Gentleness | Donnie Leonard

[0:00] Thank you, Lord. For the last few Wednesday nights, we've been studying the fruit of the Spirit. They are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

[0:14] My assignment tonight is the fruit of gentleness. Hallelujah. Let's pray, y'all. Father, we thank you right now, God, for this opportunity, Father. I pray right now, God, in the name of Jesus, that your anointing take over right now, God.

[0:28] Get me out of the way, Father, and use me in a mighty way, God. Let this word go on good ground tonight, Father, and accomplish what you want done. In Jesus' mighty name, hallelujah.

[0:40] Thank you, Lord. I'm old school, y'all. I mean, real old school. I wrote everything down ten times. And I started out with 40 pages, now I've got 26.

[0:52] But y'all just bear with me. Hallelujah. I was born in 69, so we didn't have all this technical stuff. Anyway, I'm going to try to stay on message, y'all.

[1:06] So, y'all just bear with me. Hallelujah. We're talking about gentleness. How many know that Jesus demonstrated gentleness when he went to the cross? Hallelujah. Through all the physical suffering, through all the pain, through the beating, and the mockings, and even through the crucifixion, he showed gentleness.

[1:25] Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Thank you, Lord. He was gentle when he prayed and said, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. Hallelujah. Because the Bible says he could have called ten thousand times ten thousand angels to get him off of that cross.

[1:43] But he looked down through the ages of time. He looked at you. He looked at you, and he looked at you, and he looked at me. He said, no, I'll lay down my life for them. Hallelujah. That's gentleness.

[1:53] Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Jesus, Lord. Hallelujah. Jesus showed gentleness towards his accusers.

[2:04] He showed gentleness towards his killers. He showed gentleness towards his disciples. And he showed gentleness to the thief on the cross as he was dying, and he saved him.

[2:17] That was gentleness. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Jesus was gentle. With the woman caught in adultery. He told her, go and sin no more.

[2:29] Hallelujah. He was gentle with her. Thank you, Lord. When we see someone in sin, we need to be gentle, y'all. We need to have love and compassion.

[2:41] And do it in gentleness. And not be the first to cast the first stone. People can be so judgmental. I mean, if we're disciples of Christ, we need to walk in love and in gentleness.

[2:56] Can y'all tell I'm nervous? That's all right now. You need to pray. Thank you, Lord. People will say they just need tough love.

[3:09] How about let's give them some gentleness and some love. Hallelujah. I said that many times before. Give them tough love. But when you're walking in the Spirit and you're filled with the Spirit, you're going to start loving.

[3:23] You're going to start having gentleness towards people. If not, then we're going to need to pray. Hallelujah. Let's see what the Bible says. Matthew chapter 11, verse 29.

[3:38] Thank you, Lord. Hallelujah. When you get there, say amen. That was quick. Y'all, quick. Hallelujah.

[3:52] This is Jesus talking. He said, take my yoke upon you and learn from me. For I am meek. And that word meek means gentle. For I am gentle and humble in heart.

[4:07] And you shall find rest unto your soul. Hallelujah. That word yoke, it means that it's a wooden device that they used to harness two animals together back, way back then, to keep them together and to plow in a straight line.

[4:25] Hallelujah. What Jesus is telling us is saying, to align yourself with me and allow me to take your burdens. Jesus is saying, do as I do and be gentle.

[4:39] Hallelujah. Thank you, Lord. Thank you. We've been studying the fruit of the spirits is in Galatians chapter 5, 22, and 26. We won't turn there for time's sakes.

[4:51] But I think we've all, teaching this fruit of the spirits is used the same. Because that's where the fruit of the spirits come from. We won't turn there for that. I got more scriptures.

[5:02] Don't worry. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. We've all used them scriptures. Praise God. But what Paul was saying is to reject the path of sin and to reject selfish desires.

[5:18] He's telling us to walk by the spirit and not the desires of the flesh. How many know that our flesh wants to do stuff contrary to what God says? I mean, it's why we've got to crucify our flesh.

[5:32] Because I'm going to tell you, that flesh stinks. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. You want to know how to walk in the spirit? There's some things I wrote down.

[5:42] There's a lot of stuff. Learn to be gentle with people. Fill your minds and thoughts with the things of the spirit. Pray to God.

[5:53] Trust God. Follow God's word. Meditate on God's word. Worship him. Spend time with him. Hallelujah. Thank you, Jesus. We will read Galatians chapter 6 verses 1 and 2.

[6:09] Thank you, Lord. And I'm reading a lot of this out of the NIV because this just makes more sense to me. Hallelujah.

