Kindness | Pastor Landon Few

[0:00] Tonight, we're going to continue our series on the fruit of the Spirit. Has anybody received anything throughout this series? Anybody been taught something, something you didn't know before?

[0:13] So we're going to continue that tonight. We're going to go to our key scripture, Galatians chapter 5, starting at verse 22.

[0:23] Galatians chapter 5, starting at verse 22. And then we're going to read verses 22 and 23.

[0:37] Galatians 5, 22, 23. If you got it, say amen. Amen. Verse 22, but the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

[1:02] Against such there is no law. Tonight, we're talking about kindness. We're going to talk about kindness. Kindness. Before I get into specifically the topic of kindness, I want to, because we're talking about the fruit of the Spirit, I want to take just a few moments to lay a foundation on the topic of fruit, bearing godly fruit.

[1:28] If I can do that just for a few moments. Something I want to point out is that if you go back just a few verses in the chapter 5 of the book of Galatians, you'll find a list of the works of the flesh.

[1:45] I think it gives 20-something works of the flesh. Then you see what we just read, which is the fruit of the Spirit. So there's a contrast.

[1:56] There's the works of the flesh, and then there's the fruit of the Spirit. And I began to wonder, why is that contrast made? Like, why doesn't it say the works of the flesh and the works of the Spirit?

[2:12] Or why doesn't it say the fruit of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit? Why is it the works of the flesh, but it's the fruit of the Spirit? If I can bring some clarity to that tonight, I want to tell you that work is depleting, but fruit is replenishing.

[2:34] Work depletes you, but fruit replenishes you. If I work now, I'll be tired later.

[2:46] But if I eat fruit now, I'll have energy later. Do you see the difference? So really, work takes my energy, but fruit gives me energy.

[3:03] Works of the flesh, fruit of the Spirit. The works of the flesh, even if it's fun in the moment, they deplete you. Even if it feels good in the moment, they take your energy.

[3:19] They take your life away. They take your joy away. They take your peace away. So work takes my energy, but fruit gives me energy.

[3:31] So fruit is beneficial to my body. And fruit, when we produce it as Christians, is beneficial to the body.

[3:45] Do you see what I'm saying? To the body of Christ as a whole. Genesis chapter 1, if you'll go there. Genesis chapter 1. Talking about works versus fruit.

[3:57] Genesis chapter 1. Genesis chapter 1. Verses 27 and 28. It says this.

[4:10] So God created man in his own image. In the image of God, he created him. Male and female, he created them.

[4:21] Then God blessed them, and God said to them, what? Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.

[4:40] Be fruitful. The first commandment that God gave mankind was be fruitful. Be fruitful.

[4:51] Or be replenishing. Be refreshing. Be reproductive. Be fruitful. Be fruitful. So I want to tell you this point tonight.

[5:01] Fruit reproduces after its own kind, but work doesn't. Fruit reproduces after its own kind, but work doesn't.

[5:18] And before the fall of man, work was fulfilling. But after man sinned, work became depleting. Matthew chapter 3.

[5:30] Matthew chapter 3. Verse 8. It's a short verse. Matthew chapter 3. Verse 8. It says, Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance.

[5:46] Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance. That's the New King James Version. The New Living Translation says it like this.

[5:57] Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Prove by your lifestyle.

[6:09] Prove by how you treat your neighbor. Prove by how you talk to other people. Prove by how you treat other people. That you have repented of your sins and turned to God.

[6:26] God has called us to bear and produce godly fruit. Because work is depleting, but fruit is replenishing. So as we're talking about kindness, I want to give you four types of kindness that you need in your life.

[6:44] Okay? Four types of kindness that you need in your life. If you're taking notes, number one, God's kindness. God's kindness.

[6:58] 1 John chapter 4 verse 8. 1 John chapter 4 and verse 8. We're going to flip to a lot of scriptures tonight.

[7:10] 1 John chapter 4 verse 8. It says, He who does not love does not know God. For God is love.

[7:21] I'm not trying to change the scripture here necessarily. But you could replace and say that he who does not show kindness does not know God.

[7:32] For God is kindness. Because you can't have kindness without love. So, I can't give God's kindness if I don't have God's kindness.

[7:46] I can't give what I don't have. I can't show his love if I don't have his love. So, the first thing that I need is God's kindness. Why do I need God's kindness?

