ÿWPC  pN‚)škùÝ#“ûvÂH¨Ú3*Ü#“ª¿§‹ÅñúX2ý-D! Áö¦Úq¢ma6¢¦i†Ûñ¤Œ²ý¢9òÇÌeêt¢½”q •P§—ñ] ‚T-f½ƒ_ý²(­,ªÊïNXÕRÇgõž ª¢³ÚûVó³ë–ˆ2õ(&T™´éiÐJÃI¾ ²ÅÞËè[‰‰7÷‰Š:Jd#K»`?¼öÒL¶"è›´yž²3) G«L @6H¹s²‰%|SJY|ûÝ!2žÖ tVHd)Dß…²:(b$ö´'x%@ÃŒ L¾<ìþQŸÊÙš³X:ö2ÕθEÅáÓMðN8}¶›?§Cy>‰uöÛD²~6(òi+Rí3I9gVqþ×µ;XÙÎIRo©B¹ª2îþθ[3=œe°ãx¢Rµ •¬¦»=úo興*ÏcìKkøä[5qê oX@EË–!Ø“trs슃[üÿT&÷#µ5¯-™RG’5 ýßà¨ò¿2‰©ÑÒ¨?eîÓŒÔtôÆBC¢ ZM¶é=< €_c³bÑ’^¤ Í*ÛèK8)QÑœÙG+£öþ-ƒ¦(âG¬IdÞdC߀ÁÈ' Õ•Ù3©µêç•ÕÊÕSà}i5#ÉæUN¯ %ý 0:U@=U@} 0c½ 0c ^ ƒ w 4“ § ¶ m¸ ¸ ¸ ¸ ¸ ¸ ¸ ¸ ¸ ¸ ¸ ¸ ¸ ¸ ¸ ¸ ¸ ¸ ¸ ¸ ¸ ¸ ¸ ¸ ¸ ¸ ¸ ¸ ¸ ¸ ¸ ¸ ¸ ¸ ¸ ¸ ‰Ï Ï jX ˜HP LaserJet 5/5M PostScriptÈØØÚÚØÈØ0(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman RegularX(üœ$¡¡ÔUSUS.,Ô(ÀÊO Z‹(Times New Roman .Ú%ˆ$ p`‹(CenturyRegularTT(;3u$©©Ý ƒOˆ!ÝÔ‡ôÊòòôÔÝ  Ý(;3u$ªªÝ ƒOˆ!ÝÔ‡ôÊòòôÔÝ  ÝÚ²Í4Þ ëuÃ4ê:i¢×+003|xÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ Ý ƒu)ÝÔ€XôXXXÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ôà€& & àThe€Sermon€on€the€Mount€„„€Lesson€3 `Ý ƒu*ÝÔ€XôXXXÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô"Blessed€Are€The€Meek"Ý ƒüœ!ÝÔUSUS.,ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑTROàØ'3Avery 5198 Audio Tape LandscapeXà3Ø' LetterØ'3Avery 5198 Audio Tape LandscapeXà3Ø'ÿ3Ø'LetterTÑÑX°ÑÑX°ÑÒX°ÒÒX°ÒòòÔ‡XiXXXÔÑ þm ÑÖ€2ÿÿÖÖ€4ÿÿÖԇ§ûÂXXiÔóóÓ*°ØX°„,¸ —X°œX*ÓÔ#†Â !§ûÌ#ÔԀ ! !ÔÑÑà@ýýä àÔ#†XôX !"#ÔÔ‡ú±XXôÔTHE€SERMON€ON€THE€MOUNT€„„€LESSON€THREEÔ#†XôXú±õ#Ôԇ !ÂXXôԈРX Ðà@88ä àÔ#†XôX !^#ÔÔ‡¼*‰»XXôÔòòò òòò"Blessed€Are€The€Meek"óóó óóóˆÐ ø  ÐÓffÓÓfæffÓà@' ' ä àÔ#†XôX»¼*‰È#ÔÔ‡ô˜IòXXôÔòòMatthew€5:€5óóˆÐ Dì ÐÔ#†XôXòô˜I~#Ôԇ !ÂXXôÔÌINTRODUCTION€ð"ðÐ —? ÐÌÔ#†XôX !è#ÔÔ€ô˜IòXXôÔI.à0 „ àMEEKNESS€IS€THE€CHILD€OF€HUMILITY:€€IT€DESCRIBES€A€LIFEÐ × ÐYIELDED€TO€GODS€WILL,€THE€OPPOSITE€OF€SELF„WILL.Њ2„p„p Ðà „ àA.à0 ° àIt€is€gentle€forbearance€in€dealing€with€others:€In€teaching,€saving,Ð =å Ðcorrecting€and€restoring€them.Ð𘠰p°p Ðà „ àB.à0 ° àBut€this€element€of€the€fruit€of€God's€Spirit€goes€much€deeper€than€anyÐ £ K  Ðattitude€toward€men:€€It€accepts€the€will€of€God€for€perfect€wisdom€andÐ V þ  Ðabsolute€goodness€(Luke€22:42).Ð ± °p°p Ðà „ àC.à0 ° àThe€Greek€word€for€meek€was€used€to€describe€tamed€animals.м d °p°p ÐÌII.