The power of being gentle:

12 And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman.

2 And they said, Hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the Lord heard it.

3 (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)

4 And the Lord spake suddenly unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto Miriam, Come out ye three unto the tabernacle of the congregation. And they three came out.

5 And the Lord came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both came forth.

6 And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.

7 My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house.

8 With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the Lord shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?

9 And the anger of the Lord was kindled against them; and he departed.

10 And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow: and Aaron looked upon Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous.

11 And Aaron said unto Moses, Alas, my lord, I beseech thee, lay not the sin upon us, wherein we have done foolishly, and wherein we have sinned.

12 Let her not be as one dead, of whom the flesh is half consumed when he cometh out of his mother's womb.

13 And Moses cried unto the Lord, saying, Heal her now, O God, I beseech thee.

14 And the Lord said unto Moses, If her father had but spit in her face, should she not be ashamed seven days? let her be shut out from the camp seven days, and after that let her be received in again.

15 And Miriam was shut out from the camp seven days: and the people journeyed not till Miriam was brought in again.

16 And afterward the people removed from Hazeroth, and pitched in the wilderness of Paran.

Pray:

The first thing I want to do before I get started on this morning’s message is to do my best to enlighten the text. In order to understand the word of God we must understand the culture of the time when the text was written. We must also understand the geography of the time in which a text was written. And finally we must understand the language of the text.

Now according to our KJV the text here is translated “ETHIOPIAN” But that was translated as if it were Greek. The word there is not Greek it is Hebrew. As the Old Testament is Hebrew and not Greek.

The proper translation for this verse is that Moses had married a Cushite. This is important because during the early history of the Hebrews God had very strict laws that Hebrews were only to marry Hebrews. And Moses was certainly not guilty of breaking any of Gods laws here.

When we get into our study of Genesis, I will break this all down for you. But I want you to note that in the back of your mind. And that is that Moses had not broken any of Gods commandments by getting married to a Cushite woman.

This morning I want our focus to be on verse 3. Which tells us that Moses was the meekest of all men on earth.

In this respect Moses is in good company. Only one other person was ever called the meekest among us in the word of God. And that person was the Lord Jesus Christ. If you look at Matthew 5:5

Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Here our Lord is pronouncing a special blessing for the meek. Another word that we use to describe a meek person today is gentle.

When we consider our text today what we see is that Moses was one of the gentlest people living in his time.

Gentle meaning, he cared about other people. He had compassion for others. In fact, when God judged Miriam with leprosy the reaction of Moses was that of compassion. He prayed for her asking God for to be merciful.

In today’s world we tend to think of meekness and gentleness as a sign of weakness. But that is not the case. When we read the meek shall inherit the earth. Many people wonder how that could be.

Well, aren’t those the word of Jesus Christ? You want the world to be your oyster? Learn to be gentle. And if Jesus says it that settles it.

This goes against the grain of what has become a Darwinist society. The survival of the fittest the strongest and the smartest is what the world teaches. Especially modern America. It used to be that the world was excited to know that Americans were coming to their country to visit. But today Americans enjoy the hatred of most of the world. Our reputation today is that we are rude, pushy, and crude. And that is because we have abandoned our Christian values.

True strength is the ability to remain calm while under stress. People who are rude and pushy and mean are weak. They are ruled by their emotions rather than being strong enough to rule their emotions.

Pride and arrogance are symptoms of weakness.

When a person is truly gentle it is their strength that is on display. It is not weakness; it is strength under control.

A gentle person isn’t wishy washy or unstable. A gentle person doesn’t over-react to problems. And listen to me this morning. A gentle person isn’t driven by his or her ego. Have you ever noticed how selfish people go around reacting to every single perceived slight? Their weakness is that they are being controlled by gossip.

Have you ever had to deal with someone who is always moody? His or her mood dictates how they treat people in that given moment. That is not strength.

Think of a meek person as someone who has been trained by the Holy Spirit. Moses was much like a wild horse. And God took him and put him in the wilderness and trained him. Now he was just as strong as any other wild horse. The only difference is that now he is tame. And God can use him. It doesn’t mean we are doormats. It means we are under control. Under God’s control.

Now many of us need to understand how God uses our gentleness to use us. One such example is found in Proverbs 15:1

A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

You cannot win anyone by getting into a shouting match with them. You are wasting your time. When someone raises their voice at you. Lower your voice when you respond. And I don’t mean (LOWER) (MICROPHONE) I mean respond with kindness in your voice.

It is natural for us to respond to anger with anger. To respond to a loud voice with a loud voice. But we are no longer of this world. We belong to Christ. And my bible tells us that Christ uttered not a word, even while being falsely accused.

