1 00:00:01,890 --> 00:00:02,230 Good morning. 2 00:00:03,020 --> 00:00:04,010 Hopefully you can hear me. 3 00:00:06,480 --> 00:00:09,480 Before we begin, I want to make an apology to one person in this room. 4 00:00:10,830 --> 00:00:11,969 And that is to Travis Conger. 5 00:00:13,110 --> 00:00:16,430 Because Travis Conger is running the camera today. 6 00:00:17,810 --> 00:00:19,289 And this is a really big stage. 7 00:00:20,879 --> 00:00:24,529 And when I have a really big place to walk, I like to walk. 8 00:00:25,859 --> 00:00:29,299 And then when he's back there, he's just kind of moving every once in a while. 9 00:00:29,489 --> 00:00:31,719 Today will be the most active day of his life. 10 00:00:33,210 --> 00:00:37,899 So I know you can't see me because you're behind that brick wall in the back. 11 00:00:37,899 --> 00:00:40,029 But just know that my apologies now. 12 00:00:40,059 --> 00:00:40,880 I love you. 13 00:00:41,049 --> 00:00:41,949 Good luck today. 14 00:00:42,730 --> 00:00:44,797 Ending the series on the upside down blessings. 15 00:00:44,797 --> 00:00:49,949 And the upside down blessings are talking about the B attitudes. 16 00:00:52,940 --> 00:00:55,670 One of all time in the Bible. 17 00:00:56,160 --> 00:00:57,470 And it's a collection of ideas. 18 00:00:57,470 --> 00:00:59,780 And this is not just a one time thing that Jesus preached. 19 00:01:00,009 --> 00:01:01,929 Jesus preached this multiple times. 20 00:01:02,469 --> 00:01:06,509 And Matthew would put it in, in Matthew 5, right after he just got done talking 21 00:01:06,509 --> 00:01:12,829 about all these poor people, all these, uh, you know, invalids, people 22 00:01:12,829 --> 00:01:14,850 who the refuge of the Roman Empire. 23 00:01:16,440 --> 00:01:22,660 And then he says, Jesus went and taught them, blessed are you. 24 00:01:24,190 --> 00:01:25,870 What an amazing concept. 25 00:01:26,770 --> 00:01:27,940 What an amazing thought. 26 00:01:28,930 --> 00:01:32,650 Because Jesus doesn't look at all the outward appearances. 27 00:01:33,220 --> 00:01:37,420 Jesus judges the heart, and you'll see this with these upside down blessings. 28 00:01:37,420 --> 00:01:41,410 Now, last week Marcel gave you, uh, a kind of a, a brief snapshot 29 00:01:41,410 --> 00:01:43,479 of the, the context of this. 30 00:01:43,509 --> 00:01:47,229 So I don't feel the need to, and if you didn't get the, the, the, uh, 31 00:01:47,259 --> 00:01:50,740 the handout, I know it's put on the church app, so please go read it. 32 00:01:50,830 --> 00:01:53,320 But I do wanna stay, take just a moment and read through the. 33 00:01:57,160 --> 00:02:03,120 And that is this, Matthew 5, 3 8, Blessed are the poor in spirit, for 34 00:02:03,120 --> 00:02:04,220 theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 35 00:02:05,490 --> 00:02:07,809 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 36 00:02:08,639 --> 00:02:10,620 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 37 00:02:11,690 --> 00:02:13,910 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, 38 00:02:14,200 --> 00:02:15,360 for they will be filled. 39 00:02:16,085 --> 00:02:18,535 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 40 00:02:19,385 --> 00:02:22,155 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 41 00:02:23,195 --> 00:02:26,454 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 42 00:02:27,180 --> 00:02:29,829 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for 43 00:02:29,850 --> 00:02:31,000 theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 44 00:02:31,940 --> 00:02:35,290 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all 45 00:02:35,290 --> 00:02:37,460 kinds of evil against you because of me. 46 00:02:37,899 --> 00:02:41,240 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven. 47 00:02:41,780 --> 00:02:45,070 For in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 48 00:02:47,265 --> 00:02:49,515 Upside down blessings. 49 00:02:50,825 --> 00:02:53,065 If I was writing these blessings, I don't think I would have 50 00:02:53,105 --> 00:02:54,405 mentioned a single one of those. 51 00:02:55,255 --> 00:02:57,415 I would have said, blessed are those who are important. 