Love Is Kind Series

INTRODUCTION

OPENING SLIDE

- Love better.

- Of all the things in life, we can do better is love.

SLIDE #1

- Last week, we began the series with love is patient.

- Patience is the anchor of love.

- Today, we move to love is kind.

- Love Is Kind Just as patience will take anything from others, kindness will give anything to others, even to its enemies.

- Being kind is the counterpart of being patient.

- We can better understand why Paul emphasizes love when we know the context of the letter's writing.

- 1 Corinthians is a letter the Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Corinth, a community faced with divisions and moral challenges.

- In Chapter 13, known as the “Love Chapter,” Paul eloquently defines love, urging believers to embody it above all spiritual gifts.

- This passage highlights love’s enduring qualities, emphasizing its importance in maintaining unity and reflecting Christ’s nature.

- This reminder is crucial for anyone seeking a Christ-centered life filled with grace and compassion.

- The historical context of 1 Corinthians 13:4 involves understanding the cultural and situational background in which the Apostle Paul wrote this epistle.

- Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians was written to address various issues and challenges the Christian community in Corinth faced during the first century.

- Corinth was a cosmopolitan city in ancient Greece, known for its diversity, wealth, and immorality.

- During this period, the Corinthian church struggled with divisiveness, misunderstandings about spiritual gifts, and behaviors that did not align with Christian teachings.

- Paul wrote to offer guidance and correction to help unify the believers and encourage them to live according to the love demonstrated by Christ.

- 1 Corinthians 13 is at the center of Paul’s discourse on spiritual gifts, found in chapters 12 to 14.

- He emphasizes that love is the most essential virtue and superior to all spiritual gifts.

- By highlighting the characteristics of love in verse 4 and continuing into the chapter, Paul sought to inspire the Corinthian church to focus on love as the foundation of their relationships and community practices.

- Join me as we learn to love better by fine-tuning the art of kindness.

1 Corinthians 13:4 NET 2nd ed.

4 Love is patient, love is kind, it is not envious. Love does not brag, it is not puffed up.

SLIDE #2

SERMON

I. Kindness defined.

- What does it mean to be kind?

- The Greek word translated as “is kind” in 1 Corinthians 13:4 is a verb that describes an active expression of kindness, emphasizing benevolence and goodwill toward others.

- The essence of this kindness is not merely passive or about being nice; it involves tangible actions that demonstrate care and compassion.

- In the biblical context, love is kind, reflects the nature of God’s kindness toward humanity.

- Kindness is often linked with the New Testament understanding of love as an active force that compels one to seek the welfare and good of others.

- This idea is connected to the concept of “doing unto others as you would have them do unto you,” promoting a form of love that is considerate, self-giving, and reflects God’s unconditional love.

- Kindness also ties into the fruits of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23, where kindness is listed as one of the characteristics that should be evident in a Christian’s life.

- Kindness is a virtue that flows naturally from a heart-shaped by love and faith, resulting in actions that resonate with the character of Jesus, who exemplified kindness throughout His life and ministry.

- I love a quote attributed to Mark Twain, who said the following about kindness:

- “Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” - Mark Twain.

- This thought relates to something I stated concerning patience and kindness in the introduction.

- Love Is Kind Just as patience will take anything from others, kindness will give anything to others, even to its enemies. Being kind is the counterpart of being patient.

- To be kind means to be useful, serving, and gracious. It is active goodwill.

- Kindness goes so far as to ask us to be gracious even to those who are our enemies.

- Kindness is not simply a feeling; kindness requires one to actively offer goodwill that works for the welfare of others.

- In the Old Testament, kindness is portrayed as a loyal love manifested through actions, often associated with covenant relationships.

- It is seen as a bond in various social relationships and primarily characterizes the covenant between God and His people.

- Kindness eases another person’s pain, soothes anxieties, fears, and hostilities, and contributes positively to the happiness of others.

- Kindness is a concern that eliminates suffering and increases joy.