, meekness — indicate weakness to the worldly, who see strength as dominance over others. But there is nothing weak about the meek or gentle.
c) The idea of meekness is very close to that of self-control. We associate self-control with "being strong" — that is, strong in character. Among the "fruits of the Spirit" (Galatians 5:22-23) Paul puts "meekness" and "self-control" right next to each other, and not without reason.
d) The "meek and quiet spirit which is very precious in the sight of God" (1 Peter 3:4) is the spirit held in check by the strength which God provides "through his Spirit in the inner man" (Ephesians 3:16).
The End ...
1. The Beatitudesa) In Matthew 5:1-12, the term "beatitude" means a state of great blessedness, or a saying that expresses that state. Blessedness is more than happiness.
b) These beatitudes lay down certain conditions in which God will give us his blessing and peace — an abiding joy not subject to the changing fortunes of this world. Blessedness is bestowed by God intentionally and purposefully, and it is sought from God in the same manner.
c) We must seek blessedness. It won't just “happen.”
2. The Meek
Matthew 5:5
"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."
a) The first beatitude held the ideas of contrition and humility, the second sorrow and patience. There is a natural progression to the idea of meekness in the third beatitude.
b) These states of mind — contrition, sorrow, meekness — indicate weakness to the worldly, who see strength as dominance over others. But there is nothing weak about the meek or gentle.
c) The idea of meekness is very close to that of self-control. We associate self-control with "being strong" — that is, strong in character. Among the "fruits of the Spirit" (Galatians 5:22-23) Paul puts "meekness" and "self-control" right next to each other, and not without reason.
d) The "meek and quiet spirit which is very precious in the sight of God" (1 Peter 3:4) is the spirit held in check by the strength which God provides "through his Spirit in the inner man" (Ephesians 3:16).
Comments
Post a Comment