Loving Kindness

Let me start today by asking ourselves a couple penetrating questions as believers in Christ do others know us in the body of Christ for being kind like the good Samaritan do we demonstrate kindness to others when they have a legitimate need, whether that's a spiritual need or physical, are we known for being kind.

When I think about kindness. I often reflect upon the life of my mother. She was well known in the small community where I grew up in Friedman's Pennsylvania which is in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, about 6 miles from the crash site where flight 93 went down. My mother had a reputation for her kind words and deeds toward other people. She always looked out for those who are hurting or had special needs or just needed a helping hand in life. At the beginning of November 2003 at the age of 82. She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was promoted to heaven in just five weeks on December 8, 2003 after her funeral service. The postmaster of the Friedman's post office told me that my mom had sent more cards and packages to people than anybody else in the history of that post office. Then he made a statement that I will never forget your mother Jim was kind to everyone that's a wonderful legacy that she left our family because of her love for the Lord Jesus Christ. But what about us. Are we known for our kindness, after all, kindness is a fruit of the spirit. Paul writes with the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patients, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law as God's children. We are not only to be kind to others but also to love kindness. The Bible is filled with many acts of kindness given from one heart to another.

I think of the story of Ruth and Ruth chapter 1 Naomi had lost her husband. Ruth and ORPA lost their husbands.

Yet in the midst of her grief. Ruth stood next to Naomi and comforted her an act of kindness and said to her I will go where you go in your people shall be what my people what I think of Jonathan who showed kindness to David he loved David knowing that his own father. Saul had hatred for David and chased him around for years.

I think of our Lord Jesus Christ showed kindness repeatedly throughout his life and ministry. In fact, Luke tells us that Jesus was kind to the ungrateful and the evil in Luke chapter 6 verse 35. He also wept with Mary over the death of Lazarus, all the while knowing that in just a few moments he was going to raise him from the dead, and yet he was kind to Mary empathetic to her grief and even when he was bearing the sins of the world on the cross. He said father forgive them.

They know not what they Jesus was always kind no matter what his circumstances were well turn with me to the book of Ephesians Ephesians chapter 4 Ephesians chapter 4, and as you turn there. Let me give you the overall context of the epistle in chapters 1 through three, Paul instructs us concerning our position in the Lord Jesus Christ and then in chapters 4 through six.

He describes what our Christian walk should look like. Specifically, here in chapter 4 verses 22 through 24. He addresses how we change by laying aside our old self renewing our mind through the word of God and then to put on the new self, which in the likeness of God is been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

He then gives us several examples of how we can apply these truths in verses 25 through 30. For example, we are to lay aside falsehood and speak to what the truth to one another. We are not to steal anymore, but to labor with our own hands in order to be able to give to others who have need. He also goes on to say that. Let no corrupting talk come out of our mouths, but only such words that will edify others through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit in our lives that brings us then the verse 31, where he instructs us regarding what attitudes and words, we are to put off. Take a look at verse 31 for a moment.

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. He's telling us here that we are not to yell at other people. We are not to slander them or get sinfully angry with them even if they deserve it. And that leads us then to verse 32 where he tells us what attitudes and actions that we should put on in replace of those things that we should put off. Look at verse 32. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another as God in Christ has forgiven you. This morning we want to focus on that first phrase there to be kind to one another.

The first of his list of put on his be kind to one another. Let's discuss. For a few moments.

What does that mean what is Paul saying to us here once a present tense command EE saying here keep on becoming kind to one another, as Christians, as we are being sanctified in Christ. Hopefully being set apart to more holiness as we walk with the Lord. He saying keep on learning and growing in kindness along with the other spiritual virtues that he gives us kindness means to have a tender concern for others.

He saying here.

Be compassionate. Literally it's it's saying here what is suitable and fitting to meet a need for the moment like the good Samaritan illustrates he saw the man was beaten alongside the road and he went to him through his compassion and met his needs and took him to the end and looked after him. It also means to treat others gently. Just as the Lord treats all people Jesus said in Matthew chapter 11 come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you what rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Jesus was kind and gentle toward everyone. That's what Paul is talking about here to keep on growing in kindness that tender loving concern and compassion for other people. It also means to speak and act in a way that is understanding and considerate of others.

