A Gentle Spirit

Matt 11:28-30

Intro: I heard a story about a mother who wanted to get her eldest son to quit cussing. Her minister told her to slap the boy every time she caught him cursing. The next morning as the boys came down for breakfast she asked the eldest what he wanted and he replied. I want some blankety blank Cheerios. The mother grabbed him and Bam, popped him a good one. As the eldest sat there dazed from his ordeal, she turned to the younger and asked him what he wanted. The frightened boy replied, well I know I don’t want Cheerios, that’s for sure.

Mom probably didn’t use the most gentle approach available to her.

We are going to find out that gentleness is quite different than most of us think. In understanding gentleness correctly, hopefully we will see why it needs to be part of the Christian’s spiritual make up.

PRAYER

I. Explanation

A. The word gentleness has been translated in several ways.

1. If you have a KJV it is translated meekness.

2. If you have a NIV it is translated gentleness.

3. The problem is that neither word really captures the meaning of the Greek word.

4. We tend to associate both of those words with weakness. That isn’t what it means.

B. The Greeks used this word to describe strong animals that were brought under control.

1. Xenophon used the word in describing horses that had worked together tended to “stand quietly” together.

2. Aristotle used the word when calling elephants “easy-tempered and easily domesticated.”

3. William Barclay illustrated the word with the concept of a guard dog. Fiercely hostile to strangers and friendly to familiar people whom he loved.

C. The word was also used to describe a certain type of human being.

1. A king who had the authority to punish a servant who had failed in a task, but showed kindness and forgiveness, was given the term we use as gentle.

2. Gentleness is a person who has great strength, but tempers that strength with a gentle spirit.

3. It conveys the idea that a person knows their strength but submits to Christ.

II. Examples In the Bible

A. Moses

1. Only 2 people are described with this word in all the scripture.

2. The first is Moses. READ Num. 12:1-8

3. In vs. 3 when the word humble is used, it is our word gentleness.

4. Moses was a powerful man by any account.

a) This was the spokesman of God.

b) Chosen by God

c) Yet the Bible says he was more humble than anyone else.

5. Moses could have dealt very harshly with Aaron and Miriam, but humbly kept silent.

6. Was Moses weak?

a) Remember the Egyptian task master?

b) Remember what he did to the Israelites when he returned and saw them worshipping the golden calf?

c) He also showed strength when he asked God to place their sin on his account.

d) This was no wimp.

B. Jesus.

1. I was surprised to learn that the only other person to be described as gentle was Jesus.

2. Moses stood in some pretty good company

3. READ Matt 11:28-30

4. Look at how Jesus reacted at his trial.

a) Never said a word.

b) Isa 53:7 says he was lead like a lamb to the slaughter.

5. Was Jesus’ gentleness and meekness from a lack of strength?

6. No of course not.

a) We saw his strength when he denounced the Pharisees.

b) We saw it when he chased the money changers out of the temple.

c) We saw it when he cast out demon, raised the dead, healed the sick and commanded the weather.

d) He could have called legions of angels to defend him and take him down from the cross, but chose not to use his power.

7. Jesus gave us the perfect example of what it means to have strength and keep it under control.

III. Expectations

A. Throughout the NT our word is used to describe the behavior and attitude of the Christian.

1. James 1:21 -Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

2. Gal 6:1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.

3. Colossians 3:12 (NIV) ¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

4. 2 little boys got into a fight. That night mom told the older one he needed to forgive his brother before they went to bed. The little boy said. “Okay, but if I don’t die before I wake up, he had better look out tomorrow morning!”

5. We laugh, but don’t too many forgive those who have sinned against us or God in the same fashion?

6. We should never accept sin in the church, but we need to confront the person wanting to save their souls not abuse them.

B. Treat them with gentleness not harshness.

1. 1 Pet 3:15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. 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,

2. Many times I have seen preacher tear apart one religious group or another from the pulpit.

3. Now, what they said may have been exactly right, but do you think anyone listening to them from one of those churches would come away wanting to learn more about what we believe and teach?

4. In the 1940’s a man finally became a Christian during a meeting that NB Hardeman was hold. He had attended church and meeting for 15 years with his wife. Upon his conversion, his wife asked why now after all these years? He replied. “All those other preachers told me I was going to hell and didn’t seem to care. Mr. Hardeman told me I was going to hell but it seemed to really bother him that I was.

5. There is a big difference between speaking boldly the word of God and using it as a club to beat someone on the head with.

C. Do you have the fruit of the spirit that is gentleness?