[7:57] Because I can't be kind if I'm not spending time with the one who is kind. Okay? That same chapter, but go down to verse 19.

[8:09] 1 John 4 verse 19. It says, We love him because he first loved us. We love because he loved us.

[8:22] So, I want to give you this principle as well on the topic of kindness. And specifically needing God's kindness. Okay? So, I can be nice without God's help.

[8:35] But I can't be kind without God's help. There's a difference between being nice and being kind. Nice is not a fruit of the Spirit.

[8:48] Kind, kindness is a fruit of the Spirit. So, being nice is an outward action. But being kind is an inward heart posture.

[9:05] Being nice is an outward surface level action. But being kind is the posture of your heart.

[9:17] You have a lot of unsaved people who can be nice. I've met a lot of unsaved people who are nicer than Christians. But you can't have kindness.

[9:32] Genuine, authentic kindness without being rooted in Christ. So, I have to spend time with God if I'm going to acquire the heart of God.

[9:47] I've got to spend time with Him if I'm going to be like Him. Why is that?

[9:58] It's because you become who you hang around. You become who you hang around. So, if I want to be like Christ, I've got to be with Christ.

[10:08] I've got to spend time with Him. I've got to behold Him through prayer. I've got to behold Him through His Word.

[10:19] I've got to behold Him through worship. I've got to behold Him through fasting. I've got to behold Him until I become like Him.

[10:31] I heard one preacher say it like this. You will look like what you look at. You look like what you look at.

[10:43] So, if I can behold Jesus for long enough, eventually I'll begin to look like Him. I've got to spend time with God if I'm going to acquire the heart of God.

[10:57] What am I saying? If I want to have the kindness of God, I've got to spend time with the God of kindness. Let me say that again. If I want to have the kindness of God, I've got to spend time with the God of kindness.

[11:17] Okay? So, number one, the first type of kindness you need is God's kindness. Number two, loving kindness. The Bible uses that word, loving kindness.

[11:29] Go to Psalms chapter 92. Psalms 92. I'm going to read the first two verses.

[11:43] Psalms 92 verses 1 and 2. It says this. It is good to give thanks to the Lord and to sing praises to your name, O Most High.

[12:01] To declare your what? Loving kindness in the morning. I believe the King James Version says to show forth your loving kindness.

[12:12] To declare or to display or to show your loving kindness in the morning and your faithfulness every night.

[12:22] So, in other words, when the night comes, I can say, God, you've been faithful throughout this day. But to declare your loving kindness. I like that phrase, loving kindness.

[12:34] Because as I said a moment ago, I can't have kindness without first having love. I do believe that kindness is a byproduct of love.

[12:45] I think it is significant that the first fruit of the Spirit is love. Because many of the others are a result of love. One of which is kindness. But loving kindness.

[12:58] So, again, you cannot have kindness without love. The Bible says that God is love. Love isn't just something He does.

[13:09] Love is who He is. So, God is love. And you must be rooted in Him before you can produce the fruit called kindness.

[13:21] Okay? So, you can't have kindness without being rooted in God who is love. Does that make sense? Go now to John chapter 13. John chapter 13.

[13:39] I'm going to read verses 34 and 35. John chapter 13. It says this.

[13:54] Jesus said these words. That's a powerful verse.

[14:20] By this all will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another. Not if you can show people that you love God.

[14:33] If you have love for one another. That's how the world will look onto us and know that you're a disciple of Jesus Christ. If you have love one for another.

[14:45] We have a lot of Christians who claim to love God. But they don't love one another. And that kind of leads me into my next point. The third type of kindness that you need to have is brotherly kindness.

[15:02] Brotherly kindness. Go to 2 Peter chapter 1. 2 Peter chapter 1. Starting at verse 5.

[15:18] I'm going to read down through verse 9. 2 Peter 1, 5 through 9. It says this. But also for this very reason. Giving all diligence.

[15:31] Add to your faith virtue. To virtue knowledge. To knowledge. Self control. To self control.

[15:43] Perseverance. To perseverance. Godliness. To godliness. Brotherly kindness. And to brotherly kindness. Love.

[15:55] And then listen to verse 8. For if these things are yours and abound. You will be neither barren nor unfruitful.

[16:06] You will be neither barren nor unfruitful. In the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is short sighted.

[16:18] Even to blindness. And has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. It's a dangerous thing to forget where you came from. It's a dangerous thing to forget where God brought you from.