à0 „ àTHE€THIRD€BEATITUDE€IS€ASTONISHING€BUT€BY€NO€MEANSÐ " Ê  ÐPOPULAR.ÐÕ } „p„p Ðà „ àA.à0 ° àMost€men€do€not€admire€this€virtue€or€consider€it€very€great.Ј0 °p°p Ðà „ àB.à0 ° àIt€makes€no€appeal€to€the€man€of€this€world€for€two€reasons:Ð;ã °p°p Ðà „ àà ° à1.à0 Ü àMeekness€is€not€looked€upon€by€€him€as€an€asset€but€a€liability:€€ItÐ î–  Ðsounds€more€like€surrender€than€success€to€him.СIÜpÜp Ðà „ àà ° à2.à0 Ü àHe€does€not€believe€it€is€true€that€the€meek€shall€inherit€the€earth:€Ð Tü ÐHe€believes€in€the€prosperity/survival€of€the€most€aggressive,€self„Ð ¯ Ðassertive€and€pushy.кbÜpÜp Ðà „ àà ° à3.à0 Ü àHis€beatitude€says,€"Blessed€are€the€strong,€heavy„handed€andÐ m Ðoutspoken,€who€can€hold€their€own€and€have€their€way,€for€theyÐ  È Ðhave€the€advantage€on€earth."ÐÓ{ÜpÜp Ðà „ àà ° à4.à0 Ü àHe€is€like€the€child€who€said€to€its€mother,€"I€don't€want€to€be€yourÐ †. Ðlittle€lamb.€€I€want€to€be€your€little€tiger."Ð9áÜpÜp ÐÌà0 „ àà X àIII.€€AND€THERE€IS€NO€CLOSING€OUR€EYES€TO€THE€FACT€THAT€THISÐ ŸG ÐPOSITION€ò òSEEMSó ó€QUITE€SANE:€€THAT€IT€IS€THE€HARD„FISTED,Ð Rú ÐHEAVY„HANDED,€AND€OUT„SPOKEN€WHO€INHERIT€THE€EARTH.Э „p„p Ðà „ àA.à0 ° àHow€out€of€place€or€ridiculous€this€beatitude€would€look,€if€hung€inÐ ¸`! Ðmany€business€offices€in€this€competitive€world!Ðk"°p°p Ðà „ àB.à0 ° àYet€it€sounds€no€more€like€madness€now€than€it€did€originally:€€ItÐ Æ# Ðseemed€contrary€to€Israel's€national€goals/history€then.ÐÑy$°p°p Ðà „ àC.à0 ° àBut€God€truly€desires€the€happiness€and€success€of€everyone;€andÐ „,% Ðhappiness€and€success€are€by„products€of€RIGHTEOUSNESS:€RightÐ 7ß& Ðthinking,€speaking€and€doing€(Psalm€1;€Romans€14:17).Ðê’'°p°p ÐÌDISCUSSION€ð"ðÐ Pø) Ðò òÌI.à0 „ àBUT€IF€MEEKNESS€SEEMS€PUNY,€SMALL,€WEAK€AND€WORTHƒÐ ¶ ^+ ÐLESS€TO€MANY€OF€US,€LET€US€NOT€FORGET€THAT€IT€WASÐ i!, ÐNOT€THE€CASE€WITH€THE€WISEST€AND€BEST€OF€THE€BIBLEÐ "Ä- ÐSAINT‚S.ó óÐÏ"w .„p„p Ðà „ àA.à0 ° àFor€example,€consider€Paul,€the€Lord's€fearless€apostle€to€the€Gentiles.Ђ#*!/°p°p Ðà „ àà ° à1.à0 Ü àHe€appealed€to€the€Corinthians€"by€the€meekness€and€gentleness€ofÐ 5$Ý!0þ ÐChrist..."€(2€Corinthians€10:1).ÐXÜpÜp Ðà „ àà ° à2.à0 Ü àTo€the€Galatians€he€commended€"the€fruit€of€the€Spirit,"€whichÐ  ³ Ðincludes€"meekness"€(Galatians€5:22„23).