Good Afternoon everyone and Happy Sabbath and to all of those who will be hearing this sermon later on the DVD, welcome. We think a lot about you. We know that you're part of the body of Christ.
I'm down here in Dallas and I want to give thanks to the Dallas Brethren for the invitation. James Smyda had given me an e-mail about a month ago and asked if I would come down here. And I said, "This is my opportunity to come down and harass him and say and do things that will keep him very humble." And much to his credit, he's been doing the same thing back to me and there's been a few zingers sent back forth and forth. So we kind of called a truce for today.
But we're happy to see you. It's warm down here in Dallas. Coming from the land where many are cold and few are frozen, it's a bit of a change. But I suppose I need to say Happy Sabbath to you' all.
Each and every one of us have different approaches to how we study God's Word. Some do it to gain knowledge to debate and defend personal beliefs about prophecy. Others do it to just justify their definition as to what the "Work of God," that phrase, what that means. I know some people—my wife—has a different unique way of doing it. She actually reads the Bible and goes through word by word with a concordance to see what it really says. Some just read booklets and not that that's necessarily wrong.
But there is really a major theme in Scripture as to why we should do Bible study. Through the inspiration of the holy spirit, the authors of Scripture were motivated to tell us that we need to be searching the Scriptures—not so we can debate prophecy as our only source of discussion about the Bible, not that we can show everybody how much we've memorized—but so that we can actually grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ and God the Father. That was the ultimate purpose.
Turn to 2 Peter, if you would please 2 Peter chapter 3. And we'll see a very strong admonition.
Well, here's a nice thing. I've got to share this with you. I open up to the first Scripture and here's a note from my wife. It says, "Happy Sabbath," and there's a smiley face on it. So thank you, Vicki.
2 Peter chapter 3 and verses 17 and 18:
2 Peter 3:17. [You] therefore, beloved, seeing [that you] know these things before, (KJV)
And it's what he was referring to earlier in the chapter.
2 Peter 3:17b. beware lest [you] also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. (KJV)
Now verse 18 is the important thing!
2 Peter 3:18. But grow in [the] grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. (KJV)
So it's a warning from Peter that we need to be growing in the grace and the knowledge of Christ for obvious reasons.
Jesus Christ gave the conditions of the New Covenant. And in the New Covenant when He gave the Sermon on the Mount, He gave various character traits that anyone that wants to claim to be a Christian has to at least be attempting to follow these and inculcating these character traits into their character. And if you want to be called a Christian, the evidence has got to be there.
So, turn to Matthew chapter 5 and we're going to find something very interesting. We're going to start reading. And again, these are the terms of the New Covenant, Matthew 5, 6, and 7, the first sermon that Christ gave.
But let's set the backdrop here. A few verses earlier in chapter 4 and verse 25, it says:
Matthew 4:25. And there followed him [a] great [multitude] of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond [the] Jordan. (KJV)
And then He launches into what we call the Sermon on the Mount. In verse 1 to 5:
Matthew 5:1. And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: (KJV)
So this is instructions to people who claim or who want to be called disciples of Jesus Christ.
Matthew 5:2. And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
3) Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4) Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. (KJV)
In verse 5:
Matthew 5:5. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. (KJV)
So today, I want to focus on why is it that the meek will inherit the earth. It's very important that we understand this. What does meekness have to do with inheriting the earth?
Now Jesus quoted this from Psalms chapter 37 verse 11. Let's turn back there.
And oftentimes when people say, "Well, the Old Covenant has nice stories in it," but many of the words that are spoken in the New Covenant and the New Testament are direct quotes out of the Old Testament.
So we go back to Psalms chapter 37 and verse 11 to find something very interesting. Psalms 37 and verse 11:
Psalm 37:11. But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. (KJV)
Peace is a wonderful concept. Something we don't have a lot of, in or out of the Church. Something we generally hear about at the Feast of Tabernacles.
But notice that Jesus said that His disciples would possess or be in the process of possessing this character trait of meekness before the Millennium arrived. In fact, if this character trait, along with the others that are mentioned in the Sermon on the Mount, if they're not evident, there's a very real possibility that you may not have this as part of your inheritance—ruling over the earth.
Staying in the same chapter, 37 of Psalms, go to verse 22.
Psalms 37:22. For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off. (KJV)
So clearly if this character trait that we're going to go through today and talk about is not there, chances are you're not going to be part of that group of people that are going to inherit the earth in a teaching mode as a king or a priest, or a Kingdom of Priests as it's better worded.
So, the meek inheriting the earth wasn't just a filler phrase. (I call it filler phrase. When you feed cattle back home, you feed them quality hay, but you also fill them up with silage just to keep them quiet.) It wasn't just a filler phrase because He didn't know what to say. Everything Christ said had a specific meaning to it, a very powerful meaning.
