Embracing Meekness: Strength in Gentle Trust
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. Today, we gathered to worship and reflect on the lessons from our recent Vacation Bible School, where over 50 children learned about the love of Jesus. We began with hymns and a children's message, emphasizing that God's love is a gift that requires our acceptance. We also prayed for various needs, including the recovery of Dawn from surgery, the safety of our missionaries Roger and Sue, and peace in conflict-ridden areas like Bangladesh, Ukraine, and the Middle East.
Today's sermon focused on the virtue of gentleness, or meekness, as described in Galatians 5:22-23. We explored how meekness is often misunderstood as weakness, but in reality, it is a powerful demonstration of trust in God's plan, timing, and power. We examined Psalm 37:1-6 to understand the essence of meekness, which involves waiting on the Lord and refraining from anger. We also looked at practical ways to cultivate meekness, such as responding with grace and truth, and the ultimate reward of inheriting the earth as promised by Jesus in Matthew 5:5.
We discussed how meekness is not about being passive but about exercising controlled strength. Jesus exemplified this during His temptation in the wilderness, responding to Satan with calm and measured truth. We are called to emulate this by trusting in God's plan and not reacting with anger or force. The practice of meekness involves making peace rather than breaking it, and it requires the Holy Spirit's help to grow in this virtue.
In conclusion, meekness values God's promises and eternal rewards above immediate gratification. It is a powerful demonstration of trust in God, humility in our interactions, and a focus on eternal rewards. As we go forth, let us strive to grow in meekness, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us in our interactions, making our words full of grace and truth.
### Key Takeaways
1. Meekness is Not Weakness: Meekness is often misunderstood as weakness, but it is actually a powerful demonstration of controlled strength and trust in God. It involves waiting on the Lord and refraining from anger, knowing that God's plan and timing are perfect. [36:47]
2. Trust in God's Plan: True meekness finds strength in surrendering to God's plan, timing, and power. Jesus exemplified this during His temptation in the wilderness, responding to Satan with calm and measured truth rather than anger or force. [43:58]
3. Grace and Truth in Interactions: Practicing meekness involves responding with grace and truth in our interactions. This means being kind and gentle, even when we know we are right, and not reacting with anger or harshness. [46:23]
4. Eternal Rewards Over Immediate Gratification: Meekness values God's promises and eternal rewards above immediate gratification. While the world seeks to control and get its way, true meekness trusts in God's ultimate reward, which is far greater than any temporary gain. [50:26]
5. The Role of the Holy Spirit: Growing in meekness requires the help of the Holy Spirit. It is through the Spirit that we can develop the fruit of gentleness, making our words and actions full of grace and truth, and reflecting the character of Christ in our daily lives. [55:21]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[03:54] - Children's Message
[11:53] - God Loves Everyone
[13:21] - Prayer for VBS and Announcements
[14:46] - College Age Get-Together
[16:46] - Prayers for Bangladesh and Missionaries
[18:17] - Roger and Sue's Mission Update
[19:35] - Prayers for Global Conflicts
[23:06] - VBS Recap Video
[24:36] - The Lord's Prayer
[31:13] - Introduction to Sermon on Gentleness
[32:24] - Understanding Meekness
[35:52] - The Essence of Meekness
[36:47] - Psalm 37:1-6
[38:27] - Example of Meekness
[40:50] - Responding with Calm and Measured Tone
[42:11] - Jesus' Example of Meekness
[43:58] - Trusting God's Plan
[45:47] - Practicing Meekness
[46:23] - Grace and Truth
[48:06] - Meekness in Daily Interactions
[48:47] - The Reward of Meekness
[50:26] - Eternal Rewards Over Immediate Gratification
[51:28] - 2 Peter's Encouragement
[53:40] - The Value of Meekness
[55:21] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
[56:35] - Closing Prayer
[57:13] - Final Song: In Christ Alone
[01:02:43] - Benediction and Closing Song
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Galatians 5:22-23: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law."