оfÜpÜp Ðà „ àà ° à3.à0 Ü àHe€instructed€Titus€to€teach€the€people€of€Crete€"to€be€gentle,Ð q Ðshowing€all€meekness€toward€all€men"€(Tit.€3:2).Ð$ÌÜpÜp Ðà „ àà ° à4.à0 Ü àHe€counseled€the€Colossians€to€"Put€on...a€heart€of...€meekness...,"Ð × Ðwhich€precedes€longsuffering€(Col.€3:12).Њ2ÜpÜp Ðà „ àà ° à5.à0 Ü àHe€advised€Timothy€to€"Follow€after€righteousness,€godliness,Ð =å Ðfaith...meekness..."€(1€Timothy€6:11).Ðð˜ÜpÜp ÐÌà „ àB.à0 ° àPeter,€after€learning€its€true€value,€is€of€the€same€judgment.ÐV þ °p°p Ðà „ àà ° à1.à0 Ü à1€Peter€3:4,€15:€"...In€the€sight€of€God€ò òof€great€price."ó óÐ ± ÜpÜp Ðà „ àà ° à2.à0 Ü àHe€is€quite€aware€that€meekness€often€fails€to€look€well€ò òin€the€eyesÐ ¼ d  Ðof€men,€as€formerly€in€his€own€case.ó óÐo  ÜpÜp ÐÌà „ àC.à0 ° àClovis€Ô_ÔChappellÔ_Ô€tells€the€story€of€a€French€peddler€on€the€back€streetsÐ Õ }  Ðof€Paris€selling€cheap€jewelry,€on€whose€cart€was€a€bit€of€stone€taggedÐ ˆ 0  Ðwith€a€card€with€the€inscription,€"Rock€crystal,€price€twenty„fourÐ ;ã  Ðfrancs"„„òòThe€Sermon€On€The€Mount,óó€p.39.€€But€it€was€a€pure€diamond,Ð î–  Ðtoday€among€the€royal€jewels€of€a€great€nation.€€In€the€same€way€manyÐ ¡I  Ðpass€by€the€rare€gem€of€meekness:€Only€a€few€realize€its€enormous€andÐ Tü  Ðprecious€value€and€seek€to€possess€it.Я°p°p ÐÌà „ àD.à0 ° àThere€are€two€outstanding€examples€of€meekness€in€the€Bible.€Ðm°p°p Ðâø#ÛâÔ_Ôà „ àà ° à1.à0 Ü àIn€the€Old€Testament,€Moses€is€the€great€example€(Numbers€12:3).€Ð  È ÐHe€was€not€a€weakling€or€coward,€but€a€monumental€superb€man:Ð Ó{ ÐA€mighty€deliverer,€law„giver€and€builder€of€a€great€nation.І.ÜpÜp Ðà „ àà ° à2.à0 Ü àIn€the€New€Testament,€Jesus€is€the€most€perfect€example:€"ComeÐ 9á Ðunto€me....and€learn€of€me;€for€I€am€meek€and€lowly€in€heart:€andÐ ì” Ðye€shall€find€rest€unto€your€souls"€€(Matthew€11:28„30;€1€PeterÐ ŸG Ð2:21„25).ÐRúÜpÜp Ðà „ àà ° àà Ü àa.à0  àThough€he€perfectly€embodied€every€virtue,€meekness€is€oneÐ ­ Ðof€the€two€virtues€in€himself€to€which€he€calls€our€attentionÐ ¸`  Ðand€invites€us€to€learn.Ðk!pp Ðà „ àà ° àà Ü àb.à0  àThe€two€sides€of€the€nature€of€Jesus€may€well€be€learned€andÐ Æ" Ðremembered€here:€€(1)€Before€God,€he€was€God's€Lamb€andÐ Ñy# Ðthe€world's€Redeemer.