Psalm 76, you can go forward a bit. Psalm 76, again this is a psalm of millennial reference. And if you notice in verses 8 and 9 and notice the way it's worded. It's past tense. Verse 8 and 9:
Psalm 76:8. [You did] cause judgment to be heard from heaven; the earth feared, and was still [past tense], (KJV)
Again, the psalm is a millennial reference but talking about what happened earlier.
Psalm 76:9. When God arose to judgment, to save all the meek of the earth. Selah. (KJV)
And Selah basically means think about that. Past tense: to save the meek of the earth.
So meekness must be pretty important to God if He makes a statement that He's going to spare you out of what He's going to do to this earth.
Turn to Zephaniah, one of the Minor Prophets, Zephaniah chapter 2 and we'll read the first three verses. Zephaniah chapter 2 verses 1 to 3:
Zephaniah 2:1. Gather yourselves together, [yes], gather together, O nation not desired;
2) Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the Lord [comes] upon you, before the day of the Lord's anger [comes] upon you.
3) Seek ye the Lord, all [you] meek of the earth, which have [fulfilled] his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be [you] shall be hid in the day of the Lord's anger. (KJV)
So here the reference is clearly to a place of safety that we've heard about. But notice how important meekness is. God uses it in the same breath as He does righteousness. So meekness is pretty important. And we're to seek it.
Now the Hebrew word for seek here is number 1245. And it's baqash (baw-kash'). And basically it means to search out specifically through worship or study or prayer, but to strive after, to ask for, to beg, to beseech, to desire. Powerful words in this word seek. It means that you're going after God. You're begging God for something. "Please, give this to me. Please, help me develop this character trait."
And this character trait of meekness again is combined with righteousness. That's how important it is to God! And we'll find out later from Scripture why it's so important.
So not only will righteous meek people be spared the end time events that are coming upon this earth—and they sure seem to be speeding up when you have madmen at the helm of nuclear weapons, the hatred when certain nations say it's their entire goal is to destroy the nation of Israel. We're speeding down this path at a very fast rate. And God says, "Because of this character trait of meekness, I'm going to spare you from that. Not only in addition to just inheriting the earth, you're going to be spared the calamitous things that are going to take place on this earth."
And if we understand Scripture properly, in the span of a few short years over four billion people (That's with a B.) will die. And that's what Scripture says. And when you start tossing around nuclear weapons as are going to happen, it's very easy to understand how that could happen.
Turn to Romans chapter 8, if you would please. Romans chapter 8 and we're going to read verses 19 through 23.
Romans 8:19. For the earnest expectation of the [creation waits] for the manifestation of the sons of God.
20) For the creature was made subject to vanity [or futility], not willingly, but by reason of him who [has] subjected the same in hope,
21) Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
22) For we know that the whole creation [groans] and [travails] in pain together until now.
23) And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to [know], the redemption of our body. (KJV)
So these meek people once changed into the glory of the children of God are going to assist Jesus Christ in the re-genesis of this earth, the renewing of this earth, and removing of what causes such great pain.
Now when you think about what's going to happen with the trumpet plagues and the seven bowl plagues—we have fourteen plagues in all—this earth is going to be reeling. And it's going to need a tremendous re-creation quickly. People cannot live without food, without water for very long periods of time. And there's going to be a re-genesis. And we're going to have a chance to see what that is all about.
But the question that we want to focus on today is: What does this condition of meekness entail?
So the word meek when you do a research into this, most people think meek is timid and shy. And you think of this little frail person that says, "Oh, I know. I'm not going to fight you and such." That's not what the Bible says a meek person is.
The Hebrew word for meek is number 6035 in the concordance and it's `anav (aw-nawv'). And it does mean humble, lowly, poor. And then the word meekness is the Hebrew word number 6038, `anavah (an-aw-vaw'). And it means gentleness or humility.
Again, we're not talking about weak in character. We're talking about how people live their lives and we're going to find out later how they live their lives in relation not only to other people but to God the Father.
But it's interesting to note in Matthew 5 and verse 3, a couple verses before the verse that were focusing on, Jesus had already said, "the poor in spirit." So He's talking about a different character trait here. Does meekness convey something more than just the poor in spirit? Yes, it does.
We're trying to use physical definitions and expressions to explain a spiritual trait. But these definitions are inadequate and they don't really get to the core reason as to why meekness is raised to the level of righteousness. It's raised to the level of the Ten Commandments and is essential for one to be given the gift of eternal life—if you don't have this and rulership on this earth.
So what is it about meekness that enables a person to be given rulership as a child of God? Let's start by looking at several people who are defined as being meek.
First of all we'll turn to Numbers chapter 12 and verse 3, the discussion of Moses. Numbers 12 and verse 3:
Numbers 12:3. Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men [of the earth] which were upon the face of the earth.) (KJV)
And we know Moses will be given the right to rule the earth because God saw him as meek, more meek than any man on the face of the earth up until this point.
