ARE YOU A DOORMAT?
Matthew 5:5 "Blessed are the meek (gentle, humble) for they shall inherit the earth"

We have been working through a sermon series called "Staying Positive Under Pressure." Many times when we get under pressure we think that we should just fold up like a tent and become a doormat for others to walk on. In this, we sometimes think we are fulfilling the role of biblical "meekness" and somehow we will be blessed, just like Jesus said in the quoted verse of scripture.


I shared an acrostic that is a symbol for the "Meek Club of America"...here it is:
"Dependent Order of Really Meek and Timid Souls"? When you make an acrostic of the first letters of its name, you have the word "Doormats."
The Doormats have an official insignia—a yellow caution light.
Their official motto is: "The meek shall inherit the earth, if that’s OK with everybody!"

Here are some takeaways from the message on Sunday at United Wesleyan concerning "Biblical Meekness"

1. Meekness IS NOT weakness!
2. Meekness is POWER UNDER CONTROL


  • The word translated Meek here is the same word that was used in NT times to describe a wild animal that had been tamed or domesticated
  • Imagine for a moment a wild stallion that has never been ridden by anyone. 
  • He has never worn a bridle and bit - he's as wild as them come. 
  • He is full of energy and strength and spirit. 
  • Now you take that horse and over time you tame him, you domesticate him. 
  • He becomes meek. 
  • You can put a saddle on him - his master can ride him - you can put a bit in his mouth and reins over his neck and he's meek. 
  • Now what have you done to that horse? 
  • Have you taken away any of that horse's strength? None at all. 
  • Have you taken away any of that horse's spirit or his power? None at all. 
  • Have you taken away any of that horse's energy? No.
  • The only difference between the domesticated horse and the wild one is that now, that horse's strength and energy are being controlled by his master and channeled for a useful purpose. 
3. Two people are found in the Word of God as being a MEEK person...Moses and Jesus Christ.
-However look at these two men and how they displayed themselves at different times in their lives:

MOSES: 
*Moses came down from the mountain with the Ten Commandments given to him by God. What did he find? He found God's own people worshiping a golden calf.
Here is what it says in Exodus 32:19 When they came near the camp, Moses saw the calf and the dancing, and he burned with anger. He threw the stone tablets to the ground, smashing them at the foot of the mountain. 20 He took the calf they had made and burned it. Then he ground it into powder, threw it into the water, and forced the people to drink it.
*NOW, check this out: In Numbers 12 we find that Miriam and Aaron were gossiping about Moses and Moses did not say a word in retaliation...This chapter refers to Moses as being the most "meek" or "humble" man on earth at that time!
WOW!!! When the people offended God, Moses was angry. When Moses was being persecuted, he did not respond...What is it that offends us so easily? Do we get more offended when someone says bad things about us or when they take God's name in vain?

JESUS:
*When people were selling doves and taking up taxes in the Temple, Jesus came and knocked over tables in response
*When Jesus was dying on the Cross for our sins, we all know He could have called "legions of angels" to take him down...He did not
WOW-When God's Temple was being used for personal gain, Jesus was righteously angered...When His body was hanging on the Cross, Jesus let the Father's will have right of way...WHY?

Matthew 11:28-30: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." 

So, remember, MEEKNESS IS NOT WEAKNESS! Meekness is having power, strength and energy but it is now being controlled by a master and being channeled for a greater purpose!

See you next Sunday at United!!

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