Kindness second half - Galatians 5:22

[Editor's note: The first portion of the notes is not available.]

- so the point is - if we're going to be developing this
important character quality, we've got to identify what is
hindering that development
- I think it would be good for all of us to pause and ask:
- why aren't I a kinder person? why isn't my goodness
more evident?

- it could be pride, it could be selfishness/indifference, it
could be wrong motives, maybe another factor - but God
wants those things changed so that this important component
of the fruit of the Spirit can shine through

- now, I realize you might say - but PV, this is hard - I get
so busy, and there are so many things coming at me - its
hard to be kind
- you're right - its hard - but the other side of that is -
there are many people who have gone before us and displayed
this important fruit

III. Examples of Kindness in the Scriptures

A. In our Lord

1. His kindness fills the earth - Isa. 63:7

"I will mention the lovingkindness of the Lord,
and the praises of the Lord, according to all
that the Lord hath bestowed on us, and the great
goodness toward the house of Israel, which he
hath bestowed on them according to his mercies,
and according to the multitude of his
loving-kindness"

2. He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked - Luke
6:35

"...for He is kind to the unthankful, and to the
evil."

3. Evident when Christ was on the earth - Matt.
11:28-29

"Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy
laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke
upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and
lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest in your
souls."

- point is - the person on this earth who had the most reason
to be unkind
- who was treated more cruelty than anyone else
- If anyone ever had a right to be proud, indifferent,
aloof--it was our Lord
- yet he chose over and over and over to be kind
(tender concern for others that caused Him to
focus on needs)

- illus - (Wendy) - I was just talking to a person
the other night about their job (develop -
the way they cut each other - viscous)
- "what an opportunity - to be like our Lord"

B. The apostle Paul

I Thes. 2:6-7 - "Nor of men sought we glory, neither
of you, nor yet of others, when we might have
been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. But
we were gentle among you, even as a nurse
cherisheth her children"

C. Believers in the early church

Dorcas - Acts 9:36-39 (NASB)