Lesson 9 - Gentleness_110307

8/9/2019 Lesson 9 - Gentleness_110307

1/15

A Gentle ApproachFruit of the Spirit SeriesThe Power To Change Your Life


2/15

Gentleness• Hearts are flowers; they remain open to the

softly falling dew, but shut up in the violentdownpour of rain. – Jean Paul Richter

• Gentleness – Strength under control

“et your gentleness be evident to all.! Phil "#$

%&'()

• Jesus and Moses• Controlling your reaction to people

• Choosing your response rather than

reacting


3/15

Gentleness at work• People who serves you – Be

understanding, not demanding “*ach of you should loo+ not only to your own

interests, but also the interests of others. our

attitude should be the same as that of -hrist

Jesus.! Phil #"/$ %&'()

• Are you rude or demanding? Indifferent andimpersonal?

• Good place to start – at home

• Wives

“our beauty0should be that of your inner self,

the unfading beauty of a gentle and 1uiet spirit,which is of great worth in 2od3s sight.! 4 Peter

5#5/" %&'()


4/15

Gentleness at work• !us"ands

“Husbands, in the same way be considerate asyou live with your wives, and treat them with

respect as the wea+er partner and as heirs with

you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will

hinder your prayers.! 4 Peter 5#6 %&'()


5/15

Gentleness at work• People who disappoints you – Be

gracious, not judgmental “7rothers, if someone is caught in sin, you whoare spiritual should restore him gently. 7ut watchyourself, or you also may be tempted.! 2al. 8#%&'()

• #emptation to "e $udgmental% &holier thanthou' attitude“9ccept him whose faith is wea+, without passing :udgment on disputable matters.! Rom. 4"#4%&'()

• (eople )ho mess up their lives* I told you so* I could see it coming

* It serves you right* !o) could you "e so dum"

* Jesus dealing )ith the )oman caughtcommitting adultery


6/15

Gentleness at work* Accepting one another $ust as Christ

accepted you“9ccept one another, then , :ust as -hrist

accepted you, in order to bring praise to 2od.!

Rom. 4$#6 %&'()

* +on,t ru" it ! "ut ru" it "#T


7/15

Gentleness at work• People who disagrees with you – Be

tender without surrender • Cannot please everyone

• #est of spiritual maturity

• - )ays alternatives. – $etreat in fear

(eace at any price – hidden costs torelationships

– $eact in anger

Insecure and threatened

Can "e sarcastic and attac/ person,s self*)orth

– $espond in gentleness

0e tender )ithout surrendering convictions

“9 gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harshword stirs up anger.! Prov. 4$#4 %&'()


8/15

Gentleness at work• Jealousy and selfishness the cause of many

pro"lems“or where you have envy and selfish ambition,

there you find disorder and every evil practice. 7ut

the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all

pure; then peace/loving, considerate, submissive,

full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.!

James 5#48/46 %&'()

• &+on,t s)eat the small stuff'

• Agree to disagree agreea"ly

• Gentleness * 1ualification for leadership

“9nd the ord3s servant must not 1uarrel; instead

he must be +ind to everyone, able to teach, notresentful.


9/15

Gentleness at work• People who corrects you – Be teachable,

not unreachable“0*veryone should be 1uic+ to listen, slow tospea+ and slow to become angry0! James 4#4=%&'()

• If )e do first 2% the -rd )ill ta/e care of itself • 3eed to heed correction

“He who ignores discipline comes to poverty andshame, but whoever heeds correction ishonored.! Prov. 45#4> %&'()

• !o) to end up lonely in life – never admitany mista/es

• Gentleness mean you are )illing to admit

)hen you are )rong


10/15

Gentleness at work• Are )e hum"le% teacha"le? – it can ma/e a

difference to our salvation“


11/15

Gentleness at work• %hen people hurts you – Be an actor,

not reactor • Actor – one initiates the action

• 45ample of Jesus at the trial

“?hen they hurled their insults at him, he did notretaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats.'nstead, he entrusted himself to him who :udges :ustly.! 4 Peter #5 %&'()

• (o)er of action – +on,t repay evil for evil6do not ta/e revenge * 7om8 92.9:*29

• #o retaliate is to react% to forgive is to act

• When you react% you allo) the other person

to control your feelings and actions• Is you happiness level controlled "y others?

• Syndey !arris,s friend and ne)sstand man

“' don3t want him to decide how '3m going toreact.!


12/15

Gentleness at work• #n&elievers – Respect them, don’t reject

them• 4vangelism is not to put do)n others

• Acceptance does not mean to approve ofsinful lifestyles – sinner vs8 sin

• Share your hope )ith gentleness and

respect“9lways be prepared to give an answer toeveryone who as+s you to give a reason for thehope that you have. 7ut do this with gentlenessand respect.! 4 Peter 5#4$ %&'()

• 2 )ays to get an egg out of an eggshell

– Crac/ it – ;et it incu"ate in )arm% loving environment

and hatch itself

– Same for ho) )e share the gospel


13/15

Gentleness at workSu''ary of Gentleness at work

• People who serves you

Be understanding, not demanding

• People who disappoints you

Be gracious, not judgmental

• People who disagrees with you

Be tender without surrender

• People who corrects you

Be teachable, not unreachable

• %hen people hurts you

Be an actor, not reactor

• #n&elievers

Respect them, don’t reject them


14/15

The Fruit of the Spirit is(Gentleness

• 0lessings of "eing Gentle

– More rela5ed lifestyle – More adapta"le

– Christian e5ample

– Glorify God

• 7emem"er – Gentleness is a fruit of the

Spirit

– 3ot "y our o)n )illpo)er "ut "y surrendering

to God,s Spirit can )e develop this loving

fruit in our lives


15/15

Next: Developing Self-Control

Documents

Lesson 9 - Gentleness_110307