SERMON: PURSUING HOLINESS: GENTLENESS

PURSUING HOLINESS: GENTLENESS
9 August 2009

I. Introduction
-- turn in Bibles to 1 Thessalonians 2

1. You know, brothers, that our visit to you was not a failure.
2. We had previously suffered and been insulted in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition.
3. For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you.
4. On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts.
5. You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed--God is our witness.
6. We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else. As apostles of Christ we could have been a burden to you,
7. but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children.
8. We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.
9. Surely you remember, brothers, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you.
10. You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed.
11. For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children,
12. encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.

-- have you ever thought about how the meaning of common words has changed over time? -- recently, I've undertaken a challenge to read all of the Pulitzer Prize winning novels -- and, as I have been going through that challenge, I have had occasion to read writers who were popular back in the 1920s and 1930s -- and, as I have read their novels, it struck me how words that we use today have totally different meanings for us than they did for our parents and grandparents
-- for instance, I read a Faulkner novel a few months ago, and he described this military officer in the book as a "gay old gentlemen" -- when I mentioned that part of the book to my friends at work, they were shocked because the word "gay" now means something entirely different -- back then it mean light and happy and carefree -- but now it refers almost exclusively to homosexuals
-- the words "wicked" and "bad" used to mean evil or things that were not good -- but when our young folks use them today, usually they're referring to something that is outstanding -- something that is really great or desirable
-- years ago, the word "silly" used to mean "blessed" -- it used to be a virtue -- now, silly means ludicrous and foolish
-- "gaudy" used to refer to joyful praying -- but now it's definition has been changed to mean tasteless or tacky ornamentation
-- we could go on and on with words like this -- words that had one meaning for the person who wrote them down but have an entirely different meaning for us today

-- well, this morning, we're going to look at a word that has changed meaning over time just like this -- we're continuing in our sermon series on pursuing holiness through the fruit of the Spirit -- and this morning, we're looking at the characteristic of gentleness -- or, as the King James puts it -- "meekness"
-- this is a word that has definitely changed meaning over time -- the Bible tells us that gentleness is a virtue -- it describes Jesus Himself as meek and gentle -- but, when we read that now we tend to think of someone who is mild and weak -- someone who is a push-over -- someone who could never stand up for themselves
-- whenever I hear Jesus called "gentle" in the Bible, I instantly think of the song, "In the Garden" -- it brings to mind a sense of peace and calm and softness -- it doesn't have a strong connotation -- it's not something that you would associate with masculinity or the image of a strong leader
-- but, that is not what this word means in a biblical sense -- contrary to our image of gentleness or meekness as being mild and weak the biblical meaning is actually "strength under control"

-- the Greek word for this is praiotes -- it was commonly used in Jesus' day by doctors to refer to soothing medicines or by sailors as a gentle breeze or by farmers as a colt that had been broken
-- each of these cases is describing a situation where a great power is under control -- whether it's the power of disease or the power of the wind or the power of a horse
-- I think most of us remember President Theodore Roosevelt's great proverb, "Speak softly and carry a big stick." -- that is exactly what we're talking about here -- during Roosevelt's tenure, America was able to work its will among the nations of the world, not because we bullied them into submission, but because we could speak to them gently -- putting forth a soft face -- because in back of the softness was the strength and power of the U.S. military
-- When Jesus said, "Blessed are the meek -- blessed are the gentle -- for they shall inherit the earth," he was not speaking of armies and foreign policy, but the principles are the same -- Jesus was telling us how to relate to those around us -- He was pointing out that in back of the softness that we portray -- in back of the gentleness and meekness that we put forth -- we have within us the strength and power of God
-- and so we shouldn't bluster and try to force our will on others -- we shouldn't be forceful and domineering -- instead, as Roosevelt said, we should speak softly -- we should be gentle and humble as we relate to those around us -- even those who oppose us or who are persecuting us

-- we see a good example of gentleness and meekness in action here in this passage in 1 Thessalonians 2 in how Paul handled sharing the message of Christ to a sometimes hostile crowd -- let's look at this in a little more detail and let's see what we can learn about being gentle and meek in our own lives

-- look back at verse 1

1. You know, brothers, that our visit to you was not a failure.
2. We had previously suffered and been insulted in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition.
3. For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you.