Let's go to a second Scripture, Matthew chapter 11 verses 28 and 29. Up until this point, Moses had been the meekest man on the earth, but now we're introduced to Jesus Christ, who I believe was more meek than Moses. Matthew 11 verses 28 and 29:
Matthew 11:28. Come unto me, all [you] that labor and are [heavily] laden, and I will give you rest.
29) Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and [you] shall find rest unto your [lives or your] souls. (KJV)
So now here the Greek word for meek is number 4235. It's praos (prah'-os). I may be crucifying the pronunciation of it, but p-r-a o-s.
And it's the same word that's used in Matthew 5 and verse 5. Now Jesus Christ said He was meek and lowly in heart.
Let's go to Matthew chapter 21. Now Jesus had sent the disciples to get a colt of a donkey so He could ride into Jerusalem fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah chapter 9 and verse 9. So let's read in Matthew 21 verses 1 and 2 and 4 and 5.
Matthew 21:1. And when they drew [near] unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,
2) Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway [you] shall find [a donkey] tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. (KJV)
And then verse 4 and 5:
Matthew 21:4. All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet [again Zechariah], saying,
5) Tell [you] the daughter of Sion, Behold, [the] King [comes] unto [you], meek, and sitting upon [a donkey], and a colt the foal of [a donkey]. (KJV)
Jesus again is described as being meek.
Let's turn to Isaiah 66 and verse 2. Isaiah 66 and verse 2, the prophet Isaiah is talking about what is really important to God. At the end of verse 1, He talks about the entire universe that's He's creating. But something that He views more important that the universe—
Which is absolutely magnificent! I've got a computer program at home that takes you through some of the different galaxies and such. And what an interesting search through the universe! And it's awesome! We can't fathom how big it is. And it seems to be growing on top of it.
But in verse 2, God says, "Here's something more important this universe," importance in His mind.
Isaiah 66:2. For all those things [has] mine hand made, and all those things have been, [says] the [Eternal]: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and [trembles] at my word. (KJV)
So the Hebrew word here for poor is 6041 but it means humble and lowly—the same type of definition that we had of meekness in the New Testament. Now the translators were using numerous words to try to describe this concept of meekness. We've seen humble. We've seen gentle. We've seen lowly. We've seen poor in spirit.
Let's turn to 1 Corinthians chapter 4. The apostle Paul is addressing the Corinthian Church that had, as you know, a multitude of problems. Not unlike what we have in the Church today. They were experiencing a lot of problems and the apostle Paul is asking them a question, if you notice. "How do you want me to come to you?" He's going to come and visit them. And in verse 21, he says:
1 Corinthians 4:21. What will [you]? shall I come unto you with a rod, (KJV)
In other words, "I'm coming to correct things here and we're going to straighten this thing out!"
1 Corinthians 4:21b. or in love, and in the spirit of meekness? (KJV)
The Greek word here, number 4236, is praotes (prah-ot'-ace), gentleness, humility.
So if they could correct the problem themselves, he would come to them in a spirit of love and meekness. So now meekness is coupled together with agape, love! We've seen how it's been coupled together with righteousness. Now in the same voice, in the same breath, he couples meekness with agape. So you see the puzzle's starting to come together here. We're not talking just character traits. We're talking about a nature.
So far as we've seen from Scripture, we have righteousness; we have agape along with meekness. It's a spiritual quality with physical definitions that we try to understand it. But it's of utmost importance in the mind of God. It's so important that if we don't have it, we will not inherit the earth. We will not inherit eternity.
2 Corinthians chapter 10, if you'd turn there please, 2 Corinthians 10 and verse 1:
2 Corinthians 10:1. Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and [the] gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you: (KJV)
So again, the same word here. Meekness is 4236, gentleness. But the translators found it difficult to say the "gentleness of the gentleness of Christ." So they put another word in there. So now meekness is now equated with gentleness.
And the Greek word for base—"I come to you as a base individual; in your presence I am base among you, but outside of your presence bold"; in other words, in the way he wrote—is the Greek word number 5011. I'm terrible at Greek, but I'm going to spell it for you: t-a-p-e-i-n-os (tap-i-nos'). It's humble and of a low degree, lowly.
Sounds like what Christ said about Himself!
Yet, the apostle Paul probably knew five different languages. He had been a member of the Sanhedrin. He had an incredible IQ, but yet he looked at himself in this perspective. Do you think Christ had any influence on him for three years in Arabia? Big time!
So we see a pattern of behavior here among some powerful men of Scripture—Moses, Jesus Christ, and Paul.
Turn to Ephesians chapter 4 as we pursue this subject. Ephesians chapter 4 and verse 1:
Ephesians 4:1. I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that [you] walk worthy of the vocation wherewith [you] are called, (KJV)
In other words, consider what you have been called to. Now I've heard sermons in the past that I was told that the reason I was called—the main reason—that I was here was to support the preaching of the gospel. The problem is that you'll never find that in Scripture, if you want to be honest.
