July 20, 2014 | Fruit of the Holy Spirit | Gentleness

Good Morning and a very blessed Sunday regards!

A beautiful day with a beautiful opportunity to visit the house of our Lord. We started off with beautiful praise and worship, following is the playlist:

1) You, You are God - Gateway Worship

2) Blessed Assurance - Lanny Crosby

3) I will magnify - Elhmir Saison

4) Here I am (Majesty) - Delirious?

Beautiful praise and worship and we move to the offerings and announcements Here are today's announcements:
- Women's fellowship will begin  at 4:30 PM on 26th (Saturday) of this month.
- Next Sunday will be communion service.

Post announcements, we have an action song by children from the Church. As you all know, the ongoing theme is "Fruit of the Holy Spirit", the action song was based on all aspects of Holy Spirit fruit. Below is one of the photograph during children dance. 

Okay, as per our theme "FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT", today we will be discussing about "GENTLENESS".

Galatians 5:22-23, "22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." 

We must understand, if "it" is fruit of the Holy Spirit, it has to come from Holy Spirit. And when Holy Spirit works in our lives, the fruit starts developing in our life. This is not just any fruit and neither there are fruits of Holy Spirit, infact it is one of the aspect of the fruit of Holy Spirit, "Gentleness". What we are hoping for is that you will allow the Holy Spirit to do His work in you, changing & making you into the kind of person God wants you to be. And when that happens, the fruit of the Spirit will be evident in your life. 

If we notice the meaning of Gentleness on literature and other texts are Kind, helpful to others, gracious etc. Whoever shows these attributes has the fruit of gentleness in his/her life. Gentleness, also translated “meekness,” does not mean weakness. Rather, it involves humility and thankfulness toward God, and polite, restrained behavior toward others. The opposites of gentleness are anger, a desire for revenge, and self-aggrandizement. We need not to be dismayed by what people say, rather we need to do what Bible says, indeed God will give us strength. God wants this fruit to work in our heart.

The Greek language in which the New Testament was originally written, was a precise & expressive language. When the Greeks developed a word, they not only gave it a careful definition, but they almost always illustrated it. The literal pronunciation is "Prautēs".

Their definition of gentleness was "power under control," Aristotle illustrated it with the picture of an elephant that had been tamed. Gentleness to them was a powerful animal with its power completely under control. An elephant is an easy tempered and easily domesticated as well as a gentle animal, but can destroy if left unattended. We can be gentle and kind if we remain under control of the Holy Spirit, but if we stay under control of flesh and world, we can literally destroy our lives. 

If we notice carefully in the book of Acts, all disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit. Infact Jesus Himself was filled with the Holy Spirit.

GOD IS GENTLE

We have few references:

Isaiah 50:11, "Behold, all you who kindle a fire, who equip yourselves with burning torches! Walk by the light of your fire, and by the torches that you have kindled! This you have from my hand: you shall lie down in torment."

2 Samuel 22:36, "You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your gentleness made me great."

Psalms 18:35, "You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand supported me, and your gentleness made me great."

John 13:14-15, "14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you."

Acts 10:38, "You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him."

Now let’s look at some demonstrations of gentleness in the Bible. Once again, Jesus is our perfect example. 

When Jesus arrived in Jerusalem and asked his disciples to bring him a foal, the colt of a donkey to ride upon into the gates of Jerusalem. As Jesus entered the city the crowds began shouting, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!” and waved palm branches and spread out their coats on the streets. 

The crowds believed Jesus was the “King,” that is, they believed he was the Messiah who had come to establish Israel’s independence from Rome, to liberate them in a very real way as their leader. They wanted a Messiah who would be their political hero. In fact, the whole scene replicates a King or General’s triumphant entry into a city. It all seemed so perfect and hopeful.

And even today we want this kind of Jesus, this type of Messiah. We want a Jesus who will bless our politics, bless our wars and battles, and will be “on our side” against all our foreign enemies. We seek a Messiah who will make us the world’s super power and bless our armies, weapons and military conquests.

The only problem is: Jesus isn't that kind of Messiah.

The irony may have been lost on the people at the time, the way it is lost on most of us today, but Jesus’ “triumphal entry” was not that of a General or a warrior. No, such men ride stallions. Jesus rode in on a donkey. This symbolized that Jesus came on a mission of peace. The donkey revealed Jesus to be a humble peasant on a peace mission, not a military warrior.

