The Ministry of the Holy Spirit
Course: The Fruit of the Spirit
Lesson Six
Title: Kindness
Lesson Goal: The student will understand the
importance of kindness and seek every opportunity to be kind at all times.
Text: 'But the fruit
of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
meekness, temperance: against such there is no law,' Galatians 5:22.
Theme: Kindness the fruit of the Spirit is far
higher than natural kindness.
Introduction: The word gentleness in the Greek is 'chrestotes' which means goodness, kindness or gentleness. This word describes kindness shown towards others through deeds of kindness.
·
The kindness of the Lord is seen in His dealings
with all people, Psalm 145:9 'The LORD is good to all: and his tender
mercies are over all his works.' The love of God is expressed through kindness even
to those who reject Him. Even those who are evil enjoy the benefits of the
Lord's kindness.
·
The Lord told His disciples that they were to
follow the example of the Lord in being kind even to those who oppose us: Matthew
5:44-45 'But I say unto you, Love your
enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for
them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That you may be the children of your Father
which is in heaven: for he makes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good,
and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.'
Introductory Story: A kind person is one who is concerned about the needs of others. This is highly valued by the world. The world makes appeals for aid in times of famine, or children in need, or natural disasters. This is not the fruit of the Spirit.
· Bob Geldolf (Live Aid), or the charity work of Lady Diana etc. In recent years large amounts of money are raised on television to help children or lands in famine. The people who do this have kind intentions. But this kindness is derived from human nature and is not the fruit of the Spirit. Much of the kindness shown in the church is not the fruit of the Spirit.
· The fruit of the Spirit is rooted in 'agape' love. It is self sacrificing love that is not stopped by rejection or hostility. Unselfish sacrificial giving attracts people to Christ because it is the nature of Christ.
What is the difference between natural kindness and the Fruit of the Spirit?
· Natural kindness needs to be appreciated - the fruit of the Spirit does not.
· Natural kindness will be honoured by the world - the fruit of the Spirit seeks no honour.
· Natural kindness glorifies human nature - the fruit of the Spirit will glorify Jesus.
Exposition:
Kindness, the
fruit of the Spirit, is unlike the kindness of the world.
1.
Kindness
will make us like Jesus. Luke
·
Unrighteous,
Romans 5:7-8 'For scarcely for a righteous man will one
die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commends his love toward us, in that,
while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.'
·
Undeserving, Titus 2:4-5 'But after that the kindness and love of God
our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by
works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us,
by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost'
2.
Kindness
loves those who have done nothing to deserve it. Ephesians
·
Kindness will be moved with
compassion. It is always active. 1 John
3:17 'But whoever has this world’s good,
and sees his brother have need, and shuts up his bowels of compassion from him,
how dwells the love of God in him?'
· Kindness is always ready to forgive. It is the same kindness that the Lord shows towards the sinner. Kindness does not brood over a wrong suffered. Big people do not hold grudges.
3. Kindness will love those who have been unkind towards us. Hostility of others towards us should bring out the beauty of the fruit of kindness. Luke 6:27-28 'But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.'
· The fruit of the Spirit will rejoice to show kindness to an enemy. It is an opportunity to glorify the Lord. The fruit of the Spirit will love those who desire to injure us. Romans 12:20 'Therefore if your enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing you shall heap coals of fire on his head.'
· The fruit of kindness is rooted in Christ and will remain constant in the face of hostility. The bond of the body of Christ is stronger than family and friends. Family relationships can turn hostile, and friendships can break up. But in the body there is no place for hostility.
4. Kindness is characterised by generosity and the absence of self interest.
· All disciples of Christ are called to live a life characterised by generosity. The world does not understand giving like this and it will attract people to Christ. Luke 6:29-31 ' And unto him that smites you on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that takes away your cloak forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every man that asks of you; and of him that takes away thy goods ask them not again. And as you would that men should do to you, do you also to them likewise.'
·
Kindness does not seek for
anything in return. It takes no regard
to what advantage can be gained. It
looks to an eternal reward and seeks only to glorify the Lord. Luke 6:32-36 'For if you love them which love you, what thank
have you? for sinners also love those that love them. And if you do good to them which do good to
you, what thank have you? for sinners also do even the same. And if you lend to them of whom you hope to
receive, what thank have you? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as
much again. But love you your enemies,
and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be
great, and you shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the
unthankful and to the evil. Be you
therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.'
It is a
sad reflection on the body of Christ that the body of Christ is often far less
generous than the world. A person filled
with the Holy Spirit will be overflowing with the joy of generous giving to
meet needs especially within the body of Christ.
Note: We need to be concerned about the needs of
those around us and not just the needs presented by big preachers.
Conclusion:
Kindness, the
fruit of the Spirit, will…
1.
…will
make us like Jesus in loving those who do not deserve it.
2.
…will
always be compassionate and willing to forgive.
The kindness of the Lord is full of compassion and forgiving.
3.
…will
love those who are unkind to us. The hostility
of people towards us will be met with the beauty of Jesus who lives in us.
4.
…will
be characterised by generosity and the absence of self-interest. The Christian
is called to a life of generosity far beyond the expectations of the world.