Where Are All the Kind Christians?

Nov 16, 2025

Devotional

Day 1: God’s Kindness Leads Us to Repentance

God’s kindness is not just a gentle sentiment but a powerful force that draws us away from sin and into a life of true freedom. When we realize that God’s love and mercy are given to us not because we deserve them, but because He is devoted to us, it changes our hearts and compels us to turn from our old ways. We are not called to repentance out of fear or shame, but because we have encountered the overwhelming kindness of our Savior, who withholds condemnation and instead offers forgiveness and a new direction. Let His kindness be the reason you walk in freedom today. [12:06]

Romans 2:1-4 (ESV)
Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?

Reflection: When was the last time you let God’s kindness—not guilt or fear—move you to change your heart or actions? How can you intentionally receive His kindness today and let it lead you to repentance?

Day 2: Jesus Shows Kindness Instead of Condemnation

In the story of the woman caught in adultery, Jesus stands as the only one with the right to judge, yet He chooses mercy over condemnation. He does not ignore sin, but He offers forgiveness and a new path, reminding us that no one is beyond the reach of His grace. When we are tempted to throw stones—whether in our thoughts, words, or actions—Jesus calls us to humility, recognizing our own need for mercy. His kindness is not weakness; it is strength under control, and it invites us to extend the same grace to others that we have received. [23:17]

John 8:3-11 (ESV)
The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”

Reflection: Who in your life have you been tempted to judge or condemn? What would it look like to respond to them with the same kindness and mercy Jesus showed to the woman in this story?

Day 3: Kindness Means Serving Even Those Who Hurt Us

Jesus, knowing He had all authority, chose to wash the feet of His disciples—including Judas, who would betray Him. True kindness is not just for those who love us back; it is sacrificial, extending even to our enemies and those who have wronged us. Jesus models a humility that uses power and privilege to serve, not to dominate. When we follow His example, we lay down our rights and entitlements, choosing to bless and serve others, even when it costs us. This is the radical kindness that changes hearts and reflects the heart of Christ to the world. [39:21]

John 13:2-17 (ESV)
During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.” For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.” When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.”

Reflection: Is there someone in your life who has hurt or betrayed you? How can you take a practical step to serve or bless them this week, following Jesus’ example of kindness?

Day 4: The Kindness of Christ on the Cross

Even in His most excruciating pain, Jesus chose to show kindness—to His mother, to the criminal beside Him, and to those who crucified Him. His words, “Father, forgive them,” reveal a heart that seeks mercy for others even when He Himself is suffering. The criminal who was once mocking Jesus is transformed by witnessing this kindness, and in his final moments, he finds hope and salvation. If Jesus could be kind on the cross, we are called to reflect that same kindness in our daily struggles, disagreements, and inconveniences. [56:19]

Luke 23:32-43 (ESV)
Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.” One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Reflection: In what situation today do you find it hardest to be kind? How can you let the example of Jesus’ kindness on the cross shape your response in that moment?

Day 5: Kindness Received Is Kindness Released

When we truly receive the kindness of Jesus, it transforms us from the inside out and empowers us to show that same kindness to others—even in the face of suffering, betrayal, or injustice. The early church grew not just because of bold preaching, but because ordinary believers, like the young martyr Blandina, reflected the kindness of Christ even to their persecutors. Their faces shone with the love and mercy of Jesus, leading many to repentance. Today, you are invited to open your heart to Christ’s kindness, letting it heal your wounds and overflow to everyone around you, so that when people look at you, they see the kindness of Jesus. [01:05:56]

Ephesians 4:31-32 (ESV)
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Reflection: Who in your life most needs to see the kindness of Christ through you? What is one intentional act of kindness you can do for them this week, even if they don’t deserve it?

Sermon Summary

Stories of God’s faithfulness and transformation are a powerful reminder of why we gather, serve, and sacrifice together. Our lives are living testimonies—sometimes the only “gospel” someone will ever read. As we look ahead, the call is not for a new vision, but for a renewed focus: a year of devotion. This is not about striving in our own strength, but about responding to the devotion God has already shown us. God’s love and kindness toward us, demonstrated most fully in Christ’s sacrifice, is the foundation for our own devotion—to Him, to our families, to our church, and to the world.

Devotion is not just about spiritual disciplines or religious activity; it’s about the posture of our hearts. What we believe about God shapes who we become. If we truly believe God is kind, generous, and compassionate, we will reflect those qualities. That’s why we’re committing to practices like reading Scripture together, not as a checkbox, but as a way to let God’s Word shape our worldview and our character.

A central theme for this season is kindness. Kindness is not mere sentimentality or niceness; it is strength under control, a sacrificial posture that mirrors Christ. Too often, Christians are known for what we’re against, for judgment or entitlement, rather than for the kindness that should mark us as followers of Jesus. The stories of Jesus—refusing to condemn the woman caught in adultery, washing the feet of His betrayer Judas, and offering forgiveness from the cross—show us that kindness is not weakness, but the very power of God at work.

