This Greek word has a basic meaning of usefulness and is translated as goodness, gentleness, and kindness.

Lloyd John Ogilvie writes "Kindness is the steadfast love of the Lord in action toward those who fail.

Psa 63:3 (NKJV)

3 Because Your LOVING- KINDNESS is better than life, My lips shall praise You.

The word gentleness is a concert of kindness.

A teacher asked her students the meaning of loving kindness. A little boy jumped up and said, “Well, if I was hungry and someone offered me a piece of bread that would be kindness.

But if they put a little jam on it, that would be loving kindness.”

In a magazine cartoon: A thief was wearing one of those “Lone Ranger masks” His gun was pointed woward his frightened victim as he yelled “OK, gimme all your valuables.”

The victim began stuffing into the sack all his friends.

Proverbs 18:24 (NKJV) A man who has friends must himself be friendly...

I went out to find a friend,

But could not find one there.

I went out to be a friend,

And friends were everywhere!

Greek:

Pathos – feeling

Sameness of Feeling

Charles Parkhurst, “Sympathy is two hearts pulling at one load.”

A farmer was out plowing his field one spring morning. The spring thaw had just occurred and there were many muddy valleys in the field. Through one particularly wet place his tractor became stuck in the mud. The harder he tried, the deeper he became stuck. Finally, he walked over to his neighbor's to ask for help. The neighbor came over and looked at the situation. He shook his head, and then said, "It doesn't look good, but I tell you what. I'll give it a try pulling you out. But if we don't get it out, I'll come sit in the mud with ya!"

Although we may not all be farmers, we do experience getting "stuck in the mud" from time to time. And chances are we probably know someone who is stuck right now.

Carries the idea of, thoughtfulness...

I have wept in the night for the shortness of sight

That to somebody's need made me blind;

But I never have yet felt a twinge of regret

For being a little too kind.

- C. R. Gibson - PULPIT HELPS, July, 1991

A more glorious victory

Cannot be gained than this,

That when the injury began on his part,

The Kindness should begin on ours. - Anonymous

Story of Louis XII of France...

Titus 3:4 But after that the KINDNESS and love of God our Saviour TOWARD MAN appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his MERCY he saved us

Galatians 6:1-2 (NKJV) Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.

2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Kindness directs us to

Reach out…

Bring them back to Jesus…

"Kindness has won more people to Christ than either zeal, eloquence, or learning." Frederick William Faber

ASSIGNMENT:

Watch for opportunities for Service

What makes the dead sea dead?

Because it is all the time receiving, but never giving out anything…

Listen 10% more than usual...

Go “sit in the mud” with someone…

Mark a “Cross” by someones name who has hurt you and forgive them…

Pray for someone who does not know Jesus and ask God to give you a burden for them.