Thank you. That's very kind. It is good to be back. It is not good to be back in the heat.
So I might do this. I got glasses over sabbatical, I think. Maybe I had them right before.
So I'm working on the sabbatical sweat things, or the glasses sweat things. So we'll see how this
goes. If you feel yourself overwhelmed with heat, you can go downstairs. There's a live stream,
and it's air-conditioned. I'd love for you to stay here, because I like to see your faces.
But I'd rather you hear God's word than faint in the pews. So if you find yourself overwhelmed,
please take advantage of that. I did want to make a note, because maybe my hearing is bad,
but I think Pastor Nick misspoke and said that the healthcare professionals was in October.
It's in August. So August 17th. And maybe he said it right, and I misheard it. I just want to make
sure. August 17th, there's a healthcare professional event coming up. Okay.
With that, it's really good to be back. I missed you all. I didn't miss this humidity. The mountain
air for the last month was dry and beautiful, and I missed that. But I'm more glad to be back.
So thank you for your welcome. For those of you who don't know me, who are brand new, I'm Matt. I'm
the other pastor of the church besides Pastor Nick, who you've seen, and I've been on sabbatical
till today. So it's good to be back. My family has been watching The Chosen, and we just watched
The Chosen season four. And it is Jesus' life and ministry heading up to, and it ends right at the
beginning of the triumphal procession. And I want to make a caveat, The Chosen is not gospel truth.
It is not the teaching of the church on who Jesus was, but it's a beautiful picture. Think of it as like
going to a Bible study where you're studying the Gospels together. And people are talking about,
I wonder what this looked like, and I wonder how this worked played itself out. That's what they're
doing. So enjoy it. I feel like you should feel the freedom to enjoy it if you can in good conscience.
And I think it helps in some ways to pick up some truths that I think are really good.
In the last episode, there was this confrontation. Jesus was sitting with his disciples, and he had an
interaction with some people from the Sanhedrin, and there was this conflict. And if you remember the
story, anyway, Mary comes and anoints Jesus, and Judas gets all bent out of shape, and he says,
what is this about? What kind of kingdom are you bringing? I thought you were going to come and unite
Israel to rise up against the oppression of Rome and reestablish the glory of Israel.
Now look, we don't know if Judas ever said that in the Bible, but we do know that that was a common
perspective in the first century, that the Jews in Israel were looking for a Messiah, for someone who
would come and with political power rise up and overthrow the oppression of Rome and reestablish the
kingdom of Israel so that it might be a glorious place to display God's power in the world.
They expected someone to take control and reestablish Israel. And when Jesus came, many pinned these hopes
on him. And Jesus is aware of these things. And this brings us to our passage today.
If you want to look there, we're looking at the Gospel of Matthew. We're looking at the Beatitudes.
And that's page 759, Matthew chapter 5, is what we'll be looking at. And as you're turning there,
I just want to give, again, a brief introduction of where we're at, because the Gospel of Matthew
portrays the life of Jesus. And in chapter 4, verse 23, it says that Jesus was going about
proclaiming the Gospel of the kingdom. Right? And so when we get to chapter 5, which is the beginning
of the first big teaching section in Matthew, what Matthew is doing is saying, hey, here's the content
of Jesus' teaching about what kind of kingdom he would be bringing. Right? Pastor Nick has talked about
the Beatitudes as following in a pattern of Greek wisdom teaching, which virtue teaching, which I think
is true. And I want to layer over on top of that and add to that this kingdom lens. That what Jesus is
doing in the Sermon on the Mount is saying, this is the kind of kingdom that I'm going to bring.
This is what God's kingdom really looks like. And then the Beatitudes, it's the blessed things are the
character, the nature, the dynamics of when God is ruling rightly in our hearts, in our society,
and in the world. This is what the kingdom looks like. And Jesus' picture is very different from what
Judas was looking for, and the opinions that he expressed in the chosen.
The world seems to think, like Judas, that might makes right, and power is necessary for change.
Where personal agency and assertion, we've got to do it ourselves to get ahead in the world.
You've got to go and take it for yourself.
Where the forgiving, grace-filled, and merciful in our world are seen as weak and easily manipulated,
and where self-promotion is the only way to be seen and valued.
And Jesus says, my kingdom is not like that.
And even before we move on and read the passage and look at it,
I just wonder, how relevant is that to our world today?
How much in our societal conversation, in our political conversation, in our interpersonal
relationships, do we value power to control so that we can get what we want? Or do we seem to take
hold of this self-assertion in order to make sure that we get what is ours in the world?
