Matthew 5:5- 6 (NKJV)

1. Matthew 5:5-6(NKJV) 5Blessed are the meek,
   For they shall inherit the earth. 6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.

2. Sermon on The Mount:Meek & Hungry Matthew 5:5-6

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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)

9. SOM: Meek • Jesus was certainly humble, but He also submitted Himself to God’swill • 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. SOM: Hungry • A hunger is an intensedesire 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 livingright before God

14. SOM: Hungry • We’ve also seen how the Bible itself defines righteousness in Luke1:6… • “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

15. 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)

16. 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 emptypromises; things that promise to deliver but never do

17. 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)