This is also what made Moses a great leader. The strength of self-control. And the wisdom to listen.

There are people in this world whose only joy is in hurting people. They are so broken that the only thing they can feel is hate. And these people are masters at finding your weakness and exploiting it. I have learned a lot about myself since become a Pastor. I have two weaknesses. When someone is mean to or mistreats children, I tend to lose my meekness quickly. And the second is when someone bad mouths a member of my congregation. Those are my buttons. Push them at your own risk. When we make mistakes it’s ok.

Ecclesiastes 10:4

4 If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.

React to those in authority with gentleness. Don’t lose your patience and give up. Maintain a gentle quiet spirit.

We know that when we decide to live for God, we are going to have persecution. There are people out there who will push every single button you have just so they can say to themselves. “Some kind of Christian he/she is.” These people are looking for chinks in your armor. They are so miserable that anger is the only friend they have.

These people are like energy thieves. They enjoy knowing that they have worn you out they get joy from your pain. You cannot serve God without having to deal with people like this. They are just begging for a fight. Any kind of fight.

Paul instructs us on how to handle this type:

1 Corinthians 4:13

13 Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.

Paul is saying here. Someone is talking bad about us. Defaming us. We are being treated like the worst filth in the world and we are to what? Intreat or to reply or respond with kindness.

We aren’t supposed to be looking for payback. We respond with kindness. Society today says that when someone is mistreating and abusing us that it makes us look foolish and weak. But God says responding with kindness makes them look foolish and weak. In other words, don’t let someone drag you down into the gutter with them. Instead, be so much like Christ that you reach out, not down to them and pull them up.

Listen to Titus 2:8 this is beautiful.

Titus 2:8

8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

If the worst thing anyone has to say about me is that I like to have coffee with my early bird church members. I can live with that. But I’m not so naïve to expect far worse.

And this is something that I too must be careful of: 2 Timothy 2:25

2 Timothy 2:25

25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

So as a Pastor I am not supposed to allow myself to get into arguments with others. This may be why Paul said that it is better for a man to stay single lol. Just kidding folks.

We are supposed to be kind and gentle. Wait, so I must be kind and gentle with Muslims, yep. What about atheists? Yep. But surely, I am not supposed to be nice to homosexuals? Yep. Folks I even have to be nice to deacons. Imagine that. EVERYONE is included in this command.

I am required to be patient with difficult people. And I am also required to gently instruct. Being apt to teach is vital to the role of the man of God. And people are not going to listen to a man who shouts and screams and carries on like a used car salesman.

We are not selling used cars. We are entrusted with being the kind of Christians that allows others to see Christ in us. One of my favorite passages is John 8:12

John 8:12

12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

How can you carry the light of Christ, without His gentle nature?

I know you are thinking. Poor Pastor. It must be difficult to never be able to defend yourself. Wait a minute. All Christians are commanded to do the same. Why? Because being gentle is how God uses us to win people.

You cannot sell God like you are selling a used car people. You are just going to run them off.

When I had my pest control company, I built it on word of mouth. I had no money to advertise. In fact, I couldn’t even afford all the equipment I needed to get started. The spray rigs were several thousand dollars. And by the time I got my license and bond I had nothing left over. So, I began selling the little bait stations door to door. Without advertising how did I survive?

Word of mouth. And folks it works the same way for those who are doing a work for God.

You know those people at Westside Baptist? They are the kindest, sweetest most gentle people I’ve ever met.

God doesn’t want or need us out there screaming at the top of our lungs at people. God wants us to demonstrate strength under control.

Proverbs 25:15

Proverbs 25:15

15 By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.

Do you want to be effective at winning souls? You want to be able to win those people who nobody else can reach?

Patience, kindness, meekness, and a soft tongue.

If I stood up here every week and yelled and screamed that you are all going to hell. And you are all a bunch of sorry good for nothing reprobate sinners. How long would it take for you to either run me off or before you ran off?

Folks that isn’t Gods way. And that isn’t leadership. In fact, God clearly hated those who thought that they were better than everyone else. It seems to me that God condemned the Pharisees more than anyone else.

Instead try a gentle word to get through to the hardheaded and stubborn people of the world.

In the past we have talked about not disciplining your children in anger. The same goes for not screaming at them. It isn’t going to do any good. Children need love. Don’t pop your child on the back of the head or shove them. Love them.

Children are little people. We are supposed to mold them to be like Christ.

Having problems at work with your boss?

Proverbs 16:21

21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.

God is saying if you want to be convincing than be sweet, be kind. You aren’t going to get anywhere being rude.