This donkey, this symbol of peace is important on several levels. The donkey is the animal that is often used to mock and ridicule others. The word "donkey" is not a flattering one, we use it to ridicule people. 

But, in the way that Jesus had of constantly turning everything upside down, Jesus rides in on a donkey for his triumphal entry and not only establishes this irony, but lifts up the lowly, in this case, the lowly donkey in the process. This donkey becomes the sacred throne for, not only a King, but the very Son of God.

We need to be gentle just like Jesus was. Not only in front of few people or group, but in our home, Church, outside and everywhere, we need to be gentle. Gentleness and kindness is very important for winning others. 

Matthew 5:5 says, "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."

Wherever you go, be in the plan of God. If you go out of plan of God, you will be doomed. Another important thing we need to see is that we need to cooperate with the Holy Spirit. 

Where and with who we have to be gentle?

1) Be gentle towards others.

Use your power and authority you have been given by God to help others.

References:

Ephesians 4:2, "With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love."

Proverbs 15:1, "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."

Colossians 3:12, "Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience."

Galatians 6:1, "Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted."

Roman 12:10, "Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor."

Every person is powerful. We can speak words that influence others; we can act in ways that help or hurt; and we can choose what influences will inform our words and actions. Gentleness constrains and channels that power. To be gentle is to recognize that God's ways and thoughts are high above our own. It is to humbly realize that our worldviews are shaped by exposure to sin and the misinterpretation of experience. It is to accept God's worldview, reflecting truth about the spiritual and the material worlds.

It is to our advantage to have a gentle attitude toward God because He is omniscient and we are not. "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?" God challenges Job. "Tell Me, if you have understanding". God knows everything of the past, present, and future; we can't even get the weather forecast right. Like a petulant teenager to his parents, we may cry out, "You just don't understand!" but God does understand, more than we could possibly know.

Once we are under control of the Holy Spirit, we can be gentle towards others like God has been with us. 

2) Be gentle in a marriage relationship.

We are to have unity in Christ. We are supposed to get along with one another, especially in marriage. There ought to be fellowship among us. Paul says we are to be like minded. We are to show the love to one another – because Christ has loved us. We are to display mercy and grace – because that is what God has shown us. We are to put on the mind of Christ and if we did that we will be like-minded – in unity and harmony. 

References:

1 Peter 3:4, "But let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious."

Ephesians 4:32, "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."

Ephesians 5:25, "Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her."

The duty of wives is, submission to their husbands in the Lord, which includes honouring and obeying them, from a principle of love to them. The duty of husbands is to love their wives. The love of Christ to the church is an example, which is sincere, pure, and constant, notwithstanding her failures. Christ gave himself for the church, that he might sanctify it in this world, and glorify it in the next, that he might bestow on all his members a principle of holiness, and deliver them from the guilt, the pollution, and the dominion of sin, by those influences of the Holy Spirit, of which baptismal water was the outward sign. The church and believers will not be without spot or wrinkle till they come to glory. But those only who are sanctified now, shall be glorified hereafter. The words of Adam, mentioned by the apostle, are spoken literally of marriage; but they have also a hidden sense in them, relating to the union between Christ and his church. It was a kind of type, as having resemblance. There will be failures and defects on both sides, in the present state of human nature, yet this does not alter the relation. All the duties of marriage are included in unity and love. And while we adore and rejoice in the condescending love of Christ, let husbands and wives learn hence their duties to each other. Thus the worst evils would be prevented, and many painful effects would be avoided.

Illustration: One day there was an argument between the wind and the sun. Both said they were stronger than the other. They saw a man traveling on the road and decided to make a test to see which was stronger and able to get the man’s coat off. The wind began to blow and blow very hard. He nearly ripped the coat from the man’s back but the man grabbed the coat and wrapped it even more tightly around himself and kept going. The wind got tired because the man just kept his coat on. Then the sun tried. He shone brightly and the clouds disappeared. Soon the air was warm and dry and the sun kept on shining. Soon the man had sweat running down his face. He was so hot that he finally took off his coat and carried it, looking for a shady spot to rest.

Sometimes we need to be gentle in order to make someone do things willingly.

3) In conversation, we need to be gentle.

