Sermon Notes

Radical Red Letters

Blessed are the Gentle (Week 4)

 

“Until 1543, we earthlings enjoyed center stage. Fathers could place their arms around their children, point to the night sky and proclaim, ‘The universe revolves around us.’”—Max Lucado (It’s Not About Me, p.3)

 

“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”

 

The Beatitudes: Eight radical declarations of kingdom living resulting in contentment in the midst of the chaos

 

“When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.“Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.” – Matthew 5:1-5

 

I. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE ‘GENTLE’?

 

Biblical definition of mourn—a brokenness before God born out of truth revealed through my fellowship with Him

 

Biblical definition of gentleness—the overflow of brokenness before God expressed in my surrender to Him and my submission to others

 

II. WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE IN MY LIFE PRACTICALLY TO LIVE “GENTLE”?

 

A. Gentleness is demonstrated as I surrender the control of my life to Jesus (moment-by-moment)

 

“Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.”—Romans 12:1

 

B. Gentleness is demonstrated as I submit to others in my life

 

“and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.”—Ephesians 5:21

 

“Now the very notion of submission is out of fashion today. It is totally at variance with contemporary attitudes of permissiveness and freedom. Almost nothing is calculated to arouse more angry protest than the talk of ‘subjection’. Ours is an age of liberation, and anything savoring of oppression is deeply resented and strongly resisted. How are Christians to react to this modern world.?”—John R.W. Stott (The Message of Ephesians, p.215)

 

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.”—Proverbs 31:8-9 (NLT)

 

“Sometimes a person who claims to be filled with the Spirit becomes aggressive, self-assertive and brash. But the Holy Spirit is a humble Spirit, and those who are truly filled with Him always display the meekness and gentleness of Christ. It is one of their most evident characteristics that they submit to one another.” —John R.W. Stott (The Message of Ephesians, p.208)

 

“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus.”—Philippians 2:3-5

 

Gentleness towards others means… In every way I relate to you, I consider you more important than me

 

“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.”—Matthew 11:28

 

Christlike submission sees people
Christlike submission serves people
Christlike submission sacrifices for people
 

 III. WHAT IS THE PROMISE CONCERNING THOSE WHO ARE ‘GENTLE’?