Living Kindness and Gentleness: Actions of Faith
Summary
Kindness and gentleness are not just thoughts or feelings; they are actions that reflect the heart of Jesus. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus exemplified kindness through His actions—healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and teaching the lost. His compassion always led to tangible acts of kindness. In our lives, kindness should be the expression of love in action, a visible sign of true faith. It's not enough to feel compassion; we must act on it. Kindness is not optional for Christians; it is a demonstration of a heart that sees others' needs and responds with generosity and care.
Gentleness, on the other hand, is about how we carry out these acts of kindness. It is the manner in which we approach others, valuing them over our own position or status. The story of Jesus and the woman caught in adultery illustrates this beautifully. Jesus did not condemn her but offered her grace and a new path. This teaches us that Christlike kindness and gentleness step in rather than stand by, valuing people over positions and creating a chain reaction of love and grace.
We are placed in our specific situations for a reason, to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Our acts of kindness can open hearts to the hope found in Christ. It's not about what we lack but about what we have and how we can use it to serve others. Whether it's offering a meal, a haircut, or simply our time, these acts of kindness can have a profound impact.
To live out this calling, we must stay connected to the source of our strength—the Holy Spirit. It's through His power that we can truly reflect Christ's love and make a difference in the world. Our good works are not for our salvation but to reveal our Savior to others. By staying connected to the supply, we can ensure that our actions are not just human efforts but are empowered by God's Spirit.
Key Takeaways:
- Action Over Intention: Kindness is not just a thought or feeling; it is an action that reflects the heart of Jesus. Compassion should lead to tangible acts of kindness, demonstrating true faith. [02:23]
- Purposeful Placement: We are not where we are by accident. God places us in specific situations to be His hands and feet, to serve others and show them His love and grace. [10:40]
- Value People Over Position: Christlike kindness values people over our own status. Jesus demonstrated this by stooping to the ground for the woman caught in adultery, showing her grace and dignity. [22:30]
- Chain Reaction of Kindness: Acts of kindness create a ripple effect, impacting not just the immediate recipient but also those around them. Our actions can inspire others to show kindness and love. [24:57]
- Stay Connected to the To live out kindness and gentleness, we must stay connected to the Holy Spirit. It is through His power that we can truly reflect Christ's love and make a difference. [32:41]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:23] - Kindness in Action
- [07:34] - The Story of the Adulterous Woman
- [10:40] - Purposeful Placement
- [14:19] - Acts of Kindness
- [16:10] - The Power of Time
- [17:58] - Spiritual and Emotional Needs
- [22:30] - Value People Over Position
- [24:57] - Chain Reaction of Kindness
- [27:47] - Good Works Reveal Our Savior
- [32:41] - Stay Connected to the Source
- [35:56] - Hunger for the Spirit
- [38:02] - Transforming Lives
- [39:59] - Prayer for Fresh Outpouring
- [44:25] - Celebrating Decisions
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Kindness and Gentleness
Bible Reading:
1. John 8:1-11 - The story of Jesus and the woman caught in adultery.
2. Matthew 14:14 - Jesus' compassion leading to healing.
3. Colossians 3:12 - "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience."
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Observation Questions:
1. In John 8:1-11, how did Jesus demonstrate kindness and gentleness towards the woman caught in adultery? What was the reaction of the people around them? [07:34]
2. According to Matthew 14:14, what was Jesus' response when He saw the great multitude? How does this illustrate the connection between compassion and action? [02:23]
3. In the sermon, what examples were given to show how kindness is more than just a feeling but an action? [14:19]
4. How does Colossians 3:12 describe the qualities that believers should "put on"? How do these qualities relate to the sermon’s message on kindness and gentleness?
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does the story of the woman caught in adultery teach us about the importance of valuing people over positions or status? How does this reflect Christlike kindness? [22:30]
2. How does the sermon suggest that our specific situations and placements in life are purposeful for demonstrating kindness and gentleness? [10:40]
3. In what ways does staying connected to the Holy Spirit empower us to live out kindness and gentleness, according to the sermon? [32:41]
4. How does the sermon differentiate between compassion and pity, and why is this distinction important for Christians? [16:10]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt compassion but did not act. What held you back, and how can you ensure that your compassion leads to action in the future? [02:23]
2. Think about your current environment—work, school, community. How can you be more intentional in seeing and responding to the needs around you, as suggested in the sermon? [10:40]
3. Identify a person in your life who might feel undervalued or overlooked. What specific action can you take this week to show them kindness and gentleness, valuing them over your own status? [22:30]
4. The sermon emphasized the ripple effect of kindness. Can you recall a time when an act of kindness you performed inspired others to do the same? How can you create more of these chain reactions? [24:57]
5. How can you stay connected to the Holy Spirit daily to ensure your acts of kindness are empowered by God’s Spirit rather than just human effort? What practices can you incorporate into your routine? [32:41]
6. Consider a personal challenge or area of growth related to kindness and gentleness. What is one practical step you can take this week to address this challenge with the help of the Holy Spirit? [35:56]
7. Reflect on the sermon’s message about not compromising kindness. How can you maintain a balance between showing grace and upholding truth in your interactions with others? [44:25]
Devotional
Day 1: Kindness as Love in Action
Kindness is not merely a feeling or intention; it is an active expression of love that mirrors the heart of Jesus. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus demonstrated kindness through tangible actions—healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and offering hope to the lost. His compassion was always accompanied by acts of kindness, showing that true faith is expressed through deeds. As followers of Christ, we are called to let our compassion lead to action, making kindness a visible sign of our faith. It is not enough to feel compassion; we must act on it, responding to the needs of others with generosity and care. [02:23]
"Let all that you do be done in love." (1 Corinthians 16:14, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one person in your life who could benefit from a specific act of kindness today. What action can you take to demonstrate love to them in a tangible way?