Nobody wants to deal with a rude person. Nobody wants to be around someone who is unkind. You aren’t going to win anyone with a holier than thou attitude. Especially your boss.

Did you know that being gentle attracts people?

1 Timothy 6:11

11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

In the good old day’s women would say. I’m looking for a gentleman. What she was saying is I am looking for a GENTLE-MAN. That is a man who is gentle. And that is what God commands us to be. Follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience and what? Gentleness.

Endurance, determination, strength under control. To a good woman that is attractive. A good woman isn’t looking for a wife beater. Strength yes. But strength with control.

Now for the ladies:

1 Peter 3:4

4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

God says be known for your inner beauty. That you are to have a gentle and quiet spirit. This is attractive to the right kind of man. All our look’s fade. True value is having a gentle spirit.

Making Instagram videos where you are screaming out the latest rap lyrics while twerking is not going to attract a Godly man.

What else can we say about being meek or gentle? God communicates love by being gentle with us and we are to do the same with our wife and family.

Colossians 3:19

19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.

Again, gentleman are gentlemen. Don’t talk to your wife like she is a dog and expect kindness in return. Be loving and forgiving with one another.

Ephesians 6:4

4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Do you see the power of meekness or being gentle? Give your children love and kindness and they will want to make you proud.

What else can we say about gentleness?

Proverbs 11:16

16 A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches.

What is honor? It is respect right? So being gentle earns the respect of others.

I know this flies in the face of what the world says. But being gentle means having the power of God in your life.

And by the way there is no way anyone can have this power in his or her life without having Christ as their Savior. We are transformed in Christ through faith when we believe. And at this point we have the power to become like Christ. And we do so by the renewing of our mind.

We must forget the worlds understanding of success. We must forget what the world says about how to be a good husband or a good wife or a good businessman or a good leader. And we must learn Gods ways. And God tells us to be gentle. To be meek. To be kind. To be gracious. To be loving.

The beatitudes are your key to true success in this life.

Be holy, be kind be reverent be loving. And we can be those things because God has been those things to us. Reflect Christ this morning. Be a demonstration of His strength this morning. Be the stallion who has submitted his strength to the will of a loving God. Be meek. Be gentle.

Great leaders are gentle. George Washington was gentle. Ghandi was gentle. We know from reading the Old Testament that Boaz was gentle when he courted Ruth. And by the way Ruth was not a Moabite she was a Hebrew who happened to live in the region known as Moab after the Hebrews conquered it. So for those who look for non-Hebrews in the line of Christ. It doesn’t exist.

The bible gives us yet another example of the importance of gentleness with regards to being a good leader. Rehoboam was the son of King Solomon and as you know Solomon was the son of David the man who brought the Kingdom of Israel together. But Rehoboam was young and lacked the experience to be a leader. Lets read 1 Kings 12:6

6And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men, that stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, and said, How do ye advise that I may answer this people? 7And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever. 8But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him, and which stood before him: 9And he said unto them, What counsel give ye that we may answer this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke which thy father did put upon us lighter? 10And the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou speak unto this people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little fingershall be thicker than my father's loins. 11And now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father hath chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.

12So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king had appointed, saying, Come to me again the third day. 13And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men's counsel that they gave him;

Notice it says in verse 13 that the King answered the people roughly. He failed to listen to the advice of the old men. And instead listened to his young friends. The result of young Rehoboam’s mistake was open rebellion and the division of the Kingdom. In todays terms we would say that the pastor took some bad advice. Was rough with his people and that caused a church split.

Remember from a few weeks ago we talked about sheep. And sheep love what? Still waters. He leadeth me beside still waters.

Gentle leaders produce gentile people. This morning I want us to understand. One of the keys to being a successful soul winner for Christ is to be a gentle soul. One of the keys to being a good Christian is to be a gentle soul. One of the keys to being a successful leader is to be a gentle person.

One of the keys to growing a church is to be meek or gentle to one another and to all who come through our doors.

You see fearless people can afford to be gentle. People who truly know that God is with them have no fear of being gentle.

And finally before I close I want to add this final point.

It is our gentleness that shows Christ in us to the world.

Titus 3:2

2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.

We should never speak evil of anyone. We should never wage personal attacks on others. See this not only applies to pastors but to everyone. We are to be gentle and show courtesy to everyone.

Wait a minute pastor. What if they voted for Biden. Yep. Wait a minute pastor what if they voted for Trump. Yep. You see we are involved in something way more important than the concerns of this world. We must earn the trust of those who we wish to win.

Remember this if you remember anything I am saying to you this morning. YOU ARE THE ONLY BIBLE SOME PEOPLE WILL EVER READ. So get it right.

Pray:

Alter call.