Scripture
Ephesians 4:17-32 NIV.[17] So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. [18] They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. [19] Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed. [20] That, however, is not the way of life you learned [21] when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. [22] You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; [23] to be made new in the attitude of your minds; [24] and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. [25] Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. [26] “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, [27] and do not give the devil a foothold. [28] Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. [29] Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. [30] And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. [31] Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. [32] Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Introduction
This the last sermon of my series leading up to and including election day which was this past Tuesday. In my series I wanted to address five themes that help us in the church navigate all the anxiety and negativity surrounding this election. The themes were
The Kingdom of God
Unity
Humility
Kindness
Love
We first sermon was about love which helps us obey what it says in
Romans 12:17-18 NIV [17] Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. [18] If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Then we said that we have a duel citizenship. We are citizens of the United States and we should be good citizens. But we are also citizens of the kingdom of heaven where our ultimate loyalty lies and we should obey the laws and the authority of that kingdom.
Philippians 3:20-21 NIV [20] But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, [21] who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
Two weeks ago we talked about unity and we said unity is not just a desirable goal; it is a command from our Lord and Savior. It is essential for the health and growth of the church and our witness. God wants His people, His family, to live in harmony with one another, not out of obligation but out of love and obedience.
John 13:34-35 NIV [34] “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. [35] By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Last week we talked about humility.
Philippians 2:3-4 NIV [3] Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, [4] not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
I am convinced most of the differences between people would disappear if we all devoted our efforts to “walking humbly” with God and each other.
Today I want to talk about Christ-like kindnes. Today I want us to reflect on the transformative power of kindness. In a world filled with division, cruelty and hurt, kindness shines like a beacon of hope, reminding us that every small act has the potential to change lives.
Kindness should not be confused with “do-goodism” or “tolerance.” Rather, it involves genuine caring and a commitment to acts of service. .
Kindness is:
- Empathy: understanding others' struggles
- Generosity: giving without expectation
- Patience: enduring difficult situations
- Forgiveness: releasing grudges
Kindness is the action that expresses. compassion.
Text:
Ephesians 4:32 NIV Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
In a world often marked by harshness and division, the gentle and compassionate nature of Jesus Christ stands as a beacon of hope. His life, characterized by acts of kindness, love, and forgiveness, invites us to follow His example.
We need to develop and grow in Christ-like Kindness
Jesus' love for humanity is boundless, extending even to His enemies. His sacrificial love on the cross demonstrates the ultimate act of kindness.
Romans 5:10 NIV For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!
Jesus' sacrifice on the cross was a selfless act of love that demonstrates the depths of God's love for humanity. It is a powerful reminder of the importance of love and forgiveness, and it inspires us to live our lives in a way that reflects the love of Christ.
Jesus' sacrificial love on the cross is the ultimate act of kindness.
In Romans 5:8, Paul writes, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
1 John 4:10 NIV [10] This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
Jesus has a Compassionate Heart: Jesus was deeply moved by the suffering of others. He wept with the grieving, healed the sick, and fed the hungry, all demonstrating a heart full of compassion. He consistently demonstrated empathy and a desire to alleviate the pain of others.
Here are some examples:
Weeping with the Grieving: When Jesus arrived at the tomb of Lazarus, His friend, He wept, sharing in Lazarus’ sister’s grief.
John 11:32-35 NIV[32] When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” [33] When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. [34] “Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied. [35] Jesus wept.
Healing the Sick: Jesus healed countless individuals from various ailments, such as leprosy, paralysis, and blindness. The gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are full of instances where Jesus healed folk.
His kindness and compassion was evident in his willingness to touch and heal those who were considered unclean or hopeless. Let me give you some examples
Healing the Leper: In Matthew 8:2-3, a leper approached Jesus, pleading for healing. In a society where lepers were ostracized, Jesus not only healed the man but also touched him, a gesture that would have been considered unclean.
Matthew 8:2-3 NIV [2] A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” [3] Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy.
(Leviticus 13:45-46 NKJV [45] “Now the leper on whom the sore is, his clothes shall be torn and his head bare; and he shall cover his mustache, and cry, ‘Unclean! Unclean!’ [46] He shall be unclean. All the days he has the sore he shall be unclean. He is unclean, and he shall dwell alone; his dwelling shall be outside the camp)
The Woman with the Issue of Blood: In Mark 5:25-29, a woman with a bleeding disorder, considered unclean, touched Jesus' garment. In His kindness Jesus acknowledged her faith and compassionately restored her health.
Mark 5:25-29 NIV [25] And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. [26] She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. [27] When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, [28] because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” [29] Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.