Day 2: Purposeful Placement
We are not where we are by accident. God has placed us in specific situations to be His hands and feet, serving others and showing them His love and grace. Each of us has unique opportunities to impact those around us, whether through offering a meal, a listening ear, or a helping hand. It's not about what we lack but about using what we have to serve others. By recognizing our purposeful placement, we can embrace our role in God's plan and make a difference in the lives of those we encounter. [10:40]
"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9, ESV)
Reflection: Consider your current situation and the people you interact with daily. How can you use your unique position to serve someone in need today?
Day 3: Valuing People Over Position
Christlike kindness values people over our own status or position. Jesus exemplified this when He stooped to the ground for the woman caught in adultery, offering her grace and dignity instead of condemnation. This act teaches us to prioritize people over positions, creating a chain reaction of love and grace. By valuing others above ourselves, we reflect the heart of Jesus and open the door for transformative relationships. [22:30]
"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." (Philippians 2:3, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a recent interaction where you prioritized your own status over someone else's needs. How can you approach similar situations differently in the future to value people more?
Day 4: The Ripple Effect of Kindness
Acts of kindness create a ripple effect, impacting not just the immediate recipient but also those around them. When we choose to act with kindness, we inspire others to do the same, creating a chain reaction of love and grace. Our actions can open hearts to the hope found in Christ, demonstrating the transformative power of kindness. By being intentional in our acts of kindness, we can influence our communities and beyond, spreading the love of Christ in tangible ways. [24:57]
"Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." (Hebrews 13:16, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a time when you witnessed or experienced a ripple effect of kindness. How can you contribute to creating such a ripple effect in your community today?
Day 5: Staying Connected to the Source
To live out kindness and gentleness, we must stay connected to the source of our strength—the Holy Spirit. It is through His power that we can truly reflect Christ's love and make a difference in the world. Our good works are not for our salvation but to reveal our Savior to others. By staying connected to the Holy Spirit, we ensure that our actions are not just human efforts but are empowered by God's Spirit, allowing us to make a lasting impact. [32:41]
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23, ESV)
Reflection: How can you intentionally connect with the Holy Spirit today to ensure your actions are empowered by His strength and love?
Quotes
"Today, as we speak into kindness and gentleness, I just want to say to us clearly, it's not the thought that counts. But actually, it's the action that matters. See, all through the Gospels, when Jesus tangibly met the needs of people, we see a link of compassion and kindness." [00:01:18] (19 seconds)
"Each of these moments show this reality that we have a Jesus who is full of compassion, but he just wasn't feeling something. It was leading him to action. The healing, the feeding, the comforting, the guiding, it was all acts of kindness." [00:02:30] (17 seconds)
"In fact, if we look at the definition, it's got a bit of spice on it. If we look at the definition of kindness, kindness is the very expression of love in action and is a tangible sign of true faith. What does the Bible say? Faith without action is? It's dead. It's dead." [00:03:35] (22 seconds)
"See, sometimes what we do is we will find ourselves in a situation where we start looking at what we don't have. Oh, I don't have the money, or I don't have the clothes, or I don't have the situation, or I don't have the confidence, I don't have the courage. Come on, you've got to start going, what do I have? I've got time." [00:14:04] (15 seconds)
"What have you got? Oh, I've got an ability to cut hair. Awesome. Well, twice, two weeks of the year, we go out, and during Help and Hope, we cut people's hair in the back of a van. It's amazing. And testimony came out of that this week. Met two fellas tonight." [00:14:34] (19 seconds)
"Come on, it's not just the people outside the church. It's the ones in the church as well. Let it flow in the dynamic. Let it flow in the foyer. Let it flow in these moments where it's like, I'm not just going to hear it out of compassion. I'm going to step in and believe God's going to do something." [00:19:06] (13 seconds)
"Christlike kindness and gentleness, it creates a chain reaction. It creates a chain reaction. At this, those who heard began to go one away, one at a time, the oldest first until Jesus was left. It creates a chain reaction." [00:24:57] (15 seconds)
"Don't look at what you don't have. Say, God, what do you see? And lead me. It's not doing good works to receive salvation, but it is good works to reveal our Savior. It is good works to reveal our Savior. I'll say it again. Come on in our connect groups." [00:27:47] (19 seconds)
"We stay connected to the supply. Don't get me wrong. We've got to offer food and we've got to do all of this sort of stuff, but at the same time, how do we do that? Do we do it out of a flow of our good works? Do we do it out of a flow of what we can see naturally?" [00:33:12] (13 seconds)
"And my goodness, I can't actually do this in my strength. But he says, that's why I gave you my Holy Spirit. Why do you think there are fruits of the Spirit? There's fruits of the Spirit. Why? So he can move powerfully through our lives. And I just know God's doing something." [00:34:55] (13 seconds)
"Father, not just a nice feeling, but God, power. Power from on high. Lord, for every person that's joining us online, God, pour your spirit out. Pour your spirit out. We are hungry for a fresh infilling. Father, I declare not only for those that feel like there's a sense of dryness or it's been a long time between drinks, God, even for those who feel like there's a river flowing." [00:40:07] (23 seconds)
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