This sermon emphasizes the importance of key virtues in the Christian life, focusing on patience, privacy, wisdom, gentleness, kindness, and self-control. It highlights the need for believers to exhibit these qualities in their interactions with others, showing love, grace, and wisdom in their words and actions. The message also calls for self-reflection and surrender to Jesus Christ, inviting listeners to open their hearts to Him and allow Him to transform their lives.

Lord, we come to you tonight, dear Heavenly Father, like every other night. Lord, we need you. We want more of you, Lord. We want to be desperate for more. Lord, would you show up tonight, Lord, and begin to rebuild marriages. Lord, break the hardest heart tonight, Lord. Give people hope and peace and joy. Lord, fill them with your Spirit. Lord, we're asking you to have your way in this service. Lord, please let the fire fall on the altar. Let people be changed tonight. Lord, but I also want to pray for the churches tomorrow in this valley, Lord. I pray that lives are radically changed. Lord, from the Highlands and the Vineyard and Central Christian, Lord, Grace Chapel, Lancaster Baptist, Lord, Calvary Chapel, all the churches across this valley, Lord, would you move in a mighty way. Lord, bring a spirit of unity between the churches, Lord. Not division and fighting and bickering. Lord, break your church so that we can break those and draw them closer to you. Lord, would you please revive your land. Lord, we ask that you would revive your church, revive this nation. And we ask these things in Jesus' name. Amen. Well, you guys can have a seat, obviously. Bernie, we can hit the lights just a little bit. I can't see anybody. I have to make sure when the rotten eggs are flying that I can see. But actually, we've got a treat for you tonight, and I won't get into that just yet. I've got a few announcements. And one of those announcements is next weekend. You know we're having two services, right? We're meeting here at 5.30 on Saturday, every Saturday at 5.30. But we're also meeting Sunday morning at 10 a.m. at Lancaster High School in the amphitheater. So we're going to be having an Easter celebration that Sunday morning. So we encourage you to come Saturday night or Sunday morning. So you have both of those different options. Oh, there's the amphitheater, actually. I think it seats 400. So we're going to get there obviously early and have a band and start right at 10 o'clock at the amphitheater on Sunday. Also, I want to remind everybody that we are going to be starting a truth project. I don't think I'm going to play the clip tonight, Fred. It's just not enough time. But we're going to be focused on the family. Put this out. It's called The Truth Project. And it's about apologetics, giving a reason for your faith, being able to defend your faith. And we're going to start that on Monday nights on April 15th. But with that said, you can look in your bulletins as well, and you'll see on April 8th we're having a family potluck. And we call anybody who calls West Side Christian Fellowship their home church. We want to have a potluck and just get to know each other a little bit better because we come and we go, we come and we go, and nobody really, you know, takes the time to get to know each other. So that's happening on April 8th. Sign up for it. Everything's in the bulletin. And then April 1st, we're obviously taking a break from the Monday night study. That'll be kind of just a night off. And then we'll start the apologetic study. God, there's so much to go over, but everything's in the bulletins. As you know, we're starting our Matthew series in the summer as well. We're going to go through, I'm going to go through verse by verse on Matthew and talk about the scientific proof for the Bible, the archaeological proof, the prophetic proof. We're just going to, we're going to really pull Matthew apart. It's going to be a good series, and it's going to last a while. I have no idea how long, but that's what we're gearing up for this summer. Also, just wanted to, you know, thank everybody that's been serving here from media and PowerPoint and sound and children's ministry. I don't think we let you know enough that we thank you for that. I pretty much just step in and speak. You guys don't see what goes on in the background of putting all this together. So I just want to take the time and thank those people. And on your way out, thank those people who you don't see. And those are really, you know, who God uses as much as the pulpit for sure. Also, on an encouraging note, I think it's good to let people know is we got an encouraging testimony this week on a message we gave here on same-sex attraction, balancing grace and truth. And you can find that on our website. We're tackling this issue on same-sex marriage, on homosexuality, on same-sex attraction. How do we balance grace and truth? And we received a testimony of somebody in that lifestyle actually repented, gave their life to Christ, has come out of that lifestyle. Now they're witnessing to their partner who's dying of AIDS because of the message getting out there. And I think you guys, it's