Countercultural Kindness: Living Out God's Love

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound concept of countercultural kindness in a world often characterized by rudeness and division. Kindness, as emphasized in the Bible, is not merely a suggestion but a command from God, who is inherently kind. In a society where people are more concerned with appearances than attitudes, true beauty and success come from embodying qualities like compassion, humility, gentleness, and patience. These virtues are the real attire for success, as highlighted in Colossians 3:12.

The story of the Good Samaritan, as told by Jesus, serves as a powerful illustration of kindness in action. This parable challenges us to redefine our understanding of who our neighbor is and to extend love beyond our comfort zones, even to those we might consider enemies. The Samaritan's actions demonstrate that kindness is not a feeling but an active choice to love others, regardless of societal prejudices or personal fears.

We often fall into the trap of avoidance or apathy, keeping our distance from those in need or being curious without caring. However, true kindness requires us to see the needs around us, sympathize with others' pain, seize the moment to help, and be willing to spend whatever it takes, whether time, resources, or energy. This kind of love is sacrificial and often inconvenient, but it is the essence of living out our faith.

In a world that often values self-interest, being kind is a radical act of love that reflects God's character. As believers, we are called to be known for our kindness, treating everyone with dignity and respect, regardless of their beliefs or actions. This week, let's commit to being intentional in our kindness, especially towards those who do not yet know the Lord, as a testament to the transformative power of God's love in our lives.

Key Takeaways:

- Kindness as Counterculture: In a world focused on appearances, true beauty comes from embodying kindness, compassion, humility, gentleness, and patience. These virtues are the real attire for success, as they reflect God's character and command. [02:50]

- Love in Action: Kindness is not a feeling but an active choice to love others, even those we might consider enemies. The Good Samaritan's story challenges us to redefine our understanding of who our neighbor is and to extend love beyond our comfort zones. [05:17]

- Seeing and Sympathizing: To be kind, we must first see the needs around us and sympathize with others' pain. This requires slowing down, being present, and listening better, as hurry is the death of kindness. [31:35]

- Seizing the Moment: Kindness requires spontaneity and a willingness to be interrupted. We must act on opportunities to help, using what we have, and not waiting for the perfect moment or feeling. [53:32]

- Sacrificial Love: True kindness often involves a cost, whether time, resources, or energy. It requires moving against our fears and being willing to spend whatever it takes to help others, reflecting the sacrificial love of Christ. [01:03:26]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:13] - Introduction to Counterculture Kindness
[00:30] - The Importance of Kindness
[01:08] - Biblical Command for Kindness
[02:13] - True Beauty Through Kindness
[03:09] - Dressing for Success in God's Eyes
[04:11] - Reputation for Kindness
[05:17] - Kindness as Love in Action
[06:08] - The Good Samaritan Story
[07:28] - Jesus' Radical Example
[08:52] - Who is My Neighbor?
[10:20] - The Road to Jericho
[12:42] - Three Attitudes Toward Others
[16:33] - Avoidance and Apathy
[24:21] - Showing Kindness
[30:17] - Becoming a Kinder Person
[36:04] - Seeing and Sympathizing
[53:32] - Seizing the Moment to Help
[01:03:26] - Sacrificial Love and Kindness
[01:06:20] - Homework: Intentional Kindness

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Countercultural Kindness

Bible Reading:
1. Colossians 3:12 - "Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience."
2. Luke 10:25-37 - The Parable of the Good Samaritan
3. 1 Thessalonians 5:15 - "Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else."

