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      • The Power of Gentleness

      Resource Details

      The Power of Gentleness

      Tom Holladay | July 11, 2021

      Jesus said, “Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.” According to him, there is power in gentleness! But how do gentleness and strength go together? In this message, Pastor Tom Holladay explains how you can strengthen your relationships by choosing gentleness over control.

      Message Action Plan

      Message Action Plan

      Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.    Matthew 5:5 (NASB)

      OUR GOD IS POWERFULLY GENTLE!

      Look, the Lord GOD is coming with power to rule all the people.
      He takes care of his people like a shepherd. He gathers them like lambs in his arms and carries them close to him. He gently leads the mothers of the lambs.  Isaiah 40:10a, 11 (NCV)

      Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" 1 Kings 19:11-13 (NIV)

      Three Ways To Live Your Life:

      Out ofControl In Control Under Control

      God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but the Spirit of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7 (NJB)

      Your gentleness has made me great.   2 Samuel 22:36b (TLB)

      Gentleness Changes Your Relationships By Giving You the
      Power To:

      1. SPEAK GENTLYTO THOSE WHO CONFRONT YOU

      A gentle answer turns away wrath, but harsh words cause quarrels.  Proverbs 15:1 (TLB)

      A gentle word can get through to the hard-headed.  Proverbs 25:15b (NCV)

      Lord, help me control my tongue; help me be careful about what I say. Psalm 141:3 (NCV)

      Action Plan:  When you get home, write down each moment that day you were in a dialogue that caused you to respond harshly. Now, write down how you could have responded using gentle words, humbling yourself.  Go back to the person and start over with the conversation.

      2.  BLESSTHOSE WHO INSULT YOU

      If someone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other cheek also. Matthew 5:39 (NCV)

      Don't retaliate when people say unkind things about you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God wants you to do, and he will bless you for it. 1 Peter 3:9 (NLT)
      Pray for those who insult you.  Luke 6:28 (GW)

      3.  FORGIVETHOSE WHO OFFEND YOU

      You must make allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.Colossians 3:13 (NLT)

      They called Him every name in the book, and He said nothing back. He suffered in silence, content to let God set things right. 1 Peter 2:23 (Msg)

      4.  ENCOURAGETHOSE WHO NEED YOU

      And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.    1 Thessalonians 5:14 (NIV)

      Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds. Hebrews 10:24 (NLT)

      But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)

      JESUS: 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 11:29 (NIV)

      Show a gentle attitude toward everyone. The Lord is coming soon. Philippians 4:5 (TEV)

      Action Plan: Take a moment and say a prayer of blessing and one of forgiveness for those people who 'pushed your buttons'.  Before you see those people again, think ahead how you can encourage them.  Share your experiences with your small group.

      Weekly Action Steps
      We recommit our lives to Jesus Christ. Text NEWSTART (1 word) to 83000 or email newstart@saddleback.com.
      We express our gratitude to God for his goodness by giving back to him. Your gifts are feeding thousands of out-of-work families. Give at saddleback.com/give.
      We meet in small groups to discuss what we have heard. To join a group, text SMALLGROUP to 83000, visit our website at www.saddleback.com/joingroup, or email smallgroup@saddleback.com.
      To be baptized, email BAPTISM@saddleback.com.
      Pray for our church and our next Lead Pastor. Commit to praying every Friday for ten to fifteen minutes. Choose a time by sending PRAY24 (1 word) to 83000 or by emailing pray24@saddleback.com.
      Listen to our "Doable Discipleship" and "The Well" podcasts from our Saddleback Growth team at Saddleback.com/learn.

      More from this series

      More from this series

      Building a Better Future
      April 25 - August 8, 2021
      • Finding Unity And Community in a Time of Division
        August 8, 2021
      • Recipe For A Miracle
        August 1, 2021
      • Relationship With Self: Overcoming Accusation
        July 25, 2021
      • Family Forgiveness
        July 18, 2021
      • The Power of Gentleness
        July 11, 2021
      • Instant Relationship Change
        July 4, 2021
      • Getting People To Work Together
        May 30, 2021
      • Enlisting Support For Your Dream
        May 23, 2021
      • Making a Plan to Improve Your Life
        May 16, 2021
      • Rebuilding The City Of Your Soul
        May 2, 2021
      • The First Steps To A Restart
        April 25, 2021
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