Jesus taught us the great golden rule did me in Matthew chapter 7 verse 12. So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them for this is the law and the prophets, God was kind and forbearing with us even before our salvation through his common grace. Paul writes in Romans chapter 2 verse four or do you presume on the riches of this kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance. What a great thought, God's kindness. Kindness led us to salvation in Christ. Therefore, since we have received God's kindness as believers through Christ. We must also pass on that kindness to everyone else that we come into contact with through our attitudes are words and our actions. In fact, Paul instructed young Timothy in second Timothy 224 and 25, he instructed him in the said in the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome, but what kind to everyone, able to teach patiently enduring evil correcting his opponents with gentleness. So even when we interact with unsafe people. Those who don't know Christ.

Paul was telling Timothy kind everyone patiently endure evil and correct your opponents with the spirit of gentleness. And yet, as I've seen over many years of pastoral ministry now more often than not. Unfortunately, in many cases intermarriages in our parenting in our relationships in the church. We are not marked with kindness.

We struggle with that.

So I want to challenge us this morning that we need to examine ourselves when it comes to serving others to see if kindness characterizes our words and our actions, even when others sin against us as we shall see in the life of Joseph in just a little while. So what you think about that even when others do us harm or hurt us. Paul's teaching us in Ephesians 432 to be kind to other people and not only does he command us there to be kind to one another.

But God also commands us to love kindness to ask yourself, do I love kindness, God speaking through Mike of the Old Testament prophet prophet when he was prophesying to the southern kingdom of Judah. God said this through Micah and Micah 68.

He has told you, oh man, what is good and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love what kindness and to walk humbly with your God. Do we love kindness as Christians is God's children. We are to love kindness, showing kindness causes others, especially the watching world to take notice to see that we are different. Kindness could require taking extra time with someone. It means we put ourselves in another person's place and demonstrate the love of Christ, like the good Samaritan did with the wounded man kindness requires getting involved to show compassion and this takes time, but unfortunately often times worse in such a hurry with our own agenda that we bypass the those divine providential moments were God brings people into our lives that we can express kindness and sometimes we walk on the other side of the road, like the priest and Levite who did not pay attention to the wounded man, but it is what the Lord requires of us as much as Micah states to take the time to show kindness to show compassion had a good example of that this week made me think of Karen Tinsley.

Karen serves here is a volunteer coordinator at Calvary church. She's been here 37 years. I had the privilege this week to attend a surprise birthday party for her. I won't say what number because I'm probably already in trouble with bringing up her name in public, so Karen if you here.

Please forgive me for that, but it was a joyful time to celebrate the life of a dear lady who loves the Lord and as I listen to people speak about her at this birthday party. Three things stood out to me that she loves people. She's never met a stranger and that she's kind to everyone she models kindness and I found that in my own personal experience with her. She loves people and she's here to serve Christ. So, God commands us not only to be kind to one another and to love kindness, but he wants us to continue to develop that in each of our lives with those thoughts in mind, know what it means. Let's take a look at a few biblical examples showing. First of all, I couldn't help but think of. Of course, the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior. I mentioned a few examples are ready, but here are couple more also tremendous kindness in Jesus as he states in second Corinthians chapter 10 verse one I Paul myself entreat you, by the meekness and kindness and gentleness of Christ. I who am humble when face-to-face with you but bold toward you when I am away, he learned the meekness and gentleness of Christ because he saw it in Christ.

What a beautiful thought, our Savior, the one who is meek and gentle.

The Lord Jesus himself. I couldn't help but think of his example in the Gospels. He showed great gentleness and kindness when he picked up little children and blessed them and said, let the children come to me.

Do not hinder them for to such belongs the kingdom of God.

Jesus was kind even to the little ones tender and kind in his ministry. Another example is the apostle Paul.