52 00:02:57,715 --> 00:02:58,864 When everyone wants to listen to them. 53 00:02:59,725 --> 00:03:00,984 Blessed are those who are wealthy. 54 00:03:01,275 --> 00:03:02,575 Who can afford to do whatever they want. 55 00:03:03,714 --> 00:03:04,974 Blessed are those who are good looking. 56 00:03:05,665 --> 00:03:07,329 When people want to run after you. 57 00:03:08,040 --> 00:03:11,730 Blessed are those when people don't want to say anything evil about you. 58 00:03:12,460 --> 00:03:14,090 Blessed are those who never struggle. 59 00:03:14,290 --> 00:03:15,170 Those would be my blessings. 60 00:03:16,759 --> 00:03:18,779 That's not the blessings Jesus is talking about. 61 00:03:20,139 --> 00:03:24,579 Because Jesus, again, sees this world not for what we see, but for the 62 00:03:24,579 --> 00:03:26,070 spiritual battle that it contains. 63 00:03:27,610 --> 00:03:29,030 Today I'm going to be focusing on this one. 64 00:03:29,240 --> 00:03:31,150 Blessed are the meek for they don't hurt the earth. 65 00:03:32,430 --> 00:03:36,020 Now, when these were being divvied up, and I was asked to give on the meek, 66 00:03:36,070 --> 00:03:38,450 I knew that I wasn't at the meeting when people started choosing these. 67 00:03:38,690 --> 00:03:40,370 Because this would not be the one I would have chosen. 68 00:03:41,380 --> 00:03:41,869 At all. 69 00:03:43,049 --> 00:03:45,179 I mean, when the word meek? 70 00:03:45,800 --> 00:03:46,860 Think about it. 71 00:03:47,050 --> 00:03:49,000 When's the last time you've been like, That brother, so meek. 72 00:03:49,980 --> 00:03:51,570 I just love you sister, you're so meek. 73 00:03:53,200 --> 00:03:54,299 So what comes to mind? 74 00:03:54,620 --> 00:03:56,460 I want you to sit and think for a moment. 75 00:03:56,920 --> 00:03:58,309 What comes to mind for you? 76 00:03:58,319 --> 00:03:59,719 Just take a moment and think about that. 77 00:03:59,739 --> 00:04:01,419 What comes to mind when you think meek? 78 00:04:03,769 --> 00:04:04,010 Humble? 79 00:04:04,010 --> 00:04:04,060 Timid? 80 00:04:07,100 --> 00:04:07,500 Weak? 81 00:04:08,530 --> 00:04:09,019 Shy? 82 00:04:12,029 --> 00:04:13,070 Self control? 83 00:04:14,899 --> 00:04:16,730 I mean, when's the last time we put this on a resume? 84 00:04:18,950 --> 00:04:20,320 You know, we're at Hire Me, I'm Neek. 85 00:04:22,320 --> 00:04:22,430 We don't. 86 00:04:24,119 --> 00:04:25,829 What I thought of him. 87 00:04:26,885 --> 00:04:29,995 Gentle Jesus, meek and mild, look upon the little child. 88 00:04:32,515 --> 00:04:33,505 I know, it's old, I get it. 89 00:04:33,505 --> 00:04:35,413 But that's what I think of. 90 00:04:35,413 --> 00:04:37,322 This little poor little goofy dog. 91 00:04:37,322 --> 00:04:41,457 You know, I'm sure Wesley was just trying to find something in line 92 00:04:41,457 --> 00:04:43,683 with child and he went with mild. 93 00:04:43,683 --> 00:04:44,774 But meek and mild. 94 00:04:45,885 --> 00:04:46,665 Who likes mild? 95 00:04:46,665 --> 00:04:46,784 I 96 00:04:51,255 --> 00:04:53,695 don't like mild. 97 00:04:53,744 --> 00:04:54,260 we think, Neat? 98 00:04:54,260 --> 00:04:54,955 We don't think it. 99 00:04:55,215 --> 00:05:02,085 Maystreet, you'll get big images. 100 00:05:02,085 --> 00:05:08,554 You don't think it. 101 00:05:08,585 --> 00:05:09,555 And that's a shame. 102 00:05:14,715 --> 00:05:14,925 But 103 00:05:18,555 --> 00:05:18,765 sometimes 104 00:05:23,505 --> 00:05:26,165 when we want to give you a scripture that God speaks about his own people. 105 00:05:28,024 --> 00:05:35,619 Here it is in Jeremiah See how you behaved in the valley, consider what you've done. 106 00:05:36,210 --> 00:05:38,929 You are a swift she camel running here and there. 107 00:05:39,330 --> 00:05:42,080 A wild donkey, accustomed to the desert. 108 00:05:42,659 --> 00:05:45,700 Sniffing the wind in her craving, in her heat, who can restrain her? 109 00:05:46,190 --> 00:05:49,259 Any males that pursue her need not tire themselves at mating time. 110 00:05:49,440 --> 00:05:50,460 They will find her. 111 00:05:51,099 --> 00:05:51,270 Whoa! 112 00:05:53,719 --> 00:05:54,580 Yeah, we bet again. 