Fruit of the Spirit | Kindness
Senior Lead Pastor Landon Schott
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If you would like to learn more about our culture, how you connect with God, get plugged into community and begin your journey to encountering God daily, MC Connect is your next step!
Text NEW to 59090 or visit mercyculture.com/connect
Text NEW to 59090 or visit mercyculture.com/connect
Welcome to Mercy Culture Church! We are so excited you're here.
Text NEW to 59090 so we can connect with you.
For everyone that texts NEW, we will donate $10 to The Justice Reform, an organization that is answering the cry for justice by bringing reformation from city to city.
Text NEW to 59090 so we can connect with you.
For everyone that texts NEW, we will donate $10 to The Justice Reform, an organization that is answering the cry for justice by bringing reformation from city to city.
Baptisms are happening before and after both services today!
This is your sign to publicly declare what God has done for you - He has made you NEW!
Text BAPTISM to 59090 and meet our team in the Grand Lobby behind the Sanctuary.
This is your sign to publicly declare what God has done for you - He has made you NEW!
Text BAPTISM to 59090 and meet our team in the Grand Lobby behind the Sanctuary.
Cards
2 Samuel 9:3-11
BSB
3 So the king asked, “Is there anyone left of Saul’s family to whom I can show the kindness of God?” Ziba answered, “There is still Jonathan’s son, who is lame in both feet.”
4 “Where is he?” replied the king. And Ziba said, “Indeed, he is in Lo-debar at the house of Machir son of Ammiel.”
5 So King David had him brought from the house of Machir son of Ammiel in Lo-debar.
6 And when Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he fell facedown in reverence. Then David said, “Mephibosheth!” “I am your servant,” he replied.
7 “Do not be afraid,” said David, “for surely I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land of your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.”
8 Mephibosheth bowed down and said, “What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog like me?”
9 Then the king summoned Saul’s servant Ziba and said to him, “I have given to your master’s grandson all that belonged to Saul and to all his house.
10 You and your sons and servants are to work the ground for him and bring in the harvest, so that your master’s grandson may have food to eat. But Mephibosheth, your master’s grandson, is always to eat at my table.” Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.
11 And Ziba said to the king, “Your servant will do all that my lord the king has commanded.” So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table like one of the king’s own sons.
4 “Where is he?” replied the king. And Ziba said, “Indeed, he is in Lo-debar at the house of Machir son of Ammiel.”
5 So King David had him brought from the house of Machir son of Ammiel in Lo-debar.
6 And when Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he fell facedown in reverence. Then David said, “Mephibosheth!” “I am your servant,” he replied.
7 “Do not be afraid,” said David, “for surely I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land of your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.”
8 Mephibosheth bowed down and said, “What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog like me?”
9 Then the king summoned Saul’s servant Ziba and said to him, “I have given to your master’s grandson all that belonged to Saul and to all his house.
10 You and your sons and servants are to work the ground for him and bring in the harvest, so that your master’s grandson may have food to eat. But Mephibosheth, your master’s grandson, is always to eat at my table.” Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.
11 And Ziba said to the king, “Your servant will do all that my lord the king has commanded.” So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table like one of the king’s own sons.
BSB
The Lord is requiring kindness!
Simple definition = The fruit of the Spirit is evidence of relationship with The Holy Spirit
Galatians 5:22-23
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22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
BSB
Kindness is loyal love in action; Spirit-empowered compassion that keeps covenant, restores the broken, and reflects the character of God.
Hebrew = חֶסֶד: Kindness, loyalty, steadfast love, mercy, covenantal faithfulness.
Greek = χρηστότης: “Moral goodness, graciousness; divine kindness.
Kindness simplified = mercy in action!
Kindness is the nature of God.
Titus 3:3-5
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3 For at one time we too were foolish, disobedient, misled, and enslaved to all sorts of desires and pleasures—living in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.
4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared,
5 He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared,
5 He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
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Kindness reflects the covenant love, or “loyal love” of God.
Covenant simplified = covenant is a loyal love!
Exodus 34:6
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6 Then the LORD passed in front of Moses and called out: “The LORD, the LORD God, is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness,
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2 Corinthians 1:20
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20 For all the promises of God are “Yes” in Christ. And so through Him, our “Amen” is spoken to the glory of God.
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God’s kindness means He keeps His promises!
Kindness is connected to compassion.
Matthew 25:35-40
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35 For 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 took Me in,
36 I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.’
37 Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink?
38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You?
39 When did we see You sick or in prison and visit You?’
40 And the King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’
36 I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.’
37 Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink?