[16:32] To remember that we all once were unsaved. And on our way to hell. But thank God that he stepped in. We've got to remember where God brought us from.

[16:43] Proverbs 18.24. Proverbs 18. Verse 24. 18.24.

[17:06] It says this. A man who has friends must himself be friendly. But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

[17:19] We're talking about brotherly kindness. A man who has friends must himself be friendly. But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

[17:34] Let's go back to 1 John chapter 4. I know we're flipping all around. But go back to 1 John chapter 4. There's some verses I want to read to you. Verses 20 and 21.

[17:47] These are some of my favorite verses. We're talking about brotherly kindness. 1 John chapter 4. 20 and 21. If someone says I love God.

[17:58] And hates his brother. He is a liar. He is a liar. For he who does not love his brother. Whom he has seen.

[18:11] How can he love God. Whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him. Not a suggestion. This commandment.

[18:24] We have from him. That he who loves God. Must love his brother also. If you are going to claim to be a Christian. You've got to love your neighbor.

[18:37] You have to love the one sitting beside you. Whether or not you like them. It doesn't say you have to like them. And everything about them.

[18:47] And everything that they do. Or have the same preferences that they have. Or have the same styles that they have. Or dress the same that they dress. Or look the same that they look. It says that you've got to love your neighbor.

[19:00] If you are going to claim to be a Christian. You've got to love your neighbor. You've got to love the neighbors that you disagree with. You've got to show kindness to those that don't think like you do.

[19:14] And don't come from where you come from. I've never in my life before. Seen so many mean Christians. I have never before seen so many people.

[19:28] Have unforgiveness. And bitterness. And hatred. And not only that. But put it all over social media as well. And no wonder we have non-believers.

[19:41] Who don't want anything to do with the Lord. Because Christians can't even get along. Christians can't even love each other. Christians are the only teammates that fight against each other.

[19:53] That play against each other. We've got to get to a place. Where we show brotherly kindness. If you have a sibling.

[20:05] If you have a brother. Just because they do something. That you wouldn't have done. It doesn't mean they're not family anymore. It doesn't mean that they're not a brother anymore.

[20:20] They're still your family. And we have Christians. Who know how to cut people off. In a moment.

[20:31] And it's disguised in the name of. Well I just need healthy boundaries. I believe in boundaries. I believe in having healthy boundaries.

[20:42] We're called to have some godly boundaries in our lives. But I'm not talking about boundaries in the sense of. Pushing people away. And never allowing them back into your life.

[20:53] That's not the heart of Christ. God has called us. To be. Quick forgivers. Quick forgivers.

[21:05] 70 times 7. 70 times 7. Which means. Endlessly. You don't stop forgiving.

[21:16] There's no limit. To how often you forgive. Brotherly kindness. We've got to get to a place. In our walk with the Lord. That we can show. And truly walk in.

[21:29] Brotherly kindness. Even when somebody does something. That you don't disagree with. Even when somebody does something that hurt you. You've still got to show them.

[21:41] Forgiveness. Maybe you don't become best friends with them again. But you can be nice to them. You can be kind. To them. Show them the kindness.

[21:52] Of the Lord. That's what Jesus would have done. Galatians chapter 6. Galatians chapter 6.

[22:04] Verse 10. It says this. Therefore. Therefore. As we have opportunity. Let us do good.

[22:16] To all. Especially. To those who are of the household. Of faith. As we have opportunity. Let us do good to all. Especially to those who are of the household.

[22:28] Of faith. We've got to be. On the same team. In the body of Christ. Christ. Even the world. Knows how to unify.

[22:40] Quicker. Than the church does. They know how to unify. And rally around. A cause. Quicker sometimes. Than the body of Christ does. And we've got to change that.

[22:51] I'm not talking about. Set free church. I'm just talking about. The body of Christ. As a whole. Amen. That same chapter. Galatians 6. But verse 2. 6 verse 2.

[23:04] It says. Bear one another's burdens. And so fulfill. The law. Of. Christ. Bear one another's burdens.

[23:16] And so fulfill. The law of Christ. What is the law of Christ? If you go to James chapter 2. It'll tell you. What the law of Christ is. We'll connect these two verses.

[23:28] James chapter 2. And verse 8. It says this. If you really fulfill. The royal law. Or the law of Christ.

