Meekness And Aggressiveness

Fruit Of The Spirit

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Meekness

It is “strength under control”

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The Great Reversal

God’s Ideal vs. the World’s Ideal of Greatness

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To be Childlike

At that time the disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  - Mt. 18:1-4

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To be a humble servant

Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but [also] everyone for those of others. Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus,^[Who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself,  becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,

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Meekness & Humility

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Meekness

Comes from the Hebrew word “anavah” meaning “Lowliness”

a)  Refers to both:

• Objective condition: belonging to the lowest social class.
• Way of behaving: as a servant; the way the “lowly” would relate to those above him in the social order.

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b)  “Anavah” translated by two Greek words, in turn by two English words: humility (Phil 2:3) and meekness (Gal 5:23).�

• Humility.

-  To consciously consider ourselves the servant of others.

-  Not to think ourselves worthless, but to count others as deserving of our service.

• Meekness.�- Meekness is not weakness. It is not being a pushover, or a doormat. Meekness is the inner quality of relating as a servant.

- Mt 11:29. Jesus says he is “humble of heart.” But Jesus is anything but a pushover

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Some Aspects of Being Meek

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Respectful

• Sir 4:8 – “To the poor man lend an ear, and return his greeting courteously” (“in meekness”). Respectful to all, not just to those whose positions demand it.

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• Ti 3:2 – “Show perfect courtesy toward all men.” I.e., even those outside the Christian community.

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• Opposite: arrogance.

-  hot arrogance -- challenging, insolent, abusive.

-  cold arrogance -- aloof, indifferent, “cool.”

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Teachable

Therefore, put away all filth and evil excess and humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you and is able to save your souls.

- Jas. 1:21

• Eager to lay hold of the truth.

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• Can consider other points of view.

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• Not opinionated or rigid in insisting on one's own understanding of things.

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Obedient

 he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross.

-Phil. 2:8

• Does what the master instructs.

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• Seeks to meet the master’s needs, not his own.

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• Even when in a position of authority, the meek person is a servant.

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Non-defensive

• Not personally hostile in the face of abuse or attack.
• Nm 12:1-8. We might tend to fight back; Moses lets God handle it.
• 2 Tm 2:25. We do correct opponents (stand up for the truth), but we do it with gentleness (meekness).

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Leading as a Servant

• Not power-hungry.

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• Not out to glorify self at others' expense.

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• Mt 11:29. Jesus is describing himself as a master over his disciples (there is definite authority), but unlike those in the world, he will not "lord it over." He will teach, discipline, correct as a servant.

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• Meekness is not just for subordinates: it is emphatically for those in authority as well.

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Source of Meekness: Brokenness

a)  Meekness is not our innate response. Something needs to happen inside us to enable us to respond in meekness: we need to be “broken.”

b)  Two senses of brokenness:

• A broken man -- crushed, dispirited, lost will to fight, has given up on life.
• A broken horse -- preserving and channeling strength and vigor.

c)  Two things that need to be broken:

• Self-will.

-  not insisting on our own way, preferences.

-  able to surrender our will to the Lord and to others when appropriate.

-  surfaces especially when we are crossed or criticized.

-  important in small matters as well as in large.

• Wildness.

-  not pushed around by impulse, fear, anger.

-  able to ask "How would the Lord's servant respond?" and act accordingly.

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Meekness & Zeal

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The Triumphant Entry

Mt. 21:1-13

1. Jesus comes as a meek king (v.5), yet he is bold and aggressive (v.12). * Jn 2:17 – “Zeal for your house consumes me.”

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b)  Zeal is not mere enthusiasm, but aggressive dedication to accomplishing God’s purposes.

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c)  Having a “one-track heart.”

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Paul’s Behavior

2 Cor. 1-10; 1 Cor. 4:21

• Paul’s behavior will be determined by how the Corinthians respond. Sometimes he may be aggressive, sometimes gentle. But meekness (servanthood) underlies all.

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Three questions to help us decide on the appropriate response

a) Whose rights/claims/preferences are at stake?

• if ours, lean to submissiveness.
•  if God’s, lean to aggressiveness.

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b)  Are we in authority?

• if yes (e.g. in our own home), lean to aggressiveness.
• If no, lean to submissiveness.

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c)  What will be most helpful? What will best serve the Lord and the people involved?

• Requires wisdom and experience.

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We are to be strong, aggressively dedicated Christians whose strength is channeled into serving others.

Whether gentle or aggressive, we are at all times servants, modeled on Jesus.

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Meekness And Aggressiveness

Fruit Of The Spirit

Missionary Families of Christ