#266 – THE MEEK ARE THANKFUL (18/1/21)

This week in our discipleship series, we are considering the third Beatitude,

“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5)

Definition: Meekness is humility. It’s being weak in ourselves but strong in God.

Firstly, as with all of the other Beatitudes, this is a description of the true Christian; to become a Christian one must become ‘meek’.

Pride is the opposite of meekness. The proud do not come to Jesus for their sins to be forgiven. The proud are self-righteous. The meek know that they need the Saviour. They know that 'all of their works are as filthy rags’. They are like the man in Romans 7 who cries out,

'What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!’ (Romans 7:24-25)

I guess that there can be no better test of our meekness than our thankfulness. Anyone who can go through their day and week without thanking Jesus for deliverance from sin is a poor, proud Christian. Jesus says over every Christian,

‘Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.’ (Romans 8:1)

Anyone who is self-aware, but understands that they will never face condemnation, but fails to rejoice, needs to seek meekness!

King David is a great example of meekness. He had natural gifts, but he was humble in his dependence upon God. When he fought Goliath it was God’s presence rather than his skills that he depended on. David’s meekness is seen in this famous psalm,

'Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.’ (Psalm 103:1-5)

Why does meekness praise God and what for?

The meek always remember that God ‘redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion’. The meek have a ‘what me!?…I don’t deserve this!’ spirit.

Spend some time, maybe using Psalm 103, to express your thankfulness to God for all of His grace toward you.

COMMUNITY GROUP STUDY - BLESSED ARE THE MEEK

Notices

It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.

Suggested opener/Ice-breaker

What are your highs and lows from last week?

Introduction - please share in your group

This week in our discipleship series, we are considering the third of the Beatitudes,

'Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth'. (Matthew 5:5)

Meekness is humility. It’s being weak in ourselves but strong in God.

Here are three aspects to meekness:

Firstly, as with all of the other Beatitudes, this is a description of the true Christian; to become a Christian one must become ‘meek’. Pride is the opposite of meekness. The proud do not come to Jesus for their sins to be forgiven. The proud are self-righteous.

Secondly, The meek listen to God and others. Their humility drives them to seek God's will in His word. They learn from others and feel a desire to show value to others by listening to them.

Thirdly, The meek pray. On Sunday we briefly saw how The Lord's Prayer in full of meekness; every phrase is an expression of humble dependence upon God.

Finally, meekness has great promise: 'the meek will inherit the earth'. The meek do not force their will on people. They know that they cannot force anyone to come to faith. The meek may have to endure disrespect and even persecution, but they will reign with Jesus in a 'New heavens and a new earth'.

Discussion questions

1. Please read Matthew 11:29. Jesus is described as 'meek' (gentle) and humble. How did Jesus' earthly life display true meekness?

2. Meekness leads to salvation - the proud can never be saved - why is this the case?

2. Meekness is humility. It’s being weak in ourselves but strong in God. Why does this lead to one being devoted to God's word? (Please read Isaiah 66:2)

3. Why does meekness lead to prayer?

4. Why does meekness lead to a desire to learn from others?

Investing and inviting

i) Who has God put into your life that we could pray for together?

ii) How are you planning to 'invest and invite'?

iii) Finally, Who are you planning to invite to our Alpha Course which is beginning on the 25th January?