[6:20] Thank you, Jesus. Brothers and sister. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Galatians chapter 6 verses 1 and verse 2.

[6:33] And it says, Brothers and sister, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourself or you also may be tempted.

[6:47] Verse 2. Carry each other's burdens and in this way you will feel the law of Christ. The scripture is telling us to restore them in a spirit of gentleness and to allow the Holy Spirit to do the work.

[7:03] And not be so judgmental, not be overbearing or have an attitude. We need to do it in gentleness, y'all. Hallelujah. If we don't have gentleness, it opens ourselves up for Satan to attack us in the same way that that person was in sin.

[7:22] So we've got to use gentleness or we're going to allow the enemy to come in. Hallelujah. And tempt us in that same way. Gentleness is really strength under control.

[7:35] Hallelujah. That's exactly what it is. Strength under control. Gentleness is power. It's a powerful, it's powerful to be gentle. Hallelujah.

[7:47] I've got the glasses going and coming, y'all. Tell me I don't need to go to the eye doctor. Hallelujah. Thank you, Lord. Being gentle is being kind.

[8:01] Gentle is respect and empathy. Gentleness is soft-spoken. Gentleness is non-confrontational. Gentleness resolves conflict peacefully.

[8:12] Hallelujah. Gentleness is not weakness. Thank you, Lord. Gentleness is restraining from speaking and acting in a harsh or unkind way.

[8:25] Hallelujah. How many know we can tire people down with our words? The way we talk to people, that makes all the difference in the world. This tongue is cutting if we're not careful.

[8:37] We need to be gentle with people. Hallelujah. Thank you, Father. I believe that gentleness is the ultimate fruit of the Spirit. I believe that gentleness, every believer should produce and demonstrate gentleness in their life.

[8:54] Hallelujah. Philippians chapter 4 and verse 5. Thank you, Lord. Hallelujah.

[9:08] It's awful quiet in here. Pastor Steve would say. Am I boring, y'all? Hallelujah. Hallelujah.

[9:19] Thank you, Father. Let your gentleness be evidence to all. That's what the Word says.

[9:29] This is the fruit that everyone should see in us. Above all else, they should see gentleness in us. If we're a child of God, we're a disciple of Jesus, they need to see gentleness.

[9:45] Hallelujah. Gentleness should be evidence in our life. It should be evident to all men of our gentleness. Thank you, Father. Gentleness will change who you are.

[9:57] It will change our relationships. It will change our friends. And it can even change the atmosphere. Hallelujah.

[10:08] Thank you, Father. Gentleness is a mature and a calm demeanor, even in a difficult situation. Thank you, Lord.

[10:18] Hallelujah. We're going to get through this quick, y'all. Thank you, Jesus. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. I'll tell you, as I was studying this, it really touched my heart, y'all.

[10:30] I've been walking in gentleness, but this really put the icing on the cake for me. I'm thankful for this message. Hallelujah. Thank you, Jesus.

[10:41] Let's turn to Matthew chapter 5 and verse 5. The whole time I've been studying y'all, I never had to drink anything, but now I'm thirsty.

[10:58] My mouth is dry. Hallelujah. Glory to be to God. Okay. Okay. Matthew chapter 5 and verse 5.

[11:11] Blessed are the meek. That word meek means gentle. Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. So if we'll be gentle and humble, we'll be blessed.

[11:23] And we'll inherit the earth. What the scripture is saying, inherit it, means we will have a significant role in God's kingdom if we'll be gentle.

[11:34] We'll have a big part in God's kingdom if we'll be gentle. Hallelujah. We'll be prosperous if we'll be gentle. Glory to God. Thank you, Father. Gentleness is a character trait that can be applied to anyone, regardless of gender or physical stature.

[11:52] Thank you, Lord. Hallelujah. Glory. Thank you, Jesus. He's worthy. Thank you, Father.

[12:03] It's about putting others first and having a humble attitude. How many know that we, a sinner, should not be more gentle or nicer than us Christians?

[12:17] If we're a believer of Christ, we need to show gentleness. We should be a lot nicer than the world, you know. Hallelujah. My wife would tell me all the time, this is over 30 years ago.

[12:33] We getting old, y'all. We've been here a little over 30 years, me and my wife. We come here. We had two small babies, Stephanie and Justin.

[12:46] And then, you come later. And then, Stacy was a newborn. So, she turned 30 years old. So, that puts us here a little over 30 years since 1995.

