The Jesus Way
Cultivating a Gentle Spirit
Sunday, September 14, 2025
Welcome!
Call to Worship: "Let our hearts be open to the Lord, for the Scriptures teach us that what is truly precious in God's sight is not outward show, but the gentle and quiet spirit of the inner person. As it says in 1 Peter 3:4, 'Your adorning let it not be that outward adorning of braiding the hair, and of wearing gold, or of putting on apparel; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price'.
"So, let us call to worship, inviting all who desire to trust in God's goodness, to seek His will, and to adorn their hearts with the imperishable beauty of a gentle spirit.
Matthew 5:5 “Blessed are the gentle, for they will inherit the earth.
Let’s pray and worship our God!
Praise Songs
Intro: I want us to pause and pray and really be mindful of what we were just singing and asking for. Let’s pray for the Holy Spirit to make Himself known in this place, in our hearts, in our minds. For when the Holy Spirit comes and fills us, so comes truth, conviction, and enlightenment. This only comes through the Holy Spirit. So let us pray and ask for this and open our hearts to receive.
We have had some very tragic events over the past couple weeks in our nation, certainly many more on a global aspect impacting other nations and governments. Within our nation, there has been terrible violence unleashed-twice on two different schools-innocent children and teachers who are there to raise up our citizens of tomorrow-gunned down. Some are living thankfully; some are not. We had another person’s life taken violently and all of these we must remember leave wreckage for the families who love them and must deal with this aftermath of loss and trauma. All of these involved human beings, and no one in our country deserves to be gunned down.
It’s an understatement to say emotions are running high right now; questions are reeling in our minds and we don’t have answers-not really solid ones on how to change what is unfolding in our great nation; we’re frustrated for varying reasons; we’re fed up for varying reasons; and we are devastatingly fractured in our country.
What are we to do? How are we to respond?
One point I must share that God has made known to me-for myself, but also for all of us as Christians, is we must be fervent in prayer. Our American fast-paced, action-first, culture leaves very little room for prayer, yet this is what has always been the means to invite God to really move and let His will come about. Prayer is what God responds to-the cries of His people. Let us not direct our prayers to what we want, but offer a trusting prayer knowing God’s will is far superior to ours and let Him move as He desires. If you are doing this already, I want to encourage you keep praying. Don’t stop-pray all the more in these days.
This is what He calls us to do; this is how we invite Him to enter and this is what keeps our heart posture in the proper position-humbled, responsive, loving, and hopeful. If we’re not praying; then we are letting our emotions be our guide for our conduct and our speech. If we are praying only what we want to see, then we are not letting God be God and trust in His sovereignty.
“if My people will humble themselves and pray, then I will restore their land.”
As we’re praying, let us also ask for God to change our hearts and minds as needed. This is important, especially in times like we are in. Ask Him for enlightenment, truth, and perspective and ask Him to show you, what you are to do to keep shining His light, to love others-all others, to share the Gospel and let others see Jesus. This world around us needs Jesus desperately. We need hope. We need light. We need love.
This is putting politics aside in our hearts and living as Christians first. How do I show the world who you are Jesus? How do we collectively offer the Gospel? We learn to live the Jesus Way. We learn His character and nature, and we emulate Him. This can’t be done in our own power-we won’t do it, or we won’t sustain it. This can only happen and be sustained with the help of the Holy Spirit moving in each of us.
During my sabbatical in my reading, one phrase really resonated with me and I took note of it and then journaled with God about it. He reminded me of it last week as I was looking ahead to prepare for this message. I had no idea what would unfold this past week, but God did.
The phrase was, “Let your gentleness be evident to all.”
We have seen the very opposite of this boldly on display on all sides and views of recent and tragic events. As I said, I understand emotions are running high, and yet, in times like this, when the world needs the hope of Christ, God is reminding us how we best show the world Christ. We emulate Him, not the world. You see it is this way that Jesus lived, that stood out as radically different, that drew others to Him, that positioned hearts to be transformed. Our ultimate purpose is to reflect Christ in this world; we can only ever do that if we look to Christ and model what He taught us.
The Apostle Paul was teaching this principle and way of living to the Philippians. In Chapter 3 he talks about having no confidence in the flesh-in self, we strive forward towards the prize (we talked about that in an earlier message if you recall) forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead-all that God is calling us to. Living up to that which we already attained or learned-remember?
Then he reminds them-remember our citizenship is in heaven and we eagerly await our Savior-who will bring everything under His control; He will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body.
Then his letter transitions to chapter 4, which we’ll be looking at today-keep all of this in mind as we jump into his letter and teaching for them.
Philippians 4:1-9 NIV
my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends! 2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
With that context we see Paul is calling them and all of us as Believers-to stand firm in the truth of who we really are; where we ultimately belong and the truth that Jesus is sovereign. Stand firm in your belief and know Jesus is our King who is sovereign.
But then he’s calling for unity and the path to unity is by cultivating a gentle spirit.
Fosters Unity in the Body.
Philippians 4:2 2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord
We don’t know specifically the gripe between these two women, but it was significant enough that Paul was addressing it saying let us come to an understanding; let there be forgiveness and help them remember the bigger purpose that we can be of one mind about-the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Winning lost souls to Christ. Loving our neighbors. We can be of one mind on bigger, eternal things.