Notice in verse 2 of chapter 4:
Ephesians 4:2. With all lowliness and [with] meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; (KJV)
So Paul discusses what the real reason for your calling is. He's talking about it right here.
Let's go to Colossians chapter 3. And, as we see here, meekness is now coupled with different character traits—lowliness, longsuffering, forbearance, and love, another character trait. But Colossians chapter 3 and we'll read in verse 12.
Colossians 3:12. Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; (KJV)
A different word here! You can cross-reference to that Ephesians 4 verse 2. It says pretty much the same thing. He's saying the same thing to different congregations as he travels.
Galatians chapter 5. Many Scriptures talking about this not just character trait but actually a nature. Galatians chapter 5 and we'll read verses 22 and 23.
Galatians 5:22. But the fruit of the Spirit is [agape] love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23) Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (KJV)
Actions! If you notice, everything that we've read there is an outgoing action! You're not focusing on yourself, upon your trials. You're focusing on what can I do to help other people?
You know the one Scripture that says, "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling"? A lot of people think "Well, it's just me and God." No, it isn't. God is building a family. And there are many Scriptures that talk about if you see your brother down, reach down to help him up. Working out your salvation involves coming to an understanding of what we are called to. We are called to be a family to support one another, to help one another into the Kingdom! Not just, "I'm going to get mine and what happens to you, too bad!" When you work out your salvation you are working out not only your personal relationship with God, you are doing what you can do personally to help every brother and sister in the Church. And sometimes it means just being quiet. You know not offending them. Other times you try to reach out and "What can I do to serve you and help you?" When you work out your own salvation you are working it out in such a way that you are developing the character of God. And the character of God is outgoing serving people, loving people.
So it's clear that this concept of meekness is not a self-centered inward trait. It has something to do with the way in which we relate to one another. It has to do with relationships that we have, but a relationship with who?
Turn to James chapter 1. James talks a lot about faith and wisdom and patience. But he also talks about meekness in verses 19 to 21 of James chapter 1.
James 1:19. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
20) For the wrath of [a] man [works] not the righteousness of God.
21) Wherefore lay apart [or put away] all filthiness and [excessive amounts] superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your [lives]. (KJV)
So, on the one hand he's saying, "Get rid of your bad habits and replace the void or the vacuum with good habits." If you want to get the air out of a glass, fill it up with water.
And so meekness has something to do with saving our lives. We are to be linked into something that is of God, engrafted into the very nature of God! That's what he's talking about here. This process involves meekness and allows us to become part of the Family of God, which is the real major reason you and I were called.
Meekness is developing a relationship with God, number one. And a relationship involves developing His very nature--the core nature of God being developed inside of us. So that we don't have to be told what to do, we're just going to naturally know what to do because it's going to be part of our nature.
And it's also interesting to note though. If you study the concept of meekness, it also is coupled with a defensive mechanism, defending ourselves from the wavelength of Satan. Galatians chapter 6, turn there please. Galatians chapter 6 and verse 1 and this is always—we couple this Scripture "if your brother offend you go to him," but go in this type of an attitude. Galatians 6 and verse 1:
Galatians 6:1. Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, [you] which are spiritual, restore such a one [as] in the spirit of meekness; considering [yourself], lest [you] also be tempted. (KJV)
So, the word meekness here in Greek is 4236, again praotes, in a spirit of gentleness and humility. Meekness can prevent you from being tempted, if you have a meek attitude.
2 Timothy chapter 2. Lots of verbiage about this concept! 2 Timothy chapter 2, Paul told Timothy the same thing that he told the Galatians. 2 Timothy 2 verses 24 and 25:
2 Timothy 2:24. And the [spirit] of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
25) In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves [or hurt themselves with their actions]; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; (KJV)
So here again it's the same word, praotes.
When we see others hurting themselves and/or others through their actions, through their words, we're to approach them in a gentle frame of mind. In a disposition hoping that the gentleness can cause them to understand the mistakes that they're making. And people do goofy things! We all do. We hurt ourselves with our mouth, with our actions, the way we think at times. We hurt ourselves.
And if we see someone doing something—first of all discern: Is what they're doing really going to cause them to lose their salvation or is it just a personal habit? You know I like chocolate ice cream and you like vanilla. I'm going to tell you that you need to eat vanilla ice cream. No. If a person is doing something to hurt themselves, the way you work out your own salvation is that you love this person enough that you will go to them and say, "I think what you're doing here is going to hurt you."
When I was at college, there were four of us. And we had this agreement—a promise we made to each other. When we saw each other doing something that was going to hurt us, we had a pact that we would go to each other. And we understood that even if it took some tough words, we were going to tell each other, "The path you're going down here is wrong." And it was a good thing. But initially we would start out doing it gently. "Greg, have you considered what you're doing here?"