113 00:05:56,570 --> 00:05:57,390 What an insult. 114 00:05:58,690 --> 00:05:59,300 And what he's saying? 115 00:06:00,140 --> 00:06:01,700 My people are not meek. 116 00:06:03,300 --> 00:06:04,330 That's what he's saying here. 117 00:06:05,280 --> 00:06:07,169 You are not meek. 118 00:06:08,390 --> 00:06:10,379 You are a wild donkey. 119 00:06:10,519 --> 00:06:12,250 An unbroken horse. 120 00:06:13,580 --> 00:06:14,219 That's what we're saying. 121 00:06:14,880 --> 00:06:16,864 That's what it means to not be meek. 122 00:06:18,095 --> 00:06:20,545 And we see this all over our society. 123 00:06:20,905 --> 00:06:22,075 It's celebrated. 124 00:06:22,565 --> 00:06:27,085 In fact, there's an entire genre of television built on this. 125 00:06:27,095 --> 00:06:31,295 Would we have reality TV if people, all the contestants and I 126 00:06:31,865 --> 00:06:33,605 don't mean to insult this woman. 127 00:06:33,965 --> 00:06:36,025 I have no idea who she is. 128 00:06:36,715 --> 00:06:38,354 Famous cat meme. 129 00:06:38,355 --> 00:06:42,335 Um, but this is what it means to be uncontrolled. 130 00:06:43,015 --> 00:06:44,025 Unrestrained. 131 00:06:44,645 --> 00:06:46,865 Just, whatever comes out, comes out. 132 00:06:47,245 --> 00:06:50,715 No concept of, you know, controlled strength. 133 00:06:51,185 --> 00:06:52,835 Which is what meek means. 134 00:06:53,905 --> 00:06:56,433 Meek means controlled strength. 135 00:06:57,955 --> 00:07:01,114 It's not that the horse is weak. 136 00:07:01,475 --> 00:07:02,575 It's just not controlled. 137 00:07:04,195 --> 00:07:06,225 To be meek, it calms your passions. 138 00:07:07,695 --> 00:07:08,885 It tames the temper. 139 00:07:10,285 --> 00:07:12,244 It manages the impulses. 140 00:07:13,385 --> 00:07:16,104 It brings order out of the chaos of the human soul. 141 00:07:17,625 --> 00:07:19,705 This is what it means to be meek. 142 00:07:21,435 --> 00:07:22,625 Not running wild. 143 00:07:23,364 --> 00:07:25,265 Not whatever you think you say. 144 00:07:26,015 --> 00:07:27,405 And we hear people say this all the time. 145 00:07:27,965 --> 00:07:29,154 I'm just speaking the truth. 146 00:07:29,485 --> 00:07:30,334 No, you're just being rude. 147 00:07:31,364 --> 00:07:33,854 You know, but it's what I feel. 148 00:07:35,924 --> 00:07:38,005 That doesn't mean you've got to make me feel something too. 149 00:07:41,395 --> 00:07:43,014 Controlled strength. 150 00:07:43,674 --> 00:07:44,984 That's what it means to be meek. 151 00:07:47,510 --> 00:07:49,350 This is an image of meekness. 152 00:07:51,570 --> 00:07:52,800 Strong horse. 153 00:07:55,010 --> 00:07:55,700 But tempered. 154 00:07:56,909 --> 00:07:57,330 Broken. 155 00:07:58,780 --> 00:07:59,470 Managed. 156 00:08:00,630 --> 00:08:03,350 That horse can easily destroy that little girl. 157 00:08:04,890 --> 00:08:08,979 But instead, because it's controlled, it's appreciated. 158 00:08:09,679 --> 00:08:10,369 It's loved. 159 00:08:11,139 --> 00:08:11,319 And it 160 00:08:14,609 --> 00:08:17,490 can be in the same way, meek, like this horse. 161 00:08:20,625 --> 00:08:22,425 Charles Spurgeon says this about meek. 162 00:08:22,425 --> 00:08:26,805 He gives these words to help define the qualities of what meekness is. 163 00:08:27,575 --> 00:08:34,135 He says to be meek is to be humble, is to be gentle, is to be patient, is 164 00:08:34,135 --> 00:08:37,315 to be forgiving, and to be contented. 165 00:08:38,465 --> 00:08:40,895 These are the qualities of someone who is meek. 166 00:08:42,375 --> 00:08:44,284 Let's look at the opposite of what these would be. 167 00:08:45,274 --> 00:08:45,754 Proud. 168 00:08:47,274 --> 00:08:47,544 Brutal. 169 00:08:48,710 --> 00:08:53,100 Impatient, Unforgiving, and Dissatisfied. 170 00:08:54,470 --> 00:08:55,790 Does anyone want to be those? 171 00:08:56,570 --> 00:08:59,490 Does anyone want to have a relationship or a life partner 172 00:08:59,530 --> 00:09:01,209 or someone who represents that? 173 00:09:01,330 --> 00:09:01,720 No. 174 00:09:03,580 --> 00:09:05,370 To be meek is to be humble. 175 00:09:05,720 --> 00:09:06,450 It's to be forgiving. 176 00:09:06,570 --> 00:09:08,030 It's not that you don't have the power. 