What does Jesus have to say to us about that?
So with that, Matthew chapter 5.
We're going to look at chapter, verse 5 of Matthew, as we're going through the Beatitudes,
one at a time.
But I'm going to read the whole thing just so.
And you know, this summer, if you want to memorize something, this would be a great thing to memorize.
The Beatitudes, we're going slowly enough.
You could actually do it.
So here we go.
So Matthew chapter 5, I'm going to read from 1 to 12, I think.
So, seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain.
And when he sat down, his disciples came to him.
And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying,
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you, when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.
For so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Let's pray and ask for God's help as we look at his word today.
Lord, we thank you for your word.
Lord, what an incredible gift it is that you have, Lord, recorded these words for us.
And, Lord, given us your word so that we might know you.
And, Lord, I pray that these words would be life to us today.
Lord, help us to see the beauty in your kingdom.
Lord, I pray for your help that I might speak clearly as you would have me to do.
And that we together would sit under your word today.
We pray this in Jesus' name.
Amen.
All right.
So, blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
We're going to look at this in three parts.
We're going to break it down.
There's not a lot here in terms of complexity.
We're going to talk about what is the meaning of meekness.
We're going to look at the blessing of meekness.
And then we're going to look at the model and source of meekness.
So, that's where we're going to go today.
And if you're making your outline, that's where we are.
So, the first step, the meaning of meekness.
On our trips west, I've been listening to a podcast called the Prancing Pony Podcast,
which is all about the world of J.R.R. Tolkien.
And they actually do close readings of the text and discuss the themes.
It's beautiful.
It's a lovely thing.
If you don't know, I'm a Tolkien fan.
It's totally...
They're like 352-hour episodes.
So, it's a big commitment.
I'm only on episode 30, and we're still halfway through the Silmarillion.
So, it's a long way to go.
But one of the fun things they do is this section called Word Nerdery,
where they take a word and they say,
why did Tolkien use this word?
So, I want to say today,
why did Jesus use this word, meek, in this section?
And we have all sorts of problems with this.
First of all, meek is not used very often today.
And when it's used in the English language today,
people usually think meek means mousy, unbearably shy, or non-confrontational.
If you're old enough to have seen the original Back to the Future,
George McFly is your picture of meekness,
a doormat being walked over by others and easily manipulated.
Looking at one of the word books,
Vine's word book actually had some helpful common usages
that meekness really means weakness, timidity, or lack of courage.
That's the common use.
But that's not what the Greek word means.
And that's an overlay.
That's one of the, meek is one of those words
that used to mean something different
and now means it has shifted in its meaning to be almost negative.
Whereas, that's not what the word actually means.
In some places, this word in English translations
is also translated as gentle or humble.
But what does it mean?
Well, we're going to spend some time looking at Scripture
in other places to help us figure out what does it mean.
So, one of the places that we can look is in Psalm 37,
which Suzanne read earlier to us.
If you want to turn there,
we're going to look at this for a few minutes.
Psalm 37 is on page 435 in your Bible.
And the reason why we go to Psalm 37
is because in verse 11 it says,
the meek shall inherit the land.
That sounds almost like this beatitude.
And so, many people think Jesus was referring to this.
And in the context of it, it's helpful
because it fills out the idea of what meekness is.
This is a Psalm of David.
And he's speaking about evildoers and the wicked
and those who would stand against him
and against God and God's kingdom.
Right?
And so, this is the context.
As you read through the Psalm, it's very clear.
This is a context in which David is writing this song.
He's surrounded by enemies and opponents
who are threatening him.
And as Suzanne prayed, she pointed out,
there's a lot here about do not fret, do not worry.
Even though you're in a bad situation,
do not worry because of evil.
But do what instead?
Trust in God and do good.
Delight in the Lord and wait for him to provide for you.
Wait for the Lord's timing when it seems like he's slow
to rescue you or to save you or to put down the evildoers.
Forsake revenge.
Why?
Because God is going to do it.
Because you are in God's hands and God is going to take care of his people.
And he will cut off the evildoers in the end.
And they won't get the land.
And instead, you who trust, who in a God-centered way believe
and patiently wait for God to work,
believing that God will be this vindicator of David and of the nation of Israel,
this is the idea that it is those who wait on the Lord,
this is the meek that inherit the land.
So this is starting to give us a portrait.
I will just tell you, I don't have a quick definition of meek.
