Kindness

Introduction

Big Idea:

MPS: The ultimate goal of the universe is not just for us to be "better," but for the immeasurable kindness of Jesus to be put on display through our lives forever.

Kindness is not simply paying it forward at chic fil a

It is the action of response to the scandalous saving of God in our lives

passages that show kindness not as an action we perform, but as a Life we participate in.

We are going to walk through four passages that move kindness from a "how-to" to a "Who."

1. The Incarnation of Kindness

Text: Titus 3:4–5 “But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared, he saved us—not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy—through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit.”

His kindness was the action of saving us, regenerating us giving us a new heart and renewing us b

The Exegesis: The Greek word for "loving kindness" here is philanthropia, but it is tied to God's chrestotes (kindness). Note the word "appeared." Kindness isn't an abstract concept; it was a localized event in history.

The Sermon Point: Kindness is not a feeling God had in heaven; it is a Person who arrived on earth. We don't "act kind" to earn salvation; we were saved because Kindness showed up when we were at our worst.

The Person of Jesus: Jesus is the "Kindness of God" in the flesh.

2. The Kindness that Leads to Repentance

Text: Romans 2:4

"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?"

The Exegesis: Paul argues that it isn't "life hacks" or even the threat of judgment that truly changes a human heart—it is the overwhelming "riches of His kindness."

The Sermon Point: Kindness is the "magnetic force" of Jesus. He doesn't wait for us to become "nicer" to come to us; His kindness reaches out while we are still unrepentant to draw us in.

The Person of Jesus: Think of Jesus with the woman at the well or Zacchaeus. His kindness was the intervention that made repentance possible.

3. The Burden of Kindness

Text: Matthew 11:28-30

"Take my yoke upon you... for my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

The Exegesis: The word "easy" in "my yoke is easy" is the Greek word chrestos—the exact same root word for kindness.

The Sermon Point: Jesus is saying, "My yoke is kind." A yoke is a tool for work, but when you are yoked to Jesus, the tool itself is kindness. Kindness isn't something you do for Him; it’s the way He leads you.

The Person of Jesus: He is the Kind Master. He doesn't drive us with a whip; He leads us with a yoke lined with velvet.

What makes us run out of kindness? we are kind and eventually it is not reciprocated and we give up

When we take His kindness on we are responding to it and no longer need people to reciprocate it for us to do it It is an exchange between our lives and God

4. Kindness as an Eternal Trophy

Text: Ephesians 2:6-7

"...so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus."

The Exegesis: God’s ultimate goal in the universe is to put His kindness on display through us.

The Sermon Point: We are the "exhibits" of His kindness. Our lives aren't supposed to show how "nice" we are, but how kind He is.

The Person of Jesus: Kindness is the "climate" of heaven because Christ Jesus is the center of it.

"If you try to be 'kind' this week through your own effort, you will eventually run out of patience But if you 'abide' in the One who is Kindness, the fruit will grow naturally. Don't try to be like Jesus; live in Jesus."