Fig Trees & Firewood

Fig Trees & Firewood: Kindness

Welcome:

The last time we were together we discussed the subject of forbearance as a fruit of the spirit. Prior to that, we highlighted the fact that the Holy Spirit dwelling within us is not about a tongue or a shout, but instead, the indwelling of Holy Spirit is better witnessed by the fruit of that same spirit.

That fruit includes love, joy and peace in addition to forbearance. The scripture we based our conversation around was Gal 5:22 and our launching point for the entire series had to do with two events involving Jesus and his disciples.

In the first event, Jesus taught his disciples a parable that resulted in an unproductive tree being cut down, picked up, and thrown into the fire.

The second event was a hands on experience. Jesus and his disciples were on a journey and along the way, Jesus sees a fig tree and though it was not the season for the ripest of figs, the tree should have had the remnants from its last bloom, or at least the new, less mature, but still present fruit from the season coming up. Having neither, Jesus cursed the tree and said, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.”

The next morning, Peter walks past the tree with Jesus and says, “Look, the tree you cursed has withered to the root!” This gives us the impression that Jesus rightly has no interest in unproductive creation. He expects everything around him to operate in the perfection in which he created it. Or else, its existence is unnecessary.

Scripture teaches us that from the very beginning, man was designed for work. God worked six days before resting. Man is made in the imago dei, the likeness of God in order to continue the good work God started.

He is instructed to dress and keep the garden an even given a comparable companion to compliment his assignment. He was designed to be fruitful and ordered to multiply. His existence is one of ongoing productivity.

Thus, Paul teaches to the church in Galatia, what productivity should look like to those of us who claim to be the children of the most high God. He gives us nine characteristics, we have discussed four previously. Today we will break down the fifth. Let’s read it together once more.

Gal 5:22

Galatians 5:22-23(NIV)

Galatians 5:22–23 NIV

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

To be sure, I want to talk to you today about kindness. (Pray)

Kindness, according to the Oxford Languages Online Dictionary is defined as the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.

We see it in the two year old who wants nothing more than to share their half eaten pudding pop with her mother.

We see kindness in the 8th grader who befriends the kid everyone else has chosen to bully.

Kindness is observed on college campuses when new students are struggling to find their way around and instead of watching them fail, someone decides to show them the way to go.

Kindness is about meeting the needs of others less fortunate than you, and that less fortune is not always about money.

Some people have money, but no friends. Some have cars and houses, but no peace of mind. Yes, money answers all things but it’s no substitute for the feeling that is transferred from a genuinely kind heart.

Kindness is what we read about when Jesus saved an adulterous woman from a hypocritical and judgmental mob. Kindness is Jesus stopping for a blind man on the roadside. Kindness is Jesus preventing a young couple’s public embarrassment by providing wine for their wedding.

Kindness is Jesus withholding what we deserve and giving us instead, what we need. Indeed, Christ is our example as Paul would remind Titus in Titus 3:1. It’s a new church, full of potential, but not without its issues.

It’s a young church, eager to learn, but accustomed to their old ways. It’s an up and coming church, ready to serve but in need of quality systems and controls. To this church, Paul exhorts in Titus 3:1-11

Titus 3:1–11 (NIV)

1 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good,

2 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.

3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.

4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared,

5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,

6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,

7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

8 This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.

10 Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them.

11 You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.

I love people. I love the differences as well as the similarities. I love to see us as one, no matter the age, sex, skin color, education level and income.

My heart’s desire is that this church will be a direct reflection of Heaven. I desire this so much that I am willing to follow this letter we just read to the T. I’m not afraid of divisive people leaving, in fact I prefer it. But over that, I prefer a divisive person to come into the loving knowledge of Jesus Christ and come to understand what it really means to be like Jesus.

What we are doing here is not about having church or stroking egos. We are here to show people the love of Christ in order to make Jesus Famous. There are many churches you can go to if you love drama. This is not that church.

Now I get that everyone is at a different place in God. But for those who want to serve in leadership capacity, if you’re not loving, if you don’t value kindness and show it by how you treat others, we welcome you to continue growing with us, but it won’t be from a position of leadership here.

So, I rebuke the spirit that looks anything like what we read in Titus 3:3

Titus 3:3 NIV

3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.

And now I speak Titus 3:4-8

Titus 3:4–8 NIV

4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

And this being said, I charge everyone under the sound of my voice to devote yourselves to doing what is good.

In fact, take someone to lunch today whom you haven’t spoken to all week. If you see a new face be kind enough to call them and welcome them to the body before the week is out. Or, you can just ignore everything I’m saying and go about your business and your already made plans and miss out on the blessing that God is trying to bring to your life.

I pray you’ll do the former and exhibit the fruit of kindness, starting today.