Kindness is costly. It means laying down our rights, our sense of entitlement, and our need to be right. It means refusing to throw stones, even when we are justified. It means using whatever authority or privilege we have to serve, not to dominate. The kindness of Christ is what leads to repentance and transformation—not only for us, but for those around us. When we receive His kindness, we are empowered to release it, even to those who have wronged us.

The challenge is to let our hearts be enlarged by the kindness of Christ, to become people whose faces reflect His love, even in the face of betrayal, disappointment, or suffering. The world is desperate for this kind of kindness—a kindness that is not sentimental, but sacrificial; not self-protective, but self-giving; not reserved for friends, but extended even to enemies. This is the way of Jesus, and it is the path to true freedom and transformation.

Key Takeaways

1. Kindness is strength under control Kindness is not weakness or mere niceness; it is the strength to lay down our rights and serve others, even when we are justified in our anger or disappointment. Jesus, with all authority, chose to wash the feet of His betrayer and forgive His executioners. True Christlike kindness is sacrificial and often offensive to our sense of justice, but it is the very power that transforms hearts. [28:50]
2. Entitlement and judgment hinder kindness When we feel entitled to our emotions or our “rights,” we excuse harshness and withhold kindness. We become like the Pharisees, quick to judge and slow to show mercy. But the gospel reminds us that what we truly deserve is death, and yet God has given us grace. Letting go of entitlement and judgment frees us to extend the same kindness we have received. [25:08]
3. Kindness received is kindness released We cannot give what we have not received. The more we recognize and receive God’s kindness toward us—His patience, forgiveness, and mercy—the more we are able to release that kindness to others. This is not about willpower, but about being transformed by the love of Christ, so that our lives become a testimony of His grace. [12:44]
4. Kindness leads to repentance and transformation It is not condemnation or shame that changes people, but the kindness of God. Jesus’ kindness on the cross moved a hardened criminal to repentance. When we embody this same kindness, even toward those who have wronged us, we become agents of God’s transforming grace in the world. [56:19]
5. True devotion is shown in sacrificial kindness Devotion to God is not just about spiritual practices, but about embodying His character—especially His kindness. The early church, and even young martyrs like Blandina, were known for the kindness of Christ shining through them, even in suffering. Our calling is to let the kindness of Jesus be seen in our faces and actions, so that others might be drawn to Him. [65:15]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:33] - Power of Testimony and Story
[01:12] - Vision Sunday and Year of Devotion
[02:25] - God’s Devotion to Us
[03:02] - Devotion in Everyday Life
[04:12] - Devotion to Scripture and Bible Reading
[05:57] - Honoring and Praying for Others
[07:45] - The Importance of Vision
[09:37] - Devotion as Maturity, Not Desperation
[10:50] - Devoted to Kindness: Romans 2
[13:20] - Personal Struggles with Kindness
[15:44] - Entitlement and Unkindness
[18:57] - Are Christians Known for Kindness?
[21:31] - Jesus and the Woman Caught in Adultery
[28:50] - Sacrificial Kindness vs. Entitlement
[35:00] - Washing Feet: Kindness in Action
[39:59] - Using Power to Serve, Not Dominate
[42:59] - Judas, Remorse, and Repentance
[51:06] - Kindness on the Cross: The Criminal’s Change
[57:39] - The Grinch and the Power of Kindness
[61:34] - Blandina: Kindness in Suffering
[65:15] - The Kindness of Christ in Our Faces
[65:56] - Closing and Call to Stand

Bible Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: The Kindness of Christ and a Year of Devotion

Bible Reading

Romans 2:1-4 (ESV)
> Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who do such things. Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who do such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?

John 8:3-11 (ESV)
> The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” ... Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”

John 13:2-17 (ESV)
> ...Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet... “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.”

Observation Questions

In Romans 2:1-4, what does Paul say is the purpose of God’s kindness?
In the story of the woman caught in adultery (John 8), who was actually justified by the law to throw the first stone, and what did Jesus choose to do instead? ([24:33])
When Jesus washed the disciples’ feet in John 13, who was present that had already decided to betray him? What does this show us about the kind of people Jesus served? ([35:40])
According to the sermon, what is the difference between kindness and just being “nice” or sentimental? ([20:50])

Interpretation Questions

Why does Paul warn against judging others in Romans 2, and how does this relate to our own sense of entitlement or “being right”? ([25:08])
What does it reveal about Jesus’ character that he washed Judas’ feet, knowing Judas would betray him? How does this challenge our own ideas of who deserves our kindness? ([39:21])
The sermon says, “Kindness is not weakness; it is strength under control.” What does this mean in practical terms for how we treat people who have wronged us? ([28:50])
How does receiving God’s kindness empower us to release kindness to others, according to the sermon? ([12:44])