good to hear, for you guys to hear some of the encouragement, too, that Westside is accomplishing out there. So with that said, what I meant by a special treat is I've got a friend of mine who actually used to somewhat serve underneath at Central Christian. When he was there as a men's ministry leader, I kind of sat and served underneath him, and I taught. And he actually helped to give me a platform 10, 12 years ago to begin speaking. And he's in from Hawaii. I know ministry's hard, you know, out there ministering in Hawaii. But he's in town this week, and I would love for him to just come and speak with you guys. And I wanted a little bit more bio information on him because I know he wouldn't just go over this himself, and I wanted to give it to you. And as a side note, I usually don't ask people to guest speak who can beat me in arm wrestling. He's from Samoa, so let's just leave it at that. But I bent my rule in this case, and it's going to be a pleasure. But I want to tell you a little bit about him first. And what I like so much about this man is humility. And I've gleaned a lot from him when I was underneath that ministry. But he actually, a lot of people don't know this, and I reminded him of this. But exactly three years ago, I think it's, I'm pretty sure it's this month. He actually walked up to me, and he was in town, and he said, he said, Brother Shane, have you ever thought about pastoring a church? I said, no, I don't think so. Don't you have to smile a lot, and be nice, and cordial, and turn the other cheek, and never offend anybody, and just be such a loving, nice guy? He goes, no. He goes, exactly what you're calling this nation to in preaching, that's what the church needs to hear today. So it was very encouraging. I think it was three years ago to this month that he actually started that. I left the conversation going, wait a minute here. Lord, you're going to have to really confirm this. And within the next two weeks, no less than six, seven, eight people. Have you ever thought about this? And I'm like, okay, Lord, I got it, I got it, I got it. You want me to do that? And then I, you know, tried to get out of it many different times. I've talked about that before. But he actually, he saw that many years before I did, and he encouraged that. And a lot of why I'm up here today is him prompting that question in my mind. I struggled with it, and thinking, oh, goodness gracious, you've got to be kidding me. But now, looking at West Side, I'm being so thankful that, you know, that God allowed us, allowed me to lead in this area. So I'm thankful for that. But his name is Nofo Elatise. I hope I get everything right. He was born in Western Samoa, professional rugby player in Western Samoa. Served six years with youth with a mission in India, Tonga, Samoa, Maui, Honolulu. Pastoring for over seven years. He's a board member of the South Seas Christian Ministries, leading over 20 teams to Samoa in the last 15 years. He's also a football coach for high-risk inner-city kids in Honolulu. Currently, he's the associate pastor of Kamuke Christian Church. I hope I pronounced that right. Pretty close, okay. And he's married. He's actually been trying to get me out there, what, for three years now to Hawaii? And speak, so I think we're going to do that here pretty soon. John MacArthur's coming out there next summer, maybe? Next year, okay. Maybe we can time it where we're there at the same time. Just a side note, okay. Family, he's married to Marie for 18 years. She could not be here tonight. Two and a half kids, and what I mean by that is, let me explain. The first is Kalani, 17. Did I pronounce that right? Kalani? You've got to help me with these Hawaiian Samoan names. And then Michael, 15, I got that. You're 15, you're taller than me. How tall are you, 6'3"? Holy cow, 15 years old. What are you guys drinking in Samoa? Oh, man. And they're actually adopting a 22-month-old from Samoa, and they're working through the immigration process right now. So with great privilege and honor, I'm just so blessed to have him here and speak. Nofo Eletise, if you'd come on up and give us a message. Thank you. Maybe we can try after the service. Yeah, keep on trying. Please go with me with the word of prayer tonight. Lord, I want to thank you for who you are and what you are. Lord, we want to humble ourselves before you tonight. Lord, we are all sinners. And Lord, we want to come clean to you before your throne tonight. Lord, we are not prophets. Even us as pastors, we are not prophets. We have our mistakes every day. We have our flaws every day. But this is your call. Father, I pray for someone here tonight. They don't know you Lord. Use your word tonight. Not my words, your word. Tonight to minister to some of them. They're still searching for the truth. And the truth is found in your word. And Lord, this is our prayer. Lastly Lord, I just want to pray and ask you for the power of your Holy Spirit. I cannot do that without you. Please anoint me tonight. Put the words in my mouth to speak forth your word. Empower me. In Jesus Christ I pray, Amen. You know, I think that was a good enough introduction that Shane gave