First of all, to realize how gentle God has been with us, how many times He could have condemned us, how many times He could have punished us. But gently, time & again, He reaches out & takes us in His arms & holds us close to His heart. He gently leads us. Secondly, I want you to realize how important it is that we become gentle caregivers, & begin to exhibit the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. It’s a harsh & cold world out there. And somehow humanity needs to see that Jesus makes a difference. He brings our tempers & our temperaments & our personalities under control. While we speak with someone, we need to follow the way Jesus spoke, gently. 

Colossians 3:12, "Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience."

2 Timothy 2:24, "And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil."

Proverbs 15:1, "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."

A right cause will be better pleaded with gentleness than with passion. Nothing stirs up anger like grievous words. He that has knowledge, is to use it aright, for the good of others. We must not only do no hurt to any, but do what good we can to all. Those who are the elect of God, holy and beloved, ought to be lowly and compassionate towards all. While in this world, where there is so much corruption in our hearts, quarrels will sometimes arise. But it is our duty to forgive one another, imitating the forgiveness through which we are saved. Let the peace of God rule in your hearts; it is of his working in all who are his. Thanksgiving to God, helps to make us agreeable to all men. The gospel is the word of Christ. Many have the word, but it dwells in them poorly; it has no power over them. The soul prospers, when we are full of the Scriptures and of the grace of Christ. But when we sing psalms, we must be affected with what we sing. Whatever we are employed about, let us do every thing in the name of the Lord Jesus, and in believing dependence on him. Those who do all in Christ's name, will never want matter of thanksgiving to God, even the Father.

How can we be Gentle?

Well, for this we need to cultivate the teachable spirit.

References: 

Proverbs 4:13, "Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life."

Proverbs 13:13, "Whoever despises the word brings destruction on himself, but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded."

James 1:21, "Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls."

We must look upon our teachers as our fathers: though instruction carry in it reproof and correction, bid it welcome. Solomon's parents loved him, therefore taught him. Wise and godly men, in every age of the world, and rank in society, agree that true wisdom consists in obedience, and is united to happiness. Get wisdom, take pains for it. Get the rule over thy corruptions; take more pains to get this than the wealth of this world. An interest in Christ's salvation is necessary. This wisdom is the one thing needful. A soul without true wisdom and grace is a dead soul. How poor, contemptible, and wretched are those, who, with all their wealth and power, die without getting understanding, without Christ, without hope, and without God! Let us give heed to the sayings of Him who has the words of eternal life. Thus our path will be plain before us: by taking, and keeping fast hold of instruction, we shall avoid being straitened or stumbling. He that stands in awe of God, and reverences his word, shall escape destruction, and be rewarded for his godly fear. Moreover, under God's control we will be gentle as well as blessed by this aspect of the fruit of Holy Spirit and influence others.

To live in a spirit of gentleness toward God is to accept His judgment on people and issues. We tend to think it is gentle to go easy on people and try to justify actions that God has called sin. Or to let someone continue in sin without speaking the truth. But Paul says, "If anyone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness". This doesn't mean to be so soft that the sinner doesn't realize he's sinned. It means to confront the brother in a manner that is in line with Scripture—to be mild, loving, encouraging, and clear about the holiness that God calls us to.

Post sermon, we were acknowledged that our Church member, brother Anthony Joseph's birthday was today. Pastor prayed for him and entire church was involved. Below is one of the photograph.

Are you a gentle person this morning? Have you treated others with gentleness? God created them. God loves them. And more than anything, God wants to restore them & He wants to use you with your gift of gentleness to bring them back to Him. Let us all pray together...

Dear Lord, 

We know You want us to learn from you the Gentleness of heart. No matter how we fail You, Your gentleness never fails us. You are slow to anger; Your kindness is without limit. You tell us not to be distressed, To make your gentleness our own so that our souls may find rest. Give us the wisdom to make time in our day for a gentle nursing of our soul. Free us from arrogance, from goals too sublime for us. Still and quiet our soul as a mother quiets the little ones on her lap. Free us from the need for achievement. Make our lives less forceful, more gentle, centered in You alone. Let the splendor of Your presence light up our everydayness. Make us a smooth channel for the outflow of your Divine Will in this world.

With your most precious and gracious name, Jesus, we ask, Amen!

We hope you enjoyed today's service, see you next week. God Bless!