Words to Live By: Meek 2-12-17
- 1strecognize poor of spirit (spiritually bankrupt, true knowledge of ourselves)
- 2ndcomes mourning (sacred grief)
[Matthew 5:5]
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”
“Blessed [inwardly peaceful, spiritually secure, worthy of respect] are the gentle[the kind-hearted, the sweet-spirited, the self-controlled], for they will inherit the earth.”
[Galatians 5:23] – fruit of the Spirit “prautes” (prah-oo-tace) – mildness, gentleness
What it is not…
It’s not weakness. It’s not about being nice or easy going.
It’s not about not getting easily upset.
MEEK – Strength under control
The elephant’s truck has more than 40,000 individual muscles. Strong enough to rip branches from trees, but gentle enough to pick up a single blade of grass.
Having the power to do something but refraining from it
Meekness begins & ends with God
- “The person who bears and suffers evils with meekness and silence, is the sum of a Christian man.” – John Wesley
- Don’t fight because you trust God will fight for you.
- Patient Endurance
[Numbers 12:1-4]
Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth. “anav” (aw-nawv) – poor, afflicted, humble, meek
[Psalm 37]
Meek are… People who wait for the Lord
- Trust God[v. 5b] – this means bearing insults – LEAN ON / RELY ON
- Commit their way to God[v. 5a] GOD’S WILL
- Quiet before God & wait for Him[v. 7a] – quietly submit to God – BE STILL AND REST, PATIENTLY LEANING UPON HIM
- Don’t fret over wicked[v. 7b] – keep silent or answer softly/gently
- Produces peace[v. 11] “anav” (aw-nawv) – poor, afflicted, humble, meek – SHALL DELIGHT THEMSELVES IN AN ABUNDANCE OF PEACE
[Ephesians 4:2] Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. “prautes” (prah-oo-tace) – mildness, gentleness
Forgiving disposition – no resentment, don’t return evil
Slow to anger – Not easily provoked
IF THIS IS NOT YOU – YOU ARE NOT SHINING LIGHT LIKE YOU COULD
[2 Timothy 2:25] Opponents must be gentlyinstructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, “prautes” (prah-oo-tace) – mildness, gentleness
[1 Peter 3:15] But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect. “prautes” (prah-oo-tace) – mildness, gentleness
BENEFITS
- Will be guided by God[Psalm 25:9] He leads the humblein doing right, teaching them his way. “anav” (aw-nawv) – poor, afflicted, humble, meek – leads & teaches
- Will be satisfied[Psalm 22:26] The afflictedwill eat and be satisfied; Those who seek Him will praise the LORD. Let your heart live forever! “anav” (aw-nawv) – poor, afflicted, humble, meek – Those who [diligently] seek Him and require Him [as their greatest need] will praise the Lord.[AMP] – TRUE SATISFACTION
- Will be filled with joy[Isaiah 29:19] The meekshall obtain fresh joy in the LORD, and the poor among mankind shall exult in the Holy One of Israel. “anav” (aw-nawv) – poor, afflicted, humble, meek – The afflicted also will increase their joy in the Lord[AMP] – THIS IS A JOY NO ONE CAN TAKE AWAY
Promise to inherit the earth gives us the strength to endure.
It’s a promise that God has already sealed for you and I through a Messianic King
- [Zechariah 9:9] Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowlyand riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. “ani” (aw-nee) – poor, afflicted,humble
- [Matthew 21:5] “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentleand riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.'” “praus” – meek
- [Matthew 11:29] Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentleand humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. “praus” – meek
Meek = JESUS
[Philippians 2:6-8]Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, He gave up His divine privileges; He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When He appeared in human form, He humbled Himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
[John 10:18] No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”
[Isaiah 53:7] He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; He was led a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth.
- WHO AM I that He would give up His divine privileges?
- WHO AM I that He would be led as a lamb to the slaughter?
- WHO AM I that He would be spit on, beaten, & hung on a tree… to die a criminal’s death on a cross?
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Words to Live By – Pure in Heart
[Matthew 5:8]
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
What does it mean to be pure in heart?
What does it mean to see God?
- What does it mean to be pure in heart?