Paul told the Thessalonians, but we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children so being affectionately desirous of you we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God, but also our own selves because you had become very dear to us. Paul showed kindness to the people that he interacted with do we do the same. Let's take a look at a couple Old Testament examples.

Take your Bible and turn back to second Samuel second Samuel chapter 9, second Samuel chapter 9 here will see a beautiful example of King David showing kindness to move for the chef, the crippled son of Jonathan from the household of Saul and he welcomed him into his own home and set a metastable and restored his family land to him. It's a great story, second Samuel nine starting in verse one. Follow along as I read this beautiful passage and David said, is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him what kindness for Jonathan's sake. Now there was a servant of the house of Saul, whose name was IPA and they called him to David and the king said to him, are you cyber and he said I am your servant, and the king said, is there not still someone of the house of Saul, that I may show kindness the kindness of God to him. Zydus said that the king there is still a son of Jonathan. He is crippled in his feet. The king said to him, where is see Zydus said to the king is in the house of maker, the son of MEL at loader bar then King David sent, and brought him from the house of maker, the son of MEL at loader bar and but for the chef, the son of Jonathan, son of Saul came to David and fell on his face and paid homage. And David said to him, a for the chef and he answered, behold, I am your servant. And David said to him, do not fear, for I will show you what kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father and you shall eat at my table always then skip down to verse 13 soma for the chef lived in Jerusalem, for he ate always at the king's table.

Now he was lame in both his feet.

David showed loyal love or loving kindness to me for the chef, the crippled son of Jonathan's good friend by restoring his land and providing for his physical needs, what a beautiful illustration here in second Samuel chapter 9 of kindness.

King David was kind to a crippled man what a beautiful story, well that brings me then to the story of Joseph, so flip back to the book of Genesis, the first book of the Bible to chapter 45 and as you turn there.

Let me give you the backdrop of parts of the story of Joseph which we find in Genesis from chapters 37 to 50 such a powerful and rich story that contained so many doctrinal truths. Specifically, as were looking at the subject of kindness this morning. Here's the backdrop at the age of 17. As you recall, Joseph was thrown into a pit by his brothers and later was sold to some Ishmaelites spice traders on the way from Gilead down to Egypt.

They took him to Egypt and then sold them to Potter for the captain of Pharaoh's guard. The Lord was with Joseph, however, and he became the steward over Potter first whole estate, but Potiphar's wife tried to seduce Joseph. Over time, but as you recall, he did not sin against the Lord and he fled from her when she tried to seduce him.

However she lied to Potter for her husband about the incident and Joseph ended up where imprisoned, but the Bible goes on to tell us the Lord was with him and whatever he did. The Lord made him to prosper and that he was put in charge of the other prisoners as well.

Now during this time Pharaoh became angry with his cupbearer and baker and threw them into the same prison where Joseph was imprisoned and he interpreted their dreams by letting them know that the baker was going to be hanged by Pharaoh in three days in the cupbearer was going to be restored in three days, and he asked the cupbearer to remember him when he got out of prison, but the cupbearer did not remember him and some two years or more past and then Pharaoh had a dream in the cupbearer then recalled Joseph's interpretations of his dreams and then Pharaoh summoned for Joseph to come to see if he could interpret his dream. He then told Pharaoh in chapter 41 of Genesis what God has revealed to Pharaoh. Is this that there will be seven years of great plenty on the earth and then seven years of famine after that, and thus with the wisdom of the Saul and through the interpretation of the dream Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of all the land of Egypt, second in power to Pharaoh himself, and he wisely stored up all the food and put it into the cities during the years of plenty.

Then as you recall, when the famine hit a couple years past that came in. Jacob and Israel then learned that there was grain for sale in Egypt and he sent Joseph's 10 brothers down to buy grain so they might live. But on his brothers came. They didn't recognize him, but he supplied their request for grain and and then he kept Simeon behind and then when they came for a second time he put them to another test by putting a silver cup into the sack of their youngest brother Benjamin as they left to return to Canaan he wanted to see if his brothers indeed have changed over the many years that they were separated.