about me. Yes, these are my two kids. Can you stand up please? Stand up. This is how I treat the people in Hawaii. Stand up. This is my daughter, Kailani, 17 years old. And this is my son Michael, he's 15 years old. And hopefully you will see him play on TV, you know, in the future. My wife, I couldn't make it up here tonight because her dad is not feeling well. And she needs to stay home and spend some time with him because we are going back to Hawaii on Tuesday. So I said, that's fine, that's okay. I will take my kids because I know there are my family there too, in Lancaster, California. We have so many friends here in Lancaster, California. Like Shane mentioned, we used to work at Central Christian Church and then we moved from there to Hawaii. Kofika, all right. Suffering for Jesus over there every day. I can tell you that. So here we are, coming back to Lancaster. This is home for me. It really is, it's a home for me. Because Lancaster is like where I came from. You know, let me tell you a little bit about, you know, Shane was talking about, I'm coaching the high risk kids in Hawaii. You know, our church, we've been there for almost five years now. And across the street from us, there is a community, right. And that community is called Palolo. And our church, they haven't done anything to that community. So one day I said to the guys, I said to the men and their wives, you know, you come Sunday morning, you come Saturday morning, we teach the word of God and we get out the four walls of our church and reach out to people. Because if there are low income homes, the parents and single parents, they can't afford to feed their kids. And here we are, we come to your church and feed you spiritually. And then you come and come back next Sunday. That's all you do every Sunday. And we can't do anything for the community across the street from us. I said, this is our Jerusalem. And the Bible said, go to Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria and throughout the world. You see, God is God of order. He put Jerusalem first. I said, this is our Jerusalem. We need to take care of Jerusalem. And Palolo is a part of a community. So last year we started, you know, doing some stuff over there. From July all the way up to December. One of the biggest thing we did was the Thanksgiving dinner. For single parents and families, you know, they couldn't afford to put food in their kids, that Thanksgiving dinner. And then over a thousand people, they show up. And we fed so many kids and so many parents. And I sat next to the mom. She had three girls. And she said to me, you know, I want to thank you so much. Because we used to live in that community where the church is located. And four years ago, the husband cut up and left and went to Las Vegas and never came back. And left me alone with three girls. And I want to thank you for what you're doing today. Because this is a Thanksgiving dinner with my girls. I don't know why I go off subject, but I just want to share that with you. Now if you have your Bible with you tonight, please turn to Proverbs 25. And that's our text tonight. I know Shane was teaching last Saturday night, Proverbs 24. And the topic of my message tonight, dealing with anger. Anyone can become angry. That is easy. But to be angry with the right person, to the right degree, at the right time, and in the right way, that is not easy. You know, of all the things in a human heart, anger can be one of the most intense, destructive, and unhealthy emotions can we have experience every day. But let me tell you, if we don't handle in a proper way, it can have a drastic life changing consequences. But that's the truth. Anger can be caused by pressures at work. Your family, your kids, I'm dealing with them every day. Alright, do your homework, turn in your homework every day. You're talking about pressures every day. Marriage, or even from being an innocent victim of another's wrongdoing. But let me tell you something, if we let it go, if we let it unresolved, anger creates a desire to do something or to destroy something. I have to tell you, especially nowadays, anger destroys our families. I think that's the number one thing. Anger destroys our families, our relationships, and even our marriages today. You know, some marriage couples, you know, are holding anger inside because it's specifically reserved to their mate. You know, some are angry because their spouses didn't set the business deal way back in 2005. Hello, this is 2013, and you're still holding on that anger against your wife or your husband. You know, others are angry because their mates don't put them first, while forsaking all others. Are you still holding on that anger inside of you against your wife or against your husband? And let me tell you, this is the kind of anger that is a sin. It's a sin. It causes a great percentage of incarceration among adults and youth today. We must notice from the start that that is righteous anger, and that itself is called, called what? It's not sinful. If you look at verse 14, Jesus said, An angry look will silence a gossip. Jesus looked around about on them with anger, according to book of Mark 3, 