[23:40] According to the scripture. You shall love your neighbor. As yourself. There it is. You shall love your neighbor. As yourself. You do. Well.

[23:51] But if you show partiality. You commit sin. And are convicted by the law. As transgressors. The royal law. Or the law of Christ. Is that you would love your neighbor.

[24:02] As yourself. So. Connecting those two verses. If you are going to love your neighbor. As yourself. You've got to bear. One another's. Burdens. If you hurt.

[24:13] I hurt. If you get victory. I get victory. And when God. gives you a blessing. I thank God for it. I don't get jealous of it.

[24:23] I thank God for it. I know how to celebrate. Somebody else. That God blesses. Because if I can't celebrate them. When God does it for them. God won't do it for me. Amen.

[24:35] Matthew chapter 5. This is the sermon on the mount. Matthew chapter 5. Matthew chapter 5.

[24:48] In verse 41. It says this. Jesus said these words. And whoever compels you to go one mile. Go with him too.

[25:01] Whoever compels you to go one mile. Go with him too. If somebody asks you to do. To go one mile with them.

[25:12] Go with him a second mile. Go above and beyond to serve them. Go above and beyond to minister to them. I personally believe. That what opens up somebody's heart to the gospel.

[25:24] Is when you serve them. And minister to them. Even when it's inconvenient for you. You won't reach too many people.

[25:34] Only serving people. When it's convenient. We're not called to serve. At our own convenience. We're called to serve. At his command. We're not.

[25:46] We're not called to serve. At our own convenience. We're called to serve. At his command. So. So what ministers to people. What. Opens up. An unbelievers heart.

[25:58] So that you could plant. A seed. Of the gospel. Is when you serve them. Even when it's not convenient. For you. I want to read one more scripture.

[26:08] On this topic of. Brotherly kindness. And it's in Hebrews chapter 10. Hebrews chapter 10. Hebrews 10 verse 25.

[26:22] It says this. Well let me go back to verse 24. Hebrews 10 24 through 25. It says.

[26:32] And let us consider one another. We're talking about brotherly kindness. Let us consider one another. Let us think about each other. Not just considering ourselves. Only.

[26:43] But let us consider one another. In order to stir up love. And good works. And then verse 25. Not forsaking.

[26:55] The assembling. Of ourselves together. As is the manner of some. But exhorting. Or encouraging one another. And so much the more.

[27:06] As you see the day approaching. Let us consider one another. Let us. Let us consider each other. In order to stir up love. And good works.

[27:18] I can't tell you. How many times. That the Lord. Has taught me something. Through somebody else. I can't tell you. How many times. God has used.

[27:29] A preacher. To teach me something. God uses. People. And this is why. The Bible says. Not to forsake. The assembling. Of ourselves.

[27:40] Together. God doesn't have. To use people. But he chooses. To use people. He chooses. To use. Vessels. Made from the dust. Of the earth. He chooses.

[27:50] To use. What the Bible calls. Earthen. Vessels. He. He doesn't have to. But he. Desires. To. God uses. People.

[28:01] Uh. And this is why. If you want. An effective. Walk with the Lord. You can't just. Spend time. With God alone. Yes. You need. Alone time. With the Lord.

[28:12] That. That is where it starts. And that is. The main thing. You've got to have a private. Daily. One on one. Walk. And relationship. With the Lord. But you also need to spend time. With God. With other people. Like we're doing tonight.

[28:23] Because iron sharpens iron. And I need you. And you need me. Whether we like it or not. We all need each other. We all feed off. Of each other. We're stronger.

[28:35] Together. Uh. We've got to show. Brotherly kindness. And pull on each other. Brotherly. Kindness. The fourth. And final. Type of kindness.

[28:45] That I'm going to give you. Is this. The law. Of kindness. On your tongue. This is what the Bible says. The law. Of kindness. On.

[28:57] Your. Tongue. Proverbs. Chapter. Thirty one. If you'll turn there. Proverbs. Thirty one. The last.

[29:08] Chapter. Of the book. Of the book. Of the book. Of the book. Of the book. Proverbs. It's talking about. A virtuous woman. Proverbs. Thirty one. Woman. Anybody ever heard of that before? But.

[29:19] But even though it's talking about that. Within that context. It applies to us all. Okay. Proverbs. Thirty one. Verse. Twenty six. Says. She opens her mouth.

