1. God is in control and God is good and faithful
Zimbabwe
A Beautiful Mess
God is in control and God is good and faithful

2. Zimbabwe
A Beautiful Mess

3. A Beautiful Mess Becoming Like Jesus
NORTHSIDE COMMUNITY CHURCH
A Beautiful Mess Becoming Like Jesus
Galatians 5:22 – 23
GENTLENESS!

4. Gentleness
A Beautiful Mess

5. Gentleness
A Beautiful Mess
We can only bear this Fruit if the power and influence of the Gospel and the presence of the Holy Spirit is at work in our lives.

6. Gentleness
A Beautiful Mess
Gentleness is the ability to endure hostility and criticism without aggression.
We bear the Fruit of gentleness when we learn to respond like Jesus…
We are able to be gentle when we are aware that the other person is a human being with feelings just like me.
“Hurt people, hurt people”

7. Gentleness
A Beautiful Mess
Gentleness is sometimes saying nothing and just soaking it up, think of Jesus at His trial.
Sometimes a gentle response can be strong, firm and clear, but it is always without anger or rage. 
Gentleness is also very close to humility.
Ephesians 4:1-2

8. Is God gentle in the OT?
A Beautiful Mess
Psalm 23:2-3 “He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths For His name’s sake.” Isaiah 40:11 “He tends his flock like a shepherd, He gathers the lambs in His arms And carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young.”

9. Is God gentle in the OT?
A Beautiful Mess
Psalm 103:13-14 “As a father has compassion on his children, So the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him For He knows how we are formed, He remembers that we are dust.” Deuteronomy 1:31 “There in the wilderness you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place.”

10. Is God gentle in the OT?
A Beautiful Mess
Hagar
Elijah

11. Gentle Jesus
A Beautiful Mess
“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 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.”

12. Gentle Jesus
A Beautiful Mess
Samaritan Woman
Peter

13. You and me!
A Beautiful Mess
Paul turns gentleness and humility from being despised qualities in the culture into prime evidence of the work of the Spirit of Jesus in our lives.
The very things our world mocks, Paul affirms as qualities that make us more like Jesus.

14. You and me!
A Beautiful Mess
“By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you.” 2 Corinthians 10:1.
“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently.” Galatians 6:1

15. You and me!
A Beautiful Mess
“The Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant repentance leading then to knowledge of the truth.” 2 Timothy 2:24-25
“Remind the people to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always be gentle toward everyone.” Titus 3:2

16. You and me!
A Beautiful Mess
“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.” 1 Peter 3:15

17. You and me!
A Beautiful Mess
It is a Fruit of the Spirit. It is the character of Jesus living within us.
The root of gentleness is humility.
Out of this deep well of self-knowledge and thanksgiving for the grace of God that rescued me from my own sin and failure, comes humility before God and gentleness toward others.

18. You and me! If God has been gentle and gracious to me.
A Beautiful Mess
If God has been gentle and gracious to me.
If I would like people to be gentle and gracious with me when I mess up.
Let me pray that I will be gentle and gracious toward others.
As a forgiven sinner, let me welcome others to the fellowship of the forgiven.
Let the gentle Fruit of the Spirit ripen in my life and relationships.