FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT - KINDNESS (GENTLENESS)

The two are intertwined and one portrays the other so it is understandable how different translations of the Bible interchange these words for each other.

Fruit of the Spirit #5: Kindness

“But the fruit of the Spirit is gentleness [kindness]” (Gal. 5:22).

Our guiding question for today is, “Am I exhibiting a benevolent heart by helping others or resenting having to meet the needs of others?”

Let us Pray!

I. THE PURPOSE OF KINDNESS—Colossians 3:12

Colossians 3:12-17 – Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put-on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

A. Kindness, Godly, Christian is more than just words we speak; it is in the attitude, actions, activities and endeavors .

Colossians 4:6 – Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Proverbs 19:17 – Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.

Luke 6:35 – But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.

Matthew 5:43 – Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.

Proverbs 31:8-9 – Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.

B. Humbleness is a mindset where we realize we are nothing without God, it is Him living in us that makes us complete.

1 Peter 5:6 – Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,

Matthew 18:4 – Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

James 4:6 – But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Jeremiah 10:23 – I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps.

Galatians 6:3 – For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

Philippians 2:13 – for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

C. Meekness is deciding to constantly put Christ first.

Matthew 6:33 – But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Matthew 11:29-30 – Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Joel 2:13 – And rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.

D. Longsuffering is the showing of patience while and despite troubles it is a requirement for one to be truly kind.

Longsuffering is being patient. To truly be kind and gentle we need to be patient. Impatience is the killer to gentleness and kindness.

James 1:2-4 – Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

1 Peter 5:10 – And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

Philippians 1:29 – For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,

II. THE PRACTICE OF KINDNESS—

Ephesians 4:32 – Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

A. Considerate. “And be ye kind one to another.” The Christian that is filled with the Holy Spirit is both kind and considerate to both Christians and non-Christians alike.

Luke 6:35-36 – But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

Proverbs 14:21 – Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.

Romans 12:10 – Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

B. Concern. “Tenderhearted.” Kindness leads to charity. Charity is love in action. It sees men’s problems, then helps.

Acts 20:35 – In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Hebrews 13:2, 16 – Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

Proverbs 19:17 – Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.

2 Corinthians 9:7 – Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

C. Christlike. “Forgiving one another.” We need to not only practice the teachings of Christ by being forgiving, but it is a commandment from Him.

Matthew 6:14 – For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you,

Colossians 3:12-13 – Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

Philippians 3:10 – That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,

III. THE PERSONALITY OF KINDNESS—1 Corinthians 13:4-7

A. Kindness comes from patience — “Love is patient and kind.”

B. Kindness comes from practice — “does not envy or boast.”

D. Stephen—Acts 7:59-60. Stephen while he was in the process of being stoned, for following God, following Jesus, following the guidance of the Holy Spirit, forgave the religious leaders and others who were killing him.

Acts 7:59-60 – And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Meekness is putting Christ first – how does that look in your life?

Why is longsuffering considered to be needed in order for anyone to be kind?

The practice of kindness in our life calls us to be considerate, to both Christians and non-Christians alike? Which group is easier and why? How can you do better with the other group?

Kindness leads to being tenderhearted, which leads to charity. Truly how charitable are you? Do you give out of abundance or regardless of your circumstances?

Kindness causes us to be Christlike which means, we must forgive as Christ forgave. Who is it in your life that you need to forgive?

Love is patient and kind. How can you deepen your love for God and love for people through the expression of kindness this week?

Kindness takes practice, it is not our nature. Being kind means we do not envy or boast, how can you practice kindness this week so that the Holy Spirit is more active in your life?

The practicality of kindness means not being arrogant nor rude. James calls us to be quick to listen and slow to speak so arrogance and rudeness would not creep out. What steps can you take this week to hold your tongue so the Holy Spirit can continue to grow kindness in you?

Proof is in the pudding as it says, which character’s story of kindness from the sermon spoke the most to you? How can you allow the Holy Spirit to do that work in you this week?

Let us pray!