Kindness Expressed
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Good morning, we are in the middle of a series entitled 9 Flavors 1 Fruit and we have been talking about Fruit of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22-33.
Today we are going to be talking about the fifth Fruit on the list and that is the Fruit of KINDNESS…
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
..… Kindness is one of those virtues that we can be easily be overlooked and skip over… But we are going to see that the virtue of Kindness is a Key and vital ingredient of Faith…
and the presence or absence of Kindness in our lives can can have huge consequences and ramifications.
In 1972, Edward Lorenz a meteorologist presented a scientific paper entitled "Predictability: Does the Flap of a Butterfly's Wings in Brazil Set off a Tornado in Texas?" This became known as—"the butterfly effect."
According to Lorenz's theory, the butterfly's wing-flapping doesn't actually cause a tornado, but it can start a chain reaction leading to giant changes in world-wide weather patterns. .
In others words, even tiny, insignificant movements or actions can produce huge changes that affect millions of people.
Jesus taught a kind of spiritual butterfly effect…In Matt 10:42
Jesus said that even giving someone a cup water in his name…is important… and has rewards… Here is the thing we never know how one act of kindness could change a persons life.....
When we do small things—like making a meal, visiting someone who is sick, befriend the lonely, opening our home to a guest, praying with a friend—
What we might think is "insignificant", these acts of kindness are God's eyes are huge.... Jesus said when you gave to the least of these you gave to me...
Firstly…Is an Attribute of God’s nature.. it is who he is...God is a God of loving kindnesses… Not only is it who he is ---But God expresses his kindness.. towards all people and all of his creation…
If you are living and breathing on this planet… you have experienced this kindness… His grace. Theologian call God’s kindness towards creation “common grace..”.…
Theologian Stanley Grenz, Describes COMMON GRACE as “.... God’s extension of favor to all people through providential care, regardless of whether or not they acknowledge and love God.”Stanley Grenz
Regardless of you are what you believe…God gives all people common grace.. God give His kindness. You see...
God does not discriminate! God does not treat his enemies different from his friends.. God shows kindness to his enemies in order to win their friendship… Paul tells us that in Romans..
4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?
That’s why Kindness is a fruit of the Spirit.... God desires us to demonstrate his kindness to others...
Kindness sees real value in People.. from God’s spective and what this means..
Is that human beings are infinitely precious and valuable there is really nothing you can put into them that’s too much. You put your money, you put your time, and you put your talents on the line…
One of the best illustrations of kindness is actually found in of the Life David…
In book of 1 Samuel David became an overnight sensation… when he defeated the philistine giant Goliath …David went from being a young shepherd boy (a nobody)to an instant hero of Israel… He was instafamous...
David had amazing gifts and abilities and quickly advanced to be one of King Sauls best generals.. As the life of David unfolds — He develops this close friendship with Sauls son Jonathan… they became best of friends.. the bible tells us that Jonathan loved David as his own Soul.... The became they became covenant partners..
As time went on it became evident that King Sauls jealousy over Davids military success was becoming a problem..
David knew that Saul was planning to do him harm…
In the mean time Jonathan even though had the rights to the throne willingly surrendered the throne to David...... knowing that David was anointed to the throne.… Jonathan did everything possible to protect DAVID from his father… including warning David that the king was intending to kill him.
Jonathan made David covenant and David made a promise that when he was king he would show kindness to the house of Saul… at the end of the book of 1 Samuel.. King Saul and Jonathan both die on the battle field against the Philistines.
Years later when David is established as King over all of Israel.. The first actions that David does is honor his promise to his close friend Jonathan.. He seeks to show kindness to any surviving relative from Sauls house...