I'm going to paint a portrait for you.
I'm going to give you a couple of different pictures
so you can try to get a sense of what meekness is.
Because the reason why the English translations still use it
is they don't have anything better.
Humble isn't quite right.
Gentle isn't quite right.
Both of those are parts of it.
But neither is quite right.
So I'm going to keep painting this picture for you.
So Psalm 37 in the Old Testament is one way.
Then there are places where this use or its cognates,
different forms of it are used in the New Testament.
And I'm just going to read you a few passages from the epistles
that use this word.
It's almost always translated gentleness,
except for in Colossians when it's translated meekness.
But I'm just going to read four passages.
And I want you to think about, again,
the context of each of these things,
what is said around them that may help us shape the picture
of this idea of meekness.
I, therefore, a prisoner of God.
This is Ephesians 4, 1.
I, therefore, a prisoner for the Lord,
urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling
to which you have been called,
with all humility and gentleness.
There it is.
With patience, bearing with one another,
eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit
and the bond of peace.
Or Colossians 3, verse 12.
Put on, then, as God's chosen ones,
holy and beloved, compassionate hearts,
kindness, humility, meekness.
There it is again.
And patience, bearing with one another,
and if one has a complaint against another,
forgiving each other.
As the Lord has forgiven you,
so you also must forgive.
And above all these, put on love,
which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
2 Timothy, chapter 2, starting verse 22.
Paul writes this to Timothy.
So flee youthful passions,
and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace,
along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies.
You know that they breed quarrels.
And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome,
but kind to everyone,
able to teach, patiently enduring evil,
correcting his opponents with gentleness.
And there it is, with meekness.
And God may perhaps grant them repentance,
leading to a knowledge of the truth.
And then in 1 Peter 3, verse 13.
Now, who is there to harm you
if you are zealous for what is good?
But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake,
you will be blessed.
Have no fear of them, nor be troubled.
But in your hearts, honor Christ the Lord as holy,
always being prepared to make a defense to anyone
who asks you for the reason for the hope that is in you.
Yet do it with gentleness.
There it is again.
And respect.
Having a good conscience so that when you are slandered,
those who revile you,
your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.
Do you see some of the common threads
of where we see this word being used, right?
It's often in a context of division or of reproach
or of conflict.
Meekness rises to the surface.
Showing patience with others.
Being kind and gentle to one another.
Not being self-assertive to make sure you are right
or being heard or being understood properly.
But humbly, carefully interacting with one another.
It is a God-word attitude
where we trust God and have confidence in God
and believe that He will vindicate us.
And it allows us to treat others with softness of tone,
even as we have firmness of conviction.
It doesn't mean that we're doormats.
It doesn't mean that we don't speak truth.
It doesn't mean that we don't confront
or have conflict with others.
But as we do that,
we carry this character of meekness,
which includes gentleness, humility,
and ultimately trusting God
in the middle of these things.
It is grounded in a security
of God's grace to us.
Now, I do want to make sure I say this at some point.
Meekness does not simply mean
submitting to unjust suffering or abuse
and never confronting evil.
Sometimes the church has said,
the meek means you must stay in an abusive home.
You don't need to stay in an abusive home.
If this is true for you,
come talk to the pastors.
We want to care for you.
This is not what...
But it does mean that
we continue to pursue the character of Christ
even in the worst of circumstances
and for our own heart to bear a proper response
even as we seek to address things properly.
Right?
A respectfulness even when reciprocated
as we interact with others.
This is a part of the picture then
of meekness
that I think the epistles point us to.
I still haven't given you a definition
and that's because I don't have one.
Sorry.
I'm hoping you can get a sense
of this picture and of this word
that's really going to capture it for you.
Before we go on,
I just want to say this though.
How much is this different from our own hearts?
I think we often fall into traps
that our world sets for us these days.
One of them is seeing all relationships
as power dynamics.
It's about winning and losing.
It's about who has the power
and who doesn't have the power
and how is that power held.
Meekness does not see relationships
as power dynamics.
Meekness sees relationships
as an opportunity to love and serve
God first
and the other person
in light of loving God.
We usually find ourselves
or often find ourselves
either feeling under the thumb
of someone else
and wanting to fight back
or we find ourselves
in the position of power
and tempted to take advantage of others
and use them.
Meekness would forsake both of these paths
for a different role.
The other trap that I see
in our culture today
is a profound me first attitude.
If you're going to be
who you want to be in this world,
you've got to go get it yourself.