-- here we are reminded of the difficulties that Paul faced in his call to be the evangelist to the Gentiles -- Paul faced a tough road -- he suffered from the natural hardships of traveling thousands of miles in desolate areas -- but, more importantly, he suffered at the hands of men -- Paul was persecuted by both the Jews and the Gentiles -- he was followed from town to town and harassed and insulted by those who opposed him and his message
-- how do you respond when others insult you? -- what do you do when someone opposes you or belittles you in front of someone else? -- do you get in their face? -- do you yell back? -- do you just walk off? -- what do you do? -- what does God expect you to do?
-- when Paul experienced suffering and insults in Philippi -- when he faced strong opposition to his preaching and teaching -- he had a choice to make -- he could react strongly and harshly -- he could push back at his opponents and beat them with his big stick -- he could just keep quiet and leave and not do what God called him to do, letting the bullies win -- or he could respond with grace and gentleness -- displaying in his meekness the true character and nature of God
-- never forget that Christianity is more about relationship than anything else -- relationship with God, of course -- but also relationship with others -- that's why we like to say that the cross has two components -- it has the vertical component that reminds us, first and foremost, that we are to be in a right relationship with God -- but, secondly, it has this horizontal component -- that reminds us that Christ also came to restore our relationships with others
-- remember what Paul's mission was -- he came as an emissary of Christ -- he came as a representative of Jesus -- and how he acted -- how he responded -- would translate into how the people around him would view Jesus
-- I think that's one reason for Paul's statement in Ephesians 6:12 when he reminds us that our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the spiritual forces of evil -- in other words, we're not supposed to struggle and fight against people -- but against the spiritual forces that are engaging these people -- instead, we are to approach people with humbleness and meekness and gentleness -- and that is what Paul did

-- verse 4

4. On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts.
5. You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed--God is our witness.
6. We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else. As apostles of Christ we could have been a burden to you,
7. but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children.
8. We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.

-- here we see a working definition of gentleness -- being gentle or meek towards someone doesn't mean that we give them what they want -- it doesn't mean that we just roll over and let them have their way -- it doesn't mean that we flatter them and tell them what they want to hear
-- no, responding to someone with gentleness and meekness means you tell them what they need to hear -- you just do it with grace and love -- responding to someone with gentleness and meekness means that you give someone what they need -- not necessarily what they want
-- Paul uses the analogy of a mother caring for her little children here -- anyone in here who has had kids or been around little children know what horrible creatures they can be from time to time -- the most selfish person on earth is a new-born baby -- little children demand their own way -- they demand that their needs be met -- they demand all the attention -- and if they don't get their way, they get upset and throw fits and tantrums
-- well, a good mother doesn't give in to the fit -- she doesn't let the toddler have their way -- she stands firm and disciplines them -- gently instructing them and giving them what they need rather than what they want -- telling them how to act rather than letting them get away with murder -- and she does it just like Teddy Roosevelt said, she speaks softly and carries a big stick
-- I remember when I was a child, I learned early on just how big a stick my mother carried -- I didn't get spanked much, but just like all kids, I did get spanked from time to time when I demanded my own way or did something wrong or threw a fit -- and after that, I learned -- when I started cutting up in a store, my mother didn't have to raise her voice -- all she had to do was softly say, "You need to stop now" -- and I knew what that meant -- I knew the power that she had -- and I knew that if I didn't stop, that I would get it when I got home