1 And David said, “Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”
And so the search begins and Sauls servant Ziba is found and David learns that the grandson of Saul was still alive his name Mephibosheth — Mephibosheth was a cripple…
He was injured at the age of 5 when fleeing from Saul’s brother Ish-bosheth… who had laid claim to the throne… Because In those days it was custom for the new king to kill all other claimants to the throne even if it was a relative...... A nurse had fled with the young boy and fearing for his life but during the flight she fell and dropped him and both feat were broken…unfortunately he did not receive the proper care, and he was lame for the rest of his life…
Now what makes this story interesting… Saul’s own family… left Mephibosheth to fend for himself.. in fact they had changed his name from Mrib-baal “Hero of the Lord” to Mephibosheth which meant - “From the Mouth of Shame” - in reference either to Saul’s defeat or to his own lameness—physical defect was believed to be punishment for sin..
There is no kindness— no grace or mercy given…by his own family... On the other hand —David whom experienced nothing but hurt and grief from the house of Saul… Spent the majority of his life dodging and hiding from Sauls Jealousy…
How did David demonstrate such kindness? How do we show kindness to those who have hurt us?
David demonstrates Kindness…to the house of Saul based upon his relationship to Jonathan…When Mephibosheth was brought before David…David said..
3 And the king said, “Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him?” Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in his feet.”
Why does David exercise kindenss....
For the sake of Jonathan… the second reason was that David wanted to show someone in the house Saul the Lord’s kindness or the grace of God...
The reason why we invest in the lives of others… the reason we demonstrate kindness — For the sake of kindness we have recieved
is because God highly value every person on the planet..
T/s Kindness is Key to Faith… We are going to look at the book of James where James lays out clearly the importance of Kindness.. Why should we demonstrate kindness to the underserved?
1. Kindness is the Proof of Genuine Faith
1. Kindness is the Proof of Genuine Faith
A number of years ago Leadership magazine had this Cartoon with a picture of conventional church with a billboard in the front of the church that advertised all its ministries… and the
James is writing to the church that has is being persecuted for their faith and the result has been the dispersion.. where the church has been scattered through the Roman world... these are tough days to be a Christian…
James warns the Church of the problem of having lite Faith…
14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food,
16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?
17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
James asks this rhetorical question —
…What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?
The question that James brings up what is the nature of true Faith? .
Is Faith something that we believe or is it something that we do… Is it Faith Belief or is Faith action..
We know that Faith was essential value both in OT and NT.. Saving Faith is essential when it comes to having a relationship with God in Salvation. Paul tells us that it is by grace through faith… without works.
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
Being justified by Faith is a core doctrine of the protestant church - It is one of the five Solas (only’s) that came out of the reformation… that it not Christ plus anything but Christ Alone… It is Grace Alone… It is by Faith Alone… it is to the Glory of God Alone...
So at first glance it seems like James is saying that faith alone is not enough…And that there is a contradiction to what Paul taught in the book of Romans…Where Paul says that we saved apart from works....
28 For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.
So Paul taught that unequivocally that Salvation is by faith alone! and James is saying that Faith requires action...
It seems that there is a huge theological problem..
But on closer examination.
..James is not staging a show down between Faith and works..
James is asking is how is it possible for others to see that you have faith? Since faith is not tangible in itself, the only real way faith can be verified is by seeing it in action.
Sure, we can claim to have faith, but James rightly questions whether faith that is never seen is really the kind of faith that can save us
James was fighting against a “lite” faith which minimized the necessity of works after coming to Christ. Paul says works cannot bring us to Christ. James says after we come to Christ they are imperative.
We are not save by works but rather saved to works.
.Paul’s teaching about faith and works focuses on the time before conversion, and James’ focus is after conversion.-
To illustrate the point James gives this hypothetical situation… or case study that everyone in the room can relate too...
James writes “If someone says he has faith…” James doesn’t say this individual actually does have faith, but simply that this person claims to have faith. The verb translated here, “to claim,” or, “to say,” is in the present tense, which suggests this person is continually asserting his faith, constantly saying, “I have faith. I have faith,” but his words are hollow. No outward evidence supports his claim. So James is referring to the profession of faith, not to the possession of faith.
