The Fruit Of The Spirit Is Kindness Series

Would you like to be known as “kind”?

Not exactly the model for today’s society -

Abu Graib (sp?) - WOMAN

WRESTLING / FOOTBALL / BOXING / GANGS

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT - KINDNESS

Kindness is described in the Bible as . . . .

DAVID WITH SOLOMON - show kindness to the sons of Barzillai of Gilead and let them be among those who eat at your table. They stood by me when I fled from your brother Absalom. (1 Ki 2:7)

DAVID with MEPHIBOSHETH - I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.” (2 Sa 9:7)

GOD with JACOB - I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. I had only my staff when I crossed this Jordan, but now I have become two groups. (Ge 32:10-11)

DOING SOMETHING NICE FOR SOMEONE

SALVATION - Titus 3:4-7 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

BEYOND THIS - Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” Acts 14:17

THIS IS KINDNESS - what God wants you to be / A pleasing helpful action done in appreciation for another person’s service.

KEY TO KINDNESS - is RECOGNIZING and KNOWING THESE THINGS - “Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the LORD. (Je 9:23-24)

Problem with us - don’t recognize God’s kindnesses - THIS MORNING

- walk / talk / worship / health / even if none of these - SALVATION

- talk to God like a MISER

- like he’s been mean to us

- or like he is STINGY with us or OWES it to us

no wonder - WE DON’T ACT KINDLY to people

EXCUSES -

1) I don’t have time / energy

2) nobody appreciates it

3) nobody is kind to me so why should I be kind to anyone?

Hezekiah’s heart was proud and he did not respond to the kindness shown him; therefore the LORD’s wrath was on him and on Judah and Jerusalem. (2 Chronicles 32:25)

May their sins always remain before the LORD, that he may cut off the memory of them from the earth. For he never thought of doing a kindness, but hounded to death the poor and the needy and the brokenhearted. He loved to pronounce a curse— may it come on him; he found no pleasure in blessing— may it be far from him. (Ps 109:15-17)

Romans 11:22, "Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off."

do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance? (ROMANS 2:4)

EVERY DAY - go back to the FACT - I DON’T DESERVE God’s KINDNESS

BUT GOD GIVES IT TO ME BY GRACE IN CHRIST!

THEN - think about your brothers / sisters - how can I be kind?

- should I pull my sisters pigtails? Take his toys? Push him down?

- should I yell at my children all the time?

- what can I do for someone who’s done nice things for me?

- let someone go in front of me in my car / at store

- smile at someone / call someone - ask how doing?

CONSIDER God’s example - But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.

IN CONCLUSION:

PAUL - in JAIL / no chance of getting out

2 Timothy 1:15-18 You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes. May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains. On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me. May the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day! You know very well in how many ways he helped me in Ephesus.

KINDNESS of one man - ENCOURAGED HIM

How can YOU do that for someone?