Fruit of the Spirit (Part 3) - Longsuffering, Gentleness

Watch the video of this sermon on YouTube: Fruit of the Spirit (Part 3) - Longsuffering, Gentleness For the outline and the rest of the sermons in this series, click here: Fruit of the Spirit To listen to or watch the previous sermon in the series, click here: (Part 2) To listen to or watch the next sermon in the series, click here: (Part 4) 4. Longsuffering n. - Patient endurance of provocation or trial; longanimity. A. Longsuffering is a fundamental attribute of God (Exo 34:6), and therefore is a fruit of the Spirit who is God (1Jo 5:7). B. By nature, man is not longsuffering, but is a child of wrath (Eph 2:3). C. A child of God indwelt with the Spirit is not promised to never suffer tribulation or provocation, but is rather promised persecution and temptation (Act 14:22; 2Ti 3:12). D. A child of God is instead given the Spirit of God which enables him to suffer patiently. i. Ministers show themselves approved by exhibiting longsuffering (2Co 6:4-6). ii. Christians walk worthy of their calling when they demonstrate longsuffering (Eph 4:1-2; Col 1:10-11). iii. The elect are known by their longsuffering (Col 3:12). iv. Longsuffering is a mark of true love (1Co 13:4). E. Those who do not patiently endure provocation or trial are not manifesting that the Spirit of God is dwelling in them. 5. Gentleness n. - 1. One's inherited nature. Obs. 2. The state or condition of being gentle in respect of birth or social position. Obs. 3. The state or condition of being gentle in temper and conduct; †good breeding, courtesy, affability (obs.); kindliness, mildness. 4. The state of being gentle (in other senses of the adj.); freedom from harshness or violence, etc. A. Gentleness is an attribute of God (2Sa 22:36; 2Co 10:1), and therefore is a fruit of the Spirit who is God (1Jo 5:7). B. Christians who are possessed of wisdom are gentle and easy to be entreated (Jam 3:17). C. Christians should be meek and gentle to all men like Christ (Tit 3:2). i. Though Christ was meek and gentle, He still spoke harshly to unrepentant sinners (Mat 23:27-28). ii. Though Jesus was gentle, He still got violent when defending God's house (Joh 2:13-17; Mat 21:12-13). iii. Meekness is not weakness. a. Jesus was meek (Mat 11:29), yet not weak, as was just demonstrated. b. Moses was the meekest man on the earth (Num 12:3), but he was not weak (Exo 32:19-21). c. Meek saints execute judgment (Zep 2:3). D. Gentleness is a characteristic that pastors must possess. i. The apostles were our example of gentleness (1Th 2:7). a. Though Paul was gentle, he was tough when he needed to be (1Co 4:21). b. Paul had harsh words to say to the enemies of the faith (Gal 1:6-9; Gal 5:12; Act 13:10; 1Th 2:14-15; 1Ti 1:19-20; 2Ti 4:14). c. Paul had to rebuke Peter to the face when he was wrong (Gal 2:11-14). d. Peter likewise had harsh words to say to the enemies of Jesus Christ (Act 8:20-23). ii. Pastors must be patient and gentle when instructing those who are deceived by the devil (2Ti 2:24-26). a. Though pastors are supposed to be gentle, they shouldn't always preach gently (2Ti 4:2). b. The pastor is supposed to rebuke sinners publicly (1Ti 5:20). c. Pastors are supposed to shut the mouths of the gainsayers (Tit 1:9-13).