Introduction

Good morning, beloved family of God. We gather here today, under the banner of His love, to reflect and learn about a virtue that is as timeless as it is transformative. A virtue that weaves through the tapestry of our faith, knitting together the teachings of the Old Testament with the revelations of the New. This virtue, dear friends, is kindness.

In the words of the esteemed Charles Spurgeon, "To be a Christian is to be a warrior." Kindness, dear brothers and sisters, is not merely an accessory to our faith, but a cornerstone. It is the key to Christian living as we live as warriors fighting against sin. It’s a virtue that embodies the very essence of Christ's teachings and His ministry.

As we turn to the pages of the Holy Scriptures, we find ourselves in the company of the Apostle Paul, whose words in 1 Corinthians 13:4 echo in our hearts and minds, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud." From this passage, we glean that kindness is an integral facet of love, a quality that is not optional, but essential in our Christian walk.

We also journey with Jesus in Luke 8:40-56, where we witness His kindness in action. Here, we see Jesus, moved by compassion, healing a woman who had been bleeding for twelve years and raising a synagogue leader's daughter from the dead. His acts of kindness, dear friends, were not mere gestures but powerful demonstrations of His divine love and mercy.

So, what does kindness mean to us today? How do we live out this virtue in a world that often seems indifferent to it? How do we embody the kindness that Jesus so beautifully displayed in His ministry?

Before we seek answers to these questions, let us bow our heads in prayer. Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for gathering us here today. As we reflect on Your Word and the virtue of kindness, we pray that You would open our hearts and minds. Help us, Lord, to not only understand the depth of Your kindness towards us but to also express it in our interactions with others. May our lives be a testament to Your unfailing love and kindness. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

So, let's embark on this exploration of kindness, not as a mere attribute, but as a key to Christian living, a virtue that is deeply embedded in love, and a quality that was so vividly exemplified in Jesus's ministry.

Kindness as Key to Christian Living

When we look at the life of Jesus, we see a life marked by kindness. He was kind to the poor, the sick, the outcast, and even to those who opposed Him. His kindness wasn't just an occasional act, it was a way of life. It was the lens through which He saw the world, and it was the driving force behind His actions.

In the same way, as followers of Christ, we are called to live lives marked by kindness. This isn't just a suggestion, it's a command. In Ephesians 4:32, we are told to "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." This verse doesn't just tell us to be kind, it tells us why we should be kind. Because God, in Christ, has been kind to us.

The first aspect of kindness as a key to Christian living is understanding the nature of kindness. Kindness is not just about being nice or polite. It's about showing genuine concern for others. It's about putting others before ourselves. This is the kind of kindness that Jesus demonstrated, and it's the kind of kindness that we are called to demonstrate as well.

The second aspect of kindness as a key to Christian living is understanding the power of kindness. Kindness has the power to change hearts and minds. It has the power to heal and to restore. It has the power to bridge gaps and to build bridges. This is the power of kindness that Jesus demonstrated, and it's the power of kindness that we have access to as followers of Christ.

The third aspect of kindness as a key to Christian living is understanding the cost of kindness. Kindness often comes at a cost. It can cost us our time, our resources, and even our comfort. But it's a cost that we are called to bear. Because the cost of not being kind is much greater. It's the cost of missing out on the opportunity to reflect the love of Christ to others. It's the cost of missing out on the opportunity to make a difference in others.

Finally is understanding the reward of kindness. Kindness is its reward. It brings joy and satisfaction. It brings peace and fulfillment. It brings a sense of purpose and meaning. But more than that, it brings us closer to God. Because when we are kind, we are reflecting the character of God. We are showing the world what God is like. And in doing so, we are drawing closer to Him. This is the reward of kindness that Jesus experienced, and it's the reward that we can experience as well.

Transition. Kindness is a key to Christian living. It's a command from God, and it's a reflection of His character. It's a powerful tool for change, and it's a cost that we are called to bear. And it's a reward that brings us closer to God. So let's strive to live lives marked by kindness, just as Jesus did. Because in doing so, we will not only be following His example, but we will also be drawing closer to Him.

Kindness in the Context of 1 Corinthians 13:4

In the Apostle Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, he paints a vivid picture of love ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO