Try a Little Kindness

Sermon OverviewScripture Passage: Galatians 5:22Galatians 5:22 lists kindness among the attributes of the fruit of the Spirit. To be kind is to be useful, helpful, or suitable; it is goodness and tenderness, sometimes friendliness or generosity. As believers, we are implored to try a little kindness every opportunity we get.Adrian Rogers says, “All kindness is just simply love in practical and personal ways.”God saved us through His kindness; in Scripture, Jesus is often referred to as God’s kindness coming into this world.The world will not see Jesus Christ through us if they don’t see our kindness. It doesn’t matter if someone takes advantage of us if we are acting like Jesus; what matters is that we are kind.If we want to receive kindness, we must first give it away, because we reap what we sow.All around us, people are bruised and bleeding—financially, emotionally, and spiritually. We cannot let our busyness distract us from showing kindness.Our kindness should reveal itself during arguments, conflicts, and quarrels.2 Timothy 2:24 says, “And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient…”We must be very careful when arguing with another person, whether or not that person is saved. If he is a brother in the faith, he is part of us. If he isn’t, we could potentially drive him further away from Jesus. Our hope should always be to draw people closer to the Lord. We do this when we express sensitivity in the most unlikely occasions.In times of grief and sadness, acts of kindness speak louder than the “right” words ever could.We must also remember to show sensitivity in our homes. So many marriages are saved by a little gentleness, which is a mark of true leadership; our children need our tenderness, not our belittlement.We must show kindness in church; our greatest opportunity to show the beautiful love of Jesus is among other believers.Because kindness is a characteristic of the fruit of the Spirit, kindness is part of the life of Jesus within us. If we abide in Him, as a branch abides in a vine, we will bear the fruit He produces.Apply it to your lifeEvery day, we have the opportunity to choose kindness. Look for opportunities to be useful, helpful, and friendly. Bear the fruit of Jesus, who is alive in you.