So gentleness is an important aspect and it can prevent us from the attacks of Satan, this meek attitude. Why? Let's go to James chapter 4. And you probably know what I'm getting at here. James chapter 4 and verse 6:
James 4:6. But he [gives] more grace. Wherefore he [said], God [resists] the proud, but [gives] grace unto the humble. (KJV)
And the word here for humble, the Greek word number 5011. We've read it before—tapeinos. And it means to become base or cast down or of low degree. And it's the same Hebrew concept that we found in the Old Testament that discussed Moses.
So in the Book of James chapter 4 verse 7 and 8, because this person is now meek:
James 4:7. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (KJV)
It's a defensive mechanism!
James 4:8. Draw [near] to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, [you] sinners; and purify your hearts, [you] double minded. (KJV)
So, humility or meekness has a connection to submission to God. Now we're starting to get to the point what this concept is really about. It's not just a character trait. It's part of the nature.
Verse 9 and 10:
James 4:9. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
10) Humble yourselves in the sight of the [Eternal], and he shall lift you up. (KJV)
So, if you're meek in the sight of the Eternal, He said He's going to lift us up out of the clutches of Satan, out of the doldrums that we've sailed into spiritually. I mean all of us have been there, if we're honest. We have this attitude, "I'm just tired. I'm flat out tired." But in a meek attitude we sail into these spiritual doldrums—and you know what that is. You sail into this part of Dardanelles—I forget exactly what part of the earth it is—but all of a sudden the wind stops. And you're board is stuck there. You can't move.
I don't know about you, but I've been in the doldrums spiritually at times. There's no wind. Nothing moving me! And then something happens to me. The winds pick up and I move forward. God steps in and pulls you out of those clutches.
So it's a defensive mechanism against Satan.
But let's look at today, what we're living in in the Church today. We live in a day and age of multiple, multiple opinions, both in society and in the Church. I see a lot of heads going up and down.
Meekness and humility is not a strongpoint of the Laodicean Church. That's clear just from observation, but also listening to Jesus Christ. In fact, in the Laodicean Era of the Church, pride—and not meekness or humility—is the predominant character trait of the Church.
And without proper humility, without this trait of meekness, a proper healthy relationship with God cannot and does not exist. Look at what's happening in the Church. There's over 400 splinter groups! Every time somebody disagrees, there they go. They get out on a limb. Here's the end of the limb and they start sawing over here.
Turn to Revelation 3 and verse 17. Revelation chapter 3 and verse 17, we're going to hear what Jesus Christ Himself says about the nature of this Church and that there is no meekness in it. Or very little—I should say. Revelation 3 verses 17 to 20:
Revelation 3:17. Because [you say], I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and [know] not that [you are] wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: (KJV)
I don't see any indication there about meekness.
Revelation 3:18. I counsel [you] to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that [you may] be rich; and white raiment, that [you may] be clothed, and that the shame of [your] nakedness [does] not appear; and anoint [your] eyes with [eye salve], that [you may] see.
19) As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
20) Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (KJV)
Notice it doesn't say what group you're in. It doesn't say what man you're following.
"Buy of Me gold. Buy of Me white raiment." The truth of the matter is according to Jesus Christ is that Satan has more influence in the Church right now than Jesus Christ does. And that sounds like a judgmental statement, but Jesus Christ Himself said that there's no meekness in the Church. Pride is the predominant characteristic of the Church in this day and age.
Remember what we've discussed in Scripture. Meekness is raised to the same level as righteousness—the Commandments! It's raised to the same level of agape love. We read the Scriptures.
Jesus said in Matthew 24 and verse 12—please turn there—Matthew 24 and verse 12:
Matthew 24:12. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. (KJV)
This is a reference to the Church. He's saying that because of sins in the Church, people are being offended and the love is waxing cold. Well, if love is waxing cold, so is meekness because meekness is comparable to love! Clearly, meekness is not the predominant character trait of the Laodicean Era.
But because we have individual choices, we don't have to be grouped into a huge group of people. We have individual choices. We can break free from that.
Sin or iniquity, not righteousness, is abounding in the Church. That's what Jesus Christ said. No indication that this is going to change prior to the two witnesses coming on the scene. As you read through it here, it says there should be a lot of enduring. And the endurance, as we thought in the past was always enduring the way this world was getting and it clearly is getting bad.
It is so upsetting when you get things in the mail that says, "Make sure you fingerprint your children and get their blood tests for their DNA." So that when they're kidnapped and murdered or abused or sold into slavery—two million children on this earth this day are in slavery—some type of slavery because they've been kidnapped or sold into slavery. That's horrendous!
But yet He's also talking about you have to endure what's taking place in the Church. And we sure do!