5. And Paul advises us to be angry and to not sin. There's a difference between to get angry and commit sins. And Ephesians 4, 26, of course we should be angry at sin and not at people. I could be angry at you, because of what you did with my wife, what you did for my kids, what you gave your kids my ass last week. I could be angry at you, but not, I could be angry at your sin, but not at you. There was the illustration of the murder of the neighbor, highlights how dangerous is the sin of anger. You know, self-righteous anger may start small thing, little, little thing, but can eventually do some unconscious poor things. And the illustration, I'm about to tell you, anger pours out between two friends that quickly lead to fight and then murder. You know, these are two friends that live together, as neighbors, they live together for years. And one day, they were driving to town in a wagon. You know, they talk of World War I. And the American insisted that the German were completely beaten. And the other guy was a poor German, so he was mistaken. And the argument grew heated and bitter. And finally, the American said, you know, I know this one German can whip up this one German. The American said, I know this one American can whip up this one German. And what happened is that the guy stopped and began fighting. And finally, the German knocked the other man down. As they fought, the American cut the finger of the German in his mouth and he's chewing off. He refused to let go of his finger. And finally, the guy looked at him, you know, why did you do that to me? It's not right. It's not right to do that. But this guy, the German found a piece of brick and beat this guy's head and dragged him into the barn. He was conscious stricken. He went on to town to confess to the officers what he had done. And he, as well as the other man, was highly respected officers, citizens. And the officers instead insisted that the man had not done what he said he had. But he took them to the pond and waded in and dragged me out from the gruesome site. He just had one thing to say, I murdered my friend. I murdered my friend. And this continued to do until the time when he was executed. And what I'm trying to tell you, that sin will cost one to do what cannot be undone. And we had better get rid of it or we'll destroy you forever. Or we'll destroy you, we'll destroy your marriage, we'll destroy your family, we'll destroy your relationship with other people. Or we'll destroy your relationship with your pastor. And we had better get rid of it. And the question is how? Well I'm going to give you five instructions straight from the Word of God. In chapter 25 we are given the instructions for dealing with anger in our lives and in the lives of others. Number one, let's look at verse eight. So do not go hastily to arc your gaze, otherwise what you will do in the end will enable humiliate you. Number one is called patience. Patience. My question is what is patience? Well there are two Greek words translated as patience. Number one is called hububone, means remaining under. It refers to steadfast in difficult times. Second is called microphormia. And microphormia is used in the book of Galatians 5.22. It's a compound form by macros, means long. And phormia means temper. So patience literally means long temper. In the sense of the ability to hold one's temper for a long, long time. A person is slow to anger as he waits for God to provide comfort and punish wrongdoing. Since it is the fruit of the Holy Spirit, we can only process microphormia through the power and the work of Holy Spirit in our lives and in the lives of other people. You know the minute, remember that minute we hear something that hits you right here. That hurts you right here. And it's easy to become angry right away. And rush into a matter without thinking about it or praying about it. I got to do something man. I'm going to come after you. An illustration of that, my daughter Galani asked me about going to the prom. Hello parents, prom. I honestly say to you tonight, prom is not my thing. I don't like it, I don't like it at all. She said, dad can I go to the prom? You know what my reaction was? I immediately jumped up and down, up and down. No, no you can't do that Galani, you can't go to the prom. Prom is wrong, prom is not a good thing for you. There are too dangerous for you. There are too many dangerous boys out there for you. They're waiting for you to come to the prom. No you can't do that Galani, you can't go, no, no, no, no. Because your daddy say so. She looked at me, right. She looked at me, she said, dad calm down, calm down, calm down. She put her hands on my shoulders. And she said, dad, remember what you always told me? Remember what you always said to me? Ah, I don't remember. Remember what you always said to me? No, I'm serious. No, I'm serious too. You always said, I trust you. I trust you. I said, I know that. You know when I take you to school every morning. I say, I trust you. When you ask me to go with my friends to Starbucks, I say, I trust you. When you ask me to do this, I trust you. I know that because I say that to you every day. Do you know that