Cultivating Fruit: Kindness

Cultivating Fruit: Kindness
Pastor Tim Perkins | 11.24.24 

(Galatians 5:22-23 NIV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

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חֶסֶד – chesed: Kindness – It refers to a kind of covenantal love, where kindness is not just an action but a commitment to love and support others in a faithful, enduring way, often regardless of the recipient’s worthiness.

(Psalm 136:1 NASB) Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good,For His lovingkindness is everlasting.

(Lamentations 3:22–23 NASB) The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail.

23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.

(Exodus 34:6 NASB) Then the Lord passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth;

: to provide something for someone as an act of kindness

(Ephesians 4:32 NKJV) And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.

Kindness is a issue.

(Matthew 24:12 NIV) Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold

(2 Timothy 3:1-5 NLT) You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!

(2 Timothy 3:2-3 NKJV) …unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving…

#1.

Elisabeth Elliot – “It is always possible to be thankful for what is given rather than to complain about what is not given. One or the other becomes a habit of life.”

Gratitude Challenge: Each day, thank God for something you’ve never expressed gratitude for before.

(Romans 1:18-21 NIV) The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.

(Titus 3:3-5 NIV) 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.

The more I am grateful for the of towards me, the kinder I will be to those around me.

#2.

(Proverbs 4:23 NLT) Guard your heart above all else, (keep the poo away!) for it determines the course of your life.

Is my a welcoming place for the presence of ?

(Romans 11:22 NIV) Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.

: change of mind and heart that leads to turning away from sin and turning toward God

(Proverbs 21:21 ESV) Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.

True repentance means we change our and so deeply that it us.

#3.

(Proverbs 19:17 NIV) Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done.

(1 Thessalonians 5:15 AMP) See that none of you repays another with evil for evil, but always aim to show kindness (how do we do that?) and seek to do good to one another and to everybody.

#4.

(Ephesians 4:31-32 NIV) Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

(Colossians 3:12-13 NIV) Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

To forgive is to free the and discover that the prisoner was me.

NOTES

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