So the Bible provides tests for us to be able to analyze whether of not we're meek. And we're going to go through some of that. In Hebrews 12, if you'd turn there please. Hebrews 12 and verses 2 and 3:
Hebrews 12:2. Looking unto Jesus the author and [the] finisher of our faith; (KJV)
Now we don't know for sure Paul was the author, but pretty good chance he was. And we're going to see what this concept of meekness—
Hebrews 12:2b. who for the joy [referring to Jesus Christ] that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3) For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against [him], lest [you] be wearied and faint in your minds. (KJV)
You know things don't always go the way we want to. In fact, the truth of the matter is things probably go the way we don't want to go more times than we do want to. This is a tough life. We have setbacks. We have problems. Tearful things that have happened, adversity, heart-rendering situations, but God says, "I'll never leave you through all of that." But all of us, those of us in this room and those of us that are watching this video, we've been through tough times. Now I've lost loved ones that just tore my heart out. I've seen situations. I've seen what's happening in the Church. It's very painful.
But notice in verse 4.
Hebrews 12:4. [You] have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
5) And [you] have forgotten the exhortation which [speaks] unto you as unto children, My son, despise not the chastening of the [Eternal], nor faint when [you are] rebuked of him:
6) For whom the Lord [loves] he [chastens], and [scourges] every son whom he [receives].
7) If [you] endure chastening, God [deals] with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father [chastens] not? (KJV)
And, as I mentioned, I don't think there's a person that's gone through this. And unfortunately what happens when people are going through trials, it gets so tough, they give up. And eventually the trial may go away, but what they miss out on is the blessing that comes from going through the trial. In 1 Corinthians, Paul says, "No trial will be given to you that you cannot bear it, but with the trial I will show you a way of escape." (1 Corinthians 10:13 paraphrased.) A lot of people give up before God has a chance to show the way of escape. And then they end up suffering the pain of the trial, but they also suffer because they haven't received the benefit that would come from the purpose of that trial.
Verse 11 of the same chapter:
Hebrews 12:11. Now no chastening for the present [seems] to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it [yields] the peaceable fruit of [What?] righteousness unto them which are exercised [by it]. (KJV)
Remember, meekness is coupled with righteousness. So something's being developed here through this mess that we live through. The end result of God working with us is to produce a sense of peace and righteousness within us but also within that is this concept of meekness.
So our relationship with God and others should be characterized as peaceful.
I have to look at myself and say, "Is that how my life is with most people? Not with everybody!"
Is that the way life is in the Church? I don't think so! Yet, is there peace in the Church today? And I don't want to go into details of this, but something is happening. There is a character trait. There is influence in the Church that is greater than God's influence.
Let's continue this study of meekness now. Go back to James chapter 3. It's not just through trials that God develops things within us. But we go to James chapter 3 and we'll read in verse 13.
James 3:13. Who is a wise man endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of [his] good [conduct] (KJV)
It says "conversation," but if you look it up, it's conduct.
James 3:13b. his works with meekness of wisdom. (KJV)
So now meekness is coupled with wisdom!
Verse 14 to 16:
James 3:14. But if [you] have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
15) This wisdom [descends] not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
16) For [with envy] and strife, there is confusion and every evil work. (KJV)
Do we see confusion in the Church today? Yeah, we sure do! What character trait influences or surrounds the opinions of the people that causes this type of stuff—pride or meekness? You answer the question. Look at the fruit! Bitter envy, self-seeking, confusion, other evil things—nothing from God!
In James chapter 3 and now in verse 17, it's interesting to note what it says here. James chapter 3 and verse 17:
James 3:17. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be [entreated], full of mercy and [full of] good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. (KJV)
So a meek attitude that has the type—and God will give wisdom to that type of person—the fruit is completely different!
And then in verse 18:
James 3:18. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. (KJV)
So again, we're back to this concept of righteousness, meekness, etc. having as an end result of all of it peace.
Now why is meekness so important to combat to Satan and receive a blessing—first of the physical blessing of the Place of Safety plus the physical protection that we receive throughout the day? There are things that happen to us on a regular basis.
Just on my trip out here I had something happen. And I knew it was from God. I absolutely knew it was from God! It was a minor thing, but it's very encouraging when you see these little things happen.
Let's look at Jesus Christ—two people, Jesus Christ and Moses, and one example from each one of their lives which highlighted this aspect of meekness, not just a character trait but part of their very nature.
John chapter 6, the people were following Jesus Christ because they were looking for a free lunch rather than the keys to, the wisdom to eternal life. John chapter 6 and verse 38, here is the key—put a big star (☆) by this one!
John 6:38. For I came down from heaven, not to do [my] own will, but the will of him that sent me. (KJV)
Meekness is an outgrowth of a character trait of seeking to do the will of God. And part of those actions that come out of that type of a character can be described as gentle, humble, lowly in heart, poor in spirit. But it's coming out of a nature that is meek, a nature that says, "I don't care what I want to do. When I found out what God wants, that's what I'm going to do." Meekness is an attitude where you are prepared to put yourself totally under the submission of God's will. Completely! Do we do it perfectly? Absolutely not!
