"Relaunch 2015"
pt. 5 - I Will Be Gentle
Galatians 5:22-23
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Introduction: I want to welcome you this morning to part 5 of a new sermon series based on the fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5. This series is all about life change and what God wants to do in our lives if we will let Him. Make no mistake my friends; the goal of God in salvation is Christlikeness. God wants to change us into the image (icon -- exact replica) of His Son in character, conduct and personality.
Have you ever walked into the produce section of a grocery store and just examined the different kinds of fruit? When you start to look, you will see a lot of familiar fruits like bananas, strawberries, oranges and apples. If it is a large produce section, you will find some fruits that are not too familiar. I have seen some strange looking kfruits that I am not sure I would ever want to try. I cannot even begin to name them all. There is one fruit that looks like a plastic star, which just does not look good. I have seen some things that kind of looked like bananas but they are not, their called plantains. I remember the first time I ever saw a kiwi and thinking that I would never eat something that looked that. Later on I tried some and found that they are delicious. Today were going to look at a spiritual fruit that is like some of those that we have seen at the store that don't look too appetizing or appealing to us but when we do try them we come to appreciate them far more than we ever thought we would. Gentleness is just such a fruit, fruit of the Spirit that is.
First let's consider:
I. Gentleness Defined
What is gentleness? Gentleness is the same word that is translated kind in 1 Corinthians 13. In the idea of gentleness you have the touch of the ideal mother. It is the opposite of harshness, crabbiness and ill temper. It is translated mildness of temper, calmness of spirit and an unruffled disposition and politeness. All those ideas are found in this word and it should be observed that many of these fruits generally describe the same kind of personality that avoids harshness and is calm and kind.
Let me also remind you that we can translate the first few words of verse 22, "The fruit of the Spirit..." to read "...the fruit that the Spirit produces..." This morning I want to you to ask yourself this question as we begin; "If I was kinder and gentler would it make a difference in my life?" Would it make a difference in my family life? Would it make a difference in my Christian testimony? The answer to all of these is yes it would! Next, I would like us to look at:
II. Gentleness Displayed
Nowhere is gentleness displayed any more than in the life of Jesus when he dealt with the adulterous woman in John 8:1-11. The Jews had caught a woman in the act of adultery and had brought her to the Lord to see what he would do. They declared that Moses law said that she should be stoned which is not quite accurate. In Lev. 20:10 we read "... the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death." Nevertheless they expected to catch Jesus in a contradiction. He turned the tables on them with the wonderful statement about "...casting the first stone..." The Jews were correct to a degree but displayed not only contempt for the Scripture but a harsh unforgiving spirit. Jesus was just the opposite, in point of fact he responded to the situation with gentleness and kindness, not only to the woman but to the Jews also. Jesus didn't get all angry and "bent out of shape" but displayed gentleness to everyone involved. There is another episode in the life of Jesus that also displays his gentleness. In the garden when he is arrested there is that scene where Peter draws a sword and cuts off the ear of the high priests servant by the name of Malchus. He gently rebukes Peter with the words, "they that live by the sword shall die by the sword," and then proceeds to heal (restore) the ear of Malchus.
III. Gentleness Destroyed
It goes without saying that there are many "killers of kindness" in our lives. The general stress of life leads us to say and do things that prevent us from being gentle and kind. Physical fatigue; to be physically and mentally exhausted is often a killer of kindness. Financial stress, spending that which we do not have for that which we cannot keep has the effect of diminishing our capacity for gentleness. It's hard to be gentle and kind when you have a stack of bills you cannot pay. 90% of all marital disagreements are over money. It is safe in saying that Satan is against you displaying gentleness and kindness. He is an exploiter of situations. Remember that he walks to and fro in the earth seeking to destroy and disrupt and distract. It reminds me of the little girl in the Poltergeist movies who is seated in front of a television staring at a static filled screen when suddenly she exclaims, "Their back!" He is always lurking about. The devil will say, "You're not much of a Christian, look how you treated your wife or look how you treated those poor innocent kids, you might as well go on and do anything.
IV. Gentleness Developed
How can we develop this fruit of gentleness? First, we need to submit to the will of God.
1 Thessalonians 4:3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification...It is God's will for you and I to grow in all the fruits of the Spirit. Do you admit that there is room for growth? Can you yield yourself to the direction and guidance of the Spirit as He produces this fruit in you? Second, have a teachable spirit. Philippians 4:9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. 2 Timothy 3:14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; Finally, we should show consideration for others. Ephesians 4:1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love...ESV
V. Gentleness Demonstrated
We grow by doing, by putting into practice what the Spirit of God has taught us by the Word of God by:
1. Helping a struggling brother. 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. 2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. ESV
2. In exhibiting forgiveness. Col 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
3. Instructing others with humility. 2 Timothy 2:24 And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth...ESV
4. Gentle in the marriage relationship. 1 Peter 3:3 Do not let your adorning be external--the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear-- 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.
5. In all our behavior display gentleness. James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.
18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
6. Witnessing for Christ. 1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness (gentleness) and fear:
ILL - "Do you understand that you represent Jesus to me?
Do you know, do you understand that when you treat me with gentleness, it raises the question in my mind that maybe He is gentle, too. Maybe He isn't someone who laughs when I am hurt.
Do you know, do you understand that when you listen to my questions and you don't laugh, I think, "What if Jesus is interested in me, too?"
Do you know, do you understand that when I hear you talk about arguments and conflict and scars from your past, I think, "Maybe I am just a regular person instead of a bad, no-good little girl who deserves abuse."
If you care, I think maybe He cares- and then there's this flame of hope that burns inside of me and for a while I am afraid to breathe because it might go out.
Do you know, do you understand that your words are His words? Your face, His face to someone like me?
Please, be who you say you are. Please, God, don't let this be another trick. Please let this be real. Please.
Do you know, do you understand that you represent Jesus to me?"
---Written by Maggie during her journey toward a relationship with Jesus (From God's Outrageous Claims by Lee Strobel, Zondervan, 1997)
THE GENTLE GAIN
"In our rough-and-rugged individualism, we think of gentleness as weakness, being soft, and virtually spineless. Not so! ... Gentleness includes such enviable qualities as having strength under control, being calm and peaceful when surrounded by a heated atmosphere, emitting a soothing effect on those who may be angry or otherwise beside themselves, and possessing tact and gracious courtesy that causes others to retain their self-esteem and dignity.... Instead of losing, the gentle gain. Instead of being ripped off and taken advantage of, they come out ahead! "
SOURCE: Charles R. Swindoll.
Text Illustration:
But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives He will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control' (Galatians 5:16-17 & 23 TLB). Is living like this really possible? Yes, but you must do four things:
1) understand that you're a target for the enemy and protect yourself with God's Word and prayer
2) get angry with sin - don't put up with it: '...let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles...' (Hebrews 12:1 NIV)
3) be continually filled with the Holy Spirit. Without it, you lose every time
4) stand in God's strength, not your own. How? By exercising your choice to obey Him rather than going for the easy option
All believers have God in their heart - but not all believers have given their whole heart to God! The question is not, 'how can I have more of the Holy Spirit?' It's 'how can the Spirit have more of me?'