177 00:09:09,280 --> 00:09:10,560 It's that you recognize that, you know what? 178 00:09:11,160 --> 00:09:13,400 I choose to be gentle in this moment. 179 00:09:14,660 --> 00:09:17,920 It's not that you haven't been wrong, but I choose to forgive. 180 00:09:19,015 --> 00:09:22,395 It's not that the world's going all your way, but you choose to be content. 181 00:09:24,265 --> 00:09:26,995 And I figured if I'm gonna go on an unpopular idea of meek, 182 00:09:26,995 --> 00:09:28,165 I might as well go all the way. 183 00:09:29,595 --> 00:09:31,405 And that is, meekness is submission. 184 00:09:32,904 --> 00:09:34,765 Wow, there's a word that no one likes. 185 00:09:35,455 --> 00:09:38,325 I figured if you're gonna go all, gonna be unpopular, might as well just be the most. 186 00:09:38,325 --> 00:09:40,225 Meekness is submission. 187 00:09:40,285 --> 00:09:42,435 When's the last time you liked that word? 188 00:09:42,895 --> 00:09:46,335 People are now taking it out of marriage, uh, vows. 189 00:09:47,940 --> 00:09:48,920 Because we don't like the word. 190 00:09:50,100 --> 00:09:53,510 It means your mission is submit to something else. 191 00:09:54,390 --> 00:09:55,469 And in this case, to God. 192 00:09:56,760 --> 00:09:58,110 Boy, we don't like submission. 193 00:09:59,440 --> 00:10:00,780 I barely like saying it. 194 00:10:02,679 --> 00:10:05,330 But yet, to be meek means we must submit. 195 00:10:07,310 --> 00:10:08,280 And what do we submit to? 196 00:10:09,330 --> 00:10:15,590 We submit to God's word, we submit to God's will, and we submit to God's people. 197 00:10:17,560 --> 00:10:21,109 Let's look at some scriptures on these concepts. 198 00:10:23,640 --> 00:10:28,740 Therefore get rid of all moral fault and evil that is so prevalent and 199 00:10:28,749 --> 00:10:33,270 humbly, or meekly, accept the work planted in you, which can save you. 200 00:10:34,950 --> 00:10:36,190 That moral fault is prevalent. 201 00:10:36,710 --> 00:10:38,360 It's prevalent to not be meek. 202 00:10:38,790 --> 00:10:40,370 It's prevalent to not be forgiving. 203 00:10:40,450 --> 00:10:42,260 It's prevalent to be brutal. 204 00:10:42,440 --> 00:10:44,030 It's prevalent to be dissatisfied. 205 00:10:46,130 --> 00:10:49,610 But instead, humbly, meekly accept the Word. 206 00:10:50,070 --> 00:10:50,470 Why? 207 00:10:50,600 --> 00:10:51,590 Because it will save you. 208 00:10:52,700 --> 00:10:56,510 And I don't think it just means that it will save you for the next life in heaven. 209 00:10:56,679 --> 00:10:58,000 I think it saves you now. 210 00:10:58,000 --> 00:11:00,370 That's why it says, Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 211 00:11:02,629 --> 00:11:04,880 Because you think about what it would be to be in a relationship 212 00:11:04,880 --> 00:11:05,920 with someone who is a meek. 213 00:11:08,190 --> 00:11:09,810 Why do you think the divorce rate is so high? 214 00:11:12,760 --> 00:11:14,710 To submit to God's Word. 215 00:11:15,609 --> 00:11:15,949 Meekly. 216 00:11:15,949 --> 00:11:16,149 Humbly. 217 00:11:18,530 --> 00:11:22,420 And the more things in there I don't want to do. 218 00:11:23,540 --> 00:11:25,400 Because there's a lot of moral filth that's in me. 219 00:11:27,380 --> 00:11:30,900 But as you read it and you understand it, you realize it's the only way to live. 220 00:11:32,719 --> 00:11:34,990 Let me give you some examples of what meekness will not sound 221 00:11:35,020 --> 00:11:36,170 like when it comes to this. 222 00:11:36,620 --> 00:11:39,360 This may be what God says, but not what I want. 223 00:11:40,760 --> 00:11:42,550 Example of not being meek to God's Word. 224 00:11:44,130 --> 00:11:45,490 I know God says this. 225 00:11:45,520 --> 00:11:47,660 I know God says I need to forgive, but that's not what I want to do. 226 00:11:49,300 --> 00:11:51,400 I know God says that I must be humble. 227 00:11:51,430 --> 00:11:52,470 That's not what I want to do. 228 00:11:55,330 --> 00:11:56,570 You're an unbroken horse. 229 00:11:56,760 --> 00:11:57,580 A wild donkey. 