little phrase, I trust you. There is power in that. I trust you. I trust you. I said, okay, let me think about it. Let me think about it and pray about it. And she said, dad, no, no, you don't have to think about it. You don't have to pray about it. I said, no, no, I need to pray about it. I need to think about it. I'm the dad. I'm the one that makes decisions here. And I'm here to tell you tonight, that my daughter is going to the prom. You know why? Because I thought about it and pray about it. Now she's going to the prom. Now you're laughing. You're going to the prom. You know the things I've learned from this? I said that the wisest thing to do for us parents, the wisest thing to do is to think. Think the matter through. And wait upon God. Folks, I have to tell you, I prayed about it. I thought about it. I waited and I waited. I waited. God, I know I don't want her to go to prom. Please. So remember what you always say. You trust her. So now she's going to the prom. But I have a deal. I said, you're going to the prom. All right. I am going to drive you to Waikiki. Drop you off. And I'm going to tell you what time to pick you up. And I come down there and pick you up. And the guy that he will be with you, he will find his way home. That's the way to deal with our teenagers. Going to the prom, right? Amen? Yeah. That's the wisest thing to do. Is to think the matter through. And wait upon God to give you an answer. I prayed about it. And I thought about it. It does not mean that we look for some excuse or pass over some sin. Even through love govern the multitude of sins. According to Proverbs 10 verse 12. But it means we act prudently knowing first what is involved. It's a wonderful gift. It is a wonderful gift of God to be slow to anger. Slow, slow, slow to anger. According to Proverbs 15 verse 18. And the person who is quickly to get angry, what the Bible says, will deal foolishly. So before rushing into the matter, you know, stop to pray about it. Stop to think about it. And God will give you an inward peace. Take time. Take time to read the Word of God and allow the Holy Spirit to work in you. God is patience. When we are patient, we leave room for God to work in our hearts, in our relationships, in our marriages, and on and on and on. We lay down our anger and everything and trust in God. Let God be God. And let you be you. Number two, verses 9 to 8, 9 to 8 to 10. Argue your case with your neighbor and do not reveal the secret of another. Or he who hears it will reproach you and the evil report about you will not pass away. Number two is called privacy. Number one is called patience. Number two is called privacy. You know, our first desire, right, is to let everybody, is to let the whole world know, is to let your friends on Facebook know and get on your side. Oh, I have a problem with these guys on staff. I have a problem with this guy on staff. You know, can you help me out? And you let everybody on Facebook know what's going on between you and that person. But the Bible counsels the different, the opposite. It says talk to the person alone and do not allow others to interfere. That is your business between you and another brother in Christ. Don't let people, friends on Facebook, know what's going on in their life. That's between you. That's called privacy. That's between you and your brother in Christ or your sister in Christ. And this is what Jesus Christ commanded in Matthew 18 verses 15 to 17. It says, and if this were policy, and if this were policy, followed in families and churches today, then we'll have fewer fights and splits in our churches today. It is sad. You know what, it's very sad. When professing believers, when professing Christians, tell everybody but the one involved. Certainly, you know, it takes courage and Christian love to talk of a different with a brother or sister in Christ. But this is the way you grow spiritually. And to glorify our Lord Jesus Christ, perhaps the matter cannot be settled by two of you. Then ask two or three spiritual people to assist you. And the Bible says, if this fails, then the church must step in. And if the two parties refuses to hear the church, then she or he must discipline. And the Bible says, as much as depends on you, live busily with all men, says Romans 12 verse 18. And unfortunately, there may be some people we cannot, we cannot, cannot live busily, because they will not obey the word of the Lord. Number three, Luke's verses 14 to 11 to 14. Like apples of coal in settings of silver, is a word spoken in right circumstances. Like an earring of gold, an omen of fine gold, is a wise reprover to a listening ear. Like the gold of snow in a time of harvest, is a faithful messenger to those who sent him, for he refreshes the soul of his masters. Like clouds and wind without rain, is a man who posts of his gifts falsely. And number three is called gentleness. I mean, sorry, wisdom. Words, words, words, words. Words we speak every day, 24 seven. Folks, there are not just words, there are not just sounds, they are living, powerful realities. They can either help you, they can either harm you, or even destroy your life. Proverbs 25 verse 