The Ministry of the Holy Spirit in the New
Course: The Fruit of
the Spirit
Lesson Nine (Outline)
Lesson Title: Meekness
Text: 'But the fruit
of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
meekness, temperance: against such there is no law,' Galatians 5:22.
Theme: Meekness enables us to bear the burdens
of others.
Introduction: Meekness (Greek 'prautes')
·
Joyful acceptance of the will of the Lord
·
Recognises
that all things are working for good in our lives, Romans 8:28.
·
Meekness delights in the plan and purposes of God.
Introductory Story:
·
Cake
that appeared to have substance but full of air.
·
Puff
Adder (Bitis arietans) - a large venomous African viper that inflates the upper
part of its body and hisses when it is excited, 1 Corinthians
12:4
Exposition:
1. Meekness and humility go hand in hand, Ephesians 4:2; Colossians 3:12-14.
· Meekness describes our attitude towards God.
·
Humility describes our attitude
towards one another, Philippians 2:5.
2.
Meekness seeks to restore a
person who has fallen, Galatians 6:1-2.
·
Meekness
restores (Galatians 6:1)
·
Meekness
takes the pressure to relief burdens. (v2)
Bearing burdens (Greek Baros)
means 'taking the pressure'.
3.
Meekness does not trust in self but trusts in the
Lord, Jeremiah 17:7-8.
·
The meek have no trust in their own strength but
rely upon the Lord.
·
The meek rejoice in afflictions and trials. The
Lord is leading, Psalm 1:6.
·
The Lord delivers the meek in their trouble, Psalm 41:1-2.
4.
Meekness
is essential for Holy Spirit anointed leadership, Numbers
12:3.
·
Moses
was ready to lead when he lost his youthful self-confidence.
·
Building
up the body of Christ without self-interest. 1 Peter 5:1-3.
·
Knowing that
meekness will bring a glorious inheritance, Matthew 5:5.
Conclusion:
1. Meekness goes hand in hand with humility
2.
Meekness
seeks to restore a person who has fallen.
3.
Meekness does not trust in self but trusts in the Lord.
4.
Meekness
is an essential characteristic of Holy Spirit anointed leadership.
What
should the student do?
1) Give thanks for difficult circumstance, and rejoice in them.
2) Bear burdens to relieve others of pressure, and lead humbly.