€€(2)€Before€Satan/the€forces€of€evil,€heÐ „,$ Ðwas€God's€lion€and€his€ò òstormy€North€sideó ó€was€visible:€€HeÐ 7ß% Ðopposed€the€wrong,€defended€the€true,€and€neverÐ ê’& Ðcompromised€God's€truth.ÐE'pp ÐÌ€ò òII.à0 „ àWHAT€THEN€IS€THE€MEANING€OF€MEEKNESS?ó óЫ)„p„p ÐÌà „ àA.à0 ° àIt€is€a€word€a€bit€difficult€to€define,€but€not€impossible€to€learn,€forÐ i + Ðmore€than€one€reason.Ð!Ä,°p°p Ðà „ àà ° à1.à0 Ü àIt€is€rarely€used/exalted;€no€exact€English€equivalent.ÐÏ!w-ÜpÜp Ðà „ àà ° à2.à0 Ü àMany€think€it€means€a€spineless€creature€with€a€Ô_ÔjellyfishÐ ‚"* . Ðconstitution;€but€nothing€is€further€from€the€truth.ÐXÜpÜp Ðà „ àà ° à3.à0 Ü àThe€example€of€Moses€proves€this:€€ò òStrength€grown€tenderó ó€andÐ  ³ Ðnon„violent€(Exodus€11:8;€32:19„29).оfÜpÜp ÐÌà „ àB.à0 ° àIts€ò òsynonymsó ó€are:€Gentleness,€humility,€mild„tempered,€not€easilyÐ $Ì Ðprovoked,€non„violent,€patient.Ð×°p°p Ðà „ àà ° à1.à0 Ü àò òIt€describes€a€life€yielded€to€God's€will€and€purpose:€TheÐ Š2 Ðopposite€of€being€self„willed.ó óÐ=åÜpÜp Ðà „ àà ° à2.à0 Ü àThe€Hebrew€word€means€to€be€ò òmolded,ó ó€as€putty€in€God's€hands.Ðð˜ÜpÜp Ðà „ àà ° à3.à0 Ü àThe€word€meekness€describes€real€strength:€A€"lamb"€refusing€toÐ £K  Ðfight€back.ÐV þ ÜpÜp Ðà „ àà ° à4.à0 Ü à"It€is€might€with€a€caress€in€its€brawny€hands"€„„Ô_ÔChappellÔ_Ô.Ð ± ÜpÜp ÐÌà „ àC.à0 ° àThe€word€ò ògentleó ó€is€used€in€connection€with€it€more€than€once.Ðo  °p°p Ðà „ àà ° à1.à0 Ü àGentleness€is€its€best€synonym:€€It€is€forbearance€toward€others,Ð " Ê  Ð"enduring€injury€with€patience€and€without€resentment"€or€revengeÐ Õ }  Ð(1€Peter€2:18„25;€3:13„22;€Romans€12:18„21).Ј 0 ÜpÜp Ðà „ àà ° à2.à0 Ü àThe€meek€folks€are€the€gentle€folks€and€the€meek€man€is€God'sÐ ;ã  Ðgentleman€in€responding€to€and€in€dealing€with€others.€€MeeknessÐ î–  Ðis€gentle€forbearance€in€correcting,€restoring,€teaching€and€helpingÐ ¡I  Ðsinners€overcome€Satan's€devices€and€recover€themselves€from€hisÐ Tü  Ðcaptivity€(2€Timothy€2:24„26).ЯÜpÜp ÐÌà „ àD.à0 ° àWhat€are€some€characteristics€of€this€Christian€gentleman?Ðm°p°p Ðà „ àà ° à1.à0 Ü àò òConsiderate:ó ó€€He€is€genuinely€courteous€and€truly€considerate€ofÐ  È Ðothers,€as€well€as€himself€(Galatians€6:1,2).