What if this person who claims to have faith comes in contact with someone who has a real need… it could be a church member… it could be a neighbor… but it someone he knows who has real basic and essential needs like food and and clothing…
What if instead of offering kindness.. and providing for these needs… the person proclaims faith… through prayers… and blessing...
What if this person who has faith says something like..… Go and peace… and be warmed and filled…
The problem here is not with the blessing that is offered… nothing wrong in offering prayer and blessings for those in need… the issue is praying a blessing as a cover up for the failure to act…
.. The problem is when we bless people without meeting their physical needs.. the needy person’s body is still cold; his stomach is still empty. To make it personal, there are those in this community needing our help.
James says brother and sister.. Faith that does not have actions of compassion and kindness is problematic…
James tells us that kind of Faith is Dead…
Faith with out deeds is not just outwardly inoperative but inwardly dead… A good example would be a car battery that has lost its charge…You have everything that could be working in your car… it can be brand new of the car lot… but if there is no power stored in that battery… It still going to be just a heap of metal… it is as good as dead… As James would say what good is that kind of car?
Faith without works is just as dead and impractical as a battery without any electrical charge… James concludes that Faith without action only dead outwardly but dead inwardly… lifeless and useless..
James is advocate for both Faith and works… Some of us have been grounded in our faith… because we somehow have missed this ingredient of acting on your faith...
Just like a bird that takes flight…needs both wings so faith and works go together. when the two are pumping together in concert.. you have the lift off and the real thing kicks in.
T/s The reason Kindness is the Key ingredient of our Faith.
1. Kindness is the Proof of the Genuine Faith
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2. KindnessPushes back on bad theology. (wrong beliefs/thinking)
2. KindnessPushes back on bad theology. (wrong beliefs/thinking)
We have all been there. …we have been driving down the highway and we come across a car broken down on the road…either they have run out of gas or have some mechanical problem.. Then there is that moment where you start wrestling with your conscience..… should I stop or should I drive on… There is part of us that says we should we ought to help… then the other part of our brain that tells us that someone else will help…
It is amazing how all of a sudden urgency of our todo list becomes apparent… previously you had nothing urgent ...suddenly there is a dead line.… Now in the spirit of transparency… I have done both… There have been times where I have hesitated … and I have regretted my choices…But on the other hand I have stopped and helped… and it has always been a good thing.
T/s James pushes against the Argument of Faith without Works
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18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!
James is Pushing on Faith of the armchair theologian / christian in his/her views and thinking about truth ..There are those who have a love truth without the active compassion of true Faith…
James gets into out minds and deals with the excuses we tell ourselves....
He says in effect, “You like theology and are more theoretical and prefer to talk about faith. On the other hand, I’m of a practical bent. Faith for me is living out Jesus’ teaching. We’re both Christians, but we have different emphases.”
James argues that Faith and deeds go together, “Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do”
Because a Failure to show mercy means a failure to understand God’s mercy ..
James counter his way thinking by making the
b. Argument for good theology.
Good theology is important…these Christians are all good Trinitarians… they know Apostles Creed is the oldest Christians statement of belief.. they can quote that...
“ God is the Maker, and Jesus is his virgin-born Son. They know the truth of Christ’s death, resurrection, ascension, and coming return…
Now, another shocking statement from James..
19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!
You pride yourself in Good theology…But… some of the best theologians are demons..… There is not a demon in the universe who is an atheist! They all know the power of God… and they all shudder and have the fear of God…shudder means to “brittle up” like a frightened cat…
Having … Good theology is important… but “faith” that consists of mere assent to doctrine, or perhaps of even the simple utterance of a doctrinal statement, is no faith at all.
But it is possible that there are holes in your belief system.. You can be sincere and sincerely wrong.... You can have a doctorate in theology.. but if your faith is not accompanied with kindness… what good is that kind of Faith..
There is an important distinction between an actual belief/value versus a preferred belief/value. Preferred beliefs are those things that we think and say are important; actual beliefs or values are the ones we act on.
