Blessed Are the Tamed - Santosh Poonen - December 1, 2013
http://rlcfchurch.org/blessed-are-the-tamed River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The central message is that true meekness is not weakness or passivity, but rather the process of taming the wild, uncontrolled spirit within us. Drawing parallels to taming a powerful wild animal, the speaker argues that meekness, which is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, does not diminish our strength but channels our power for God's kingdom. This understanding shifts our perspective away from worldly definitions of meekness.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
What does 'Blessed are the meek' mean?Examining Matthew 5:5, the speaker explains that the world's definition of meekness as a doormat is a counterfeit, just like worldly joy and love.Matthew 5:5
Meekness as the taming of a wild animalThe Greek concept of meekness involves being lowly and gentle, but also carries the idea of a wild animal being tamed for its proper, powerful purpose.
Actively submitting to undesirable circumstancesMeekness is actively submitting to uncomfortable circumstances at the master's hand, knowing it will result in a greater good and a tamed character.
A.W. Tozer's perspective on the meek manQuoting A.W. Tozer, the speaker notes that a meek person is bold as a lion yet completely honest about their own weakness before God and secure in His love.
Jesus is our dictionary for spiritual thingsInstead of relying on worldly definitions or English dictionaries, believers must look to Jesus and rely on the Holy Spirit to disclose His nature.
Jesus learned obedience through sufferingEven as the Son of God, Jesus learned obedience and was perfected through the things He suffered in human flesh, showing us how to walk under the same yoke.Hebrews 5:8
Entering God's rest by ceasing from our own worksJust as the Israelites missed God's rest through unbelief, believers enter true sabbath rest by resting from their own self-willed works and ambitions.
Regard others as more importantFollowing Christ's example in Philippians 2, meek people do not look out only for themselves, but willingly take the lowest place and serve others.
Jesus washes His disciples' feetJesus washed the disciples' feet—including Judas's—demonstrating the servant heart and deep love of true meekness.
The tamed do not grabLike Abraham letting Lot choose first and David refusing to kill Saul, the tamed do not grasp for their own rights, trusting God to reward them.Philippians 2:5–7
Living gently in marriage and relationshipsMeekness is crucial in marriages, where wives display a quiet spirit and husbands honor their wives as fellow heirs of life.
The meek remnant shall inherit the earthGod removes the proud and untamed, but leaves a humble, meek remnant who will take refuge in Him and feed without trembling.
