Gentleness 

 

Personal Statement:
I express gentleness though the working of the Holy Spirit by being thoughtful, considerate and calm in dealing with others.  

 

Philippians 4:5
Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The lord is near.  (NIV)

 

Gentleness =  To tame a wild animal, meekness

 

1 Timothy 3:1–3 (NIV)
Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. 2 Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.

 

Titus 3:1–2 (NIV)
Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.

 

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

 

1. Gentleness is God’s nature expressing itself through us at the right time in the right measure, for the right reason.

 

• The right use of power and authority, power under control.

• A balance born in strength of character

 

Matthew 11:29–30 (NIV)
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. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

 

Matthew 21:5 (NIV)
5 “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’ ” 

 

2. Gentleness marks a person who is ______________ of God’s word

 

James 1:19–21 (NIV)

19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 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.

 

3. Gentleness marks a person who is considerate of others when ______________ is needed.

 

Galatians 6:1 (NIV)

Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.

 

2 Timothy 2:24–26 (NIV)

24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

 

4. Gentleness is the way we should respond in an ______________

 

1 Peter 3:15–16 (NIV)

15 But in your hearts revere 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, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

 

Rewards of Gentleness:

 

1. AN ______________.

Matthew 5:5 (NIV)

5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

2. LIFE OF ______________ and ______________.

Psalm 37:8–11 (NIV)

8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. 9 For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land. 10 A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. 11 But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity.

​

Hope

 

Personal Statement:
I express hope through the working of the Holy Spirit by coping with the hardships of life and with death on the light of an eternal relationship with Jesus Christ.  

 

ROMANS 5:5
And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit whom He has given us.  (NIV)

 

Question:

• What is the difference between hope and hopelessness?

• Why do people lose hope?

• What is the value of an anchor in rough waters?

1. Hope is the anchor that ______________ a Christian’s life.

 

1 Peter 1:3-4
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living HOPE through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. 

 

Elements of Hope:

• New ______________ – We are new creatures in Christ

• ______________ Hope – HOPE IS THE ANCHOR 

• An ______________ – Something to look forward to

 

Without an eternal perspective, hope fades when trials come.
With an eternal perspective, hope SUSTAINs when trials come.

 

2. Hope is knowing that an inheritance is ______________ not just ______________.
1 Peter 1:4-5
This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 

 

Hope is …
Promised 
Preserved 
Protected 
Prepared 

 

3. Hope results in ______________
1 Peter 1:6
6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 THESE HAVE COME SO THAT the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 

 

• Purpose – Tested and purified

• Result – 

Proven ______________ – authentic - genuine
______________ 
______________ – The sum total of who God is – not the parts but the whole
______________ 

 

4. Hope is knowing that God has saved our ______________.
1 Peter 1:8-9
8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 

 

• Hope becomes reality when we embrace our faith:  

Jesus is no less real today than He ever was

Jesus is no less powerful than he ever was

He is no less in touch with you and your needs than He ever was

• Believe Him – Anchor – Hope in His word

Result – Inexpressible – words can’t explain

Glorious Joy - 

 

Conclusion:

• Hope is an anchor for all situations in life

• Hope is knowing that we have an inheritance that is promised, prepared and preserved. 

• Hope should result in praise

• Hope is embracing that reality that we are completely saved