Blessed are the Meek

WHEN GOD SHOWS US WHAT WE ARE BEFORE HIM, AND CAUSES US TO LOOK TO HIM FOR GRACE & SALVATION, THEN WE BECOME POOR IN SPIRIT; THEN WE MOURN FOR OUR SINS; THEN HAVING SEEN OURSELVES AS WE REALLY ARE, WE BOW TO GOD'S WILL IN ALL THINGS. AND HAVING EXPERIENCED THE GENTLENESS OF HIS GRACE, WE BECOME MEEK AND GENTLE IN SPIRIT.
I. THE PROGRESSION (vv. 1-6)
a. The unifying theme – Humility (Ps. 149:4)
b. Humility: seeing ourselves for who we are

II. MEEKNESS DEFINED, EXPLAINED, & ILLUSTRATED (v. 5a)
a. Defined: Gentle submission to the Lord & His providence
i. NOT weakness or cowardice
ii. A gentle, calm spirit

b. Explained: Gal. 5:23, Ps. 37

c. Illustrated: Moses, Peter, & Christ
i. Num. 12:3 & Matt. 26:31-74
ii. Matt. 11:29; 26:31ff

III. THE INHERITANCE (v. 5b)
a. Joint heirs with Christ (Rom. 8:17)
b. Land/earth (Ps. 37:18,22,29,34 & Deuteronomy – used almost 90x)