2. Psalm 37:1-6: "Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun."
3. Matthew 5:5: "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth."
### Observation Questions
1. According to Galatians 5:22-23, what are the characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit?
2. In Psalm 37:1-6, what are we instructed to do instead of fretting over those who do wrong?
3. How does Jesus describe the meek in Matthew 5:5, and what is their promised reward?
4. What example did the pastor give to illustrate the essence of meekness in Psalm 37:1-6? ([36:47])
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of meekness in Psalm 37:1-6 challenge common perceptions of strength and power? ([37:38])
2. Why is it significant that Jesus responded to Satan with calm and measured truth during His temptation in the wilderness? ([43:58])
3. How can practicing meekness, as described in the sermon, lead to inheriting the earth as promised in Matthew 5:5? ([35:52])
4. What role does the Holy Spirit play in helping believers grow in meekness and gentleness? ([55:21])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you reacted with anger. How could you have responded with meekness instead? ([35:15])
2. Think of a time when you had to wait on God's timing. How did that experience shape your trust in His plan? ([37:38])
3. Identify a relationship in your life where you struggle to respond with grace and truth. What steps can you take to practice meekness in that relationship? ([46:23])
4. How can you remind yourself to value eternal rewards over immediate gratification in your daily decisions? ([50:26])
5. What practical ways can you invite the Holy Spirit to help you grow in gentleness and meekness this week? ([55:21])
6. Consider a situation where you have the power to control the outcome. How can you demonstrate trust in God's plan by exercising meekness? ([42:11])
7. How can you incorporate the practice of making peace rather than breaking it in your interactions at work, home, or church? ([45:47])
Devotional
Day 1: Meekness as Controlled Strength
Meekness is often misunderstood as weakness, but it is actually a powerful demonstration of controlled strength and trust in God. It involves waiting on the Lord and refraining from anger, knowing that God's plan and timing are perfect. Meekness is not about being passive or weak; it is about exercising strength under control. This virtue allows us to respond to situations with grace and patience, trusting that God is in control and His timing is perfect. By refraining from anger and waiting on the Lord, we demonstrate our faith in His plan and His power.
Psalm 37:1-6 says, "Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers! For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday." [36:47]
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you felt anger or frustration. How can you practice controlled strength and trust in God's timing in similar situations in the future?
Day 2: Trusting in God's Plan
True meekness finds strength in surrendering to God's plan, timing, and power. Jesus exemplified this during His temptation in the wilderness, responding to Satan with calm and measured truth rather than anger or force. This kind of trust requires us to let go of our need to control outcomes and instead rely on God's wisdom and timing. By doing so, we align ourselves with His will and demonstrate our faith in His ultimate plan for our lives.
In Matthew 4:1-11, we see Jesus being tempted by Satan in the wilderness. Despite the temptations, Jesus responds with calm and measured truth, showing His trust in God's plan and timing. This example teaches us the importance of surrendering to God's will and trusting in His power. [43:58]
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Day 3: Responding with Grace and Truth
Practicing meekness involves responding with grace and truth in our interactions. This means being kind and gentle, even when we know we are right, and not reacting with anger or harshness. By doing so, we reflect the character of Christ and create an environment of peace and understanding. This approach not only helps us grow in our faith but also positively impacts those around us, fostering relationships built on love and respect.
Colossians 4:6 says, "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." This verse reminds us of the importance of speaking with grace and truth, reflecting the character of Christ in our interactions. [46:23]
Reflection: Think of a recent conversation where you could have responded with more grace and truth. How can you approach similar conversations in the future with a spirit of meekness?
Day 4: Valuing Eternal Rewards Over Immediate Gratification
Meekness values God's promises and eternal rewards above immediate gratification. While the world seeks to control and get its way, true meekness trusts in God's ultimate reward, which is far greater than any temporary gain. This perspective helps us focus on what truly matters and align our actions with God's will, knowing that His rewards are eternal and far more fulfilling than anything the world can offer.
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 says, "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." This passage encourages us to focus on eternal rewards rather than immediate gratification. [50:26]
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are seeking immediate gratification? How can you shift your focus to value God's eternal rewards instead?
