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(Series, #6)                                                                                                      April 9, 2006

BEING A SAFE PERSON

TEXT: Matthew 21:1-11

INTRODUCTION

· A safe person is one who treats people the way God has treated them.

· Jesus was described by the Old Testament prophet Zechariah as a gentle king, someone with awesome power and authority but humble and tender—a safe person.

1) GENTLE

· 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.      Matt 11:29 (NIV)

· And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth…   2 Tim 2:24-25 (NKJ)

2) APPROACHABLE

· Someone who is safe can be approached from almost any direction by almost any person.

· A few examples of people who felt safe approaching Jesus:

a. Centurion

b. Leper

c. Samaritan woman

d. Corrupt Businessman

e. Religious teacher

3) PROTECTIVE

· Some of the ways Jesus protected people:

a. Calmed the storm

b. Stopped a stoning

c. Rebuked his disciples

d. Defended his disciples

4) PURE MOTIVES

· A safe person consistently puts their motives in check

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· Pure motive means a heart that only wants what God wants in any situation.

CONCLUSION

· To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.           1 Cor 9:22 (NIV)