It is up to you.
You have to be seen.
You have to be noticed.
You have to promote yourself
all the time.
You have to do all these things.
And look,
that doesn't mean
that you can't write a good resume.
It doesn't.
But what it means is
that in your spirit
you know
that ultimately
the person you most want
to be seen by
and noticed by
and vindicated by
is God.
And that God
will actually take care of you
and He will provide for you.
He will get you into
the grad school
so you don't have to spend
three years of your life
running around,
running over people
to be at the top
so that everyone
will notice you
and say,
look how great I am.
And if you're a mom
on the playground,
you don't have to
keep talking about
all the wonderful things
you're doing
to make sure everyone knows
that you're the best mom around.
You can think
and see others
and think,
how can I love them?
How can I serve them?
How can I come alongside of them?
This is, I believe,
the spirit of meekness.
And it's contrary
to our spirit,
to our culture today.
Jesus says,
blessed are the meek
because my kingdom
is not like the kingdom
of this world.
So that's what meekness is
as best as I can get you to.
I hope that helps.
The question then is,
what is the blessing
of meekness, right?
Jesus says,
blessed are the meek
for they shall inherit the earth.
Now what in the world
does that mean?
Does that mean
that we can take over
the empty lot
down the street
and like, you know,
build a parking garage
for ourselves
so that we don't have to
deal with someone else's
parking garage?
No.
It doesn't mean that at all.
Again, going back to Psalm 37
is really instructive.
David is writing this psalm
and David as the king,
whether he's the king apparent
or the king in,
it doesn't tell us.
We don't know when
this psalm was written,
but David knew
that these evildoers,
these wrongdoers
were seeking to destroy him
and in, by extension,
the nation of Israel,
the land that God had promised
to be the place
where he would display his glory
by creating a great nation,
a great kingdom, right?
So this is the,
in the Old Testament,
the promise of the Davidic kingdom
and the prospect of this
being the pinnacle
of God's great work
where he would display his glory
is really big.
And so in light of this then,
David is saying,
these things are threatened.
And it would be very easy
for David to say,
therefore,
what do I need to do?
I need to amass power to myself.
I need to get the biggest army
so that I can defeat
all my enemies.
I need to assert myself as king
and put all these other people
under my thumb
so that I can rule
the way God intended me to do it.
That would be such a temptation.
But as we've seen,
that's not David's response.
David says,
fret not because of these,
but God will give you
the land.
He will be the one
to cut off the evildoers
who think that by their power
they're going to get it.
He will cut them off
and instead you will receive
the land that God promised
and the promises of
his kingdom coming to earth.
Jesus says,
this is true in my kingdom too.
Not in the land of Palestine
between the Mediterranean Sea
and the River Jordan
or, you know,
the broader area
that was promised
in the Old Testament.
Because we see very clearly
a discontinuity
between the land
and the Old Testament
and in the New Testament
where the church
becomes the people of God
not in a national,
physical place
but becomes a transnational place
where the land,
the promises of the land
are fulfilled
as the gospel goes
to the ends of the earth
and then is fulfilled
ultimately
in the new heavens
and the new earth
where,
if you were here this spring,
we heard lots about
in the book of Revelation.
So what does this
inheritance look like?
I think it has
two different aspects
that I want to point out
this morning.
The first is
from 1 Peter chapter 1.
So 1 Peter chapter 1
verses 3 through 5.
says this,
according to His great mercy,
that is God's great mercy,
He has caused us
to be born again
to a living hope
through the resurrection
of Jesus Christ
from the dead
to an inheritance
that is imperishable,
undefiled,
and unfading,
kept in heaven for you
who by God's power
are being guarded
through faith
for salvation
ready to be revealed
in the last time.
Friends,
the greatest fulfillment
of these promises
is in the salvation
that God has worked
in Jesus Christ.
This is the riches
of our inheritance.
We have,
because He has saved us
from sin
and brought us
into His kingdom,
we are now citizens
and heirs
of the kingdom of God
that Jesus has won
by dying
and rising from the dead.
And so we have
every spiritual blessing
in the heavenly realms.
We have,
we know that we will be
in God's kingdom forever,
not because we are great,
but because of what Christ has done.
This is the beautiful thing of it.
And there is
a present reality for that.
In 1 Corinthians 4,
Paul is talking about
the Corinthian church
and he's saying,
already you are rich.
Already you've experienced
the riches of this salvation.
