Bulletin from last Sunday, June 14, 2009

SOVEREIGN GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH
Of Princeton, New Jersey

Matthew 5: 6: Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

MEETING LOCATION
Rocky Hill Firehouse, 2nd floor
150 Washington Street, Rocky Hill, NJ, 08553

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
Sunday 10 AM Bible Class
11 AM Morning Service
Thursday 7:00 PM Mid-week Service

WEB ADDRESSES AND MAILING ADDRESS
www.sovereign-grace.us/
www.sermonaudio.com/sgbcpnj
http://www.freegraceradio.com/

Clay Curtis, Pastor
7 Birch Street
Pennington, New Jersey, 08534
Phone: 615-513-4464
Email: clay@sovereign-grace.us

THE MEEK
Matthew 5: 5: Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Meekness is the disposition of spirit in the believer toward God which results in a reigning spirit within the believer towards others.

Blessed are the Meek
First, a spirit of meekness is not of man, but of the Spirit of God (Gal 5: 22, 23.) Our text says that the man whom God has made blessed is meek. We do not become meek to become blessed but rather God's grace working in the sinner creates this meekness of spirit. The carnal man can not help but strive by his power and his might because he is under the dominion of sin. The meek man can not help but trust God and be bold to declare the truth because he is under the dominion of the Spirit of Christ Jesus, the Meek.

Secondly, since the believer has been brought to submit to God, a spirit of meekness endeavors to never compromise the plain truth of God no matter to whom we speak (1 Pe 3:15; I Cor 2: 3.) There is a fake meekness which is regarded highly by man. It is the disposition of spirit which compromises the gospel in order to get along with men. God the Holy Spirit calls it "using wisdom of words", "making the cross of Christ of no effect." In reality, while it is a show of meekness toward men it is really a bold, defiant, stiff-necked, hardhearted spirit toward God. It is anything but meekness. For examples of meekness to God see: Daniel 3: 16-18; Acts 4: 18-20.

Next, a spirit of meekness is needed to teach sinners. The carnal man whose apparent meekness is simply the acting of his own flesh shows his true heart because he will not have anyone rebuke him, he will not bow to instruction. He insists on continuing in his rebellion while imagining his outward show is true meekness. Still, those who are truly meek continue to deal gently toward one such as this by uncompromisingly continuing to set before them the truth of God come what may, because we know that such a one only opposes himself (2 Timothy 2: 24, 25.)

Fourthly, because the believer submits to God this spirit of meekness accepts God's dealing with us in providence as good, even when it causes us sorrow. If evil is inflicted upon the meek man, he knows that the evil inflicted upon him from others is permitted by God. It will serve to separate our affections from this world and cause us to rely more upon our God. So the meek man trusts God to provide for him (Is 41: 17; Ps 147: 6; 149: 4: Is 11: 4; Numbers 12: 1-4--notice in this last passage that the LORD heard and acted for Moses, with no mention of Moses reacting rashly. This point teaches us that such confidence toward God in the face of such opposition is the fruit the Spirit and the reason why Moses is called the meekest man.)

Lastly, the blessing which creates this fruit of meekness comes through faith in Christ alone. The meek man knows he is the righteousness of God in Christ; the meek man knows he is sanctified in Christ; the meek man knows he is complete in Christ; the meek man knows that as Christ is in heaven right now, so the meek man is even now in this world. Therefore, having Christ our All, why would the meek man strive with the potsherds of this earth? Why would he turn from God when the clouds grow dark? Being born of the Spirit of Christ, and kept through the Spirit, is what makes a man continue in meekness. It is not something to attain, it is who the meek man is. (Is 50: 4-9; Lu 22: 63; I Pet 2: 23-25; Mt 5: 38-42.)

For They Shall Inherit the Earth
Just as he has done throughout the beatitudes the Lord gives us another paradox. The words, "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" is strange to the carnal man who can not conceive of how those who are bankrupt sinners could be given the kingdom of God; "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted" is backwards to the man of this world who is only happy when he is getting his way. Now the Lord says, "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth."