18, Solomon compares the lies with three weapons. I can see those on the screen. Number one is called the battle axe. Number two is called the sword. Number three is called arrow. Now can we put that on there? They are very, very dangerous. Tools, weapons. They are sharp, they are dangerous, they are powerful. And my suggestion for you tonight, if you don't know how to use them, please don't use them. Don't touch it if you don't know how to use them. Right Michael? Don't touch them if you don't know how to use them. Because they are very sharp, they are very dangerous, they are powerful. They can either help you, harm you, hurt you, or even kill you, if you don't know how to use them. Likewise, our words every day. That's why Solomon compares the lies with these three weapons. Our words sometimes are very dangerous, are very powerful, are very sharp. They can either help you with your relationship with another, or they can either help you with your relationship with your pastor, hurt you, or can even kill you, if you don't know how to use your words, according to the word of the Lord. But in verses 11 to 14, he says that the words can also be lovely fruit. Apples of gold, are citrons or oranges. Beautiful ornaments, and refreshing cold water from the mountains to snow. And in dealing with a matter, we must use the right words, and present them in the right way, every day. Because our words must be fitly spoken, arranged like lovely fruit, in a silver basket. In Proverbs 15 verse 23, it says wise people, ponder what they will say, and how they will say it, and when they will say it. And folks, of course this spiritual wisdom, must come from God. According to James, chapter 1 verse 5. Number 4, look at verse 15. But for parents, a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue, breaks a bone. Number 4 is called, gentleness. What a contradiction. A gentle tongue breaks a bone. This parallels Proverbs 15 verse 1. It says, a soft answer, turns away wrath, but a harsh word, stirs up anger. Do you know our first reaction, to someone's meanness? Right? To remember that, is to be mean back, in return. Oh you killed my dog, I'm going to kill your cat. Oh you gave my son, or my daughter an F, I'm going to come after you. Oh yeah, in return. You can only add fuel to the fire, folks. But we are commanded, not to return evil for evil. See if we are followers of Jesus Christ, or believers of Jesus Christ, we don't have to do that. We don't need to return evil for evil, according to Romans chapter 12 verse 21. And not to revive others, who revive you. According to 1 Peter, chapter 2, verses 20 to 23. See gentleness, translated, as meekness. It does not mean, weakness. Rather it involves humility, and thankfulness, toward God. And polite, restrained behavior, toward others. See the opposite of gentleness is what? Is what? Is what? Is anger. The opposite of gentleness, is anger. A desire for revenge. Oh you fired me from that job, oh I'm going to come after you. You've been sleeping around with my wife, I'm going to kill you. That is revenge. That is revenge folks. And if we are seeking to restore, a believing brother or sister in Jesus Christ, we need the spirit of meekness, and not an attitude of anger. When we're filled with the spirit of the Lord. When we're filled with the spirit, the fruit of gentleness, we will correct and confront others, with easiness. Instead of arguing, in resentment, knowing that your salvation, that your salvation, that your salvation, is far more important than my bride. So what exactly is this gentle tongue, that can break a bone? It is the ability to say the right thing, at the right time, in the right way. Without saying anything you didn't want to say, or that didn't need to be said. So you say it, what needs to be said, in the quickest, kindest, and most direct way possible, and then you move on. You know we tend to think, it is gentleness to go easy on people. Oh, yeah, it's okay. You know, yeah, go easy on people. You know we tend to think that. It is gentleness to go easy on my brother. You know, you're alright, move on. To go easy on people, is to try to justify actions, that God has caused sin. Or to let someone, continue in sin, without telling you the truth. That's the thing that I love about Shane. This man is a man of the Lord. When he speaks, he speaks the word of the Lord. He speaks the truth to you. Because he speaks from the word of the Lord. And he tells it like this, like it or not, he tells it to you right in front of your face. It's for you. And if you like it, take it to your heart. In Galatians chapter 6 verse 1 says, If anyone is caught in trespass, you who are spirit to restore, such as one in spirit of gentleness. Folks, this does not mean to be soft, that the sinner does not realize, he is seen to be wild, loving, and encouraging, and clear about the holiness, that God calls us to. This is the way the Apostle Paul, ministered to his converts, according to 1 Thessalonians chapter 2, verse 7. And this is what he commanded, you and I to do, believers to do, according to 2 Timothy chapter 2, verse 24. Elijah had to learn that God sometimes, uses small voices, and