Day 5: The Role of the Holy Spirit in Growing Meekness
Growing in meekness requires the help of the Holy Spirit. It is through the Spirit that we can develop the fruit of gentleness, making our words and actions full of grace and truth, and reflecting the character of Christ in our daily lives. By relying on the Holy Spirit, we can cultivate meekness and demonstrate controlled strength, trust in God's plan, and respond with grace and truth in our interactions.
Galatians 5:22-23 says, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." This passage highlights the importance of the Holy Spirit in developing the fruit of gentleness and other virtues. [55:21]
Reflection: How can you invite the Holy Spirit to help you grow in meekness today? What specific actions can you take to rely more on the Spirit's guidance in your daily interactions?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "God loves everyone. He wants a relationship with them, but not everyone will come to have a relationship with them. Did you know that? Because God doesn't force himself on us, but he also offers eternal life to all of us. And that's why we need to take that offer. We can't just leave it on the table and go, yeah, I don't like that. It's a gift that God gives us." [11:53] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Worldly strength seeks to control and get their way. But true meekness finds strength in surrender. To God. You catch that? True meekness or true understanding of where the power is. Because this officer had all the power in the situation. He had a gun. He had a taser. He had handcuffs. He had all this stuff. Yet he was kind to a nth degree to this gentleman. Even though he was not kind back." [41:30] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "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. This is Jesus talking. And he's saying to us, this is who I am. And if you want to look like me and be my representative. Here's what you need to be growing. And gentleness and humble in heart. Our yoke to others should be light. But often we're not." [42:11] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Meekness is not weakness. Meekness. Is trusting. In the most powerful being. Ever known. And saying I trust you. And your timing. And your reward. See meekness. Again is not weakness. But a powerful demonstration. In trusting our God. Humility in our interactions. And focus on the eternal rewards. So when we interact with people. Let our conversations be sprinkled with grace. Grace and truth. Not just truth. And not just permission or license." [54:14] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "The essence of meekness. We're going to be taking a look at Psalm 37, 1-6. And I think it gives us all three points in this passage. Psalm 37, 1-6 says this. Do not fret. Evil men, or be envious of those who do wrong. For like the grass, they will soon wither. Like the green plants, they will soon die away. Trust in the Lord and do good. Dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord. Trust in him, and he will do this. And he will make your righteous. Shine like the dawn. The justice of your cause. Like the noon day sun." [36:47] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Reactionary anger breaks peace. But humble meekness makes it. Say that again. Reactionary anger breaks peace. But humble meekness makes peace. In your interactions with people. How are we doing? Are we breaking the peace more than we're making the peace? Because often times. In my own life included. I react. Anger in itself is not bad. But when we use it in the wrong way. It becomes. It becomes something that is not from God." [45:47] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Meekness trusts God's plan. Meekness trusts his plan. His timing. And his power. But often we forget the power that you and I have. If you are a follower of Jesus. You have the power of heaven and earth at your fingertips. You have access to the one true God in heaven. Yet often we respond in our daily activities. Thinking that we are the ultimate. And have to do it. And have to do it by ourselves. True meekness. The fruit of the spirit of gentleness and meekness. Trust God's plan. His timing. And his power. Knowing that whatever comes our way. We can have rest. The yoke we have should not be so heavy." [45:06] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "But the meek. The gentle. Will inherit the land. And enjoy great peace. I don't know if you caught that. But there was another passage. That was from Jesus earlier. That said the meek will inherit the earth. This is long ago. Long before Jesus. God is saying this. The God of the Old Testament is the same God as the New Testament. He is not calling for the destruction. And angry macho people to come in the Old Testament. And the wimpy ones in the New. It is the same God in the Old and the New. And as we look at scripture. It is one voice." [48:47] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Meekness is knowing the truth. Holding firm. And no matter how someone else reacts. Is coming with grace. That's hard. And the only way we're going to be able to do that. Is through the Holy Spirit. And that's why. When we look at the fruit of the Spirit. We see that as evidence. Of our faith growing in us." [55:21] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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