Central Assembly
SPIRITUAL FRUIT AND THE CHARACTER OF CHRIST - Kindness - Dr. Jim Bradford, October 15, 2023
SPIRITUAL FRUIT AND THE CHARACTER OF CHRIST - Kindness - Dr. Jim Bradford, October 15, 2023
Locations & Times
Central Assembly
1301 N Boonville Ave, Springfield, MO 65802, USA
Sunday 10:30 AM
Galatians 5:22-23
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love,joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love,joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22
“But the fruit of the Spirit is . . . kindness"
Kindness = “providing something of benefit”
“But the fruit of the Spirit is . . . kindness"
Kindness = “providing something of benefit”
Let God's kindness reveal his love for you
Acts 14:17
17Yet he [God] has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.”
Acts 14:17
17Yet he [God] has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.”
Titus 3:4-7
4But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.
5…He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
4But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.
5…He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
> No self-hatred
> No shame
> No insecurity
> No shame
> No insecurity
Ephesians 2:6-7
6And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
6And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
Practice kindness as if you were doing it for Jesus
Colossians 3:17a, 23
17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus… 23Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters...
Colossians 3:17a, 23
17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus… 23Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters...
> Not out of guilt
> Not because you have no boundaries
> Not to get something in return
> Not because you have no boundaries
> Not to get something in return
Matthew 25:35-36,40
35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
40“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
40“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
“If that were Christ, would you give him your blanket?”
(Richard Wurmband)
(Richard Wurmband)
Make kindness a Spirit-filled lifestyle
Galatians 5:25
25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Galatians 5:25
25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
"Sometimes people just need people. They need encouragement. You have no idea how lonely and sad some people might be. Love them everywhere—not just at home, but at work, or wherever you find them."
- Tim Sanders
- Tim Sanders
Colossians 3:12
12Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
12Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.