Mark 5:34 NIV He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”
(A woman with a blood flow was considered unclean according to Levitical law. This law applied to any woman experiencing abnormal bleeding, not just menstruation. This woman was considered unclean because blood was associated with life and death, and uncontrolled bleeding was seen as a sign of impurity)
The Samaritan Woman at the Well: In John 4, in another example of His kindness, Jesus engaged in conversation with a Samaritan woman, a group of people despised by the Jews. He broke social barriers to share the fact that He was the promised Messiah. demonstrating His love for all people, regardless of their social status or background.
These few instances reveal the depth of Jesus' kindness and compassion. He did not shy away from those who were marginalized or suffering. Instead, He embraced them with love and offered them hope and healing. He was kind to them.
Feeding the Hungry: On at least two occasions, Jesus, out of His kindness and compassion miraculously fed large crowds of people who had gathered to hear Him teach.
He did this out of compassion for their need and hunger. Let’s look at one of those instances.
Matthew 15:29-38 NIV [29] Jesus left there and went along the Sea of Galilee. Then he went up on a mountainside and sat down. [30] Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them. [31] The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel. [32] Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.” [33] His disciples answered, “Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?” [34] “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied, “and a few small fish.” [35] He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. [36] Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people. [37] They all ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. [38] The number of those who ate was four thousand men, besides women and children.
There is another instance in Luke 9:12-17 where Jesus miraculously fed at least 5000 people.iracle
These acts of kindness and compassion reveal the depth of Jesus' love and His desire to care for the needs of others. His example inspires us to be kind and compassionate and to respond to the suffering of those around us.
Christ Like Kindness is
Forgiving: Despite the countless offenses against Him, Jesus chose to forgive. Jesus' life and teachings are filled with examples of forgiveness.
The Crucifixion: Even as He was being crucified,
Luke 23:34 NIV Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
This act of forgiveness in the face of immense suffering is a powerful testament to His kindness. His forgiveness sets a powerful example for us to follow, and should inspire us to forgive others, even when it is difficult.
The Sermon on the Mount: In this sermon, Jesus teaches us, his followers to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. That was a very radical statement then and it’s still radical today.
Matthew 5:43-45 NIV [43] “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ [44] But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, [45] that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
Christ-like Kindness is Gentle
Jesus' was gentle and humble. He spoke with grace and wisdom, even in the face of opposition. His gentle and humble nature, coupled with his wisdom and grace, is a powerful example for us all. Jesus' exemplified gentleness, humility, grace, and wisdom.
Matthew 9:35-36 NIV [35] Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. [36] When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Here’s the Impact of Christ-like Kindness
It Transforms Relationships: Kindness has the power to mend broken relationships, heal wounds, and build bridges.
Colossians 3:12-14 NIV [12] Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. [13] Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. [14] And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Christ-like kindness spreads Joy: Acts of kindness bring joy not only to the recipient but also to the giver.
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.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NIV [4] Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. [5] It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. [6] Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. [7] It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Christ-like kindness reflects God's Character: When we practice kindness, we reflect the character of God to the world.
Christ-like kindness can change the World: Small acts of kindness can have a ripple effect, inspiring others to follow suit.
Living a Life of Kindness
How can we embody Christ-like kindness in our own lives?
Cultivate a Heart of Gratitude: A grateful heart is a kind heart.
Practice Empathy: Seek to understand the feelings and perspectives of others.
Speak Words of Encouragement: Kind words can uplift and inspire.
Perform Random Acts of Kindness: Surprise others with unexpected acts of kindness.
Forgive Freely: Let go of resentment and bitterness.
Conclusion
In a world often filled with negativity and division, let us strive to be beacons of light, reflecting the kindness of Christ. By practicing kindness, we can make a positive impact on the world around us and experience the joy and fulfillment that comes from living a life that honors God.
We really can’t do and maintain Christ-like kindness on our own. To do and maintain it we must be filled by the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit can help us to see the world through God's eyes, enabling us to empathize with others and respond with compassion. Being kind can be challenging, especially when faced with difficult people or situations. The Holy Spirit can provide the strength and perseverance needed to continue showing kindness, even when it's hard.
The Holy Spirit can guide our thoughts and actions, helping us to choose kind words and actions, even when our natural inclination might be different.
By seeking the Holy Spirit's guidance and strength, we can grow in Christ-like kindness and love others as Jesus loved us.
May the grace of God empower us to love, forgive, and serve others with the same compassion and kindness that Jesus demonstrated. Christ-Like Kindness has the power to break down barriers, heal wounds and transform lives. May we embody God's kindness, shining His light in a world desperate for love. May our kindness be a reflection of God's love!
Lord,
As your people, you have called us to be one. In one of your last prayers before you left the earth, you prayed that all who would believe because of the disciples' message would be one as you and the Father are one.
Lord, when you prayed “let us be one,” this did not mean we would be uniform in how we think, but that we would be united in how we love each other. So help us to display patience, kindness, humility, perseverance, forgiveness, and endurance with each other. These are some of the attributes that define love, and when we love this way, the world will know that we are your disciples.
In Jesus’ name we pray,
Amen.