not the tornadoes. According to 1 Kings chapter 9, verses 8, 11 to 13. See, many have this idea, that gentleness is weakness. See, we moved from here to Hawaii, my kids attended to Kaimuki Christian School. It's one of the top public schools in Hawaii. And my son, Michael, he was the tallest one of all the students, and teachers included. And his name, you know what they called him? Gentle child. He loved the kids, and teachers. But when he's on the football field, that's my boy. That's mine, right there. That's my boy, man. That's mine. But when he's off the field, gentleness. See, many people, including us tonight, many people have that idea, that gentleness is weakness, it is not. It is power under control. It is the gentleness of the football player, that makes him great. It is the gentleness of your Pastor Shane, that makes him great. It is the gentleness of the teacher, that make him or her great. It is the gentleness of a surgeon, that makes him great. It is the gentleness of a mother, that make you great. It is the gentleness of a husband, that make you great. And only the Holy Spirit, can give us this precious grace. Number five. Verses 21 to 22. If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat. And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. For you will heap upon him coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you. Number five, is called kindness. Kindness, the Greek word for kindness, is tristos. It means a tender concern, or uprightness. It is the kindness of the heart. And also it is the kindness of act. And gentleness ought to lead to kindness. And in Romans 12, 19 to 21, where these same verses are quoted by the Apostle Paul, and also applied to the New Testament Christians. And instead of adding coals to the fire of anger, the Proverbs 26, 20 to 21, we help to put out the fire, by showing love and kindness to people. We must be careful here. We must be careful, however, to perform these kind deeds with the right motive. See, if we try to obligate people to us, if we try to bite people, to bite them off, God will not bless you. But if we sincerely love them, and assist them, God will honor you, and God will reward you, and God will bless you. That's real, man. If we sincerely love them, and we're talking about love in action. I'm not talking about, I love you, I love you, I love you 24-7, but nothing to do to love you. Just words. I'm talking about love in action. I'm talking about the acape love, the sacrificial love, the unconditional love of Jesus Christ, that you and I have. We have Jesus Christ in our hearts. And that drives us to do what we do today, because of that love. And we show to people, not only here, but outside the church, that we love them so much. You know, Francis Chandler came to Hawaii two weeks ago. I had a chance to talk with him, because, you know, he moved from Simi Valley to San Francisco. And what he said to me, he said, loving people, not loving people is wrong. Not telling other people about Jesus Christ is very wrong. Not loving people is wrong. Especially if we are Christians, we are followers of Jesus Christ. We call to follow Jesus Christ, but we're not loving people. That is very wrong, folks. That is very wrong. So why do you give your life to Jesus Christ to begin with? If we sincerely love them and assist them, I have to tell you, God will reward you, and bless you, and honor you. Of course, these good deeds must not be done to impress people. Oh yeah, look at me. I did this. I did this for this mom and dad. I did this for these kids. I did this. It was all about me. We have to be careful. We don't do that to impress people. We do it to impress our Lord Jesus Christ. Proverbs 21, verse 14 says that you are to be in secret, are to be in secret. And lastly, verse 28, like a city that is broken in two, and without walls, is a man who has no control over his spirit. And last, it's called self-control. Self-control. You know, the most important feature of the city in biblical times was its walls. And walls acted as the city's defenses, bringing security. And without walls, there was no defense. A city without walls was defenseless, and was being destroyed by every passing plunder. Likewise, a person who lacks self-control is defenseless, open to defeat you, and destruction by the enemy. So my question is, what is self-control? What is self-control? The original meaning of the term is the power to keep one's in check. It's the power to keep one's self in check. It involves moderation and self-restraint, and the ability to say no to your basic desires and the fleshly lusts that you see every day. One of the proofs of God's working in our lives is the ability to control our own thoughts, our own words, our own actions every day. It's not that we are naturally weak-willed, but our fallen nature is influenced of sin. It's the rule of authority over every area of your life. And a person who is self-controlled will never say, I just couldn't help myself when I saw the cream cakes. This lies at the very heart of the matter. See the Christian who practices self-control will not be destroyed by anger, or will he or she destroy others. These