Kindness
The Fruit of the Spirit • Sermon • Submitted
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Okay, well, we have looked at love, joy, peace, and patience. This month we are going to look at kindness.
21 The one who pursues righteousness and faithful love
will find life, righteousness, and honor.
32 And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.
Kindness is an attribute of God that is not always found in humanity. The main problem with understanding kindness is that terms generally overlap and are not clear or consistent. English has many different words which can be defined as kindness.
When you think of kindness what words come to your mind?
When you think of kindness what words come to your mind?
The Greek and Hebrew have the same problem. Kindness tends to be a relational word and points toward our treatment of others who, somehow, have less than we do. In other words, kindness tends to work from the higher toward the lower. I deal in kindness with my children. I deal in kindness towards the homeless. I deal in kindness with the weak and sick.
We might summarize the concept of kindness by saying:
Kindness is a sincere desire for the well-being of others when they don’t deserve it.
Kindness is a sincere desire for the well-being of others when they don’t deserve it.
Kindness is the inner disposition, created by the Holy Spirit, that causes us to be sensitive to the needs of others, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual. Naturally, we are more concerned about our selves. We have our own problems. We have our own plans. We tend to be self-centered. Kindness is others-centered. Kindness looks out for the well-being of others.
Kindness is rooted in the character of God. (Luke 6:35)
Kindness is rooted in the character of God. (Luke 6:35)
35 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 children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.
God is kind to the undeserving. Perhaps you are only truly kind when you act without expecting to get anything back. If you expect a return on your deeds, then perhaps you are not being kind. You are still think about you, but when you serve those who can’t possibly do anything for you, perhaps that is genuine kindness.
What are some groups of people we can exercise kindness towards?
What are some groups of people we can exercise kindness towards?
Think about this, God is always kind because God doesn’t need anything from us. He didn’t need to save us. He expressed his kindness through Jesus.
4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared, 5 he saved us—not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy—through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
We couldn’t do anything. He had to do it all. It is only because of God’s kindness that anyone is saved. He had to regenerate us. He had to do everything for us. It was his kindness that moved him to action. God’s kindness stands in stark contrast to man’s depravity and sinfulness. It is kindness because we didn’t deserve it. Likewise, we are to be kind because people don’t deserve it. God is kind to everyone and if we are going to become Christ-like, then we must be kind to everyone as well. Naturally, we only want to be kind to people we like: family (but not all family), friends, maybe some neighbors or co-workers. However, God shows kindness to those who are despicable: the ungrateful and the wicked.
The point of kindness is to lead to repentance. ()
The point of kindness is to lead to repentance. ()
4 Or do you despise the riches of his kindness, restraint, and patience, not recognizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?
Theological arguments and doctrinal positions, generally, do not lead people to salvation. Genuine acts of kindness lead many people to repentance. Remember the 4x4 strategy of evangelism we teach?
<show 4x4 slide>
We identify 4 people who need Jesus. We intercede (pray) for those 4 people who need Jesus. We invest in the lives of those 4 people. We invite those 4 people to receive the gospel. It is the third step; that is the step of kindness. The investments that we make in people for the point of leading them to the gospel. We want people to ask the question, “Why are they being so kind to me? No one is as kind as they are.” You don’t do it to get them to do something nice for you. You demonstrate kindness to create the gospel opportunities.
Even the world knows the power of kindness. They have all kinds of campaigns urging people to do random acts of kindness. Just go online and google it and you will get hundreds of ideas on how to be kind. One thing that we can never forget is that doing kind things is not the end to itself. Acts of kindness need to be paired with gospel ministry.
So, let’s see what you have learned.
What is the difference between kindness and being nice?
What is the difference between kindness and being nice?
Nice is smiling at people and being warm and friendly. Kindness is caring for people and expecting nothing in return. Kindness is being inclined toward people who are undeserving. Kindness is seeing the needs of others and taking steps to meet those needs regardless of who they are or if they can or will do anything in return.
Kindness is like the person of Ruth.
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If you do not have a Bible Study that you attend, fill out one of the cards or go and meet one of the teachers; they will be standing in the back as you exit.