This rings true today for us as THE CHURCH. We are not against one another; ultimately, we all desire and live towards the same end, eternal life with Jesus Christ. We don’t get to decide who joins us in heaven-praise be to God! To this end, let us purpose to be of the same mind. We are all sinners in need of a Savior and praise be to God, He sent His Son and through His blood, and only through His blood, have we been redeemed and our sins washed away. Our sin is the great equalizer and our redemption through Christ is the great unifier.
We must each strive for unity in the Body, because the Church divided, will surely crumble. The Church divided is no draw to the lost and vulnerable; that doesn’t feel safe or peaceful.
Notice Paul reaches out to another in the church, whom he calls his true companion, and he was saying help them see they are BOTH of value and BOTH contributing to the greater cause of the Gospel.
Philippians 4:3 3 Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Did you catch that-Paul isn’t saying one is better or more important. He says help bring them into agreement for the cause of Christ, because they are both making a significant impact. They are both helping lost souls find salvation through Jesus. We need both to remain faithful workers in God’s Kingdom. They each have purpose.
We don’t have to agree on all things in the world to stand united in heart and mind on the things eternal.
We must choose to focus on the eternal things and make those most important, because when we do, it will shift how we operate in the temporal things.
Ephesians 4:2 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
This is cultivating a gentle spirit. And choosing a gentle spirit will change the outcome of situations we involve ourselves with.
Shifts the Atmosphere.
Notice where Paul takes the direction and focus-off the disagreement between these ladies and on to the majesty and greatness of our Lord. He says take your focus off bantering and what you disagree on, and put your energy into praising the Lord!
Philippians 4:4 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
This is not just some feel good phrase interjected here. This is a command and for a reason. When we lift our gaze up and more so intentionally lift our praises up to the One who is sovereign over all, at all times, who holds all authority, who is faithful and true- we are automatically humbled. You can’t genuinely praise the Lord without humbling your own heart. If we are rejoicing in the Lord, we are being actively reminded of who He is and our anger quiets and stills. It doesn’t mean we’ll suddenly have our answers because we praise the Lord-often times we still don’t and won’t. But we give control back where it belongs and we remember what our role is:
To love God with all our heart, to love others (even those we disagree with) and to love by serving. We’re reminded what we are to do-serve one another in love. We are to be the hands and feet of Jesus-serving, caring, helping, lifting up.
Paul continues on as we put this into practice what happens:
Philippians 4:7 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Peace from God washes over us. Don’t we all need His peace now? Doesn’t our world need His peace now? But not just peace as a calming effect, peace that guards our hearts and minds and washes over a gentleness within us-bringing our thoughts into alignment with Christ.
How many times has a harsh word or lashing out whether verbally shouted or written- ever calmed a situation, or brought about understanding dialogue? It may feel good in the moment to pour out your anger, but it only creates a further divide and adds fuel to the fire.
Why a gentle spirit? This is not a sign of weakness. This is great strength and self-control-which both gentleness and self-control are fruits of the Spirit, not the flesh. We only cultivate these when we allow the Holy Spirit to guard our hearts and mind in Christ Jesus.
Gentle speech can be bold in faith and truth but allows one to draw near. A gentle tone, even in writing, opens the door for a listening ear-whereas a sharp or condemning tone pushes people away and puts up walls. No one is truly listening to understand when there is harshness of speech or tone. This applies to all areas of our lives-right within our homes first and foremost- in our marriages and parenting our children… we must be willing to cultivate a gentle spirit and know this is strength in God’s kingdom.
Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Ultimately, each of us as we receive Christ as our Lord and Savior, have prayed in our heart, Lord I believe in You; I need a Savior; I want You to lead my life-but then in our humanness we say well in some ways, but this matter really makes me mad so I’ll handle it my way. No…. to be a follower of Christ means we must actively surrender our nature and human reactions and pray often, Jesus mold me to be like You. I want people to see You in my actions, in my responses, even in my disagreements with others-let them see You.
Jesus was bold in His faith, bold in revealing truth, bold in loving others-He modeled the way through a gentle spirit.
Imitates Christ.
Matthew 11:28-29 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 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.
He plainly says, Learn from Me. This is how we get things done in My Kingdom. This is what turns hearts towards Me. This is what brings healing. This is what shines hope in this broken world. This is what brings glory to the Father.
Right after Paul addresses this division in the church and the need for unity, he says this:
Philippians 4:5 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
So how do we get to this point; how do we cultivate this gentle spirit, especially in hard and uncertain times?
We keep reading what Paul was teaching. We become intentional on what we choose to let take up space in our thoughts.
Philippians 4:8 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
When we intention and ask for help to think on these things, guess what we are cultivating and thus reflecting out to the world? A gentle spirit, the image and nature of our Lord and Savior.
Conclusion: Let us be bold in faith and gentle in spirit. For this is how we reflect the love of Christ and demonstrate a divine strength that unifies.
Let’s pray.
Offering:
Alena Constanza sponsorship
Prayers: our safe travels and refreshing in spirit, Karen and Bethany’s safe travels.
Praise Song
Final Blessing: 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.