But every opinion, every thought, every action that we might have or do must be brought into captivity. That's the battle. That's why the true Christian race is the toughest thing you'll ever do in your life—ever! Because it's twenty-four/seven! You can never let up. And when you do let up, you begin to backslide a little bit.
And when we look at our actions, are they in compliance with what Scripture says? That's the tough battle. But as we fight it there's a miracle that takes place in our mind. It's called the transforming of your mind. It's an actual miracle.
Turn to 2 Corinthians chapter 10 and we'll read verse 5.
2 Corinthians 10:5. Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that [exalts] itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; (KJV)
So the apostle Paul knew this because I'm sure Jesus Christ taught him this in Arabia for three years.
John chapter 17, if you'd go there please, John 17. We'll read verses 1 through 4.
John 17:1. These words [spoke] Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said [unto the Father], the hour is come; glorify [your] Son, that [your] Son also may glorify [you]:
2) As [you have] given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as [you have] given him.
3) And this is [eternal] life, that they might know [you] the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom [you have] sent.
4) I have glorified [you] on the earth: I have finished the work which [you gave] me to do. (KJV)
How far along are we in our calling? Can we say, "I've completed sixty-five percent of the work that I was called to do", or you were called to do? Remember, according to Scripture, you were not called for the main purpose of supporting a group to preach the gospel. That was not why you were called. That's a smokescreen. You were called to develop the very nature and to be shaped into the image of God. That's why you were called.
Matthew 7 verse 21 to 23.
And the sad part about that is that because it's a smokescreen, in the past I got caught in this trap. I was tied into a Church that was preaching the gospel. And I was heavily involved in all these activities, but my Bible study wasn't what it should have been.
And oftentimes when you start doing things, you're paying your tithes to this group or preaching the gospel, pretty soon you begin to, as you get caught up in the smokescreen, you begin to lose the accountability and the responsibility that we have in the promise that we made to Jesus Christ and what the purpose of our real calling is! And all of a sudden sending our money into a church is what we call "fulfilling our calling". No, it isn't! And then we start to let down on what we really should be doing.
Matthew 7 verses 21 to 23:
Matthew 7:21. Not every one that [says] unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that [does] the will of my Father which is in heaven. (KJV)
What did we read? Christ said, "I came to do Your will."
Matthew 7:22. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in [your] name? (KJV)
So many people—I shouldn't say so many—a number of people have sent me all these ideas on prophecy and such.
Matthew 7:22b. have [we not] cast out devils [in your name]? [have we not] done many wonderful works? (KJV)
All the articles, all the publications, all this stuff!
And what does He say to them? Verse 23:
Matthew 7:23b . I never knew you: depart from me, [you] that work iniquity. (KJV)
Iniquity, lawlessness! What did He say was happening in the Church because iniquity, lawlessness is abounding?
We have to break free from this. We have to break out of this mentality thinking that we're okay simply because we send a tithe check into a church. We have a responsibility to fulfill our calling.
Meekness is defined in the way in which we seek the will of God. The meek will inherit the earth because they have submitted their will to God the Father.
God the Father has already dealt in the past with a being who refused to submit his will to God the Father. Satan, 2 Corinthians chapter 4, (the god of this world, little 'g'), 2 Corinthians chapter 4 and verse 4. We know this, but we'll read it. Verses 3 and 4:
2 Corinthians 4:3. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4) In whom the god of this world [has] blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (KJV)
So, Satan is the god of this world and he's blinded the minds of people. And he's having a huge impact in the Church—huge impact! Lots of smokescreens! And I would imagine many of you have heard it—the types of smokescreens. You've got to be in the right group. You've got to be following the right man. You've got to be doing x number of things that have nothing to do with what Scripture says the purpose of your calling is!
Example Number Two in reference to meekness is Moses.
Turn to Exodus chapter 33. Now in the chapter just before that, a lot of things were happening. He's talking about getting the tables of stone. And they're partying and there's a naked, sexual orgy that's taking place. And a lot of bad things happened here. But in Exodus 33, as we move forward, Moses is going into his tent and he's going to ask God, "How do I lead these people? What am I supposed to do?" In verse 7 through 9 of Exodus 33, we notice what he says.
Exodus 33:9. And it came to pass, as Moses entered into the tabernacle [That was his tent.], the cloudy pillar descended, and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the [Eternal] talked with Moses.
10) And all the people saw the cloudy pillar stand at the tabernacle door: and all the people rose up and worshipped, every man in his tent door.
11) And the [Eternal spoke unto [him] (KJV)
He gave instructions as to what to do.
Now keep in mind Moses is a man that was raised to potentially take Pharaoh's place. He was a leader. He understood leadership in probably the most powerful nation on the earth at that time. And in verse 11 here, here Moses goes in.
Exodus 33:11. And the [Eternal spoke] unto [him] face to face, as a man [speaks] unto his friend. (KJV)
He's going to God to ask Him, "How do I lead these people? What do I do?"
