As a follow-up to our classs this morning we are going to examine further the gentle example of our Savior and talk more about hunger and thirst.

1)  JESUS AS GENTLE
     A.  Jesus' audience wanted a militant Messiah, but that's not what they got.  
          1.  He came gently - Matt 11:29, 2 Cor 10:1
               a.  look at a typical military procession - a parade to a king's palace in military procession on a galant steed, recieving a victor's crown.  Zech 9:9, Matt 21:5
               b.  He always was that way - Phil 2: 5-8 - Jesus displayed meekness in heaven, he never used His power to seek vengeance on His enemies.  Isa 53:7, He did not allow His disciples to to seek vengeance on His behalf.  Mt 26: 52-54
               c.  Did not revile on the cross  I Pet 2:23,  What did He do?  Lk 23:34
               d.  He even wanted to forgive them - He trustd God, He committed himself to His Father 
1 Peter 2:23
      B.  What did Jesus receive for His gentleness?  He received beating, mockings and death, but He also received a blessing.  Psa 2:8,  Mt 28:18,  Phil 2: 9-11

2)  GENTLENESS DEFINED
     A.  Connected with humuility, patience, kindness and forbearance  -  Eph 4:2, Col 3:12
          1.  Here we begin to see a picture of the meek - 
               a.  contrasted with the rod in 1 Corinthians  4:21,  part of the fruit of the Spirit Gal 5:23
               b.  the attitude the Lord's bond-servant corrects those who ar in opposition - 2 Tim 2:25
               c.  it's the attitude in which the Word is received Jas 1:21
               d.  But, what is meekness?
     B.  Read Psalm 37 - 
          1.  Psa 37:11 - this psalm led to the beatitude
              a.  It's trusting in the Lord vss. 3,5  - the meek do not sow wild oats, theycultivate faithfulness
              b.  it means delighting in the Lord vs 4 - as in Psalm 1, the meek delight in the Lord's Word.
              c.  they commit their way to the Lord vs 5 - a contrasy is shown in Jas 3: 13-14
              d.  vss 7, 34 meekness means waiting on the Lord and taking refuge .  This seems to be at the   heart of it.  
              e.  the meek know that judgment will come in due time and do not fret over what others are doing
                   vss, 1-2, 7-9
               f.  the meek have God's law in their heart - vs 31, Psa 119:11, Jas 1:21
               g. the gentle speak wisdom - vs. 30 they speak what is edifying, giving grace to those who hear
                   Eph 4:29
               h.  vs 37 - the meek OR gentle are at peace

3)  THEY SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH -
      A.  How does that occur
           1.  the meek have the proper relationship with things of the earth - the natural man does not understand this.  He has his mind set on earthly gain, the spiritually mindede look to things above - Col 3:2.  We are not owned by our possessions, but own them in the sense we use them for good for others  2Cor 9:8  
           2.  key verse- 2 Corinthians 6: 4-10  - WE HAVE ALL THINGS THOUGH IT MIGHT SEEM WE HAVE NOTHING.  Most importantly we have Heaven waiting for us.
                   
Some one defined it this way - "It is the attitude of heart so emptied of self it turns to the only source of strength and support it knows-God.  Gentleness is not living a weak life because it cannot be helped.  It lives life of personal choice and stength held in check to follow the will of the One whose will is best.  Gentleness lives in voluntary obedience to the One whose will is right."