ÐÓ{ÜpÜp Ðà „ àà ° à2.à0 Ü àò òSelf„disciplined:ó ó€€He€has€temper€and€tongue€under€control€(MarkÐ †. Ð3:3„5).Ð9áÜpÜp Ðà „ àà ° à3.à0 Ü àThis€child€of€humility€is€ò òsubmissive,€humble„minded€and€strong,ó óÐ ì” Ðbut€ò ònot€high„minded€or€high„handed.ó óПGÜpÜp Ðà „ àà ° àà Ü àa.à0  àHe€is€teachable€(Matthew€18:3,4;€James€1:21).ÐRúpp Ðà „ àà ° àà Ü àb.à0  àHe€does€not€boast€or€swagger:€€He€is€too€strong€to€feel€theÐ ­ Ðneed€to€do€this€(1€Corinthians€13:4„7).и` pp Ðà „ àà ° à4.à0 Ü àHe€is€ò òcourageous:ó ó€€No€shrinking€violet,€coward,€inferiorityÐ k! Ðcomplex€or€Mr.€Ô_ÔMilktoastÔ_Ô.ÐÆ"ÜpÜp Ðà „ àà ° àà Ü àa.à0  àBut€a€true€gentleman€is€sometimes€stern€and€"not€very€gentle"Ð Ñy# Ð(Romans€11:22;€John€2:14„17).Є,$pp Ðà „ àà ° àà Ü àb.à0  àHe€has€the€highest€type€of€courage.€„„Ô_ÔNicholsÔ_Ô,€òòThe€Holy€Spirit,óóÐ 7ß% Ðp.€203.Ðê’&pp Ðà „ àà ° àà Ü àc.à0  àJesus,€when€reviled,€"reviled€not€again;€...but€committedÐ E' Ðhimself€to€him€that€Ô_ÔjudgethÔ_Ô€righteously"€(1€Peter€2:23).ÐPø(pp Ðà „ àà ° à5.à0 Ü àChrist's€ò ògentleman€is€strongó ó€in€ò òmeekness,€one€of€the€dynamicsÐ «) Ðabsolutely€essential€to€keeping€the€unity€of€the€Spirit€in€theÐ ¶^* Ðbond€of€peaceó ó€(Ephesians€4:1„3).Ði +ÜpÜp Ðà „ àà ° àà Ü àa.à0  àThe€gentle€things€are€the€strong€things:€€(1)€Gravitation.€(2)Ð !Ä, ÐElijah€and€the€still€small€voice€(1€Kings€19:11,12).€€(3)€Ð Ï!w- ÐLightening„„thunder.€€(4)€In€Aesop's€fable,€the€soft€sunshineÐ ‚"* . Ðdid€what€the€blustering€wind€could€not€accomplish;€and€thatÐ X Ðlesson€still€applies€truly.Ð ³pp Ðà „ àà ° àà Ü àb.à0  àNoise€is€not€necessarily€strong:€€Many€a€coward€hides€behindÐ ¾f Ða€smoke€screen€of€loud€talk,€verbal€abuse,€reviling€andÐ q Ðprofanity.Ð$Ìpp Ðà „ àà ° àà Ü àc.à0  àThe€money€changers€in€the€temple€ran€readily€and€did€notÐ × Ðresist€Jesus€because€they€knew€"the€wrath€of€the€Lamb"Ð Š2 Ð(Revelation€6:16)€was€not€mere€bluster€(Matthew€7:28,29).€Ð=åpp Ðò òÌà0 „ àà X àIII.€€THE€PROMISE,€"òòTHEY€SHALL€INHERIT€THE€EARTH,"óó€ISÐ £K  ÐCONDITIONED€UPON€THE€QUALITY€OF€MEEKNESS,€THATÐ V þ  ÐFRUIT€OF€THE€SPIRIT€WHICH€GROWS€IN€THE€SOIL€OFÐ  ±  ÐHEAVENLY€LOVE€AND€WISDOMó ó€(James€3:13„18;€Psalm€37:11).м d „p„p ÐÌà „ àA.