Too Little Kindness (Galatians 5:16-26)
Gary McManus, 05/20/2018Part of the Holy Spirit series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
May 20, 2018 Pentecost Sunday
Galatians 5:27
There is so little kindness in our country today
—EVEN among those who claim to be faithful
followers of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
The word “kindness” is not easily defined.
The word appears in the NIV over 50 times
but it often is not the original word.
Philanthropy is a type of kindness but not the word
Paul uses.
Paul’s use of “kindness”: Romans 2:4, Romans 11:22,
2 Corinthians 6:6, Ephesians 2:7, Colossians 3:12,
Titus 3:4.
God’s kindness WE are EMPOWERED to do BY
the Holy Spirit.
We are blessed to participate in God’s kindness to
others; we can share God’s kindness to others.
We have been given the Holy Spirit’s power to do so.
What is the problem?
We as a culture, as American society;
we do not value kindness, do we?
Nice guys finish _____.
Americans like words like. . .
determined, unstoppable, fearless, focused.
Kind or kindness is not among them.
We like the word committed but we don’t usually
tell people to be committed to kindness.
Can we take or leave kindness?
Jesus said, don’t take the easy way.
(Matthew 7:14)
Is Pastor G. kind to his friend?
So what is kindness?
Mercy?
Kindness: a consideration for the condition
and needs of neighbors and the rest of humanity.
To respond to the needs of others is a mercy
—it is a kindness.
Jesus was merciful.
Matthew 9:13
Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy,
and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the
righteous, but sinners.”
[See Romans 9:23, Romans 12:8, Jude 1:2.]
KINDNESS IS the result of the HOLY
SPIRIT’s presence.
The Apostle states in Colossians 3:12:
“. . . as God’s chosen people holy and dearly loved,
clothe yourselves with kindness. . .
But KINDNESS is a better response to rudeness but
only spirit filled Christians have any real kindness.
Will we know what the kindness results in?
See Matthew 10:42.
We can talk about “paying it forward.”
Returning a favor or a kindness?
Jesus said, even PAGANS can do that.
Christians want to be kind—especially to
those who cannot reply.
DOES kindness get results? Yes.
. . . but once in a while you may hear
about the fruit of your kindnesses. . .
But aren’t those people paid. . .
No amount of money can buy kindness.
One of the “fruits of the Holy Spirit is. . .
kindness. . .”
Clothe yourselves in kindness. Jesus can help you do that.
Amen.
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