Sermon 7: Kindness
Sermon 7: Kindness
Main Passages: Galatians 5:16-22, 6:7-8
Main Idea: Today we will examine three important features of Biblical kindness. We will also review how in Galatians 5, Paul contrasts the difference between life lived by pursuing selfish pleasure (called the flesh) and life lived by walking with the Holy Spirit (called the Spirit). Then we will seek the best way to live out this fruitful result of life with the Spirit.
Review of Paul’s Contrast
- Acts driven by our flesh lead to destruction
- Acts driven by the Holy Spirit lead to life
Today’s Fruit of the Spirit = Kindness
- NIV, “kindness”
- KJV, “goodness”
- The Message, “a sense of compassion in the heart”
Kindness (χρηστότης chrēstótēs)
- Appropriate goodness toward another (I want good for you)
- Done without a desire for payment (I don’t need anything from you)
- Gently delivered (I’m not going to make a big deal out of this)
Kindness is the first fruit of the Spirit to perish when we are in the presence with someone we disagree.
“Kindness is an attitude of generosity to others which is happy to do far more than is required by mere justice” (C. L. Mitton’s commentary on Galatians)
Biblical kindness moves us out of the realm of debt/debtor-transactionally-driven relationships where keeping score remains the critical focus. This kindness moves us into the liberating freedom of releasing kindness just because we are prompted by the simple affirmation of God’s voice and His voice alone. We need no payment because we have received all the compensation, we need by knowing we have our Heavenly Father’s approving nod. And all of this is completely counter to the acts of the flesh.
- Kindness benefits the giver (Prov. 11:17)
- Kindness honors God (Prov. 14:31)
- Kindness must be pursued (Prov. 21:21)
- God’s Kindness leads us to salvation (Prov. Titus 3:4-5)
Application:
- Who
deservesneeds your kindness?