Matthew 5:5-6 (NKJV)

5 Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.

SERMON ON THE MOUNT:MEEK & HUNGRY

Matthew 5:5-6

SOM: Meek & Hungry

Last week we began a Sunday night series covering the Sermon on the Mount

We will spend several weeks covering Matthew 5-7

Last week we introduced the SOM and spoke of the poor in spirit as well as those who mourn

SOM: Meek & Hungry

The Beatitudes speak of those people who are the blessed, the happy, the fulfilled

If we can become the type of person Jesus speaks of here, then we too will be happy

Tonight we consider the meek and hungry

SOM: Meek

Jesus begins verse 5 by saying, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth”

Jesus is telling us that we are a blessed person if we are one of the meek

Meek is the Greek word praus that means mild, humble, gentleness of spirit

SOM: Meek

It’s what most of us think about when we think of the word meek, or a person who is meek

This certainly has something to do with it’s meaning

However, to dig deeper is to perhaps reveal the true meaning of this word

SOM: Meek

The term meek is used to describe one as submitting to God’s will or relying on Him

One who is meek is one who does not fight against God, who does not struggle or contend with Him

Certainly this person would be described as humble, mild and gentle

SOM: Meek

This term is normally used in reference to God, not our fellow man

This definition would certainly fit the old saying that “meekness is not weakness”

Jesus claimed to be meek in Matthew 11:29 (gentle is a form of the word praus)

SOM: Meek

Jesus was certainly humble, but He also submitted Himself to God’s will

When it came to even the cross, He did not contend with God (Phil. 2:8)

Meekness is the opposite of self-assertiveness and self-interest

SOM: Meek

Jesus said the meek will inherit the earth

When we think of meekness before God as being submissive to His will, the reward will come as no surprise

God has always promised blessings to those who obey Him and His will

SOM: Meek

Deuteronomy 28

Joshua 1:5-9

Hebrews 5:9 – “And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him”

A reward is there for those who obey

SOM: Hungry

Jesus then says, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled”

Jesus knew how to get us to understand something

Here he uses the powerful feeling of hunger and thirst

SOM: Hungry

A hunger is an intense desire for something; it literally means to famish or crave

What do the blessed have a desire for?

They desire righteousness, which is a term that can simply mean living right before God

SOM: Hungry

We’ve also seen how the Bible itself defines righteousness in Luke 1:6…

“And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless”

Happy is the one who has an intense desire to follow God’s will

SOM: Hungry

There are so many who have had that desire for God’s will

“How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth” (Ps. 119:103)

Job said he treasured God’s words more than food (Job 23:12)

SOM: Hungry

It’s more than just a desire for His word, it’s a desire to do His will; to live right before God on this earth

That person is blessed because they will be filled

This world is full of empty promises; things that promise to deliver but never do

SOM: Hungry

The physical things in this world cannot bring fulfillment

They leave us longing for something different (just look around Hollywood)

Jesus said the water He gives will fill us never to thirst again (Jn. 4:13-14)