“Gentleness springs from trust in God.”
Sermon Title: A CHALLENGE OF GENTLENESS
Scripture Text: GALATIANS 5:22-23; VARIOUS TEXT
Sermon Notes:
GALATIANS 5:22-23 NIV
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self- control. Against such things there is no law.
MATTHEW 5:5 NIV
5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
PHILIPPIANS 4:5 NIV
5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
COLOSSIANS 3:12 NIV
12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
“Instead of losing, the gentle gain; instead of being ripped off and taken advantage of, they come out ahead.” — Charles Swindoll
gentleness | Greek: prautes
“humility, considerateness, meekness.”
gentleness | Greek: epieikes
“a balanced, intelligent, decent outlook on life”
Gentleness = Power Under Control
LAMENTATIONS 3:22-23 NIV
22 Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
SUBMISSION. SENSITIVITY. SHOWN.
I. SUBMISSION
MATTHEW 11:28-30 NIV
28 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."
MATTHEW 26:38-39 NIV
38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
“Meekness is someone who sets aside their will for the sake of someone else.” — Jen Wilkin
“We are meek only to the extent where we have surrendered our will to the will of God.”
"Gentleness springs from trust in God."
REFLECT:
Do you let God be in control of every area of your life?
II. SENSITIVITY
PHILIPPIANS 4:5 NIV
5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
“There is never a moment in which we face life without help. God is near.”
“Anxiety is needless because Jesus is near.”
REFLECT:
Do you have a situation that is greater than your provisions? Is it great because you have not turned your focus on Jesus?
III. SHOWN
COLOSSIANS 3:12 NIV
12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
1. In our attitude
TITUS 3:1-2 NIV
1 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.
2. In our behavior
EPHESIANS 4:1-2 NIV
1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
3. In our words
PROVERBS 15:1-2 NIV
1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.
COLOSSIANS 4:6 NIV
6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
REFLECT:
How is gentleness displayed in your attitude, in your words, and in your ways?
HEBREWS 13:20-21 NLT
Now may the God of peace… equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.