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Kindness

1. Introduction – Fruit of the Spirit Gal. 5:22 – Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness

1. Sermon Title: Simply Kindness

1. I Cor. 13:4 - Kindness is a characteristic of Love.
2. 2 Pet.1:2-8 – Not useless if we can be kind.

1. Def. of  kindness - being warmhearted, considerate, humane, and sympathetic

2. Kindness is having the Mind of Christ

1. Phil.2:3-5 – Christ came here looking out for us.

2. Acts 10:38 – “[Jesus] went about doing good”
3. Col. 3:12 - Col 3:12  Put on therefore, as God's elect, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, longsuffering; - Clothe Yourself in Kindness – Putting on is a conscious behavior.

2. 5 Biblical Examples of Kindness

1. Finding Isaac a Bride – Gen. 24:9-25

1. Servant desired success for Abraham – vs. 12
2. Rebekah showed kindness in giving drink
3. Rebekah showed kindness in watering camels
1. How much water does a camel drink. 30 Gal.
2. How much water can 10 camels drink till they are finished? 10 X 30 - vs.19
3. Using a 5 Gal. Bucket, how many trips does Rebekah make per camel – 6.
4. How many Trips for all of the camels? – 60 – “she ran back to the well” – vs. 20
5. How long does it take to carry water to that many animals at 3 min. apiece? – 180 min/3 hr.
4. Rebekah went above and beyond common courtesy.

a. Mat. 5:38-42

5. Gal. 6:2 – Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. Reb. clothed in Christ.

Q1. Do we go beyond the minimum in our kindness to others? 

2. Mephipsheth – 2 Sam. 9

1. Acts 13:22 – David was a man after God’s own heart.
2. Principle 1 – Kindness seeks opportunity to express itself.
1. David sought out those of Saul’s house
2. Could be considered enemy.
3. It is hard to be kind sometimes.

• Luke 6:31-36

4. David not under any obligation to show kindness

3. Principle 2 – Kindness seeks out the needy for the sake of someone else.
1. V. 1 – Covenant relationship w/Jonathan. (I Sam. 18:3)
2. We have a covenant of Love with God, thus we are kind to others.

• We are to Glorify God!

3. Because of the Covenant David sent a messenger to seek out the lost and forgotten.

• The messenger became a servant to the lost.
• Mephibosheth was lame, forgotten, and useless to David.

4. Principle 3 – Kindness is not slow in meeting a need.
1. David showered blessings and honor upon Mephibosheth.
2. Pro. 3:27-28 - Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, When it is in the power of thy hand to do it. Say not unto thy neighbor, Go, and come again, And to-morrow I will give; When thou hast it by thee.
3. David made Mephibosheth as a son
4. David gave a lifelong dwelling and nourishment.
5. Principle 4 – Kindness finds its source in God.
1. The kindess of Mephibosheth is a Type of God’s Kindness toward us.
2. David showed the kindness of God.

• I Jn. 4:8 – God is love

3. God is not under obligation to show kindness toward us.
4. God extended his covenant toward us as a matter of grace – unmerited favor.
5. Mephibosheth is a type of mankind, as we are spiritually crippled.
6. Yet, God sent a messenger to us – Jesus Christ, who became a servant unto us.
7. God has adopted us as sons.
8. He has invited us eternally to dine with him at his table.

      Q2. Are we kind to the Lost and Forgotten, those who have nothing to offer? 

3. Good Samaritan – Luke 10:30-37

1. We do not know motives of the Priest and Levite.
1. Were the men too busy?  Not kind because…

• On the way to a goat BBQ?  Late for a sacrifice? a worship service?
• Maybe they were late for their child’s barmitzvah?
• Today – we pass up the needy due to our similarly busy schedules.
• Our cars are faster than walking, but we have less time.
• We have phones, but don’t have time to call and check on folks.
• We are late to church, so we don’t stop and help the stranded motorist.
• Get home after church, so we don’t share kind words with others.
• Are you too busy to be kind?

2. Were the men afraid for their safety?  Not kind because…

• Man looked mean, rough, worldly?  Dew Rags and Tatoos?
• Rough neighborhood?  This road was a dangerous road.
• Perhaps he wore a shoe on his head… reference to Veggie Tales.
• Today – Afraid to talk to man on street because might get mugged?
• Job safety – I could get fired for talking about Christ.
• Friend Safety - Worried about making a scene or losing a friend?
• Are you too Afraid to be kind?