You've been given
the Holy Spirit
and were that you
actually lived
in this richness
rather than continuing
to strive
for more power
and influence
in your community
through spiritual gifts.
He says,
you have everything already.
You don't need
anything more
than these riches.
And so we live
in this today time
with the spiritual riches
that come from
our salvation in Christ.
The certainty
of our salvation,
the reality
of spiritual new life
in our hearts,
the giving of the Holy Spirit
to empower us
to know and love
and serve God.
The riches
of the community of faith
where we get to live out
our love for one another.
The power of the gospel
that brings us
to salvation
and that we proclaim
to others
that they may come
to salvation.
These are the riches
of the gospel
that we have.
And yet there's more
to come
because what we saw
in Revelation
is that one day
when God creates
a new heaven
and a new earth,
it will be all
of his kingdom
completely and fully.
What Jesus did
was come to be
the inbreaking
of his kingdom.
The kingdom of God
is at hand.
But we know now
that it's not fully there,
don't we?
We look around
in our fallen world
and we think
this can't be God's kingdom.
We even look at the church
and we think,
man, we got a long way
to go, don't we?
But instead,
we have a promise.
Remember
what we heard
in Revelation chapter 5
as the elders
worship Jesus
around the throne
in the heavenly realms?
It says,
they sang a new song.
This is verse 9.
And they sang a new song
saying,
worthy are you,
that is Jesus,
to take the scroll
and to open its seals
for you were slain
and by your blood
you ransomed people
for God
from every tribe
and language
and people
and nation
and you have made them
a kingdom
and priests
to our God
and they shall reign
on the earth.
And when you get
to chapter 20
and Jesus finally
defeats all of the enemies
of his kingdom
when final judgment
comes upon the earth
and there is a renewal
that comes with his reign
and a new heavens
and a new earth
come down,
it says over and over again
and the saints,
God's people,
will reign with him
in that world.
When we are connected
by faith to Jesus,
we will inherit
the earth
for eternity.
And it's an upside down
promise,
isn't it?
Because our world
tells us
the only way
we'll get ahead
is through power
and self-assertion.
And Jesus says,
no,
the meek
shall inherit
the earth.
Friends,
do you know
what great promise,
what great freedom
there is
in this picture?
We have the freedom
to be meek.
It means we don't
have to be afraid
of being run over
or cut off
or left out.
It means we don't
have to be afraid
of being insignificant
or our lives
being meaningless.
It means that
we don't have to
enter each social situation
posturing
and navigating
our insecurity.
It means that
we're free
from the rat race
of believing
that you have
to impose your will
and get ahead
and use other people
to get what you want.
Do you see
how being meek
frees us
from all of those things?
Because we know
that God
has loved us
in Christ.
God has given us
every spiritual blessing
in the heavenly realm
in Christ Jesus.
That God
has delivered us
from darkness
into the kingdom
of his beloved son.
That God
has given us
all that we need.
And when we know Christ
we can be meek
before other people
because we know
that the meek
will inherit
the earth.
And why do we
lean into Jesus?
Because
as we come
to our last point
Jesus is the model
and the source
of meekness
for our lives.
It's helpful
that Matthew
uses the word
meek
from 5-5
and two other places
to refer
to Jesus.
The first
is in Matthew
18
I'm sorry
Matthew 11
28-30
where he says
Jesus says
come to me
all who labor
and are heavy laden
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke
upon you
and learn from me
for I am gentle
and lowly of heart.
Gentle
that's the word meek.
Gentle
and lowly of heart
and you will find rest
for your souls
for my yoke is easy
and my burden
is light.
You know
it's remarkable
Gavin Ortlin
pointed out
in the book
Gentle
and Lowly
which if you haven't read it
is a great book
on the person of Jesus.
He points out
that this is the only place
where Jesus talks about
his own heart.
He says this
I am gentle
or meek
and lowly
of heart.
And this is in the context
of the burdens
that his people carry
the burdens of legalism
that the Pharisees
in the context
of the passage
are putting on the people.
And he says
come to me
and release the burdens
the burdens
of religious
work
that
cause you to have to
over and over again
try to approve
to
achieve
or earn
God's approval.
Jesus says
come to me
and I will lift
the burden
of the sin
that you bear
and the life
that you lived
in a fallen world.
Come to me
for forgiveness
and rest
and for comfort.
And my meekness
Jesus says
my meekness
and loneliness
means
you can approach
without fear
for I am with you.
I am here
for your forgiveness
for your good
for your rest.