[12:59] This church has been a blessing. But anyway. Hallelujah. Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Jesus. What I was saying, did I get off track?

[13:10] I did, didn't I? My wife would tell me all the time. She used to be a waitress. And when she would come in from work, she would tell me that they hated to see the Christians or the church people to come in.

[13:25] Because they would be so demanding and so rude. And they would stay there and keep the tables up. And just take all the time. And when they got ready to leave, they wouldn't even hardly tip.

[13:38] Come on. We are the light of the world. We better start learning to be gentle. Hallelujah. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Lord.

[13:50] We need to be intentional about being gentle. We need to make it deliberate. We need to go out of our way and be gentle to people. Hallelujah. We're a child of the most high God.

[14:04] Hallelujah. Thank you, Father. Glory. Proverbs chapter 15 and 1. Thank you, Jesus, Lord. Hallelujah. Thank you, Jesus, God.

[14:19] I bless you, Father. I praise you, Lord. Thank you, Jesus, God. Proverbs chapter 15 and verse 1.

[14:31] A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. If we would have a calm and a kind and soft response, it can resolve conflict, y'all.

[14:49] Hallelujah. Being gentle can take tension out of an argument. Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Lord. I can see to read with this, but when I look at y'all, I can't even see y'all.

[15:03] Hallelujah. Man. Thank you, Lord. Hallelujah. God's good.

[15:14] When tensions get high and voices get loud, we need to step back and let the fruit of gentleness take control. Hallelujah. Let gentleness be present.

[15:26] Thank you, Lord. We need to live our lives with the controlled strength of gentleness. Hallelujah. Thank you, Jesus, Lord. Gentleness is not weakness.

[15:37] It's the opposite. It's the opposite. Hallelujah. Being gentle, it's a power. Hallelujah. Gentleness can be a force for change because it's wrapped up in peace.

[15:51] Hallelujah. Thank you, Jesus, God. Thank you, Father. Hallelujah. Let me talk to the men in here tonight.

[16:02] Let's see what men we got. We got a few. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. God created us to have an aggressive and a bold behavior.

[16:13] And he wants us to use that same aggressive and that same boldness for his kingdom. Hallelujah. God wants us as men to produce gentleness. People are watching us.

[16:25] Our wives are watching us. Our families are watching us. Our children are watching us. And the world's watching us, too. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. We need to remember we're a reflection of who Jesus is.

[16:38] Glory be to God. Hallelujah. Now, that don't mean that we don't discipline our children. But when we do it, we do it in gentleness. That don't mean we don't get in disagreement or an argument.

[16:51] But when we do it, we need to do it in gentleness. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Thank you, Jesus. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Thank you, Father. I've seen a study on the Internet that measured the aggressive behavior in men and women.

[17:09] I thought men would be by far more aggressive than women. I was shocked to find out it was 60-40, men being more aggressive. Wow, ladies.

[17:20] I'm really scared now. I mean, come on. Phew. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. But when they look at the most aggressive behavior, it was 100% men.

[17:35] And that's why our prisons are full. Because they have lived their life with aggressive behavior and not with gentleness. Thank you, Jesus.

[17:46] Hallelujah. Thank you, Father. My God, you're worthy, Father. Gentleness is very important.

[17:56] We do not give up our strength to be gentle. Hallelujah. It does not make us fragile or spineless. Hallelujah. What we say and what we do need to be in gentleness.

[18:10] Hallelujah. Let me challenge everyone in here tonight. Let's start this week talking to our spouse with gentleness. Let's talk.

[18:21] Let's take this week and start talking to our children with gentleness. Hallelujah. Let's have a gentle spirit with our friends, our loved ones, and everyone we come in contact with.

[18:34] Let's cover everything in gentleness. Hallelujah. Gentleness will change the atmosphere. Thank you, Jesus, Lord.

[18:45] I give you praise, God. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. If we would set our minds and our hearts and live and act in gentleness, it will improve our relationships.

[18:56] The payoff will be big. Hallelujah. Gentleness is not the outwardly expression, but it's an internal expression. It flows from God.

[19:07] Hallelujah. Thank you, Lord. When we are walking in gentleness, it raises the standard. Thank you, Lord. Glory be to God.

[19:19] Thank you, Jesus. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. When I think about a gentle person, I think about Pastor Steve having the fruit of gentleness. He would preach and teach with strength and power, but it would be like a gentle hammer, y'all.

[19:37] And I know y'all remember that. He would get his point across and the message across. But it would be with a gentle spirit. Hallelujah. Hallelujah.

