The Fruit of the Spirit is Kindness Galatians 5:22

Kindness IMP ACT

Kindness What it IS What it IS NOT Biblical Example

Kindness IS: A part of God’s character A requirement Love in action

A part of God’s Character God is kind despite our sin Titus 3:3-5a “For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, He saved us...”

A part of God’s Character God is kind to the ungrateful and wicked 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.”

A part of God’s Character God is kind to bring us to repentance Romans 2:3-4 “Do you suppose, O man...that you will escape the judgment of God? 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?”

A Requirement Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Random Acts of Kindness Regular Acts of Kindness

Love in Action Loving-kindness = Lov-in-kindness Costs: "Kindness is a language that deaf people can hear and that blind people can see." Chuck Swindoll

Kindness IS NOT: Niceness Pity Self Serving Driven by Guilt Limited in Scope Influenced by Gratitude/Merit

Biblical Example David & Mephibosheth II Samuel 4:4; 9:1-13

David & Mephibosheth Christ & the Believer Scripture Story begins with a tragic day. Mephibosheth was without hope. Begins with the tragedy of sin entering the world resulting in separation from God. We were without hope. Romans 5:12 – Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned. David proactively reached out to Mephibosheth to show kindness. God proactively reaches out to us to show His kindness. Romans 5:8 – But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Mephibosheth did nothing to deserve David’s kindness. We have done nothing to merit God’s kindness. Ephesians 2:8-9 – For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God…

David & Mephibosheth Christ & the Believer Scripture David removed the death sentence on Mephibosheth’s life. God removed the death sentence you and I deserve because of our sin. Romans 6:23 – For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Mephibosheth’s lost inheritance was restored. Our relationship with God was restored and we were given an inheritance. Ephesians 1:11 – In Him (Christ) we have obtained an inheritance... David made Mephibosheth to be as one of his sons for the rest of his life. God has made us sons and daughters. II Corinthians 6:18 – ...and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty

Summary Receive the kindness of God Be proactively kind Remember why we show kindness Matthew 25:35-40 “...as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me”