[29:30] With wisdom. And on her tongue. Is what? The law. Of. Kindness. The law. Of kindness. Okay. Let me tell you this tonight.

[29:42] If you don't have kindness on your tongue. You don't have kindness in your heart. If you don't have kindness on your tongue.

[29:53] You don't have kindness in your heart. How do I know that? Because the Bible says that out of the abundance of your heart. Your mouth speaks. I can tell what's in your heart.

[30:06] By what comes out of your mouth. Even. Even if you're joking. I can tell what's in your heart. Even if you try to hide what's in your heart. Sooner than later.

[30:18] Eventually. It'll come out in your words. If you don't have kindness on your tongue. You don't have kindness in your heart.

[30:29] I've heard people say this. And they're joking around. But they say. I've got a good heart. But Lord this mouth. And that is. Biblically inaccurate.

[30:41] I've never heard. And I don't mean to be rude. Or anything like that. But I've never heard so many cussing Christians. I've just. I've never.

[30:51] I've never expected to hear that. Sometimes it breaks my heart. And. And people will. Make an argument.

[31:04] Doing everything they can to defend. Well it's technically. Not. A sin. It's technically. You can't find it. Word for word in the Bible.

[31:14] Where it's a sin. Okay. Even if it's not a sin. You can't expect. An unbeliever. To. Be that mature. To understand. That it's technically. Not a sin. You can't expect.

[31:27] A new convert. To be that mature. To understand that. And we. And we. Tarnish. Our witness. We.

[31:37] We. We ruin. Our ability. To effectively. Witness. To others. Because. Even if it's not a sin. Don't let your good. Be evil. Spoken of.

[31:49] Don't let your witness. Be lost. Because you can't. Control your tongue. Don't let your witness. Be lost. Because you don't have the law. Of kindness. On your tongue.

[31:59] We are called. As Christians. To be above. Reproach. To stay away. Even from the appearance. Of evil. It's what the bible says.

[32:10] Not just staying away from evil. Stay away from the appearance. Of it. Anything that even. Resembles. Evil. And. And. Unfortunately. We don't do that.

[32:22] Proverbs 18. 21. This is the last scripture. That I'm going to quote to you. Says that the power of death and life. Is in your tongue. And those who love it.

[32:34] Will what? Eat the fruit. Thereof. The law of kindness. On your tongue. I pray that. As God works his kindness.

[32:47] In our hearts. Even tonight. That it would show. In our words. That it would show. Out of our mouth. That as people hear us speak.

[32:58] That it would sound like God's voice. I pray that our hearts. Would get so in tune. To the heart of God. That our words. Sound like his word.

[33:09] That our whisper. Sounds like his whisper. Because out of the abundance. Of the heart. The mouth speaks. And if I can have the heart. Of God.

[33:20] My words. Will sound like his word. Does anybody believe that tonight? Amen. Every head bowed. Every eye closed. Let's pray. Jesus. We thank you. For your word.

[33:32] I thank you God. That you're the God. Of kindness. And I pray Lord. That as Christians. You'd help us. To be more kind. That you would help us. To love. Our neighbors.

[33:44] As we love ourselves. God. That we would consider others. Before we even consider ourselves. God. That we would. Display the heart of Christ.

[33:54] In our daily interactions. With. With. Unbelievers. In our daily interactions. With our neighbors. And our co-workers. And our family members. Those that you've placed. Around us.

[34:04] Those that you've given us. Influence over. Lord. I pray that you'd help us. To be kind to them. Lord. We understand tonight. That it's kindness. That opens up somebody's heart.

[34:15] To the gospel. That if we can be kind to them. They might. They might be willing. To hear what we have to say. About you. So God.

[34:26] That I pray that. As we. As we leave tonight. That you would prick our hearts. To spend time with you. To spend time. In the secret place. To spend time.

[34:37] In your word. To spend time. In prayer. When there's nobody else. Around us. But it's just. It's just. Us and you. God. That as we're driving down the road.

[34:48] Even. And it's just us in the car. God. That we would focus. And put our minds on you. That we would turn the worship music on. And get in your presence. So that we can acquire your heart. So that we can look like you.

[35:00] And be like you. That we can be the hands and feet of Jesus. In the earth. God we pray all this in your name Jesus. And everyone said. Amen.

[35:11] Amen. Amen. Amen.