230 00:11:58,670 --> 00:12:03,950 Or worse yet, this is what I want, so it must be what God says. 231 00:12:04,260 --> 00:12:04,920 So I'm gonna do it. 232 00:12:06,650 --> 00:12:07,550 A lack of meekness. 233 00:12:08,670 --> 00:12:09,850 This is what I want. 234 00:12:10,520 --> 00:12:12,970 So I'm gonna make God's word match what I have to say. 235 00:12:14,600 --> 00:12:15,530 You're a wild horse. 236 00:12:20,110 --> 00:12:21,559 Let's just submit to God's will. 237 00:12:23,170 --> 00:12:27,790 Trust Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding 238 00:12:28,449 --> 00:12:32,589 in all your ways, submit to him and he'll make you pass straight. 239 00:12:34,240 --> 00:12:39,219 I have it in all your ways because, man, I would love it to say sometimes, 240 00:12:40,510 --> 00:12:48,130 occasionally when you agree with it, when you feel like it, when it suits you. 241 00:12:49,120 --> 00:12:50,050 I would want to say that. 242 00:12:51,640 --> 00:12:55,210 In all your ways, submit to Him. 243 00:12:57,430 --> 00:12:57,849 Submit. 244 00:12:58,750 --> 00:12:59,252 Meekness. 245 00:13:00,160 --> 00:13:05,040 This idea that God tells us that we are to submit to His will. 246 00:13:08,769 --> 00:13:09,959 And submit to God's people. 247 00:13:11,780 --> 00:13:13,839 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. 248 00:13:14,939 --> 00:13:16,719 In my mind, this might be the hardest. 249 00:13:17,760 --> 00:13:18,260 In my mind. 250 00:13:20,005 --> 00:13:21,555 Because I don't like a lot of people. 251 00:13:23,935 --> 00:13:25,084 I'm just being honest. 252 00:13:26,965 --> 00:13:30,864 At my wedding day with Daniella, Marshall looked up my last name, 253 00:13:30,895 --> 00:13:32,215 Ennis, and it means Ireland. 254 00:13:33,225 --> 00:13:36,335 Or, in Ireland, it means, um, island. 255 00:13:36,965 --> 00:13:38,324 And I'm like, that is me. 256 00:13:39,345 --> 00:13:40,255 I am an island. 257 00:13:40,905 --> 00:13:43,905 I would be happy to be by myself. 258 00:13:45,295 --> 00:13:45,965 I'm good. 259 00:13:47,525 --> 00:13:49,094 And so to submit to one another. 260 00:13:50,430 --> 00:13:53,329 To submit to God's people, which means we must have relationships 261 00:13:53,329 --> 00:13:54,900 with God's people to submit to them. 262 00:13:58,030 --> 00:14:01,650 So, if you're the autonomous Christian out there that goes, I'm by myself, I'm good. 263 00:14:02,659 --> 00:14:04,699 How do you submit if you don't have relationships? 264 00:14:05,650 --> 00:14:07,230 Because these relationships will test you. 265 00:14:08,719 --> 00:14:09,899 They tested Jesus. 266 00:14:10,260 --> 00:14:11,449 Do they not think they'll test you? 267 00:14:12,360 --> 00:14:14,340 Submit to one another. 268 00:14:15,585 --> 00:14:16,695 Submit to God's people. 269 00:14:17,305 --> 00:14:21,005 Now, I do want to give one caveat with this, and that is, this is the only 270 00:14:21,005 --> 00:14:23,965 one of the three that is conditional, and here's what I mean by that. 271 00:14:24,365 --> 00:14:25,785 The other two, there's no conditions. 272 00:14:26,065 --> 00:14:27,145 God's Word, God's Will. 273 00:14:27,324 --> 00:14:30,365 But this one, if someone's asking you to do something contrary to what 274 00:14:30,365 --> 00:14:33,195 God's Will is, then that's different. 275 00:14:33,554 --> 00:14:34,705 Even Paul speaks on that. 276 00:14:36,795 --> 00:14:40,985 But as far be it for you, in aligning with God's Word and 277 00:14:40,985 --> 00:14:43,465 God's Will, submit to one another. 278 00:14:45,094 --> 00:14:48,004 So, what does this look like? 279 00:14:48,774 --> 00:14:51,855 I'm going to give you four people in the Bible that I think are 280 00:14:51,905 --> 00:14:53,274 awesome examples of meekness. 281 00:14:54,184 --> 00:14:56,665 And I just want to give you a brief backdrop on the story and 282 00:14:56,665 --> 00:15:01,375 then show you why these guys were lifted up as being meek. 283 00:15:01,895 --> 00:15:02,815 First is Moses. 284 00:15:03,810 --> 00:15:06,900 In case you don't know his story, I'll give you a brief, brief, uh, context. 285 00:15:07,160 --> 00:15:09,680 This is the guy that he was a part of, raised in an Egyptian 286 00:15:09,680 --> 00:15:11,470 household, despite being Jewish. 