The Fruit of the Spirit: Gentleness

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Galatians 5:22-23; Titus 3:1-2

Gentleness Defined and Displayed

What Gentleness Means

In 1839, George Washington Bethune, a Dutch Reformed pastor in the United States, observed, “Perhaps no grace is less prayed for, or less cultivated, than gentleness.”
Defining Gentleness: Tender Strength
So ‘meekness’ is not a synonym for ‘weakness’. On the contrary, it is the gentleness of the strong, whose strength is under control. It is the quality of a strong personality who is nevertheless master of himself and the servant of others. Meekness is ‘the absence of the disposition to assert personal rights, either in the presence of God or of men’
John Stott
A mother holding her newborn, tender hands but a firm hold. Meekness is not weakness, but being strong and tender. Being welcoming, but not a welcome mat.
Matt 5:39-42 - But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.
This gentleness isn’t being a pushover, but comes from genuine inward strength, confidence in your security in Christ

Jesus the Gentle Savior

Jesus is called “gentle” in Matthew 21:5, riding into Jerusalem on a donkey rather than a warhorse, he immediately starts upending temple furniture (21:12).
Sometimes Jesus doesn’t sound gentle. He calls the scribes and Pharisees hypocrites, snakes, sons of hell, fools, whitewashed tombs, and murderers…
Gentleness for Jesus is entirely compatible with blunt language and direct action.
Jesus said, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you . . . for I am gentle. . . . For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matt. 11:28–30)
The reference to his “yoke” probably means his teaching is neither burdensome nor stringent. The very next passage shows Pharisees making legalistic demands—the sort Jesus doesn’t make (Matt. 12:1–14; cf. 23:4).
Jesus is gentle not because he makes no demands, but because he makes proper demands. He is meek because he gives us rest from bad laws and forgives us when we break good ones.
1 Pe 2:23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.
Though he has the power of creation, the command of the heavenly host, and will one day come in judgment, he submitted to the cross for the sake of our salvation. The strength of God exercising perfect gentleness.

Christian Gentleness - Exposition of Titus 3:1-2

Remind them… based on what?

The world changing coming of Jesus, Titus 2:11-14, is the basis for our spirit of gentleness in the world
God’s grace appeared (in Christ), bringing salvation
Training us to renounce all ungodliness and worldly passions
To live self-controlled, upright and godly lives
Waiting for our blessed hope - the appearing (at the end) of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.
He gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness
To purify for himself a people for his own possession
The gospel - the promise that we’ve been redeemed from the ways of the world, that we’ve been purified to be his people, that we await the glory of Christ who came for our salvation, and is coming again for our vindication - is the grounds for our attitude with the rest of the world.

Be Gentle with Authority

Submit and obey being ready for good works
We so often insist upon our rights, cry and complain when we feel mistreated, aggressively defend our opinions
We are called to submit to those in authority
Working for change, refusal to obey ungodly laws, but in a manner that is full of respect, honor, and godliness.
Gentleness in our political discussions
“Latest in Lennox” - the tone of our conversations is toxic; the way we speak about our teachers, the way we talk about politicians -
I don’t see how one can say what they say about those in authority and also pray for them.

Be Gentle with the Lost

Do not speak evil of anyone (blaspheme) nor be quarrelsome
How do we talk about the lost?
Gentleness and the gospel
Being a friend, showing love and pity rather than hatred and vitriol
Rosario Butterfield - A university professor who was hostile to the Christian faith. In response to one of her articles about the Church and the political movements, Pastor Ken Smith wrote, not to spew vitriol or condemnation, but asking her to explore the presuppositions of her position, how she came to her conclusion - encouraging her to keep asking questions. They soon became friends: Ken and his wife entered Rosario’s world, “When we ate together, Ken prayed in a way I had never heard before. His prayers were intimate. Vulnerable. He repented of his sin in front of me. He thanked God for all things. Ken's God was holy and firm, yet full of mercy.” Eventually, Rosario came to Christ after reading the Bible and worshiping at Ken’s church - acknowledging God’s grace in bringing her to faith - through the gentle, holy and firm, yet merciful ministry of her friend.
When sharing the gospel, the point is not to prove yourself right and everyone else wrong, but to persuade others of their need for salvation, and the free gift of God in Jesus Christ.
Are you trying to win an argument or a soul. No compromise in our faith, no compromise in the word, but compassion…
1 Peter 3:15 - always be 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.

Gentle with One Another: Gentle and Courteous to all

To show perfect courtesy means not being overly impressed by a sense of your own self-importance, to view the needs and interests of others above your own.
Matthew Henry, “If no good can be spoken, rather than speak evil unnecessarily, say nothing. We must never take pleasure in speaking ill of others, nor make the worst of any thing, but the best we can.”

Growing in Gentleness

Have a teachable spirit

James 1:21 - receiving with gentleness the implanted word… Submitting to God’s authority -
Repent when convicted Doing the heart work - acknowledging your sin and your need for a savior.

Root your Identity in Christ.

Your security is in Christ - Back to the Gospel
Neh. 8:10 - The joy of the lord is your strength
When rooted in him, when your identity is hidden in Him, when your future is safe in him, you can be gentle
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