What if everything the world teaches about power, strength, and victory is completely backward? In this illuminating study of Matthew 5:5, we explore Jesus’s counterintuitive words: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”

Our culture prizes self-assertion, conquest, and control. The philosophy of the world could be summed up in the oft-quoted (though misattributed) line: “When Alexander saw the breadth of his domain, he wept, for there were no more worlds to conquer.” This mindset—take until nothing is left to take, conquer until there is no one left to conquer—is deeply ingrained in human nature. But in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus flips this value system on its head.

The original audience would have found His words shocking. The Jewish people had lived under centuries of oppression—first by Babylon, then Assyria, Greece, and Rome. They knew firsthand the brutality of a dog-eat-dog world. To hear “blessed are the meek” would have sounded nonsensical. Meekness wasn’t strength in their eyes; it seemed like surrender. Yet Jesus calls His followers to embrace a radically different posture.

So what does meekness actually mean? Contrary to modern assumptions, it is not weakness, passivity, or being a pushover. Biblical meekness—praus in Greek—is strength under God’s control, a quiet and gentle confidence born from deep trust in the Lord. It is not self-assertiveness or self-interest but a Spirit-led disposition that accepts God’s dealings as good, without disputing or resisting. Meekness requires removing ourselves from the throne of our lives and yielding to God’s kingship.

We see this illustrated in Moses, who was described as “very meek, more than all the people who were on the face of the earth” (Numbers 12:3). When his leadership was challenged, Moses didn’t defend himself or fight for his position. Instead, he trusted God to act on his behalf and even interceded for his sister when she was struck with leprosy. Abraham showed similar meekness in allowing Lot to choose the best land first, and David displayed it when he turned to the Lord for strength instead of defending himself against his own men.

But the ultimate example of meekness is Jesus Himself. During His wilderness temptation, He refused shortcuts to glory and submitted fully to the Father’s plan. On Palm Sunday, riding humbly into Jerusalem on a donkey, Jesus revealed both humility and authority. In Gethsemane, He prayed, “Not my will, but Yours be done,” willingly surrendering to the Father’s will even though it meant the agony of the cross. Meekness doesn’t mean weakness—it means incredible strength restrained in perfect trust.

This third Beatitude reveals a beautiful spiritual progression: first, we recognize our spiritual poverty (poor in spirit); then, we mourn over our sin and find comfort in Christ; now, as we submit to God’s sovereign will, we embrace meekness and receive the promise that we will inherit the earth.

Inheritance is key here. Unlike the world’s way—where you take, fight, and grab for power—this is something given, not earned. Inheriting the earth means receiving what belongs to Christ as co-heirs with Him. It points both to a present reality and a future hope. Even now, as citizens of God’s kingdom, we can rest in His provision. One day, in the “not yet,” we will fully receive our portion in the new heavens and new earth, where all things a

We are Trinity Community Church in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Subscribe to our Podcast & YouTube channel to find past sermons, classes, interviews, and more!
Find us on Facebook & Instagram

Why do we give? Is it the warm feeling when friends applaud, or the thrill of an online shout-out? In Matthew 6:1-4, Jesus drills past the act of giving to expose its motive, and Pastor Tyler Lynde invites us to do the same.

Jesus starts with a warning: if our charity aims at human approval, we should enjoy the “likes” quickly, because that applause is the full payout. Tyler explains how first-century Pharisees literally hired trumpeters to announce almsgiving. Today’s versions are subtler—photo ops, branded T-shirts, humble-brag posts—but the heart pattern is identical.

Then comes the guarantee: earthly praise is a cheap prize compared to heaven’s reward. Proverbs 27:2 and Luke 12:1 reinforce the danger of hypocrisy—the spiritual yeast that puffs up performance while leaving motives sour.

Next, Jesus issues a disarming instruction: give in secret, so secret that your left hand can’t gossip to your right. Tyler illustrates this through a childhood memory: his struggling family once discovered twelve bags of groceries on the porch, no signature attached. The anonymous giver skipped human credit but secured the Father’s smile.

Finally, Jesus offers radical assurance: “Your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” That promise reframes generosity as an act of worship before an audience of One. Tyler urges us to imagine how faith would rise if we truly believed God watched every covert kindness.

Key takeaways:

1. Check the motive. Ask daily: “Am I giving to be seen, or because I’ve been seen by grace?” (Eph 2:8-10).
2. Guard the method. Practice covert giving—anonymous gifts, private cash apps, or needs met before anyone can ask.
3. Trust the reward. God’s ledger is eternal; nothing done from love goes unnoticed (James 1:27).

Ready to ditch the trumpet? Press play, let Tyler walk you through Jesus’ four-fold framework, and discover the freedom of generosity that seeks no spotlight. Share the message so more hearts can experience the joy of giving God’s way.

We are Trinity Community Church in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Subscribe to our Podcast & YouTube channel to find past sermons, classes, interviews, and more!
Find us on Facebook & Instagram

What does it truly mean to mourn in a way that brings blessing? In this profound exploration of the second Beatitude, we discover that godly grief reaches far beyond merely feeling sad about circumstances—it’s about recognizing sin for what it truly is and experiencing the transformative comfort that only God can provide.

Through the contrasting stories of King Saul and King David, we witness two fundamentally different responses to confrontation about sin. Saul’s desperate grasping at Samuel’s cloak represents worldly grief focused on consequences rather than true repentance. David’s straightforward confession—“I have sinned against the Lord”—shows us genuine godly sorrow that leads to restoration.

The spiritual posture of mourning invites us to stop whitewashing our sin like the Pharisees’ “whitewashed tombs” and instead to acknowledge our brokenness before a holy God. This vulnerability opens the door to experiencing God’s comfort—not as mere emotional soothing but as profound peace through reconciliation.

Just as Jesus restored Peter after his denial and healed the woman who touched his garment in faith, God extends comfort to those who mourn with honest hearts. Through Christ’s sacrifice, the veil has been torn, granting us direct access to God’s comforting presence even in our darkest moments.

The ultimate hope for mourners lies in Revelation’s promise of a new creation where God “will wipe away every tear” and where “mourning, crying, and pain” will be no more. This is our destination—a place where godly grief completes its transformative work and gives way to eternal comfort.

Have you allowed yourself to truly mourn your sin rather than merely its consequences? How might embracing godly grief lead you to experience God’s comfort in ways that superficial happiness never could?

We are Trinity Community Church in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Subscribe to our Podcast & YouTube channel to find past sermons, classes, interviews, and more!
Find us on Facebook & Instagram