Galatians 5: 22-2322 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Galatians 5But the fruit of the Spirit is…

The Fruit of the Spirit: Gentleness2 Timothy 2:23-26, Matthew 11:25-30

Kindergarten teachersGentleSweet

Soft-spoken

StrongIn control

SafeFocused

Gentleness is like thatIt is kind

But it’s not a push-overThis is how God invites

into salvation

Matthew 1125 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.

What is hidden?The ease of salvation

The answer to eternityControl of our destiny by

giving up our control

27 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

Christ is the wayGod has been given Christ authority

Everything has been placed in his hands and under Christ’s power

But because Christ is gentle, he does not flaunt his power and authorityInstead he offers a gentle invitation

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

ComeTake

LearnRest

My yoke is easyMy burden is light

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

ComeI know you are burdened

I know you are wearyYou are tired

29 Take my yoke upon you…

Come and take my giftIt is still a yoke

But it is my yokeNot your yoke

…and learn from me,

Come, take my yoke and learnLearn about your powerlessness

Learn who Jesus isLearn about grace

Learn about being grateful

…for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Come, take, learn from a gentle and humble king

In learning from Christ we discover rest, peace and

stability for our souls

30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Everything has a yokeSome are heavier than otherRules, rituals and regulations

Belief, faith and grace that leads to gratefulness

Being aware of God’s gentleness is not enough

We are called to put it into action in our own lives

What God does for us is never supposed to be static

2 Timothy 223 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.

Paul, helping Timothy in his new ministry, says

Be careful in what you invest yourselfNot in quarrels and resentments

Instead invest in kindness and teaching

25 Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

Satan attempts to trap usHe wants to keep us captive

Satan does not want us to escapeWe are called to be gentle

Not brash or abusiveNot argumentative

We have our principles and faith on which we standWe are not weak

We are to be well mannered; respectfully representing Christ