-- Paul says here that he was gentle with the Thessalonians just like a mother caring for her little children -- Paul had a big stick -- he had the power of God with him -- he had been called and anointed by God and had been entrusted to carry the message of God to the Gentiles -- and that was what he was going to do
-- when people opposed him -- when they insulted him and harassed him -- Paul didn't use flattery to win them over -- he didn't put on a mask and become what they wanted him to be -- Paul remained true to his word and to his calling -- he spoke the truth in love and pointed to Christ instead of himself
-- he gave himself for them -- in verse 8 he says that he shared his life with them -- he gave of all he had so that the Thessalonians would get what they really needed -- this is the essence of gentleness and meekness -- humbling yourself so that Christ can be exalted -- not responding to suffering and insults in kind -- but putting aside your discomfort so that Christ's message can go forth

-- verse 9

9. Surely you remember, brothers, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you.
10. You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed.
11. For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children,
12. encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.

-- even though Paul possessed a great power within, he always responded to others -- even to those who opposed him, with gentleness and humbleness and meekness -- his power was under control -- rather than exalting himself as an apostle, Paul lived with the Thessalonians -- working with them night and day -- letting them see holiness in action -- letting them see how a man of God truly lives and carries himself in the work place and at home
-- through his example, Paul encouraged the Thessalonians to turn to Christ -- he exhorted them and charged them to live lives worthy of God and of the calling they had received -- and he reminded them of the power that they had within them

-- such is the power of gentleness -- gentleness is not a bonus that we give to the deserving -- it is a debt that we owe everyone -- even people who oppose us
-- as Maxie Dunnam said, "The gentle are courteous and kind -- they exercise restraint -- they practice reticence in speech, knowing that words can wound and silence may be more affirming than chatter -- they do not intrude into another's life but are available to and responsive to other's needs."
-- gentleness takes incredible inner strength, self-control, and resilience -- In the Bible, we are told to combat harshness, violence, insults, suffering, and severity with gentleness and meekness
-- to be gentle means that you understand human frailty and that you support, help, encourage, exhort and counsel others with patience until they become strong and mature, just like Paul did with the Thessalonians
-- to be gentle means that you are aware of the power that you have but you choose to wield it in a way that will build up rather than destroy
-- a great illustration of gentleness as power under control is the alligator -- a few years ago, I stumbled on an alligator nest while I was cruising timber -- all the baby alligators that were in the water scrambled for the far bank as I came up on the pond and they started grunting -- moments later, mama showed up -- and she opened up her mouth and the babies crawled in and she carried them off
-- the crushing power of an alligator's jaw is immense -- an alligator can exert up to 3,000 pounds of pressure per square inch -- it can easily break bone -- I have seen alligators bite through truck fenders -- but this mother alligator -- rather than wielding her power -- kept it in control and gently took care of her young

-- that is what we are called to do as Christians -- we have this great power within us, but we have to take care how we use it -- Dwight D. Eisenhower once said, "You don't lead by hitting people over the head - that's assault, not leadership" -- as Christians, we are not to hit people over the head with the gospel message -- we are not to hit people over the head with our religion
-- instead, we are to respond to them with gentleness and meekness just as Jesus did and just as Paul did -- instead of responding to hostility and opposition and persecution with similar actions, we are to respond from a point of power with humility and gentleness

-- as Chuck Swindoll reminds us -- gentleness is not weakness -- it is not being soft -- it not being virtually spineless -- "Gentleness includes such enviable qualities as having strength under control -- being calm and peaceful when surrounded by a heated atmosphere -- emitting a soothing effect on those who may be angry or otherwise beside themselves -- and possessing tact and gracious courtesy that causes others to retain their self-esteem and dignity"

-- gentleness or meekness is a virtue that can only come through the power of the Holy Spirit within us -- gentleness is the wise application of power in the life of someone else to help them become more like Christ -- it is willingly removing ourself from a situation so that Christ can be exalted -- in a very real sense, gentleness combines and applies all of the other fruits of the Spirit so that others can come to a saving knowledge of Christ

-- let's pray