Pure – Katharos (Kath-ar-os)– clean, pure, unstained – either literally or ceremonially or spiritually; guiltless, innocent, upright, unmixed without undesirable elements, being purified by God – being free from contaminating influences of sin
Heart – Kardia (Kar-dee’-ah)– Spiritual center of life (thoughts, desire, sense of purpose, will, understanding, character), inner self, mind, intention
The heart is what you are
Life with Jesus is not about behavior modification or breaking bad habits… it’s about purifying a dirty heart, having a change of heart
Undivided clean (pure) heart – [Matthew 22:37] Love God with all heart
But many of us have a split heart, a divided heart – willing 2 things instead of 1.
Single-minded devotion to God
God’s truth & God’s value in everything we do, align with Him, magnify / glorify Him, pursue God with single-mindedness
All about JESUS
[Jeremiah 17:9] Heart is deceitful
[Matthew 15:8-9] Honor with lips, but your heart is far from Me – worship Me in vain
[Matthew 23:25-26] – 1stclean inside of the cup (inside you are full of greed & self-indulgence), clean the inside and then the outside will become clean too. – JESUS IS CONCERNED WITH OUR HEART
[1 Samuel 16:7] Man looks outward, the Lord looks at the heart
[Proverbs 11:20] The LORD detests people with crooked hearts, but he delights in those with integrity. (crooked / perverse)
[Jeremiah 31:33] This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the LORD. “I will put My law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be My people.”
[Jeremiah 32:39] And I will give them one heart and one purpose: to worship me forever, for their own good and for the good of all their descendants.
[Titus 3:5] He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.
[Psalm 119:9, 11] Keep pure with living according to the Word, keep Word in heart. {{LIVING BY THE WORD}}
[2 Chronicles 16:9] The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. What a fool you have been! From now on you will be at war.
[Proverbs 3:5] Trust in the LORD will ALL your heart, do not lean on your own understanding
[James 1:6-8] But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.
[James 1:23-24] For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.
[James 4:4, 4:8] Clean hands, purify heart, don’t be double-minded(heart divided between God & world)
- What does it mean to see God?
To see God – to see face – to be in presence – to be admitted in presence
Expression of great favor
Dwell with Him in His kingdom
[Revelation 22:3-4] Seeing God – servants will worship Him, they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads
Seeing God – perception, understanding, discernment
- Admitted into the His presence
- Stand in awe of glory– awestruck by the glory – direct experience of His holiness
- [Revelation 21:23] His glory will be very light in which we move – the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light.
- Confronted by His grace[Psalm 27:7-9] – Hear me as I pray, O LORD. Be merciful and answer me. My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “LORD, I am coming.”DO NOT HIDE YOUR FACE FROM ME. Do not turn your servant away in anger. You have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, O God of my salvation.
Believe Jesus saved you[James 1:6-8]
Confess your sins[1 John 1:9] But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.
Eagerly Expect[1 John 3:3] – And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.
- Ask God for a clean heart ([Psalm 51:10] Create in me a pure (clean) heart, renew a steadfast (loyal) spirit within me.
- Trust [Acts 15:9] Heart purified by faith, cleansed by Spirit
[Psalm 24:3-4] Clean hands, pure heart – Who may climb the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in His holy place?Only those whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idols and never tell lies.
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Words To Live By: PERSECUTED – pMatthew 5:10-12
First 3 Beatitudes lead us to a hunger for righteousness (right with God).
#1 – Poor in Spirit– Realize we are poor in spirit (Spiritually bankrupt, Nothing without Jesus)
#2 – Those Who Mourn– Mourn / grieve over our sin – Realize “I am a sinner” (Dead in Sin, Need Savior)
#3 – Meek– Strength under control, God’s will over my will – Realize God’s plan is better and say, “Not my will, but Your will be done.” (Living for Jesus)
These three beatitudes remind us that we are empty & have a need
This need results in a hunger…. A hunger for…
#4 – RIGHTEOUSNESS– we desire to be right with God, to fill that void, to connect to the One who created us, Who designed us to be in fellowship with Him.
Because of this hunger for righteousness, we are satisfied by the next 3 Beatitudes.
#5 – Merciful – Receive mercy of God, overflowing mercy poured out to others (we received what we don’t deserve, pour out the same to others)
#6 – Pure Heart– Single-minded devotion to God, desiring only Him & His will (it’s all about Jesus)
#7 – Peacemaker – Peace with God, peace with others, sharing message of Prince of Peace with all. (spreading the peace of God)
Living this out… having these the words you live by, provide the fullness. You’re no longer empty. The result of this though is persecution.