287 00:15:11,660 --> 00:15:14,980 He sees, uh, an Egyptian hurting a Jewish man. 288 00:15:15,190 --> 00:15:18,589 In his wrath, in his temper, he kills that, uh, that Egyptian. 289 00:15:18,650 --> 00:15:23,600 He flees, and God will work on his heart for the next several decades. 290 00:15:24,700 --> 00:15:27,060 And God will tell him, you're gonna go back to these people, 291 00:15:27,720 --> 00:15:32,339 and you're gonna bring them out of Egypt, and into the Promised Land. 292 00:15:34,245 --> 00:15:35,195 And he was like, wait, me? 293 00:15:35,385 --> 00:15:36,355 I don't know if I want to go. 294 00:15:37,615 --> 00:15:38,275 And God goes, you. 295 00:15:38,855 --> 00:15:39,665 You're going to be the guy. 296 00:15:40,365 --> 00:15:40,975 And so he does. 297 00:15:40,975 --> 00:15:43,225 He risks his life for these people. 298 00:15:44,255 --> 00:15:47,835 He speaks before Pharaoh, and he gets them and brings them out. 299 00:15:48,085 --> 00:15:49,105 Out of slavery. 300 00:15:50,435 --> 00:15:51,515 And through the desert. 301 00:15:51,775 --> 00:15:54,315 And while in the desert, these people look at him and go, 302 00:15:55,165 --> 00:15:56,225 why you brought us out here? 303 00:15:56,895 --> 00:15:58,005 You brought us out here to die. 304 00:15:58,105 --> 00:15:59,665 We were better off as slaves. 305 00:16:00,490 --> 00:16:03,319 And they started grumbling and complaining against him. 306 00:16:04,460 --> 00:16:06,410 And then began to worship other gods. 307 00:16:08,590 --> 00:16:12,840 Now, if I were Moses, in my lack of meekness, I'd be like, 308 00:16:12,899 --> 00:16:13,960 God, get rid of these people. 309 00:16:15,130 --> 00:16:16,420 These people are terrible. 310 00:16:17,060 --> 00:16:20,310 I'm gonna go back to my island and abandon them. 311 00:16:22,030 --> 00:16:26,439 But the Torah says that Moses was the most humble, in Hebrew, meek 312 00:16:26,560 --> 00:16:28,330 person on earth at that time. 313 00:16:29,185 --> 00:16:32,025 Because his response is this. 314 00:16:33,565 --> 00:16:35,355 But now please forgive their sin. 315 00:16:36,425 --> 00:16:41,185 But if not, then blot me out of the book you've written. 316 00:16:42,724 --> 00:16:43,364 Wow. 317 00:16:44,585 --> 00:16:49,534 Not only is he saying to forgive them to God, but he's saying, God, if you're not 318 00:16:49,534 --> 00:16:51,525 willing to forgive them, blot me out too. 319 00:16:52,775 --> 00:16:55,625 Because I want them saved that much. 320 00:16:57,745 --> 00:16:58,235 Wow. 321 00:16:59,360 --> 00:17:02,050 And he wasn't doing it to people who were praising him. 322 00:17:02,750 --> 00:17:05,420 He was saying that about people who were grumbling against him. 323 00:17:08,098 --> 00:17:09,150 What it means to be meek. 324 00:17:10,839 --> 00:17:12,289 Let's look at another person in the Bible. 325 00:17:13,579 --> 00:17:14,848 An example of meekness. 326 00:17:15,970 --> 00:17:17,598 One of my favorite people in the Bible, David. 327 00:17:19,440 --> 00:17:22,680 In case you don't know this context, David is considered one of the greatest, if 328 00:17:22,680 --> 00:17:24,868 not the greatest, king of all of Israel. 329 00:17:27,720 --> 00:17:30,220 He rises up as a young man chosen by God. 330 00:17:31,425 --> 00:17:34,135 He will conquer Goliath in God's name. 331 00:17:35,185 --> 00:17:40,025 When Saul, his king, tried to attack him, he never retaliated. 332 00:17:40,195 --> 00:17:41,384 He never killed Saul. 333 00:17:42,345 --> 00:17:45,375 He humbly accepted that God would lead him where he needed to be. 334 00:17:47,784 --> 00:17:51,195 And then in his sin, when he finally becomes king, he sins greatly. 335 00:17:53,445 --> 00:17:56,035 And then, God's wrath will speak. 336 00:17:57,919 --> 00:18:01,399 And what will happen was, his own son will take the throne from 337 00:18:01,399 --> 00:18:03,050 him for a moment, and for a time. 338 00:18:03,370 --> 00:18:05,179 And his own son will plot to kill him. 339 00:18:06,189 --> 00:18:08,939 And David would have to flee Israel. 340 00:18:10,059 --> 00:18:12,809 And he's fleeing with the royal guard and his loyal followers. 