[19:49] Thank you, Father. He would tell us all the time, if you fall, get back up. You don't lose unless you quit. Hallelujah. I'll never forget that. Thank you, Father.

[20:01] I used to come years ago, hallelujah, 20 years ago. I've been here 30, but I struggled for years. He'd come through that. I'd come through that door, and he'd look at me.

[20:11] He'd say, he'd know. I mean, he had discernment. He said, just keep your head up. You're going to be okay. Hallelujah. He was a gentle man. Glory to God.

[20:22] Thank you, Father. Gentleness is strength and power. Hallelujah. Paul describes gentleness as ability not to jump, to respond, or to demand control.

[20:36] Gentleness is humble and to submit to God's will. Thank you, Father. Gentleness is humility, patience, forbearance towards others.

[20:47] Gentleness is not to be misunderstood or weakness or to let other people have their way and walk all over you. That's not what gentleness is. Thank you, Lord.

[20:58] Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Someone who lacks gentleness is often prideful, and they are easy angered or feel the need for revenge. Some people might not walk in gentleness because they view gentleness as being fragile or a waste of time.

[21:18] Hallelujah. It's not a waste of time, y'all. Jesus said if we would learn how to have a gentle attitude and have a gentle response, it will bring peace.

[21:30] It will bring prosperity. There will be peace in our home. Excuse me. It will bring peace in our marriage. Peace with our kids, and it can even bring peace at work.

[21:42] Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Jesus said that we would be salt and light, but he did not say we'd be the heat or the judge of somebody. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Thank you, Lord.

[21:54] The problem is, the problem with gentleness is does not come naturally. That's not natural to be gentle, y'all. Gentleness is something that we have to work on.

[22:07] Thank you, Lord. If we can turn to 1 Timothy chapter 6 and verse 11. Hallelujah. When you get there, say amen.

[22:30] 1 Timothy chapter 6 and verse 11. This is the Apostle Paul. But you, man of God, flee from all this. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness.

[22:45] Paul is telling us to go after righteousness. Go after holiness. Hallelujah. And be gentle. We need to understand that being gentle does not come natural.

[22:58] If we get in a heated argument or someone's being, I'm sorry. If we get in a heated argument with someone, we need to be gentle.

[23:12] We know that it don't come natural to be gentle when we get in a heated argument. I had to rephrase that, y'all. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. How many know if we're going down 85 and we have a lame disagreement with somebody, being gentle don't come natural.

[23:28] It don't happen. Barry, did it come natural? It won't work. Hallelujah. This is why we need to be in step with the Spirit.

[23:38] Hallelujah. Thank you, Lord. Let's ask ourselves, why should we be gentle? Why? Hallelujah. Because God was gentle with me.

[23:51] Before we were saved, God was gentle with us. Hallelujah. How many times have we messed up and God was gentle with us? Glory be to God.

[24:02] Thank you, Father. God was gentle with me when I was in sin. When I was lost and undone, He was gentle with me. When I was out drinking and doing drugs, God was gentle with me.

[24:14] Hallelujah. Glory be to God. When I was doing my own thing, God was gentle with me. He was gentle with me when I was following my own lust and my own desires.

[24:26] Thank you, Lord. He was gentle. God has been gentle with me over and over and over again. Hallelujah. This is why we should be gentle because God has been gentle to us.

[24:38] Thank you, Lord. Hallelujah. Glory be to God. Thank you, Father. God sent His only Son to this earth to save us.

[24:49] He fed the 5,000. He calmed the storms. He healed the sick. He caused the lame to walk. He healed the blind. But He committed no sin. And He was gracious and kind and loving.

[25:04] And He even let His disciples betray Him and turned Him over to His accusers to be crucified and nailed to the cross. He didn't do it for His benefit.

[25:17] He did it for us. Hallelujah. That's gentleness. Hallelujah. Glory be to God. Thank you, Jesus, Lord. Children of God, if we're going to be gentle, we're going to have to be more like Jesus.

[25:34] Being gentle with someone because Jesus has been gentle with us. If we are in step with the Holy Spirit, we'll have gentleness. Let's walk in the spirit of gentleness and let the fruit of gentleness be present in our life.

[25:50] Hallelujah. Thank you, Father. Glory to God. That's all I have, y'all. Thank you, Jesus, Lord. Thank you, Father.

[26:01] Thank you, Jesus, God. We've got to learn to be gentle. That's the gift of the fruit of the Spirit, y'all.

[26:14] Hallelujah. Thank y'all. Thank you, Lord. Thank you.