The meek man appears to the world as one who will gain nothing, a push-over, etc...though the meek man is anything but that. The man who uses a heavy hand to insist on having his way appears to the world to be a blessed man with much gain.

Herein is the paradox. The man who appears to have gained much by the strength of his own hand, shall have nothing. Yet, the man who rests in the promise of God, trusting Christ alone, is the one Christ says shall be given everything freely by God in the new heavens and the new earth.

Inheritance is a gift from the Father. It can not be earned.

For a good contrast read the book of Esther. Notice the difference of spirit and the end of Mordecai the Meek and Haman the Haughty.

IDOLATRY OR ART?
Acts 17: 16: Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.

Athens (in Macedonia, what we know as Greece) represents the pinnacle of man's wisdom. Most have had to study Greek mythology in school. Some have had to study philosophy in school. This place where Paul stands is the center of it all.

Athens's had been the place of such schools of wisdom as: The Academy of Plato, The Lyceum of Aristotle, The Porch of Zeno (Stoics), The Garden of Epicurus (Epicureans). Athens is where the Parthenon stood. Greece, this city particularly, was noted for its art: Greek sculpture, Greek architecture, Greek theaters, all serving the common interest of their man-made gods. The public buildings were said to double as sanctuaries dedicated to one or more gods. Besides the ordinary mythical gods they also deified "Fame", "Modesty", "Energy", "Persuasion." and such.

You have seen how impressed many of our teachers have been with the Greek gods and with the wisdom of the philosophers. Many in our day still regard the Grecians as men advanced in wisdom. Yet, this is what the Holy Spirit of God says about the city of Athens: (v16), it was "wholly given to idolatry."

Schools still teach about these idols and these Greek gods, but of course we say it is not for religious reasons just for the sake of the artistry. Heinous crimes have been committed against individuals, particularly to their bodies. Can you imagine studying those things simply for the artistry? One might say, "That is not art!" The Holy Spirit says this was not art either.

Paul was not moved by the skill of the artist, but he saw these things and the makers of them and those who loved them as what the Spirit of God says they are "wholly given to idolatry."

You may have to learn about them in school but be sure you know that the Spirit of God says about the makers and lovers of them: Romans 1: 22: Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23: And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24: Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

SERMONS
Manna and the Bread from Heaven
The Meek
Wholly Given to Idolatry

ARTICLES FROM OTHERS
Is Salvation by Doing or Believing?
The Way Some Call Heresy
God Now Accepts Your Works
Check Your Garments
The Tower of Babel and God's Temple

SPECIAL MEETINGS
For info on special meetings around the country click here

SOVEREIGN GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH
Of Princeton, New Jersey

WELCOMES YOU TO OUR SUMMER MEETING
July 24-27, 2009.

The guest speakers will be Pastor Don Fortner from Grace Baptist Church in Danville, KY and Pastor Marvin Stalnaker from Katy Baptist Church in Fairmont, WV. The host pastor is Clay Curtis.

Location
Pennington Fire Co Banquet Hall, 2 Broemel Place, Pennington, NJ, 08534 (Across from the post office. Please park in the lot behind the Firehouse.)

Times for Services
Friday, 7:00pm Clay Curtis; 8:00 pm Don Fortner
Saturday, 10:00am Don Fortner; 11: 00 am Marvin Stalnaker
Sunday, 10:00 am Clay Curtis (Bible Class); 11 am Marvin Stalnaker

Refreshments and light snacks will be served after the service on Friday night. Lunch will be served after the services on Saturday and Sunday.

Nearby Hotels
Courtyard by Marriott, (609) 771-8100, 360 Scotch Road, Ewing, NJ, 08628
Comfort Inn, (609)-866-3700, 3270 US Route 1 North, Lawrenceville, NJ, US, 08648

For more information contact
Clay Curtis
clay@sovereign-grace.us
(615) 513-4464