David Zahl in a blog in a blog entitled., "So Nice of Louis C.K. to Think of That (But Never Do It) --- He Quotes the comedian saying...
"So Nice of Louis C.K. to Think of That (But Never Do It)
“I have a lot of beliefs .… And I live by none of them. That's just the way I am. They're just my beliefs. I just like believing them—I like that part. They're my little "believies." They make me feel good about who I am. But if they get in the way of a thing I want, I [sure as heck just do what I want to do]”
This is the danger of having beliefs that make us feel good…
Real faith is more than mental assent to truth. It is a belief that involves the heart. It is one thing to say, “I believe this airplane will hold me,” it is quite another to fly somewhere in it.
T/s The reason Kindness is the Key ingredient of our Faith.
1. The Proof of the Genuine Faith
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2. Pushes back on bad theology. (wrong beliefs/thinking)
3. Kindness is going to Perfect our Faith.
3. Kindness is going to Perfect our Faith.
James gives us two examples of How Kindness is going to complete our Faith the first example is the Patriarch and father of Faith Abraham…and the second is Rahab the harlot — what a contrast...
a. James tells us that Abraham faith was completed by works
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar?
22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works;
23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God.
24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.
James keeps on giving us these shocking examples…to make a point...
This is one of the most extreme tests of obedience in the Bible found in Genesis 22…That is the offering up of Abrahams only son Isaac on the Altar on Mt Moriah…
… as your read the story of Abraham and Isaac… they make the journey up the Mountain… Abraham is confident that this a test.. he turns to his servants.. And he tells them..That he and Isaac and himself would return together… Here is the point.. God asked Abraham to do the absurd.. the unthinkable.. take the whole promise of being the Father of a nation… and lay it down.. the whole nation and future generations were in the seed of Isaac… Abraham is obedient..to the point of laying down his own son on the altar… the same willingness demonstrated by Jesus who was obedient to the point of death..
Preaching the Word: James—Faith That Works Abraham’s Authentic Faith (vv. 21-24)
Verse 22 explains further “that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.” The imperfect tense of “working together” tells us that his faith was not an isolated event in the offering of Isaac, but that faith and works were continual characteristics of Abraham’s life before and after that event
Preaching the Word: James—Faith That Works Abraham’s Authentic Faith (vv. 21-24)
James would have been shocked if anyone suggested that he was arguing for salvation by works. He simply saw faith and works as inseparable.
b. Rahab faith is completed
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It was conceivable that some of James’ readers might take exception to his argument, saying that Abraham is an unfair example because he is such a towering figure in the history of religion, a man whose position and accomplishments set him far above the level of normal -
25 And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?
We don’t know to much about the background of Rahab —We know that she had heard of the God of Israel. It is plausible to assume that she had heard of their success over defeating the Egyptians.. and the crossing of the Red Sea… When the Spies were found out in Jericho --- she hid the them and helped them in their escape ---She put herself in harms way and showed extraordinary kindness… Even to the point of putting her own well being in harms way...
James challenges our willingness to take personal risks, it does our faith match that of Rahab the harlot?
James gives one more example… that
c. The body is Completed by the Spirit.
26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.
Conclusion
Saul’s descendants didn’t deserve any kindness.... David showers Kindness upon Mephibosheth and treats him as a son.. he elevates him to the most privileged position in the Kingdom.. and enjoys unparalleled intimacy and is treated as a son..David restores to him his fathers fortunes..
13 So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate always at the king’s table. Now he was lame in both his feet.
Here is why this a big deal… Mephibosheth represented a future for the house of Saul. David’s kindness was therefore utterly extraordinary. It was not simply an act of benevolence toward a cripple whose condition made him no threat to David’s kingdom.
David’s goodness toward Mephibosheth ensured the survival of Saul’s line
David invited Mephibosheth to live in the palace as a member of his family, and to eat at the king’s bountiful table. This is the kindness of God!
You and I have experienced an even greater kindness, for as Christians, we are God’s children and shall live with Him in heaven forever!
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