Grounded and Growing—Bearing Fruit Week 7: Gentleness

By Laura de Jong

Key Theme: Gentleness is a humble attitude that approaches others with care and respect.

As we’ve seen, the fruit of the Spirit are wrapped up in each other. Bearing one fruit often leads to experiencing another fruit. In Philippians 4, Paul shows us that joy, peace, and gentleness are connected. He tells the Philippians to rejoice in the Lord always. Joy, as we know, isn’t the same as happiness but is the deep and abiding contentment and comfort that God is present to us, even in the midst of harried circumstances. Because God is near to us, we can bring our worries and fears to him, experiencing God’s peace in place of our anxiety. And from this place of peace, free of anxiety, we can practice gentleness.

I don’t know about you, but anxiety and stress tend to bring out the worst in me. I get snippy with people; I’m quick to become angry; I look for people to blame for all the things that are making me anxious. When I take on myself the burden of control, of solving the world’s problems, of immediately fixing everything that isn’t perfect…then everything (and everyone) that might get in my way becomes a problem that has to be dealt with. I become hardened, retreat into myself, and lash out in frustration.

But Jesus invites us to come to him and find rest—to abide in the one who has overcome the world, who is ultimately in control. In Christ we experience peace—a peace that doesn’t make sense in a world filled with wrongs—and from this place of peace we can be gentle with ourselves and with one another. We can extend that same peace to our neighbor, offering a hand of friendship rather than raising a fist in enmity. Relieved of the burden of believing it’s all up to us, we can invite people into the work of God’s kingdom with winsomeness and curiosity, tending the garden with gentle—not anxious—hands.

Service Outline

Call to Worship

As we gather this morning, perhaps from a busy and harried week, Jesus extends us this invitation:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
—Matthew 11:28–30 ^NIV

Opening Song

“Come Away from Rush and Hurry” ^Dawn

Greeting

Grace to you and peace from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ.
—Philippians 1:2 ^NRSVUE

Songs of Praise

“Come Thou Fount, Come Thou King” ^{Robinson and Miller}

Call to Confession

When God extends to us these invitations—to rest, to come to him, to lay our burdens down—do we listen? All too often we run about, busy and frantic, unwilling to let go of control, certain that if we open our clenched fists, everything will fall apart. We are prone to wander indeed.

But God’s invitation remains the same, steady, always there amidst our busyness: Come to me. I will give you rest.

Let us turn to God and confess our lack of trust, but also our need for the steady presence of God.

Prayer of Confession

Shepherding God,
we hear your invitations to rest
and it's hard not to scoff.

Slowing down seems so impossible.
There are too many demands on our time
and too many problems for us to solve.
If we put our feet up, this life we’ve built for ourselves will crumble.
But we’re tired, God,
and we know we can’t love our best when we’re so busy.
We’ve yelled at our spouses and snapped at our kids.
We’ve spoken poorly of our colleagues to deflect attention
from our own failing job performance.
We haven’t been gentle, God, with ourselves and with each other.

We confess our prideful need for control
and the sharp edges we’ve developed as a result.
Soften us, God.
Help us trust that you are near, that you hold all things in your hands,
that we can rest in you. Amen.

Assurance of Pardon & Response of Praise

Hear these comforting words:
Nothing in all of creation can separate us
from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
By his love we are forgiven, and in his love we can rest.
People of God, be at peace.
God has made you holy and whole.
His grace is enough for you.

Song of Thanksgiving

“Jesus Strong and Kind” ^{Robinson et al.}

Passing of the Peace

Since God has forgiven us,
let us also forgive one another
and live in peace with our neighbor.
In the gentleness of the good shepherd,
let us extend Christ’s peace to one another.

Prayer for Illumination

Scripture Reading

First Reading: Psalm 23
Second Reading: Philippians 4:4–9

Sermon

“Don’t Worry; Be Gentle”

Song of Response

“Christ Be All Around Me” ^{Leonard et al.}

Breath Prayer

[The leader invites the Spirit's presence to fill our lives (as we breathe in) so that our lives might bear good fruit (as we breathe out). This prayer can be repeated a few times.]

Breathe In: “Holy Spirit, fill us with your presence”

Breathe Out: “that our gentleness might be evident to all.”

Prayers of the People

Offering, Offertory Prayer

Song of Dedication

“Be Thou My Vision” ^{Hull, trans. Byrne}

Benediction

The peace of God,
which passes all understanding,
keep your hearts and minds
in the knowledge and love of God,
and of God’s Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
And the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
remain with you always.
—Philippians 4:7, adapt.

Doxology

“We Receive Your Blessing” ^{Moes & Moes}

Grounded and Growing—Bearing Fruit Week 7 Gentleness