3. Did the Levite and Priest simply have hard hearts?  Not kind because…

• Had seen lots of injured people, rough times.
• Lack of Hospitals and hard work made visible injury more common.
• Today - Word is on tv, radio, Bibles everywhere – They need to get it together!
• What do you feel when you see someone on the street with sign?
• Pity?  Desire to help? Disgust? Anger?  Annoyance?  Druggy!
• Are you too Numb to be kind?

4. Today the physically and spiritually ailing are ignored. –

• Crippled, injured, starving, poor, depressed
• What are we doing to be kind?  Are we passing them by?

5. Do we treat these situations as only one time fixes?

• Provide a moment’s help and go on our way.
• Here are some bandages and bactine… Good luck!
• Do we aid the individual in perpetual care?
• Physically… take to shelter, provide aid, seek their provisions.
• Spiritually… provide them, friendship, contact, The Word.

      Q3. Are we accountable when moments of Kindness present themselves?

4. Jesus Heals on the Sabbath - Mark 3:1-5

1. Jesus saw an opportunity to be kind, to help the needy.
2. When posed with the opportunity to be kind, the Pharisees were hardened.
1. Hardened hearts, engage in hardened behavior.
2. “They were watching” – Lions waiting to pounce.
3. Ex. We are all sinners.  Some have “Way to Let Them Have It!” attitude with sermons.  My approach is kindness, love, concern.  Yet, some folks are lions, waiting to pounce.  It would be easy to feed into the wrong attitude, to conform to groups. 

• Disney Movie: Pollyanna.

4. Jesus did not conform.  Jesus was angry and grieved.  He hated sin and was sad to see it.

• Rom 12:1-2  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

5. Jesus Healed because it was needed.  He took action!

• Jesus healed all in need – Mt. 4:24, Mt. 8:16, Mt. 12:15
• Joh 1:29 - On the morrow he seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold, the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world!
• Jesus Healed us because we are in need.

      Q4. Are we kind when needed or do we conform to the world? 

5. Jesus washes disciples feet – John 13:3-17

1. Creator of universe, of all, things we cannot even imagine.
2. Jesus was a servant.
1. Is. 52:13   b. Is. 53:11   c. Heb. 5:8
3. Jesus did not say: here’s a bowl, towel, and a bar of soap – Clean up!
4. Jesus was an example of Kindness and love.

5. Do we take the initiative to be the example of kindness? (In Community, Church, Home)
1. In the community? I Tim. 3:7 – Elder must have good reputation outside of the Church.

• We must be active and engaged with mankind.  Not just focusing on Sunday.

2. In the church?  Are we visibly gentle, warm, friendly?  Yes, this is kindness.

• Do we lend a hand where needed.
• Children, youth, are you respectful and helpful to teachers?  Do you ask to help?

6. John Barcus told girls if in trouble call the elders when traveling?  Why?  Kindness!

7. Big trouble area is kindness at home. – Spouses and Children.
• “To tired to be considerate.”
• “They know I love them.”
• “Been kind all day, I want to relax.”
• “They aren’t always kind to me!” – We weren’t always kind to Jesus.
• How can you help at home?

      Q5. Are we servants of kindness in the church, in the community, and at home?

3. One Example of the effects of a Lack of Kindness

1. The Death of Solomon

1. 2 Chron. 9:31 – 10:8
2. Rehoboam decided against Kindness
3. The Kingdom was split forever

2. We have the same decision before us as did Rehoboam

1. As the Church, we can choose to be kind or not.
2. We play a part in whether or not someone chooses to serve the King.
3. There are consequences to unkindness.
4. Mat 18:6  But whoso shall cause one of these little ones that believe on me to stumble, it is profitable for him that a great millstone should be hanged about his neck, and that he should be sunk in the depth of the sea.
5. Matt. 25:42-46

4. Closing

1. Do we have the mind of Christ in regard to Kindness?

1. Do we go beyond the minimum in our kindness to others?
2. Are we kind to the Lost and Forgotten, those who have nothing to offer?
3. Are we accountable when moments of Kindness present themselves?
4. Are we kind when needed or do we conform to the world?
5. Are we servants of kindness in the church, in the community, and at home?
6. Are we going to forego kindness and possibly hinders someone from the King?

2. My privilege to extend the kindness of Christ in the form of an invitation.

1. To the non-christian.  Do you know what Christ expects of you?
1. Yes, then you know you need to be baptized and why.
2. No, then offer opportunity for study.

2. To the christian.  Have you faltered in your kindness?
1. God is a forgiving God, acknowledge that, pray and repent.
2. If you need further aid, this congregation stands to aid you.
3. One final Verse – Eph. 4:32