Cultivate | Part 5 – Cultivating Kindness!

Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)
The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, and self-control.

Romans 2:4 (GW)

Don’t you realize that it is God’s kindness that is trying to lead you to him and change the way you think and act?

Godly kindness is … love in action!

2 Samuel 9:1 (NLT)

One day David asked, “Is anyone in Saul’s family still alive—anyone to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”

Godly Kindness Is — !

Matthew 5:43-47 (NLT)
“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. ⁴⁴ But I say, love your enemies … ⁴⁶ If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. ⁴⁷ If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that.

Roman 5:8 (NLT)
But God showed his great love (loving-kindness) for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

Proverbs 11:25 (MSG)

The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped.

Godly Kindness Is — !

2 Samuel 9:2-6 (NLT)

David summoned a man named Ziba, who had been one of Saul’s servants. “Are you Ziba?” the king asked. “Yes sir, I am,” Ziba replied.
³ The king then asked him, “Is anyone still alive from Saul’s family? If so, I want to show God’s kindness to them.” Ziba replied, “Yes, one of Jonathan’s sons is still alive. He is crippled in both feet.”

⁴ “Where is he?” the king asked. “In Lo-debar,” Ziba told him, “at the home of Makir son of Ammiel.” ⁵ So David sent for him and brought him from Makir’s home.

⁶ His name was Mephibosheth; he was Jonathan’s son and Saul’s grandson. When he came to David, he bowed low to the ground in deep respect. David said, “Greetings, Mephibosheth.” Mephibosheth replied, “I am your servant.”

Godly Kindness Is — !

2 Samuel 9:7 (NLT)
“Don’t be afraid!” David said. “I intend to show kindness to you because of … your father, Jonathan.”

Proverbs 31:8-9 (NLT)

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. ⁹ Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.

Godly Kindness Is — !

2 Samuel 9:7-10 (NLT)

“I will give you all the property that once belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will eat here with me at the king’s table!” …⁹ Then the king summoned Saul’s servant Ziba and said, “I have given your master’s grandson everything that belonged to Saul and his family. ¹⁰ You and your sons and servants are to farm the land for him to produce food for your master’s household. But Mephibo-sheth, your master’s grandson, will eat here at my table.”

Godly Kindness Is — –Based!

2 Samuel 9:7 (NLT)
“Don’t be afraid!” David said. “I intend to show kindness to you because of my promise to your father, Jonathan.”

1 Samuel 20:13-16 (NIV)
(Jonathan says to David) — … May the LORD be with you as he has been with my father. ¹⁴ But show me unfailing kindness like the LORD’s kindness … ¹⁵ and do not ever cut off your kindness from my family—not even when the LORD has cut off every one of David’s enemies from the face of the earth.” ¹⁶ So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David,”