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Observation Questions:

1. According to Colossians 3:12, what are the virtues that believers are encouraged to "clothe" themselves with, and how do these relate to the concept of dressing for success in God's eyes? [02:50]

2. In the Parable of the Good Samaritan, what were the different responses of the priest, the Levite, and the Samaritan to the man in need? How do these responses illustrate different attitudes toward kindness? [12:42]

3. How does 1 Thessalonians 5:15 challenge the common societal practice of retaliation, and what alternative does it propose? [01:08]

4. What does the sermon suggest is the relationship between kindness and love, and how is this demonstrated in the actions of the Good Samaritan? [05:17]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the command in Colossians 3:12 to clothe oneself with kindness and other virtues challenge the cultural emphasis on external appearances? What might this look like in practical terms? [02:13]

2. In what ways does the story of the Good Samaritan redefine the concept of "neighbor," and how might this challenge our own perceptions of who we are called to love and serve? [08:52]

3. The sermon mentions that kindness is a radical act of love that reflects God's character. How does this perspective influence the way believers are called to interact with those who may not share their beliefs or values? [23:04]

4. What are some fears or excuses that might prevent someone from acting kindly, as illustrated in the sermon, and how can these be overcome? [59:27]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a recent situation where you prioritized appearance over attitude. How can you shift your focus to embody the virtues listed in Colossians 3:12 in your daily interactions? [02:13]

2. Identify a person in your life who you find difficult to love. How can you apply the lesson of the Good Samaritan to extend kindness to them this week, even if it feels inconvenient or uncomfortable? [11:41]

3. Consider a time when you avoided helping someone in need due to busyness or fear. What practical steps can you take to slow down and be more present to the needs around you? [33:28]

4. The sermon suggests that kindness requires spontaneity and a willingness to be interrupted. How can you create more space in your schedule to be available for spontaneous acts of kindness? [53:32]

5. Think of a specific fear that holds you back from being kind. What is one action you can take this week to move against that fear and show kindness to someone in need? [59:27]

6. The sermon encourages believers to be intentional in their kindness towards those who do not yet know the Lord. Who is one person in your life that you can intentionally show kindness to this week, and what will you do? [01:06:20]

7. Reflect on the idea that kindness is love in action. What is one tangible way you can demonstrate this kind of love in your community or workplace this week? [05:17]

Devotional

Day 1: True Beauty Through Kindness
Kindness is not just a superficial act but a profound expression of God's character. In a world that often prioritizes appearances, true beauty is found in embodying virtues like compassion, humility, gentleness, and patience. These qualities are not optional but are commanded by God as the real attire for success. By living out these virtues, believers reflect the divine nature and stand out in a society that often values self-interest and superficiality. Embracing kindness as a countercultural act challenges us to redefine what it means to be successful and beautiful in God's eyes. [02:50]

"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive." (Colossians 3:12-13, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you embody kindness and humility in your daily interactions, especially with those who may not reciprocate?


Day 2: Love Beyond Comfort Zones
The story of the Good Samaritan challenges us to extend love beyond our comfort zones, even to those we might consider enemies. Kindness is not merely a feeling but an active choice to love others, regardless of societal prejudices or personal fears. This parable redefines our understanding of who our neighbor is, urging us to act with compassion and mercy towards all. By choosing to love actively, we reflect God's unconditional love and break down barriers of division and hostility. [05:17]

"But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him." (Luke 10:33-34, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life might you be avoiding due to discomfort or prejudice? How can you take a step towards showing them love this week?


Day 3: Seeing and Sympathizing with Others
To practice true kindness, one must first see the needs around them and sympathize with others' pain. This requires slowing down, being present, and listening better, as hurry is the death of kindness. By being attentive and empathetic, we can better understand the struggles of those around us and respond with genuine care and support. This intentional presence allows us to connect deeply with others and reflect the love of Christ in our interactions. [31:35]

"Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight." (Romans 12:15-16, ESV)

Reflection: How can you create space in your daily routine to be more present and attentive to the needs of those around you?


Day 4: Seizing Opportunities for Kindness
Kindness requires spontaneity and a willingness to be interrupted. We must act on opportunities to help, using what we have, and not waiting for the perfect moment or feeling. This involves being open to the unexpected and ready to respond with generosity and compassion. By seizing the moment to help others, we demonstrate the love of Christ in practical ways and make a tangible impact in the lives of those around us. [53:32]

"Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." (Hebrews 13:16, ESV)

Reflection: What unexpected opportunities for kindness have you encountered recently, and how can you be more open to them in the future?