“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” – 2 Timothy 3:12 [ESV]
Diókó (dee-o’-ko) – to pursue, aggressively chase, like a hunter pursing a catch (prize), to be hunted down, to harass
[Matthew 5:10-12]
“Those who are persecuted for righteousnessare blessed, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. You are blessed when they insult and persecute youand falsely say every kind of evil against youbecause of Me. Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” [HCSB]
“You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom. Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you downor throw you outor speak liesabout you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like it, Ido! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.” [MSG]
“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. ‘Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.’”– 1 Peter 3:12-14 [NIV]
“Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of the Messiah, so that you may also rejoice with great joy at the revelation of His glory.” – 1 Peter 4:13 [HCSB]
“Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.”– Romans 8:18 [NLT]
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Words to Live By – The Lord’s Prayer – 4-2-17
[Matthew 6:9-13, Luke 11:2-4]
[Philippians 4:6] Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
This isn’t an actual prayer that Jesus prayed. Note He says “pray like this.”
For an example of how Jesus prays, see John 17.
*connection with God*
Our Father in Heaven
[James 1:17] Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
Jesus prays to Abba Father. Only prays to “God” instead of “Father” while on the Cross when darkness came and God couldn’t face the sin that was upon His Son. When He turned away, Jesus said, “My God, why have you forsaken me?”
OUR FATHER – In relation to Him
Kezazah means “the cutting off.” Think of shunning. It appears in the Talmud as a ceremony for those Jews who lose their inheritance to a Gentile. They are shunned, cut off from the community when they return. When the person would return home, they break a pot in front of them.
The father ran toward his son, didn’t care how he would appear though it was something men didn’t do (considered undignified). It appeared bad. He ran before this ceremony could happen—to accept him, forgive him, welcome him home. THIS SAME FATHER OPENS HIS ARMS TO YOU!
The reason for the celebration when the son arrives home is because of the sacrifice of the Father. He sacrificed his social dignity by running. He broke the patriarchal code. He graciously restored his son.
Is He your Father?
[John 1:12] But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.
[Galatians 3:26] So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith.
IN HEAVEN – In reverence of God
Recognize He is separate from all and He is exalted above.
He is higher than all. Sovereign.
He has the power to answer prayer.
Hallowed be your name
[Psalm 46:10] Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.
Declare God is holy.
Keep His name holy.
Realize who we are praying to.
See God for Who He is – He is holy
Honor Him, Treasure Him
*surrender to God*
Your kingdom come
[Matthew 6:33] But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Do you acknowledge His sovereignty?
Are you ready for His kingdom?
The Kingdom is present but also future.
Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven
[Romans 6:13] Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.
Do you really want His will?
Are you accepting God’s authority?
God is a good Father and He wants to give you good things—the best things.
*dependence on God*
Give us today our daily bread
Do you recognize Him as the One Who provides?
[Deuteronomy 8:3] He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.
Provides the food we eat daily – physical and spiritual
[Luke 22:19] And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
Provides the Sacrificial Lamb that pays for our sin – our daily sin
Do you trust that He gives you what you need for the day?
[Philippians 4:19] And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
The provision of God supplies all we need – to bring glory to God
[2 Corinthians 9:10-11] For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.
He gives enough for everything needed, everything we are called to do—this means He provides enough for us to be generous!
*cleansing from God*
Forgive us our sins and we forgive those who sin against us
[1 Peter 2:24] And He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.
Must admit we sin to be forgiven of sin
Must forgive those as He forgives us
[Matthew 6:14-15] For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
[Ephesians 4:32] Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
[Lamentations 3:40-41] Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the LORD! Let us lift up our hearts and hands to God in heaven.
[Hebrews 12:1-2] Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
*deliverance from God*
Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil
God does not tempt us—He gives us the power to overcome any temptation
[Hebrews 4:15-16] For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are–yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
[1 Corinthians 10:13] No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
*fulfillment from God*
For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever, Amen.
Doxology (“glory” & “saying”) – an expression of praise, usually at end of psalm or hymn
This wasn’t something that was in original text. It was in later manuscripts.
God’s kingdom, power and glory are HIS.
[Romans 11:36] For from Him and through Him and for Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.
Tania Gutekunst 