Today’s Scripture ReadingToday’s Scripture Reading

1 Timothy 6:11-121 Timothy 6:11-12

Real Christians Are Real Christians Are GENTLEGENTLE

1 Timothy 6:11-121 Timothy 6:11-12

Indian ProverbIndian Proverb

““The way to overcome the angry man The way to overcome the angry man is with gentleness, the evil man with is with gentleness, the evil man with goodness, the miser with generosity goodness, the miser with generosity

and the liar with truth.”and the liar with truth.”

•One of the most powerful of all Christian One of the most powerful of all Christian characteristics is gentlenesscharacteristics is gentleness

•Few things go farther to bring peace and Few things go farther to bring peace and tranquility into our lives than to grow in the tranquility into our lives than to grow in the fruit of the Spirit known as gentleness.fruit of the Spirit known as gentleness.

Our Angry WorldOur Angry World

• We live in an angry world• We live in a very volatile world

• Through gentleness we can promote peace and harmony.

• REAL CHRISTIANS ARE GENTLE!

Definitions and ExplanationsDefinitions and Explanations

• Gentleness can easily be misunderstood and perverted– It is NOT softness– It is NOT permissiveness– It is NOT effeminacy

• Gentleness is better understood as “strength in control”

Isaiah40:10-11 –Isaiah40:10-11 –

“ “See, the Sovereign LORD comes with See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power, power,        and his arm rules for him.        and his arm rules for him.        See, his reward is with him,        See, his reward is with him,        and his recompense accompanies him.        and his recompense accompanies him.     He tends his flock like a shepherd: He tends his flock like a shepherd:        He gathers the lambs in his arms        He gathers the lambs in his arms        and carries them close to his heart;        and carries them close to his heart;        he gently leads those that have        he gently leads those that have young.”young.”

•This does not describe a “weak” or “soft” This does not describe a “weak” or “soft” person, but rather a powerful yet gentle person, but rather a powerful yet gentle one.one.

Rugged and Gentle?Rugged and Gentle?

Two Major Words:Two Major Words:

PRAUS or PRAUTESPRAUS or PRAUTES – Gentle, – Gentle, humble, meek or consideratehumble, meek or considerate

EPIEKESEPIEKES – suitable, fair, – suitable, fair, reasonable, gentle, mild or patientreasonable, gentle, mild or patient

Both words are used in the New Both words are used in the New Testament to describe the godly attitude of Testament to describe the godly attitude of gentlenessgentleness

Jesus: The Epitome of GentlenessJesus: The Epitome of Gentleness

•His gentleness prophesied:His gentleness prophesied:

““Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion!        Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem!        Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem!        See, your king comes to you,        See, your king comes to you,

       righteous and having salvation,        righteous and having salvation,        gentle and riding on a donkey,        gentle and riding on a donkey,        on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”       on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

Zechariah 9:9Zechariah 9:9•Jesus was to be the “gentle king”.Jesus was to be the “gentle king”.

Invitation To Take Up Christ’s Gentle Yoke

Matthew 11:28-30Matthew 11:28-30

"Come to me, all you who are weary and "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will gentle and humble in heart, and you will

find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."and my burden is light."

Christ’s Gentleness Enabled Him To Both…

• Feel compassion for the widow of Nain• Pronounce dreadful woes against the

Pharisees• Heal the leper by touching him• Drive the money-changers out of the

temple with a scourge

Pursuit of Gentleness

Gentleness is indeed powerful strength:

• A gentle answer turns away wrath,        but a harsh word stirs up anger.

The power of a gentle answer --(Proverbs 15:1)

• Through patience a ruler can be persuaded,        and a gentle tongue can break a bone.

The power of a gentle tongue --(Proverbs 25:15)

Gentleness Accompanies Other

Virtues of Great Strength

•Ephesians 4:2 -- Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

•1 Timothy 3:2-3 -- Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.

Gentleness Indicates Our Spirits

Belong To God and Not The World

1 Timothy 6:11-12a -- But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith.

Gentleness is part of the way we fight the good fight.

Gentleness and Rejoicing Lead to Peace

 ”Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be

evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,

present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all

understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:4-7

“Only the weak are cruel.

Gentleness can only be expected

from the strong.”

Leo Buscaglia