341 00:18:12,939 --> 00:18:16,929 And as he's fleeing, this guy Shimei, the guy you see with that, about the throwing 342 00:18:16,929 --> 00:18:22,159 arm right there, will throw stones and dust at him all along the journey. 343 00:18:22,760 --> 00:18:26,520 This guy Shimei was a member of Saul's household, family. 344 00:18:27,360 --> 00:18:30,189 And the entire time, he's just chanting him, You murderer! 345 00:18:31,260 --> 00:18:32,730 And just throwing dust and dirt. 346 00:18:32,879 --> 00:18:34,830 And Abishai, his royal guard says, You know what? 347 00:18:34,969 --> 00:18:36,909 How dare this guy insult the king? 348 00:18:37,409 --> 00:18:39,290 Let me go kill this dog and cut off his head. 349 00:18:41,229 --> 00:18:44,620 If it were me, I'd be like, That sounds like a good plan. 350 00:18:46,710 --> 00:18:48,439 I think that's a good way to go. 351 00:18:48,769 --> 00:18:49,820 After all, I'm king. 352 00:18:49,890 --> 00:18:51,910 How dare you insult a king like this? 353 00:18:54,280 --> 00:18:55,270 But David was meek. 354 00:18:56,990 --> 00:18:57,659 He was humble. 355 00:18:59,245 --> 00:19:00,125 His response. 356 00:19:00,985 --> 00:19:04,555 It may be that the Lord will look upon my misery and restore to me His covenant 357 00:19:04,555 --> 00:19:06,574 blessing instead of His curse today. 358 00:19:08,775 --> 00:19:11,305 He doesn't say, hey, yeah, that's a good idea, go kill that guy. 359 00:19:11,314 --> 00:19:11,954 He says, you know what? 360 00:19:12,005 --> 00:19:12,555 It may be. 361 00:19:13,405 --> 00:19:16,805 Maybe God will see what I'm going through and restore to me. 362 00:19:17,415 --> 00:19:18,705 And I like the word maybe. 363 00:19:18,725 --> 00:19:19,755 Actually, I don't like that word. 364 00:19:19,845 --> 00:19:20,665 But it's a good word. 365 00:19:21,125 --> 00:19:21,835 Maybe. 366 00:19:21,885 --> 00:19:24,075 Because that means not saying, God will definitely do this for me. 367 00:19:25,545 --> 00:19:26,065 I don't know. 368 00:19:27,380 --> 00:19:28,280 I don't know if God will. 369 00:19:28,690 --> 00:19:30,650 I don't know if God is going to have that plan for me. 370 00:19:30,780 --> 00:19:31,570 I don't know. 371 00:19:32,700 --> 00:19:35,170 But I want to trust that God will do what God wants to do. 372 00:19:35,740 --> 00:19:37,290 And maybe God will have mercy on me. 373 00:19:38,420 --> 00:19:40,720 And I will not act on my own accord. 374 00:19:42,430 --> 00:19:43,430 What it means to be meek. 375 00:19:46,019 --> 00:19:49,879 Another guy that is very well known in the New Testament. 376 00:19:50,290 --> 00:19:50,629 Paul. 377 00:19:52,360 --> 00:19:53,679 Also a man of meekness. 378 00:19:56,270 --> 00:19:58,250 Paul, one of the greatest missionaries. 379 00:19:58,595 --> 00:20:00,345 If not the greatest missionary in the New Testament. 380 00:20:00,885 --> 00:20:03,145 Most of the New Testament books were written by him. 381 00:20:03,765 --> 00:20:06,995 As he will plant church after church after leading Antioch. 382 00:20:07,755 --> 00:20:11,085 And many of the Greek speaking and Gentile churches were 383 00:20:11,085 --> 00:20:13,545 created and established by Paul. 384 00:20:15,915 --> 00:20:23,465 And yet, when he's put on his first trial, no one will come and stand beside him. 385 00:20:25,155 --> 00:20:26,045 And speak up for him. 386 00:20:26,845 --> 00:20:27,455 No one. 387 00:20:28,885 --> 00:20:33,055 Despite all of his efforts, despite all he did for the Church in Rome, for the Church 388 00:20:33,055 --> 00:20:36,125 in Corinth, for the Church in Ephesus, for the Church in Philippi, for the 389 00:20:36,125 --> 00:20:39,075 Church in Galatia, no one stood by him. 390 00:20:39,865 --> 00:20:40,394 Not one. 391 00:20:42,035 --> 00:20:44,724 And what's Paul's response as he writes a letter to Timothy? 392 00:20:45,665 --> 00:20:48,645 He says this, At my first defense, no one came to my 393 00:20:48,645 --> 00:20:50,865 support, but everyone deserted me. 394 00:20:51,725 --> 00:20:53,945 May it not be held against them. 395 00:20:55,674 --> 00:20:56,775 What it means to be meek. 396 00:20:57,340 --> 00:20:58,060 is controlled. 