Day 5: Embracing Sacrificial Love
True kindness often involves a cost, whether time, resources, or energy. It requires moving against our fears and being willing to spend whatever it takes to help others, reflecting the sacrificial love of Christ. This kind of love is not always convenient, but it is the essence of living out our faith. By embracing sacrificial love, we demonstrate the transformative power of God's love in our lives and become a testament to His grace and mercy. [01:03:26]

"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can practice sacrificial love this week, even if it requires personal inconvenience or sacrifice?

Quotes

God has this to say in First Thessalonians chapter five, verse 15 make sure that you never pay back one wrong with another wrong. Instead, always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. Now friends that is counterculture in today's world, to not do tit for tat, to not retaliate, to not fight back, to not return one wrong for another, but to always be kind to each other and to everyone else. [00:01:08]

If you wanna improve your appearance, you wanna be more beautiful or handsome. I'll give you the secret. Here's Rick secret, it's free. To look really nice, be nice. To look really nice be nice. It will improve your appearance 100%. People like being around people who are nice. People don't like being around people who look nice but aren't nice. So, spend a little bit more time on your attitude than on your appearance. [00:02:10]

Kindness is not an emotion. Kindness is not a feeling. You might have all kinds of what you think are kind feelings towards somebody. But if you don't ever act in a kind way, you're not kind. Kindness is not something you feel toward someone, kindness is something you do toward someone. It is an activity, it is an event, it is an action. Kindness is love in action. [00:05:27]

Now, the Bible says over and over, that we need to be sympathetic to each other. It says, weep with those who weep, and rejoice with those who rejoice. In other words, you should mirror and mimic the emotions of the people around you. So if somebody is in pain, then you share that pain. If somebody is happening, you should celebrate and be happy with them. [00:39:20]

You see, we don't realize how many people around us are hurting, 'cause we don't see them. You know that in California, this state alone, there are six million people who live below the poverty line. Six million. That's bigger than most states, the number of poor people in this state, it's bigger than most states in America. And yet you never see 'em. Why? 'Cause you live on the other side of the road. [00:16:03]

The slower I go, the more I'll see. You see, I can't be bothered if I'm busy. You got your problem, I got mine. I'm in a hurry. I can't be bothered if I'm busy. So if I'm gonna be more kind, I'm gonna have to figure out how to not be so busy and The slower I go, the more I'll see. [00:34:37]

I must seize the moment to help. This is the third thing the Good Samaritan does. It's a principle spontaneity. I don't delay, I don't wait. I don't procrastinate I do what I can now. All right and kindness is not something you wait to feel to do. If you wait until you feel It's not gonna happen. You act your way into a feeling. [00:53:32]

To be kind, I must move against my fears. Because fear keeps us from being kind. Now this guy here has all kinds of possible fears that he could be afraid of. Remember, this is a very treacherous road, as Tom talked about robbers and thieves everywhere. So he's gone what if I go over to help this guy, and the robbers are just in hiding, and they're gonna come out and they're gonna beat me up? [00:59:18]

There is always a cost to kindness. This is the principle of a sacrifice. There's always a price tag. It usually requires a sacrifice of your time. It may require a sacrifice of your money. It certainly will require a sacrifice of your energy and attention. It might even require a sacrifice of your reputation. Because other people see you helping that person in the office, and then you get guilt by association. [01:03:26]

Proverbs 19:17, being kind to the people in need, is like lending to the Lord. And He will repay you for the kindness you have shown. Anytime you help anybody else in pain, God says you're being kind. And that's like a loan to me. God says he said, you're not gonna be in my, I'm not going to be in your debt. You're gonna be mine, I will make sure you are repaid for your kindness. [01:05:46]

I want you to think here's your homework. Think of one person who is not a believer. One person, you know, who's not a believer, you see him every week. And I want you to start being kind to that person intentionally kind. If you know what their pain is, you write it down if you don't know what their pain is, you have some learning to do. [01:06:20]

And why do we be kind because God has been kind to us. Last verse on the screen. God saved you through faith as an act of his kindness. He had nothing to do with it. Being saved is a gift from God, everything I has because of God's kindness so I certainly should show kindness to everybody else. [01:07:52]

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Transcript
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