à0 ° àThe€meek€are€already€entering€upon/receiving€their€inheritance.Ð" Ê °p°p Ðà „ àà ° à1.à0 Ü àHere€and€now,€they€enjoy€ò òlife€abundant:ó ó€"All€things€are€yours"€(1Ð Õ }  ÐCorinthians€3:21„23).Ј 0 ÜpÜp Ðà „ àà ° à2.à0 Ü àThe€meek€enjoy€the€fullest,€richest,€freest€life€on€earth,€becauseÐ ;ã  Ðthey€have€the€greatest€capacity€for€true€joy.Ðî– ÜpÜp ÐÌà „ àB.à0 ° àThe€meek€inherit€the€earth€in€the€finest€and€truest€sense.ÐTü °p°p Ðà „ àà ° à1.à0 Ü àThey€enjoy€it€more€fully€while€in€it:€€They€are€best€prepared€toÐ ¯ Ðreceive/enjoy€its€greatest€benefits€because€they€have€developed€andÐ ºb Ðpossess€the€greatest€capacity€for€blessedness.ÐmÜpÜp Ðà „ àà ° à2.à0 Ü àJoy€in€life€does€not€depend€as€much€on€what€one€has€as€what€he€isÐ  È Ðand€does:€€The€selfish€greedy€man€cannot€inherit€the€earth€„„€heÐ Ó{ Ðmay€own€it€briefly,€but€it€possesses€him€and€he€is€its€slave.€€ò òTheÐ †. ÐSummum€Bonum€(supreme€good)€is€not€to€own€the€most€landÐ 9á Ðor€most€moneyó ó€(Luke€12:15;€Matthew€6:19„21).Ðì”ÜpÜp ÐÌà „ àC.à0 ° àBut€the€supreme€inheritance€of€the€earth€bestowed€upon€man€is€eternal.ÐRú°p°p Ðà „ àà ° à1.à0 Ü àThe€best€treasure€and€hope€of€the€earth€is€eternal€life€with€all€theÐ ­ Ðrich€heavenly€benefits€God€gives€his€faithful€children€(EphesiansÐ ¸`  Ð1:3;€1€John€5:10„12;€Revelation€2:10).Ðk!ÜpÜp Ðà „ àà ° à2.à0 Ü àThis€heavenly€crown€awaits€every€gentle/submissive,€obedient€soulÐ Æ" Ðthat€looks€for€and€earnestly€desires€the€coming€of€the€day€of€God€Ð Ñy# Ð(2€Timothy€4:8;€Hebrews€5:9;€1€Samuel€15:22).Є,$ÜpÜp Ðà „ àà ° à3.à0 Ü àAre€you€meek/teachable?€€Will€you€hear,€obey,€follow€and€defendÐ 7ß% ÐChrist€and€His€truth€today?€€(Hebrews€11:6;€Luke€13:3;€MatthewÐ ê’& Ð10:32;€Mark€8:38;€Acts€2:38;€1€Corinthians€15:58;€Jude€3).ÐE'ÜpÜp Ðà „ àà ° à4.à0 Ü àMeekness€is€a€vital€key€to€the€kingdom€of€heaven;€It€is€one€of€theÐ Pø( Ðbuilding€blocks€of€spiritual€maturity/security€(James€1:21;Ð «) ÐMatthew€18:3).€€But€let€not€that€person€who€stands€in€silence€whileÐ ¶^* Ðsin€and€error€run€rampant€flatter€himself€by€thinking€his€silence€isÐ i + Ðmeekness!€€Faithless€or€weakness€are€better€words€for€describingÐ !Ä, Ðhim!ÐÏ!w-ÜpÜp Ðòòà€pà„„Charles€E.€Ô_ÔCrouchóóÔ_ÔÓfffæ7Óòòóó