Gentle Like Jesus

Ephesians  •  Sermon  •  Submitted
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Gentleness

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Gentleness as a requirement of a worthy walk

Updates:
Meeting with Elders to focus on
Developing Relationships
Training as Elders
Praying together
Opening:
Toddler:
The stage where they walk, but it’s just a little off
Where you’re constantly following them to prevent bodily harm
When they grab something… you don’t want them to break it - or harm themselves.
There have been times when I have been a toddler with the truth of God’s word causing Harm to myself and to others…
Today’s topic is something that our world has desperately lacked, and if I’m honest - the community of Christians as well.

An expression of compassion, seen in God’s dealings with the frail and weak, and expected of believers in their dealings with others.

It is a characteristic of peaceable and controlled kindness, the opposite of arrogance or domination.

The Wisdom of Gentleness:
James 3:17 ESV
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.
Wisdom is consistent with Gentleness
Practical Wisdom:
Proverbs 15:1 ESV
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
- Giving people a peace of my mind.
Proverbs 25:15 ESV
With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.
Well, I’m just a plan spoken, bottom line kinda person.
You don’t have to be a jerk for Jesus, there’s a way to be compassionately, “Plain Spoken”
The way we say something is as important as what we say.
The Gentleness of Jesus: Character of God:
The Scriptures Declare His Gentleness
Zechariah 9:9 ESV
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
Fulfilled in Mt. 21:4-5
Jesus Said He was Gentle
Matthew 11:29 ESV
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Examples of Jesus being Gentle:
Gentleness leads to compassion for the wayward, the lost, the sick
Mark 1:40–42 ESV
And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, “I will; be clean.” And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean.
Matthew 9:36 ESV
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Is the mark of Christian Character:
Colossians 3:12 ESV
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,
1 Timothy 6:11 ESV
But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.

Gentleness is described in Galatians as part of the fruit of the Spirit borne by the Christian (Gal. 5:22–23), and thus by implication as evidence of the indwelling of the Spirit of Christ.

To be gentle, therefore, should be the ambition of all Christians (Eph. 4:2; 2 Tim. 2:24), and should characterize the whole community of believers (Phil. 4:5; Titus 3:2), women (1 Pet. 3:4) and men, leaders and led.

Jesus taught that Leadership among his disciples was to be quite different from the world:
Mark 10:42–45 ESV
And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
It’s an essential quality for leaders
2 Timothy 2:24–25 ESV
And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,
How we deal with believers:
Correcting the wayward (how many people have left the church on this one?
2 Samuel 18:5 ESV
And the king ordered Joab and Abishai and Ittai, “Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom.” And all the people heard when the king gave orders to all the commanders about Absalom.
He was killed / David mourned greatly desiring to be killed in his place.
Galatians 6:1 ESV
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.
The woman caught in adultery:
John 8:3–11 ESV
The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”
In reasoning with unbelievers
1 Peter 3:15–16 ESV
but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.
Nurturing New Believers
1 Thessalonians 2:7 ESV
But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children.
Showing Consideration to All:
Titus 3:1–2 ESV
Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.
Galatians 6:9–10 ESV
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Even while driving!
Ephesians 4:32 ESV
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Philippians 4:5 ESV
Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;
Gentleness: maturity (Toddler reference) to “Give up your right to be right”
This isn’t admitting defeat, but surrendering to sovereignty
The need for gentleness implies that there are scenarios in which it will take the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to produces this fruit.
The Romans 12:9-21 Prayer “The Prayer Bible”
Lord, I will love everyone as You loved me. I will not pretend to love people I don’t. I will seek the good things of life, and I will turn my back on evil things. I will love others as Your children should, and have deep respect for others. I will serve You with untiring effort, and will be enthusiastic in all I do. I will gladly accept all Your plans for me and I will be patient in trouble while always praying to do Your will. Lord, when Your saints are in need, I will share with them the things I have and open my home to them. Lord, I will always bless those who persecute me, and will never curse them. I will share the happiness of those who are happy, and I will empathize with those who are sad. I will treat everyone with equal kindness and will not condescend to the poor. I will not allow myself to be self-satisfied, but will show Christ to the world. Lord, I will never pay back evil for evil. I want everyone to see my integrity. I will try to get along with everyone, and be at peace with them. I will not try to get even when someone wrongs me. I will leave revenge to You because the Scriptures teach, “Vengeance belongs to You, and You will pay them back for their evil. Also, the Scriptures teach, “If your enemy is hungry, you must give him food, and if your enemy is thirsty, you must give him water to drink, and this heap hot coals on his head. I will resist evil and conquer it by doing good.
Lord, I pray for those who hate me or try to harm me. Enable them to do good, and bless them with Your presence. I yield them to You. Amen.
‘’compassion on yourself
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