397 00:20:59,130 --> 00:21:01,890 I recognize that, you know what? 398 00:21:02,760 --> 00:21:03,290 This hurt. 399 00:21:04,980 --> 00:21:09,470 But I humbly accept this position, and I forgive those who hurt me. 400 00:21:11,589 --> 00:21:13,190 I wonder who's hurt you in this room. 401 00:21:14,740 --> 00:21:16,310 And I wonder if you've forgiven them yet. 402 00:21:17,730 --> 00:21:20,380 Because we've seen three great examples of this. 403 00:21:20,940 --> 00:21:23,440 But the last is the most significant. 404 00:21:25,560 --> 00:21:26,640 And that is our Lord Jesus. 405 00:21:30,044 --> 00:21:36,294 I want to paint a picture of you, of a man in a garden, a couple men, three men 406 00:21:36,294 --> 00:21:42,855 are sleeping on the side, and this man is laying on a rock, sweating profusely, 407 00:21:44,355 --> 00:21:49,754 crying out passionately, recognizing that his time of life is about to come 408 00:21:49,754 --> 00:21:59,195 to a brutal end, for sins that he did not commit, but for sins that I committed. 409 00:22:01,185 --> 00:22:03,435 And here he will lay, in prayer. 410 00:22:05,004 --> 00:22:06,075 And his response? 411 00:22:08,144 --> 00:22:10,894 Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me. 412 00:22:11,965 --> 00:22:14,745 Yet not my will, but yours be done. 413 00:22:16,484 --> 00:22:18,664 Is there any greater example of what it means to be meek? 414 00:22:20,624 --> 00:22:25,445 A man who could have called ten thousand legions of angels at his 415 00:22:25,445 --> 00:22:29,415 side, humbly accepted the position of whatever God's will was. 416 00:22:33,435 --> 00:22:34,804 And as we prepare for Communion, 417 00:22:38,044 --> 00:22:39,915 I want you to consider Jesus on the cross. 418 00:22:43,175 --> 00:22:47,185 And the words, Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. 419 00:22:49,335 --> 00:22:53,905 As Jesus was up on that cross, he could have called on God 420 00:22:53,955 --> 00:22:56,565 and said, God, let's end this. 421 00:22:59,664 --> 00:23:07,300 But instead, he looked down on all of us, at his weakest, And most difficult time. 422 00:23:08,699 --> 00:23:11,169 And says, Eric, I forgive you. 423 00:23:12,070 --> 00:23:13,919 Because I don't realize you knew, you didn't know what you were doing. 424 00:23:14,759 --> 00:23:15,959 And he said the same to all of you. 425 00:23:17,070 --> 00:23:19,249 And he said the same to those who were attacking him then. 426 00:23:20,549 --> 00:23:22,479 This is what it means to be meek. 427 00:23:24,950 --> 00:23:25,970 Blessed are the meek. 428 00:23:26,920 --> 00:23:29,629 For they will inherit the earth. 429 00:23:30,720 --> 00:23:31,600 Let's pray for communion. 430 00:23:36,030 --> 00:23:41,210 Father, as we come before you, And we lift up your name, we do so with our 431 00:23:41,210 --> 00:23:49,340 bowed heads, recognizing God that you have given us so much, but you've done 432 00:23:49,340 --> 00:23:53,820 so in a way that responds to your love. 433 00:23:55,670 --> 00:24:01,649 God, Jesus could have done anything, but he came down here as a, as a lamb 434 00:24:01,649 --> 00:24:06,249 to be slaughtered, as a representation of what it means to be meek. 435 00:24:07,200 --> 00:24:11,450 And what it means to live in that upside down blessing, that we can be saved. 436 00:24:12,690 --> 00:24:16,480 And Father, as we lift up this time to you, and we lift up our hearts to you, 437 00:24:17,320 --> 00:24:22,030 and we take the sacraments, the bread and the juice that represents your 438 00:24:22,030 --> 00:24:28,380 body and your blood, we do so, God, knowing that it is because of your love 439 00:24:29,580 --> 00:24:31,330 that we've been called to this life. 440 00:24:32,290 --> 00:24:34,430 And Father, I pray that we walk meekly with you. 441 00:24:35,405 --> 00:24:39,515 Controlling our impulses, controlling our tempers, controlling our own will, 442 00:24:39,845 --> 00:24:46,755 and submitting it to you, to your word, and to one another, in honor of you, and 443 00:24:46,755 --> 00:24:48,395 in appreciation of your son's sacrifice. 444 00:24:49,025 --> 00:24:50,135 And we pray this in your son's name. 445 00:24:50,504 --> 00:24:50,824 Amen.