So Joseph Stewart went after them. After the second time that they came to buy grain and brought them back to see Joseph and he told them that whoever had the silver cup would become his servant and guesswork was found in Benjamin sack, the youngest son is youngest brother.

The brothers fell down before Joseph is a question them, and Judith stepped forward and acknowledged Joseph and everyone present that God has found out the guilt of your servants. Behold, we are my Lord servants both we and he also in his hand.

The cup is been found Genesis chapter 44 verse 16.

Judy then pleaded with Joseph to let him be a servant instead of Benjamin knowing that their father Jacob would be totally devastated if Benjamin remained there in Egypt and that's where we pick up the story in chapter 45. Follow along as I read this account. Chapter 45 verses one through eight. Then Joseph could not control himself before all those who stood by him. He cried make everyone go out from me, so no one stayed with him. When Joseph made himself known to his brothers and he wept aloud so that the Egyptians heard it in the household of Pharaoh heard it and Joseph said to his brothers. I am Joseph is my father still alive but his brothers could not answer him, for they was dismayed at his presence.

So Joseph said to his brothers come near to me please, and they came near and he said I am your brother Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt and now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here for God sent me before you to preserve life for the famine is been in the land. These two years, and there are yet five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest in God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to keep alive for you. Many survivors so it was not you who sent me here, but God what a magnificent one of the many magnificent but God's. In Scripture, but God.

He has made me a father to Pharaoh and Lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. Now think about this for moment can you imagine how stunned his brothers were the revelation that this is actually Joseph, but then they'd want to hear wonderful recognition of God's sovereignty over Joseph Joseph's life, both good and the bad, and why is that so because Joseph had the right vertical perspective with Yahweh's doctrine was right. His theology was right.

He viewed his brothers in his circumstances through the lens of God's providential hand. He didn't harbor any desire for revenge. Even before he was promoted to prime minister in the land of Egypt. We never read of retaliation, revenge, and Joseph stories because he had none. He trusted God, then the fast forward the story in chapter 49 Jacob blesses his sons right before he dies. And that brings us to Genesis chapter 50, so flip over to Genesis chapter 50 this wonderful passage, Genesis 50 verses 15 through 21 when Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead. They said it may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him. So they sent a message to Joseph saying your father gave this command before he died. SATA Joseph please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin because they did evil to you. And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father. Joseph wept when they spoke to him. His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, behold, we are your servants. But Joseph said to them, do not fear for MRI in the place of God. As for you, you meant evil against me, but God their receipt again but God meant it for what for good, for good to bring it about that many people should be kept alive as they are today.

Now that is such a great text that I trust that many of you have memorized about God's sovereignty about turning something bad into good because he's in control of all things that we've often times miss verse 21.

So take a close look at that because it goes along with what were talking about this morning about kindness. So do not fear. I will provide for you and your little ones, thus he comforted them and spoke what kindly to them while think about what Joseph went through. He was separated from them for approximately 22 years from his brothers and he went through tremendously tough difficult trials because he was a righteous man, and yet things went from bad to worse, being thrown into prison and all the things that happened to him and yet he spoke kindly to them and comforted.

So what can we learn about kindness. We given a few examples about our Lord Jesus himself about being kind in his life and ministry, but specifically here. What can we learn from the life of Joseph about kindness that brings us to our application.

Let me give you three thoughts. How can we apply what we see in the beautiful story here. The magnificent story of Joseph's life. Number one. When we accept that were not in God's place as he did. The desire for any type of revenge toward those who have hurt us, goes away, others not one of us here this morning that has not been heard at some time in our life we have certainly been the perpetrator of sins against others and we had other sin against us.

And some of you are sitting here this morning.

You're hurting deeply because of the sins of others against you, and yet we can learn specifically here that when we accept that we are not in God's place, the desire for revenge will dissipate.

The hurt can go away because we trust God when Joseph's brothers expected his retaliation. Think about this. After Jacob's death and all he needed to do was move a finger and could allot their heads off.

He didn't.

Why what did he say do not fear for MRI in the place of God.