Exodus 33:11b. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle. (KJV)
So what would you do? Ask yourself, "What would you do if you were talking to God face-to-face?" What sort of person would you be? Interesting thought! Here it is right now, according to Christ, a lot of people would approach Him as puffed up, self-sufficient, in need of nothing. I mean that's Christ's own words. He says what the majority of the Church is like right now. "We don't have need of anything. We don't have need of you." Many in the last era of the Church and this is an admonition. We don't have to be part of that.
But not Moses! He was speaking face-to-face to the God of the universe—the one that became Jesus Christ, the Creator of the universe. And what was his attitude? Notice in verse 13—no, in verse 12. Let's start in verse 12.
Exodus 33:12. And Moses said unto the [Eternal], See, [you that you say] unto me, Bring up this people: and [you have] not let me know whom [you will] send with me. (KJV)
In other words, "I can't do this by myself! Who are you going to send with me to do this?"
Exodus 33:12b. [you have] said, I know [you] by name, and [you have] also found grace in my sight.
13) Now therefore, I [Moses] pray [you], if I have found grace in [your] sight, show me now [the] way, that I may know [you], that I may find grace in [your] sight: and consider that this nation [of so great a] people. (KJV)
A very, very humble response! And Moses was raised to be Pharaoh. And he's going to God and says, "I don't know how to do this. Would You please help me? Would You show me what Your will is so that I can lead these people in a direction that You would want me to lead them?"
And verse 14:
Exodus 33:14. And he [He being God.] said, My presence shall go with [you], and I will give [you] rest. (KJV)
So, the relationship between Moses and God was he didn't want to it his own way. Moses sought the will of God as Jesus Christ sought the will of God. Moses realized that the job could not be done any other way. And here's a man that was pretty intelligent—lots of information as to how to lead people. He says, "I can't do this."
But the important thing that caused him to be known as the meekest man on the earth was his attitude. His nature was "I can't do this by myself. I need Your help. I want to know what Your will is. Please show me how You want me to lead these people," marching orders, instructions on how to live, etc. He sought the will of God. That's why God described Moses as being the most meek man upon the face of the earth.
Meekness defines our relationship with God and Jesus Christ. Our relationship upon which we rely upon Them rather than upon our instincts and our own thoughts. Now everybody in the Church says, "Well, I rely upon Them." And then we go over certain Scriptures that are pointing out weaknesses that we have and we just continue on.
Our relationship upon which God has defined the qualities and the fruit and we've seen with numerous Scriptures, the character traits and the humility that will accept what God tells us to do, accept God's will. And how we've seen how this spiritual trait of meekness is raised to the level of righteousness, agape love. God is love. God is meek. And it's also a relationship in which trust and confidence is returned, reciprocated back to people that are meek, from God where He gives not only physical protection at the end of this age, but He gives rulership of His creation for a thousand years and ultimately in a spiritual realm for eternity.
So knowing that His sons and daughters will be doing what He desires and there will be no repeating of the rebellion of Satan, because of this character trait of seeking God's will continually there's not going to be another rebellious nature that took place as Satan—originally Heylel, who became Satan or Lucifer based upon which language you read it from.
Above all else, it's a relationship with God which is reflected now in how we treat other people.
There has to be evidence that we are in agreement with God's way of life. There has to be evidence. God will give eternal life to no one that has not proven to Him that "I really want Your way of life, Father. I've tried so many different ways of life and it doesn't work." And it's not just an understanding up here, it's an understanding in here that you know that there is no other better way of life and you believe it!
Then, as a result of it, you're going to teach it. And there will be peace and there will be righteousness that will be the predominant character trait of the whole world. The fruit of God's spirit defines how we interact with each other and it shows God that we truly desire to be in His Family because we want to be like Him. Not just in head knowledge but we understand that this is the only way that works.
The end result of having that quality of meekness and the character traits that come out of it is that a relationship that we are going to inherit the earth and eventually we're going to inherit all things. So meekness is a powerful, powerful concept. It has to be developed. There has to be evidence that we have it in our character. And the way we develop it is by practicing it on one another.
When a person becomes a meister—a meister brewer of beer or a meister, a maestro of music—he's worked on it his whole life. I remember up in college once Bella Davidovich came and she was a world famous pianist. And she could play for an hour straight without any music in front of her. She was a master at music. And somebody went behind the stage talking with her—kind of a yuppie. "Oh, I wish I could be like that. I'd give everything if I could play like that." And she says, "I did. I gave everything in my life to play like that."
If you're going to be a master of meekness, a master of godly character, you have to give everything in your life over. And, slow but sure, the transformation from carnal to spirit will begin to take place in your mind. And you won't even need the book eventually because it's going to be part of your mind. When you make decisions, it's going to be part of your character.
So as you develop this sense of meekness, remember:
If you don't have it, you'll be cast out.
If you have it, you're going to inherit all things.
Transcribed by kb July 28, 2010