And so we see
Jesus himself
lives out
this picture
of meekness.
And the second place
that Matthew
uses this word
is in
chapter 21
verses 4 and 5.
Jesus is instructing
his disciples
to go get a donkey
to prepare him
to enter Jerusalem
in what's called
the triumphal entry
and Jesus
entered his
Jerusalem
on the way
to the cross.
Matthew 21
4 says this
this took place
to fulfill
what was spoken
by the prophet
saying
say to the
daughter of Zion
behold
your king
is coming to you
humble
and mounted
on a donkey
on a colt
full
of a beast
of
the foal
of a beast
of burden
humble
and mounted
on donkey
there's that word
again
meek
the prophet
Zechariah
spoke those
words
in chapter 9
verse 9
of his prophecy
a prophecy
regarding the
Davidic king
that would come
one day
but not on a
white horse
in triumphal entry
having defeated
his foes
militarily
and reestablished
the national
kingdom
but this new
king would come
humble
on a lesser
beast of burden
Jesus
came
not to
impose
himself
but to
give
himself
and think
of all
the ways
in which
we see
Jesus
living out
meekness
he confronted
the false
teachers
but he
welcomed
sinners
he turned
the tables
in the temple
but then
he was
silent
before his
accusers
he resisted
the fame
that he could
have had
while still
knowing who
he was
his strategy
was not
power
but love
not self
importance
but self
sacrifice
he had
all the
authority
and he
used it
to lay
it down
his own
life
for others
he had
all power
and he
used to
heal
to give
life
to give
hope
to others
he came
in humility
not to
be served
but to
serve
and give
himself
a ransom
for many
and in
this
in the
meekness
of Jesus
he gained
a kingdom
friends
we know
this
this is
the message
of the
gospel
that we
have
believed
as Christians
from the
beginning
the pattern
of Jesus
victory
was
humility
humiliation
suffering
death
then glory
and this
is the
model
of meekness
for us
and the
source
as well
because
Jesus
didn't just
give us
an example
he gave
us himself
to atone
for our
selfish
pride
and an
arrogant
ambition
to gain
for us
forgiveness
in his
act
of meekness
he gained
us
and rescued
us
and brought
us
to be
his own
he loved
us
his enemies
and made
us
his people
and this
is the good
news of the
gospel
that Jesus
comes in
meekness
to rescue
people
and so
we not
only
can see
that as
a model
to follow
but by
the very
knowledge
of who
he is
as we
come to
know him
more
as we
behold
Jesus
in the
glory
of his
meekness
we too
will be
like him
be transformed
with him
and he will
teach us
and enable
us
to lay
down
ourselves
and embrace
meekness
I want
to close
by reading
what Paul
wrote
to the
Philippian
church
in chapter
2
starting
in verse
5
have
this
mind
among
you
which
is
yours
in
Christ
Jesus
who
though
he
was
in
the
form
of
God
did
not
count
equality
with
God
a
thing
to
be
grasped
but
emptied
himself
by
taking
the
form
of
a
servant
being
born
in
the
likeness
of
men
and
being
found
in
human
form
he
humbled
himself
by
becoming
obedient
to
the
point
of
death
even
death
on
a
cross
therefore
God
has
highly
exalted
him
and
bestowed
on
him
a
name
that
is
above
every
name
so
that
at
the
name
of
Jesus
every
knee
should
bow
in
heaven
and
on
earth
and
under
the
earth
and
every
tongue
confess
that
Jesus
Christ
is
Lord
to
the
glory
of
God
the
Father
friends
this
is
the
meekness
of
Christ
this
is
the
meekness
of
the
gospel
this
is
the
meekness
for
those
who
will
inherit
the
earth
Lord
we
confess
how
much
we
resist
the
path
of
meekness
Lord
it
reveals
how
little
we
know
of
you
and
of
your
grace
and
of
the
power
that
you
have
shown
us
shows
how
little
our
faith
is
oh
Lord
fill
us
with
confidence
that
you
are
the
vindicator
of
the
lowly
that
you
are
the
champion
of
those
who
humble
themselves
before
you
and
serve
others
Lord
help
us
to
see
that
in
the
very
salvation
that
we
know
Lord
that
we
can
and
are
called
to
embrace
a
life
of
meekness
Lord
with
a
great
promise
that
as
we
do
that
Lord
we
will
know
and
inherit
your
kingdom
be
with
us
Lord
we
pray
in
Jesus
name
amen