words are to be compared with chapter 16, verse 32. It says, Now Alexander the Great was able to conquer the known world. Can I see his picture on the screen? But yet, he was not able to conquer himself. But no question about him, he was a very energetic, versatile, and very intelligent man. Although hatred was not generally part of his nature, several times in his life was tragically defeated by anger. And the story is told of one of these occasions, a good friend of him, of Alexander, a general in his army, became intoxicated and began to ridicule the emperor in front of his men. And blinded by anger, Alexander snatched a spear from the hand of a soldier and hurled it to his friend. Although he had only intended to scare him, but his aim was true. And the spear took the life of his childhood friend. Deep, deep remorse followed his anger. Overcome with guilt. See, he attempted to take his own life, but his men stopped him. No, no, he can't do that man, can't do that. See, Alexander the Great conquered many cities, vanquished many nations, but he had failed miserably to control his own spirit. You know, of course the only way for us to have self-control is through the kinship of our Lord Jesus Christ. We reign with Him. And self-control, self-control is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. And you have that in you. It is self-control that gives us patience How many people, how many of you have teenagers? Folks, it is self-control that gives me patience to deal with my kids every day. It is. I have to tell you, teenagers man, oh, it's hard to deal with it. But you know, you just love them and deal with it. Yes, it is self-control that gives us patience as outlined in the beginning so it will save us all kinds of trouble later. Proverbs 17 verse 14 compares the beginning of strife to a small leak from a dam. Folks, if you're not careful, the break will enlarge and you will have the flood in your hands. It's easier to stop that small leak than try to control the raging flood. And the lesson here is very clear. To false wrath and encourage trouble produces more troubles. And self-control produced by the Holy Spirit will enable you as a follower of Jesus Christ to handle these matters patiently and wisely every day. And the ability to be angry about the right matters in the right way helps to build your character every day. Certainly we are to be aroused about injustice and sin. But when anger flares up in the temper, it becomes destructive. See, God's anger, Godly anger is like a steam power in a boiler. If it's directed to the right matter, it accomplishes much good. Unrighteous anger, losing one's temper is more like a forest fire. And you see this every summer. Forest fire, fire that gets out of control and destroys much good. Psalms 19, 14 is a good breath for us tonight. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight Lord, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. He is our Redeemer. And all these five things, these things I just mentioned to you tonight without Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, you can't go any further. You know what? Jesus Christ is standing here tonight. You know what? Jesus Christ has been standing there that door and knock every day. Are you listening to me? When are you going to open that door for me? I am knocking the door. The Bible says, I stand at the door and knock. If you open that door of your heart, I will come in and sit with you and eat with you and live with you every day. Say, I'm knocking that door. Are you going to open that door tonight? Are you going to? There is no more tomorrow. Today is the only chance. You know, the Bible says, Jesus Christ, we don't know when it's coming. But you're still sitting here and say, oh, Jesus is coming, Jesus is coming, Jesus is coming. But that's all you say? You need to respond to that. And how do you respond? Open the door of your heart. Open that door, meaning soften the heart tonight and open that, allow Jesus Christ to come in. And that's the only way. That's the only way. It's knocking, knocking, knocking, knocking and knocking. Are you listening? Are you going to open that door and welcome him? It's up to you. Let's pray. Lord, you are holy. And that's why we are here tonight. We're not here to try to, you know, praise ourselves and glorify ourselves, Lord. We're here tonight, Father God, because we love you, because you first love us through the death, the burial and the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. And that is the message, Lord. That is the good news. Lord, I pray tonight, if anyone here does not yet receive you in his or her life, Lord, I just pray, Father God, open that heart, soften that heart tonight and allow Jesus Christ to come in and have a meal with him or her. Lord, I pray for the blessings upon this church. Pray for Shane and his congregation, Lord. We're so proud of you, Lord. Also, we're so proud of Shane and what he's doing. And I pray for the God that you enlarge the vision that you've given to him and to you. This is the message for tonight. And we give it to you. Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.