38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You?
39 When did we see You sick or in prison and visit You?’
40 And the King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’
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Kindness brings correction.
Revelation 3:19
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19 Those I love, I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be earnest and repent.
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Practical Advice
When correcting someone, use humility!
When correcting someone, use humility!
Spiritual Growth Pro-tip
If correction comes through God asking you questions, direction comes from asking God questions!
If correction comes through God asking you questions, direction comes from asking God questions!
Kindness is for enemies.
True kindness shows up when it’s not deserved. It reflects the nature of God by doing good to enemies.
Romans 12:19-21
BSB
19 Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”
20 On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
20 On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
BSB
Question
What enemy do you need to show kindness to?
What enemy do you need to show kindness to?
Practical Advice
Ask The Holy Spirit how to love your enemies!
Ask The Holy Spirit how to love your enemies!
Showing kindness to your enemies is when things get radical!
Caution
Kindness doesn’t mean we tolerate sin!
Kindness doesn’t mean we tolerate sin!
Kindness does NOT mean tolerating sin. Kindness confronts sin and establishes God’s nature.
Kindness leads to repentance.
Romans 2:3-4
BSB
3 So when you, O man, pass judgment on others, yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment?
4 Or do you disregard the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?
4 Or do you disregard the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?
BSB
3 Ways to Guarantee You Produce the Spiritual Fruit of Kindness
1. Radical Love
1. Radical Love
Deuteronomy 7:9
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9 Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps His covenant of loving devotion for a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments.
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When you love God for no reason, you can show kindness no reason!
Matthew 22:39
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39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
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You will produce the spiritual fruit of kindness by loving people the way God has loved you!
3 Ways to Guarantee You Produce the Spiritual Fruit of Kindness
1. Radical Love
2. Forgiveness
1. Radical Love
2. Forgiveness
Ephesians 4:32
BSB
32 Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.
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If you are a Christian, forgiveness is not optional!
Warning
If you are a Christian that does not forgive, you may not be a Christian!
If you are a Christian that does not forgive, you may not be a Christian!
You will produce the spiritual fruit of kindness by forgiving like Jesus forgave you!
3 Ways to Guarantee You Produce the Spiritual Fruit of Kindness
1. Radical Love
2. Forgiveness
3. Mercy
1. Radical Love
2. Forgiveness
3. Mercy
Mercy is undeserved kindness!
When you show kindness to someone that doesn’t deserve it, that’s what makes it mercy!
Remember: you didn’t deserve the kindness God showed to you!
You will produce the spiritual fruit of kindness by showing others the kindness God showed you!
Proverbs 18:24
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24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.
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1 Samuel 20:41
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41 When the young man had gone, David got up from the south side of the stone, fell facedown, and bowed three times. Then he and Jonathan kissed each other and wept together—though David wept more.
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2 Samuel 4:4
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4 And Jonathan son of Saul had a son who was lame in his feet. He was five years old when the report about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel. His nurse picked him up and fled, but as she was hurrying to escape, he fell and became lame. His name was Mephibosheth.
BSB
Leadership that put themselves first always hurts people!
It’s not “Church hurt,” it's “leadership hurt!”
Kindness heals what leadership hurts!
2 Samuel 9:8
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8 Mephibosheth bowed down and said, “What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog like me?”
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2025 Prophetic Word
Shame GO!
This is a year of deliverance.
The deliverance of shame.
Jesus says “I am praying for you.”
The Lord will personally break off hardened pieces of shame over your life, over your family, and over your legacy.
The Lord is trading your shame for His glory.
Shame GO!
This is a year of deliverance.
The deliverance of shame.
Jesus says “I am praying for you.”
The Lord will personally break off hardened pieces of shame over your life, over your family, and over your legacy.
The Lord is trading your shame for His glory.
Mephibosheth was dropped by a leader, but lifted by a king.
2 Samuel 9:7
BSB
7 “Do not be afraid,” said David, “for surely I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land of your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.”
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Ephesians 2:6
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6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,
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Matthew 11:28
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28 Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
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David was looking for someone to show kindness to.
God is looking for someone to show kindness to.
Are you looking for someone to show kindness to?
God is looking for someone to show kindness to.
Are you looking for someone to show kindness to?
2 Samuel 9:3
BSB
3 So the king asked, “Is there anyone left of Saul’s family to whom I can show the kindness of God?” Ziba answered, “There is still Jonathan’s son, who is lame in both feet.”
BSB
Kindness is powerful because through your kindness, people encounter your God!
The kindness of God is undeserved!
The Lord is requiring kindness!
