THE STRENGTH OF GENTLENESS
The Keys to a Blessed Life (8 Beatitudes) – Part 3
Chuck Cotton
March 22, 2015
Today we come to Jesus’ 3rd key to a blessed life:
MT. 5:5“God blesses those who are gentle. The whole earth will belong to them!” That’s quite a promise! Do we believe it?
o In our hard-charging, ego-driven, highly marketed world- you dont hear much about gentleness. The reason; we misunderstand it
o We think G is a sign of weakness, but God says it is a mark of strength! write this DEF: Gentleness is strength under control
Gr: Prautes Old English : Meek a wild horse that is tamed
Today (title) specifically...
8 BENEFITS OF BEING GENTLE
How learning to be gentle will bless your life
1. GentlenessDEFUSES CONFLICT
PR. 15:1“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”(NIV)
Eccl. 10:4“If your boss is angry with you, don't quit! A quiet gentle spirit can overcome even great mistakes.”(NLT)
2. GentlenessDISARMS CRITICS
They expect you to attack back- so it disappoints them!
Wh
1 COR. 4:13‘We respond gently when evil things are said about us.” (NLT) ILL: we’re helping their staff get organized
TITUS 2:8 “Your conversation should be so sensible that anyone who wants to argue will be ashamed because there won't be anything to criticize in anything you say!” (LB)
3. Gentleness IS PERSUASIVE
PR. 25:15“Gentle speech breaks down rigid defenses.” (Mes)
“A gentle word can get through to the hard-headed.”(NCV)
PR. 25:15(CEV) screen“Patience and gentle talk can convince a ruler and overcome any problem.”
Pr. 16:21“A wise, mature person is known for understanding. The more pleasant his words, the more persuasive he is.” (TEV)write: I’m never persuasive when I am abrasive
3. GentlenessIS ATTRACTIVE
In both men & women. write: I attract what I am. For guys:
1 TIM. 6:11screen(GW)“As a man of God...pursue what God approves of: godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness”
Single guys: to attract a godly woman – do what Boaz did complemented Ruth for taking care of her mother in law after her husband died
Ruth 2:13-14Ruth said to Boaz “You are very kind to me. You have made me feel better by speaking gently to me... So then at lunchtime, Boaz said to Ruth, "Come, have a piece of bread with me and dip it in the sauce... Then Boaz passed some roasted grain to her, and she ate until she was satisfied, and still had food left over.” (TEV).
If Boaz had been ruthless , he’d be ruth- less!
Guys- a woman always feels better when you speak gently (not in a hurry.
write Gentlemen are gentle men.
1 PET 3:4 “You should be known for the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.” (NLT)
5. GENTLENESSCOMMUNICATES LOVE
Guys- quickest way to improve your marriage – be gentle to
COL. 3:19“Husbands, love your wives and be gentle with them.”(NCV) Any fool can be selfish & rough
Also - G is a key to effective parenting:
EPH. 6:4 “Fathers, do not irritate and provoke your children to anger. Do not exasperate them to resentment, but rear them tenderly in the training and discipline and counsel of the Lord.” (Amp)
6. GENTLENESS EARNS RESPECT
PR.11:16 “A woman of gentle grace will be respected.” (Mes)
Also true of men.
Gentleness is a prerequisite to leadership
Greatest leaders are gentle – Wash, Lincoln, Ghandi, MLK
CARD1: Rehoboam
In the Bible...
NUM 12:3Amp “Moses was very meek and gentle man. In fact, he was more gentle than anyone else on the face of the earth!”
Only 2 in Bible “meek” Anything but weak!
stood up to most powerful...Anger management problem!
7. GENTLENESS WITNESSES TO UNBELIEVER
TITUS 3:2“Believers should never speak evil of ANYONE,
nor be quarrelsome. Instead they should be gentle and
show courtesy to everyone.” (GW)
You will be criticized by immature believers for this!
1 PET. 3:15“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” (NIV)
8. GENTLENESS makes me like Jesus
MT.11:28- 29"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 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.” (NIV)
The more gentle you are, the less-stressed you’ll be!
GAL. 5:23“The fruit of the Spirit is... gentleness!”(NIV)
You can’t manufacture gentleness. God puts it in you
“Lord help me to treat people like Jesus would today”
WHO CAN I PRACTICE GENTLENESS WITH THIS WEEK?
all screen verses
When someone serves me, be understanding, not demanding
PH. 2:4-5(GN)“Don’t just think about your own affairs, but be interested in others too, and in what they are doing. Your attitude should be the same as Jesus Christ’s.”
When someone disagrees with me, be tender without surrender
ROM 14:1(Mes) Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don't see things the way you do. And don't jump all over them every time they do or say something you don't agree with—even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department. Remember, they have their own history to deal with. Treat them gently.
When someone disappoints me, be gentle, not judgmental
Gal. 6:1“If someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.(NIV)
EPH. 4:32“Be gentle with one another, and sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.” (Mes)
CARD 1 REHOBOAM
ILLUS Solomon was the King of a united Israel in it’s greatest days of power and influence. When he died, he left a huge kingdom for his young son Rehoboam
Inexperienced Rehoboam went to the old ELDERS of the natsought advice from the older leaders who had served his father and asked "How do you advise that I lead these people"
“The old leaders told him, "If you’ll truly serve these people, and you speak to them in a GENTLE way, they’ll always be loyal to you and do anything you ask.
But Rehoboam rejected the advice of the elder and called in the young men that had grown up with him and asked for their advice.
The young advisors said, “You’ve got to be tough and prove that you are the authority. Show everyone that you are in charge by being unbending and demanding.
The people rebelled and rioted and it started a civil war 10 of the 12 tribes split from the nation
. 1 Kings 12:8 (Living) ” 1 Kings 12:7 (GW)