New Year - New You! #6 KINDNESS

There's a viral meme that says, "If I won the lottery I wouldn't say anything but there would be signs."
If you won the lottery, what would be a sign that you had won it?

The Land Ordinance of 1785

Original owner of Grace Church property: William Coit in 1839; 640 acres of land for $800.

William Coit had the freedom to live differently and to develop the possession that was now his. If he was to manage the land well, he had to learn to think and live differently. He possessed something incredibly unique and valuable.
The Apostle Paul made a similar point in his letter to the Galatians. When a person puts their faith in Christ, they are a new person and free to live according to the direction of God's Holy Spirit. They are no longer under the old laws of their sinful nature or the values and thinking patterns that had previously governed their life.
Just like the meme we talked about, it was as if Mr. Coit had won the lottery. He didn't have to tell anyone. People would know there had been a change...some signs, inward changes in his character and some outward changes in his lifestyle.
If you are living by the Spirit, you don't have to tell anyone, but there will be signs. This is what the fruit of the Spirit is.

Our February and March series is called New Year - New You.
With the start of a New Year, many people think they are to tackle the Christian life like every other area of life; with personal resolutions and determined effort. But Scripture reveals something different. The Christian life is dependent upon God transforming our life and not just our whims, wishes, and willpower.
Galatians 5:22-23

Today's fruit is KINDNESS.
Definition: “Kindness is helpfulness to others that grows out of a close loving relationship with God.”
The first fruit of the Spirit is love and there's a reason for that. Many of the other fruit are a result of love...God's love for us, our love for Him, and our love for other people. It's that love that motives us to Kindness.

In 1 Samuel 13:14 and Acts 13:22 God says that David was a man after His (God's) own heart.
David was a lot like us. He wasn't perfect. He did good things and bad things. Made good decisions and bad decisions. Some of his decisions created turmoil in his family for years to come.
There is a moment in David's life that illustrates the kindness David had because he was a man after God's own heart.
David's predecessor to the throne was Saul and Saul was not a fan of David. In fact he tried to kill David several times.
When David ascended to the throne of Israel, he could have done what most would do and kill any remaining heirs to the previous king. But David didn't do this. He tracked down the one remaining heir to the throne which was Saul's grandson, Mephibosheth. David restores to Mephibosheth all the land that his grandfather owned and a seat at the king's table.
David shows kindness to Mephibosheth...even though his grandfather is Saul.
We see this same type of kindess when Jesus was hanging on the cross. He asked God to forgive the soldiers who were taunting Him and asked that God the Father would forgive them. That is exceptional kindness.

This is the type of kindness that God's Spirit wants to produce through us. Love in action! Love that demonstrates our commitment to Christ!

1. Christ-like Kindness is SUPERNATURAL.

2. Christ-like Kindness is VOLITIONAL.
Colossians 3:12

3. Christ-like Kindness is SACRIFICIAL.
Romans 2:4

4. Christ-like Kindness is UNCONDITIONAL.

5. Christ-like Kindness is PRACTICAL.
Romans 2:4

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