No, because Joseph had a clear understanding that God was in control of his life in spite of his brothers sins and that helped him throughout his life to trust in God's goodness not take your Bible and go over to Psalm 119 versus 65 through 72. Here the psalmist gives us a beautiful is illustration of what Joseph went through and what we have all gone through at one level or another in our life with being hurt hurting other people or being hurt ourselves in the psalmist gives us great insight in Psalm 119 versus 65 through 72. Think about Joseph and think about our own life years we read this you have dealt well with your servant. Oh Lord, according to your word.

Teach me good judgment and knowledge for I believe in your commandments before I was afflicted I went astray.

But now I keep your word, you are good and do good, teach me your statutes. The insolence smear me with their lives, but with my whole heart. I keep your precepts.

Their heart is unfeeling like fat but I delight in your law is good for me that I was what afflicted that I might learn your statutes. The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

Joseph understood that, and thus he didn't have a desire for revenge because he trusted in God's goodness. Secondly, second wave application here for us to learn when we acknowledge God's sovereignty.

Beloved in all that happens in our lives the weeds of bitterness and anger toward God. Sometimes in others is loosened its loosened and we can pull them out great illustrations that this week as I'm working in and around the house with some of those nasty weeds grow up and he pullman it just breaks off the top. We don't get to the root but when we acknowledge God's sovereignty in our lives. The weeds of bitterness and anger that may be in your heart toward somebody else's morning goes away and we can pull them out by the power of the Holy Spirit. We do not need to have bitterness or anger or fear any more than Joseph did not keep in mind here beloved the Jesus God Joseph didn't deny that his brothers had done them law wrong right, he said, clearly you meant what evil against me, and that's in God's holy word here preserved for all time for all of us to see and learn from you meant evil against me and he acknowledge their evil.

But he also realized that it was all part of God's good and sovereign story, God permitted those evil things for his own glory and Joseph's good as well as the good of Joseph's family and many other people were preserved alive.

So our release of bitterness.

Not only will mean forgiveness for others, it also brings freedom to us because when we forgive others even vertically in our heart even if somebody doesn't come back and asked for forgiveness.

If our perspective is right. We will forgive them and their heart attitude Lee as he had done. It removes bitterness and anger and we can take those weeds and rip them out through the power the Holy Spirit. He acknowledge God's sovereignty and number three when we are free from bitterness and anger. There's plenty of room in our hearts. Then to apply what kindness to other people. Joseph, who was a beautiful type of the Lord Jesus Christ. There many parallels in both their lives. He exemplified this by his kind actions and his brothers were shocked by his willingness to forgive them of their evil deeds that we need to keep in mind as we all know forgiveness is not always gonna be easy, as we see in Joseph story, but replacing bitterness and anger with kindness and mercy is possible through the power of the Holy Spirit. And that's why Paul tells us in Ephesians 432. Be kind to one another. Keep growing in kindness, the fruit of the spirit, but we can only do that through the power of the Holy Spirit working in and through us.

But if we are free from bitterness and anger towards others. Plenty of room in our hearts, to let kindness replace that. Micah 68 what does the Lord require of us to do justice, to love what kindness and to walk humbly before Lord what men did to hurt Jesus and Joseph God turned into something good.

Good. And so we can do the same for you no matter what you're going through here this morning. God is working in and through you if you love Jesus Christ his sovereign plan for you for his glory and our good which leaves us plenty of room to be kind to others. Thus, verse 21 he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.

See beloved kindness can change things you can change things God can use you as an instrument of kindness.

Let's pray heavenly father, thank you for the clarity of your holy word.

Thank you for the clear insights that you give us from the people that you have shown in holy Scripture. Down through the centuries in your holy word from our Savior, the Lord Jesus to the apostle Paul to David to Joseph and many others. Help us to be more kind to each other in the body of Christ and to those around us who are unsaved, may they see a difference in us as we come now to the communion table. May we examine ourselves, to confess any sins that are there so that we can be more like the Lord Jesus Christ was perfectly kind to everyone, may we seek that for ourselves forts in his precious name that we pray. Amen