Application Questions

The sermon talked about how we often feel entitled to our emotions and our “rights,” which can lead to harshness or unkindness. Can you think of a recent situation where you felt justified in being unkind? What would it look like to lay down your “right” in that moment? ([25:08])
Jesus washed the feet of his betrayer, Judas. Is there someone in your life who has hurt or disappointed you, and what would it look like to serve or show kindness to them, even if it feels undeserved? ([39:21])
The pastor shared a story about being unkind to a customer service rep because he felt entitled to better service. Have you ever treated someone poorly because you felt you “deserved” better? How could you respond differently next time? ([17:35])
The sermon said, “Kindness received is kindness released.” Are there ways you struggle to receive God’s kindness and grace for yourself? How might that affect your ability to be kind to others? ([12:44])
The world often knows Christians for what we’re against, not for our kindness. What is one practical way you can let the kindness of Christ be seen in your face and actions this week, especially toward someone outside your usual circle? ([18:57])
The story of Blandina showed kindness even in suffering. When you are disappointed, betrayed, or suffering, what helps you keep your heart soft and kind instead of becoming hard or bitter? ([01:05:15])
The sermon challenged us to a “year of devotion,” not just in spiritual practices but in embodying Christ’s kindness. What is one area of your life—family, work, church, or community—where you want to intentionally practice sacrificial kindness this month? ([03:02])

Sermon Clips

“If you believe that God is devoted to you, guess what? You will become a devoted disciple. If you believe God is generous to you, you will become generous. If you believe God is kind, you will be kind. And if you believe God is compassionate, you'll be compassionate because what you believe about God matters.”

“When you get in the word of God, the word of God gets in you. Amen. And so it now becomes your worldview. You view life through the lens of scripture. You're no longer dictated by your emotions, your feelings. You're no longer uh uh enslaved to those lies because you can now discern the truth from the lie because you got the word of God hidden inside of you.”

“Vision is important because when you have vision, the Bible says in Proverbs 29:18, it says that uh without prophetic vision, this is the ESV translation, I believe. uh says, "Without prophetic vision, the people cast off restraint." In other words, they don’t know what to say no to, and they don’t know what to say yes to.”

“Devotion is a mature form of desperation. God, we need you to show up. But what happens when he shows up? Are you still devoted? God, I need you to provide. Awesome. Here you go. I provide supernaturally because that's who I am. I am Jehovah uh Gyra. I am your provider. Thank you, God. But then we only need God when we're desperate. But devotion is true maturity because you still want God even when you don't necessarily need him.”

“You got to show up to grow up. If you ain't here, you ain't going to grow. If you ain't here, you ain't going to get to know other brothers and sisters. If you ain't here, you can't share your story or testimony. If you ain't here, you ain't going to grow up. So, you got to show up to grow up.”

“Are Christians known as being kind? Nope. Nope. At least we're honest. Thank you for being honest. Are Christians known as being kind? I wouldn't say we are. What are we known for? I think we we we could say we're known for Well, you ask the internet hypocrites.”

“Have we gotten so self-absorbed, so stressed out, so busy, so entitled, so arrogant that we forgotten that Christlikeness is kindness? Have we have I forgotten that kindness is a fruit of the spirit? Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness.”

“Because I felt entitled. I felt entitled to my emotions. And how many know that's what we do? That's why we're not kind. We excuse our lack of kindness because we're entitled and because we are right. Well, I'm right. They are wrong. So this I mean I was right. I was in the right.”

“If we start getting into the game of what's fair and what's not fair, you don't want to play that game. You don't want to start talking about what's fair. I don't I don't want to get into the game of what I deserve, what you deserve. Can I remind you what the Bible says that we deserve? For the wages of sin is Oh, so you want to start talking about your rights?”

“The closer I get to Jesus, the more I walk with him, the more I look into the mirror of the word of God, I see my own reflection a little bit more clearly. And I'm like, I got a lot to work on. I I ain't kind. I ain't gentle. I ain't patient. Oh my. You have kids. You get married. You learn that, too.”

“Because when you see God accurately, you begin to see yourself accurately. And you start to realize, wow, God has given me so much grace, so much kindness, so much patience, so much favor that I do not deserve. And so, and so these are the the oldest ones are leaving first until only Jesus was in the middle.”

“He was the only one. He was the only one who had the right to throw stones. He who's never sinned throw the first stone. Jesus was the only one who had the right to throw stones. Yet he did not condemn her. He showed kindness.”

“If you are a Christian, you do not have the right to not be kind. And so Jesus, he shows kindness to even Judas. And I want to I want to I'm almost done here. I want to take us on a journey with Judas because we see Jesus give Judas every moment to repent.”

“You know what's amazing is Jesus even chose Judas knowing that he would betray him. If we're in that position, I ain't hiring him. I ain't adding them to my life. I'mma cut them off. Yet Jesus is so kind and he shows kindness over and over.”

“But what was the thing that changed this man was the kindness of Jesus Christ. Which made me start thinking, if Jesus can be kind on the cross, who am I to not be kind in traffic? Who am I not to be kind on the internet? Who am I to not be kind to people I disagree with on the internet? Even if they are wrong and they am right, I have no right to be unkind if Jesus, my leader, my savior, my lover, my king and lord, was kind on the cross.”

“And we know many of even the soldiers, the Romans repented and turned to Jesus. And I wonder, I wonder who in your life would begin to repent if we would show them the kindness of Christ. That when people begin to look in our face, they see the kindness of Jesus. Even when they owe even when they're owed your stones to be thrown, even when they've betrayed you and denied you, yet you show them, offer them the kindness.”

Ask a question about this sermon