Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness

Intro

What Fruit is.

Often it is taught Sunday School often this passage would come up.

songs, games, etc.

It has to be miraculous - it’s as a result of the Holy Spirit doing something inside.

Today we want to start a process of really digging deep into this simple concept of kindness.

Definition

google: the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.

Websters: the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.

the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.

Urban dictionary: doing something and not expecting anything in return. Kindness is respect and helping others without waiting for someone to help one back. It implies kindness no matter what.

The problem with these definitions is that they are all surface. They point to the behavior of a person rather than the heart of the person. And if its fruit, it is a miraculous thing that takes place from being in contact and walking with the Holy Spirit.

Kindness is elevated to a whole new level.

It becomes who you are not what you do.

Which begs the question we should ask ourselves. Do the people around be see a kind individual or do they see someone who is hostile, harsh, or indifferent?

Etymology - Of a nation, or to produce or increase.

The origin of the word kind stems from Kin. which would be of the same group.

If you put all that together we realize that kindness is way more than being nice. There is a purpose for this fruit. You see, we are nation. We are the body of Christ. We are family. Kindness is a demonstration of that kinship and a beckoning for others to join.

What it looks like.

I think, most of us know what it looks like. In fact, it’s easy to point out when we see it.

The Good Samaritan.

Luke 10:29–37 ESV

But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”

lk 10:29-

Neighbor - kin

easy to pick who the kind one was.

Why were the others unkind.

too busy - they had a place to go.

touching the wounded would have made them ceremonially unclean.

fear - they were on a dangerous road in the wrong part of town.. they needed to be safe.

Before we criticized, we should be kind. Understand that in the same situation you might be likely to do the same.

Why was the Samaritan kind?

It fit’s the point Jesus was trying to make.

Samaritans were considered as deplorable. So if a deplorable person can be kind.. anyone can.

How do we get it?

What “it” is - miraculous kindness. Has to come from what God is doing in us and reflects the change in our nature that comes from being a new person in Him.

That nudging to do that nice thing.

Being completely selfless in your kindness.

when your kindness has a more than normal response.

There is only one real way. I struggled with this this week.

Finding opportunity was difficult. I wanted to do something amazing — something that would stand out the way the fruit of the Holy Spirit should stand out. (Fruit should look great.)

Here’s what I found interesting… as i took initiative to simply be kind, I immediately recognized that it’s not the norm.

It drew an immediate response.. One person asked why I was being so nice.

We MUST ask the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 5:16–18 ESV

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

ga 5:16

We must practice.

Colossians 3:12 ESV

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,

Christ is the source and example

Titus 3:4–7 ESV

But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Titus 3:4–7 ESV

But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Titus

His love and kindness drove Jesus (who would feel all pain and anguish) to see our need and do what it took to rescue us.

be mindful of the needs of those around you.

It was His mercy

We are heirs. We hold the hope and there is nothing more king than giving it.

Conclusion