Today’s message summary from Pastor Gus Brown:
Gentleness, also referred to as meekness, is our study for today.
Galatians 5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.
You’ll notice that ministry to others must have all of the fruits of The Spirit in use. If anything is missing, it makes ministry much more difficult. God calls you to come along side a person to help bring them to recognize the need for the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. It must be done, however, in kindness–in gentleness.
When people are in pain, it is important to be gentle with others. Christians should understand this more than anyone. We need to prepare to minister to others in humility.
Matthew 11:29
All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves.
Jesus wants us to use Him as the example in how to minister to others. He is gentle and humble and compassionate for the lost. When you encounter someone who is willing to learn and listen to you, he will have rest in his heart and soul. While the Word will challenge the heart, they will acknowledge that the instruction is good for him.
1 Corinthians 10:32
Give no offense to the Jews or the Greeks or the church of God.
2 Corinthians 10:1-5
10 Now I, Paul, make a personal appeal to you by the gentleness and graciousness of Christ—I who am humble among you in person but bold toward you when absent. 2 I beg you that when I am present I will not need to be bold with the confidence by which I plan to challenge certain people who think we are behaving in an unspiritual way. 3 For though we live in the body, we do not wage war in an unspiritual way, 4 since the weapons of our warfare are not worldly, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments 5 and every high-minded thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, taking every thought captive to obey Christ.
The Holy Spirit provides the power to minister effectively in gentleness. The Spirit helps one choose their words wisely.
Galatians 6:1
Brothers, if someone is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual should restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so you also won’t be tempted.
When you minister to people, you have two choices–to minister in the power of the flesh or in the power of The Holy Spirit. The evidence of either one will be the underpinning of the testimony. There should be something taking place inside of you that will reflect the Spirit working and a closeness to God as you minister to others.
Ephesians 4:15
But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into Him who is the head—Christ.
Care should be given to speak to person in gentleness and love and at the appropriate time. It will often require developing a relationship with a person to the point where one is ready to share his story. Speak the truth in love, but do so with steps that are well within the pace of the listener.
James 1:19
My dearly loved brothers, understand this: Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger.
We are to be good listeners. A gentle person takes the time to listen to others and be patient before offering feedback or a response.
1 Corinthians 10:15
I am speaking as to wise people. Judge for yourselves what I say.
Your words are best spoken to people who are sensible, reasonable and rational.
It’s important to take the lead in gentleness because of the type of world that we are living in. Today’s world have a different view of God’s truth.
Philippians 2:14-15
14 Do everything without grumbling and arguing, 15 so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world.
A person can fall over and over again. Until a person is ready to acknowledge the errors of his ways, he will continue in this way until he sees God’s Word as beneficial to him. He still needs your love, patience and gentleness during this time until he is ready to learn and follow Christ.
Ephesians 4:1-2
1 Therefore I, the prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, accepting one another in love.
Colossians 3:12
Therefore, God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
2 Timothy 2:24
The Lord’s slave must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach, and patient.
A Lord’s servant must not be cruel. He is to be kind to everyone. He has to be able to teach, and teach effectively.
People who oppose the teaching still need gentle instruction and correction.
1 Thessalonians 2:7
Although we could have been a burden as Christ’s apostles, instead we were gentle among you, as a nursing mother nurtures her own children.
God must change the heart. God will grant repentance. You are to pursue gentleness.
1 Timothy 6:11
But you, man of God, run from these things,
and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith,
love, endurance, and gentleness.
Akron Alliance Fellowship 