life's healing choices week three from Ventura First on Vimeo.

I Consciously Choose to Commit All My Life and Will to Christ's Care and Control.

Matt 5:5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

The word "meek" is best defined by a process that tames a wild horse

Meekness is "strength under control"

Freedom is not a life without restraint – but a life that has found a reason to restrain its power or strength

Meekness Begins with Our Attitude Toward God

Meekness is about Power harnessed by Love

Elijah and Elisha.

2Kings 2:23-24 From there Elisha went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, some youths came out of the town and jeered at him. "Go on up, you baldhead!" they said. "Go on up, you baldhead!" 24 He turned around, looked at them and called down a curse on them in the name of the LORD. Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the youths. 25 And he went on to Mount Carmel and from there returned to Samaria.

Samson

Judg. 15:3-5 Samson said to them, “This time I have a right to get even with the Philistines; I will really harm them.” 4 So he went out and caught three hundred foxes and tied them tail-to-tail in pairs. He then fastened a torch to every pair of tails, 5 lit the torches and let the foxes loose in the standing grain of the Philistines. He burned up the shocks and standing grain, together with the vineyards and olive groves.

No one displayed meekness like Jesus.

Matt. 26:47-56 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him." 49 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed him. 50 Jesus replied, "Friend, do what you came for."
Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. 51 With that, one of Jesus' companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. 52 "Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. 53 Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?" 55 At that time Jesus said to the crowd, "Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. 56 But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled." Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.

Meekness Requires Knowing Jesus

Matt. 11:28-30 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 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. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Meekness Requires Trust

Ps 37:11 But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace.

Meekness Requires Surrender

2Cor. 10:1 By the meekness and gentleness of Christ, ... 3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God,...

Four Steps of the Commitment Choice

1. I accept God's Son as my Savior

Acts 16:31 They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved...

2. I accept God's Word as my Standard.

2 Tim 3:16-17 (MSG) Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. 17 Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.

3. I accept God's Will as my Strategy.

Prov 3:5,6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart,And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

4. I accept God's Power as my Strength.

Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Rev 3:20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.

Audio File: 

2010-02-14.mp3

You can download the audio and sermon notes by clicking the links above.

Subscribe to our Podcast to have new sermons automatically downloaded onto your audio player.