Fruit of the Spirit: Gentleness
Mercy Culture Church | Pastor Chris Cheema
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Matthew 21:1-11
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1 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent out two disciples,
2 saying to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt beside her. Untie them and bring them to Me.
3 If anyone questions you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”
4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
5 “Say to the Daughter of Zion, ‘See, your King comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”
6 So the disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them.
7 They brought the donkey and the colt and laid their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them.
8 A massive crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.
9 The crowds that went ahead of Him and those that followed were shouting: “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!”
10 When Jesus had entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”
11 The crowds replied, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
2 saying to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt beside her. Untie them and bring them to Me.
3 If anyone questions you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”
4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
5 “Say to the Daughter of Zion, ‘See, your King comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”
6 So the disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them.
7 They brought the donkey and the colt and laid their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them.
8 A massive crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.
9 The crowds that went ahead of Him and those that followed were shouting: “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!”
10 When Jesus had entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”
11 The crowds replied, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
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The Lord is requiring gentleness!
Galatians 5:22-23
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22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
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The Lord is requiring spiritual fruit!
Galatians 5:19-21
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19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery;
20 idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions,
21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
20 idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions,
21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
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Romans 8:7
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7 because the mind of the flesh is hostile to God: It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.
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The Fruit of the Spirit is evidence of the Holy Spirit’s influence.
The Works of the Flesh are evidence of demonic influence.
The Works of the Flesh are evidence of demonic influence.
The Greco-Roman world was built around: honor, dominance, and power.
The broken have abused power and the abused are demanding power.
We all need the fruit of gentleness!
Gentleness: עֲנָוָה (anavah’)- meek, humble
Psalm 37:11
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11 But the meek will inherit the land and delight in abundant prosperity.
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Gentleness: πραΰτης (praütēs)-mildness, even-temperedness, power under control
Root Word: πραΰς (praus) -meek, gentle
Simple definition: Gentleness is strength under control.
Harshly: קָשֶׁה (qāšeh)— To be hard, severe, stubborn, cruel, fierce
When you are harsh, you seek to make yourself lord.
But when you are gentle, you are making it known that Jesus is Lord.
But when you are gentle, you are making it known that Jesus is Lord.
It is not wrath that is courage, nor gentleness that is cowardice. Gentleness is stronger than wrath, and mercy more powerful than vengeance.
- St. John Chrysostom
- St. John Chrysostom
God is gentle
Psalm 18:35
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35 You have given me Your shield of salvation; Your right hand upholds me, and Your gentleness exalts me.
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Gentleness is evidence of being a Christian
Colossians 3:12
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12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
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Ephesians 4:1-2
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1 As a prisoner in the Lord, then, I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received:
2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,
2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,
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Titus 3:2
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2 to malign no one, and to be peaceable and gentle, showing full consideration to everyone.
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Philippians 4:5
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5 Let your gentleness be apparent to all. The Lord is near.
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Question: Is there evidence of gentleness in your life?
This is a year to take your relationship with God public.
Question: What relationships are you taking public?
Gentleness is spiritual maturity
James 3:13
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13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
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Gentleness is blessable
Matthew 5:5
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5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
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Gentleness is the heart posture to defend the faith
1 Peter 3:15
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15 But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you. But respond with gentleness and respect,
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Gentleness is the heart posture of rebuke
2 Timothy 2:24-25
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24 And a servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, and forbearing.
25 He must gently reprove those who oppose him, in the hope that God may grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.
25 He must gently reprove those who oppose him, in the hope that God may grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.
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Gentleness is the path to restoration
Galatians 6:1
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1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.
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Gentleness is strategy for spiritual warfare
Proverbs 15:21
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21 Folly is joy to one who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding walks a straight path.
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2 Corinthians 10:1
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1 Now by the mildness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am humble when face to face with you, but bold when away.
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Question: Are you showing gentleness?
Three counterfeits of gentleness
1. Tolerance
Tolerance is compromise covered in kind clothing.
Tolerance is compromise covered in kind clothing.
Revelation 2:20
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20 But I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads My servants to be sexually immoral and to eat food sacrificed to idols.
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Warning: If you are tolerating sin, you are not operating in the fruit of the Spirit.
2. Softness
Softness is passivity pretending to be gentle.
Softness is passivity pretending to be gentle.
Titus 2:15
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15 Speak these things as you encourage and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.
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2 Timothy 2:25
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25 He must gently reprove those who oppose him, in the hope that God may grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.
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Warning: If you are not willing to stand for truth, you are being soft, not gentle.
3. Timidity
Timidity is fear masquerading as meekness.
Timidity is fear masquerading as meekness.
2 Timothy 1:7
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7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.
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Warning: If you do not stand for something, you will bow to anything.
True gentleness is not passive—it’s power under control, not power abandoned.
Two ways to grow in gentleness
1. Encounter God daily
Galatians 5:16
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16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
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John 15:4-5
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4 Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me.
5 I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing.
5 I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing.
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2. Meditate on the Word
James 1:21
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21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and every expression of evil, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save your souls.
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Practical Advice:
Put on gentleness daily
Pause under pressure
Put people first
Invite the Holy Spirit
Start with the next opportunity
Remember the result of harshness.
Put on gentleness daily
Pause under pressure
Put people first
Invite the Holy Spirit
Start with the next opportunity
Remember the result of harshness.
Proverbs 15:1
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1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
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Matthew 21:7-8
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7 They brought the donkey and the colt and laid their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them.
8 A massive crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.
8 A massive crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.
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Matthew 11:29
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29 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.
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Yoke: ζυγόν (zygon) — A wooden crossbar for two animals
Question: How did the people respond to Jesus?
Matthew 21:10-11
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10 When Jesus had entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”
11 The crowds replied, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
11 The crowds replied, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
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Stirred up: σείω (seiō) — shake, agitate, disturb, cause to tremble
Gentleness is counter cultural
Question: Is the fruit of gentleness evident in your life?
