The Fruit of the Spirit Additions of Scriptures and other edits: Jack Wheeler – Clovis Ca m Original Power Point Lesson Steven J Wallace

“Fruit” is singular.

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT “GENTLENESS” 3

Galatians 5:22-23 GENTLENESSBut the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, GENTLENESS, self-control. Against such there is no law. “Meekness” (KJV) 4

k Blessed are the Meek “Blessed are the MEEK, For they shall inherit the earth” (Matt. 5:5) NOT “Blessed are the WEAK, For they shall inherit the earth. NOT “Blessed are the STRONG, For they can hold their own on the earth.” 5

Defining “Gentleness/Meekness” Greek: gentleness, mildness, meekness “... is founded upon this idea, [of thinking little of your self,] and goes beyond it. It is the attitude of mind and behavior which, arising from humility, disposes one to receive with gentleness and meekness whatever may come” 6

Defining “Gentleness/Meekness” “Meekness is patience in the reception of injuries. It is neither meanness, nor a surrender of our rights, nor cowardice; but it is the opposite of sudden anger, of malice, of long-harboured vengeance... 7

Defining “Gentleness/Meekness” (Barnes Notes) Meekness produces peace. It is proof of true greatness of soul. It comes from a heart too great to be moved by little insults. It looks upon those who offer them with pity. He that is constantly ruffled, that suffers every little insult or injury to throw him off his guard, and to raise a storm of passion within, is at the mercy of every mortal that chooses to disturb him. He is like the troubled sea that cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.” 8

Meekness & Lowliness “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:29- 30) I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:1-3) 9

Meekness Requires Humility It is obvious if we have an inflated assessment of self, we are not “spiritual” and will not be “gentle/meek” Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. 10

Meekness Requires Humility 1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 11

Meekness MEEKNESS DOESN’T FORBID: ANGER FIRMNESS INITIATIVE MEEKNESS REGULATES SUCH! 12

Meekness Requires Humility MOSES Number 12:3 Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.” –Yet he required the Levites to take their sword to their disobedient brethren where 3000 died (Ex. 32:25-28) 13

Meekness Requires Humility PAUL –1 Corinthians 4:21 What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness? –two essentials in preaching –meekness doesn’t forbid one the use of a rod 14

Meekness Requires Humility PAUL 2 Corinthians 13:2 I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare: 2 Corinthians 13:10 Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction. 15

Meekness Requires Humility JESUS Jesus was meek Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 16 Yet…. John 2:15 And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables;

Meekness Requires Humility JESUS –Yet...He openly challenged and destroyed the religious error of the day –Matthew 23:13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. 17

Meekness Requires Humility JESUS Our Lord’s Meekness allowed Him to do all these things without sin Peter 2: For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 22 "Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth"; 23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;

A MEEK PERSON Doesn’t excuse sin/doctrinal infractions Doesn’t get carried away by personal success Can sense and feel the wrong directed towards him by man –Forebears and endures such –Doesn’t seek revenge for personal wrongs –May pity the broken and defective character of those who resist him 19

A MEEK PERSON 2 Timothy 2: And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 20

ARE WE A MEEK PERSON ? Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. They shall receive blessing now – on earth 21

ARE WE A MEEK PERSON ? But WHAT Blessing? What Blessing Now? Blessing of being a Christian 22

ARE WE A MEEK PERSON ? Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 23

ARE WE A MEEK PERSON ? Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 1 Corinthians 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 24

ARE WE A MEEK PERSON ? SO 25 Are you in Christ? Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

ARE WE A MEEK PERSON ? Have You Been Baptized Into Christ ? 26

ARE WE A MEEK PERSON ? IF NOT WHY NOT 27