Discipleship Bible Studies

Bethel MBC

Discussion #4

10/3/07 DWS

Lesson text: Matthew 5:5

The Five Prerequisites for Discipleship:  Lk 14:33; Lk 14:27; Jn 8:31; Jn 15:8; Jn 13:35

What does it mean to be “poor in spirit”?

What is the result of spiritual poverty?

What is spiritual sorrow vs. natural mourning?

What is the reward of spiritual mourning?

I. Preliminary thoughts

The first two of the Beatitudes express deficiency while the third has something supplied which is a positive proof of the work of the Holy Spirit.  The first two deal with a man and himself while the third deals with others.  i.e. our meekness towards other people.

II. Who are the meek?

The meek are those whom have been made poor in spirit by God; made to mourn before God because of it and then comforted.  They are lowly and gentle in the mind before God and before men.  In a nutshell, this means to be submissive to God’s will and flexible to His Word.

Those that are HUMBLE

Meekness is now we relate to our fellow men via relationships.  It is a profound and spiritually induced humility.  Paul said that he was the least of all the saints (Ephesians 3:8) and the chief of sinners (I Timothy 1:15).  A meek or humble man is one that does not set himself up to be a superior being.

Those who are GENTLE

A meek person does not speak harshly, use imperious tones, or display a domineering spirit.  He will not appear condescending and should be one that you would trust enough to confide in.  Jesus made Himself of no reputation and took upon Himself the form of a servant (Philippians 2:7).  Titus 3:@ instructs us to be gentle towards all men.

Those who are PATIENT

A meek person will not be easily offended.  He will be able to be angry and yet sin not.  A meek man will burn with anger upon an evil done, but not at the person who committed the wrong.  A common saying is, “Little pots soon boil over.”

Those who are FORGIVING

Did you know that God will not hear our prayers for forgiveness until we forgive others?  See Matthew 6:12.  Jesus gave us an example of this while on the cross.  See Luke 22:34. This subtopic centers upon having NO thoughts of revenge.

Those who are CONTENTED

A meek-minded man is not ambitious!  He is contented with what is provided by the Lord.  “Enough is as good as a feast”.  A meek man’s ambition is in the Lord’s work and for the Lord’s glory.

Summary of terms descriptive of “meekness”:  submissive, flexible, humble, patient, gentle, forgiving, and contented

GEM THOUGHT!

“It is easy to be meek while we have our own way, but true meekness (which is a work of grace) will stand the fire of persecution and will endure the test of enmity, cruelty, and wrong as Christ did.”

III. How Do The Meek Inherit the Earth?

a. By conquering the earth

We are told that we are “much more than conquerors” through the power and name of Jesus.  Yet, we have no army with visible power and might.  How may we conquer?  God’s people are the ONLY things that God can use to positively and eternally change the course of men’s souls.  He chose to use us as the force by which His Power (the gospel) marches through this world. 

Wolves vs. Sheep

We are His sheep.  Wolves fight, kill and eat sheep.  Yet, sheep greatly outnumber wolves.

Hammer vs. Anvil

The anvil takes all the beating, but outlasts several hammers!

God’s people have been trodden under and held in low esteem for thousands of years…but here we are by the grace of God.

NOTHING is mightier than the meekness of a Christian.  It gives God the right-a-way to work through us.

b. By enjoying what we have

Happiness is not found in an abundance or absence of money, but in the state and condition of one’s heart.  A meek man is thankful for all that he has been given.  He is happy and contented.  A man’s life does not consist of the things that he possesses.  See Proverbs 15:17 and Luke 12:15.

GEM THOUGHT

This does not refer to inheriting ALL the earth, but rather, all of it that we need.  It refers to being contented to enjoy the beauty of the world and enjoy the good things of others without the trouble of obtaining it.  Many are consumed with the motivation / “need” to get, get, get…  What a miserable existence!  Contented men find greater joy in this life, being free of the passions which grip the vast majority. 

Many people have lots of fine things without the time or ability to enjoy them.  How ironic!

We may “inherit” the earth by being free to enjoy it without the lusting and coveting it naturally brings to our hearts and lives....the results of meekness. 

A man satisfied with God and His provisions is a happy and meek man indeed.

Example:

When Ryan was a toddler, I’d take him to Wal-Mart, “just the boys”.  We would piddle through the toys and the lawn and garden sections with him running and expressing joy with each and every new discovery.  I encountered personal befuddlement as I would attempt to entice him to pick a new toy for home.  I’d ask him if he wanted this or that and he would instead show even more excitement and the next item on the shelf.  He would sometimes play with a tractor or a car and get great pleasure….all the while denying that he would like to take it home.  After further frustration, I’d attempt to get him to decide upon a toy by announcing that it was time to go home.  He would immediately ready to return to home.  I can’t tell you how many times I failed in this exercise.  I believe that he enjoyed those trips so much because he had no perception of need or desire.  He was well cared for, loved and had too many toys already.  He did not feel a desire to obtain a newer object for satisfaction (even though that WAS what I was seeking in wanting buy him something).  His joy as a child may be ours Christians if we dispel the sinful desire to “get,get,get”.  Freedom from those society-driven lusts allows us to truly “inherit the earth” and rejoice in that that the Lord has made and provided to us by His grace for our sustenance.

c. By being glad of what others have

See discussion above

d. By seeing the good in others

Cite Mrs. Smashey’s idea here

Those is heaven are ALL meek-spirited.  There are no contentions, no pride, no anger, no wrath and no malice.  Psalm 37:11, “The meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.”

Remember our ultimate and perfect example: The teacher of this lesson some 2000 years ago. He was MEEK and LOWLY.  See Matthew 11:28-30.

Those who inherit the earth are those who are free from the ambition, lusts, pride, and other evil that encompasses our daily lives.