The Way of the Cross Leads Home

I must needs go home by the way of the Cross, there’s no other way but this;

I shall ne’er get sight of the gates of light if the way of the cross I miss.

The way of the cross leads home, The way of the cross leads home;

It is sweet to know as I onward go, The way of the cross leads home.

Then I bid farewell to the way of the world, to walk in it never more;

For my Lord says, “Come,” and I seek my home, where he waits at the open door.

The way of the cross leads home, The way of the cross leads home;

It is sweet to know As I onward go, The way of the cross leads home.

The Fruits of the Spirit Lesson 5 The Fruit of Kindness When you think of kindness, chances are that one of the first names that comes to mind is Mister Rogers. A year or two before Fred Roger’s death someone in Philadelphia where he lived stole his car. The news media got a hold of the story and before long all the local TV stations were broadcasting the story. Thousands of Philadelphia citizens saw the story, including the thief who stole the car. This criminal had dealt with his own share of difficult times, but he knew that when he was small Fred Rogers had been a positive influence on him. Within 48 hours the car was back in the spot where he left it, along with a note saying "If we'd known it was yours, we never would have taken it!” Kindness may be one of the most underrated fruits on the fruit stand. Theologian William Barclay once said, “More people have been brought into the church by the kindness of real Christian love than by all the theological arguments in the world” How many times in your life have you felt discouraged or felt like everything was against you only to be met by someone who was willing to show kindness to you. Today we are going to look at this nondescript fruit; we will look at what it is and why it can be so powerful and life changing.

Galatians 5:19-24 (NASB) Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, Factions, 21 envying, drunken- ness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you just as I have forewarned you that those who practice

Galatians 5:19-24 (NASB) such shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, Peace, patience, kindness, Goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Kindness The Encarta dictionary defines kindness as: the practice of being or the capability to be sympathetic and compassionate . “to take into use” and has the basic sense of “excellent,” “serviceable,” or “useful.” It refers to something that is well suited for its purpose, something worthy of the efforts… The Encarta dictionary defines kindness as: the practice of being or the capability to be sympathetic and compassionate The English word does not fully capture the meaning of the original word. Kindness is more than being capable of being sympathetic and compassionate.   The word derives from a verb meaning “to take into use” and has the basic sense of “excellent,” “serviceable,” or “useful.” It refers to something that is well suited for its purpose, such as a “worker” bee, an “orderly” house, or “healthy and tasty” food. When the word was applied to people it meant they were “worthy,” “decent,” “honest.” When a person is all that he is supposed to be—when a human is humane—he is decent, reliable, gentle, and kind. All of this is included in what our Bible calls “kindness.” It is not just a sweet disposition: it is a serving, productive trait as well. College Press Commentary.

The Perfect Picture of Kindness Kindness relates to tender concern for others. It has nothing to do with weakness or lack of conviction but is the genuine desire of a believer to treat others gently, just as the Lord treats him. Kindness is more than compassion. The very of nature of exhibiting kindness to another person makes that person have a sense of worth and usefulness. By exhibiting kindness to another person we are affirming their worth as a person, we are telling them that they are important enough for us to be inconvenienced, by them or that we would give them special attention. It is closely related to being gentle. Jesus’ kindness is the believer’s example. When “some children were brought to Him so that He might lay His hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them, … Jesus said, ‘Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these’” (Matt. 19:13-14). On another occasion He said, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls” (Matt. 11:28-29). Jesus by allowing the children to come to Him, showed them their worth to Him. The children were important to Him. His display of kindness to them let them know that. When Jesus calls those who are weary and heavy-laden to come to Him for rest, His kindness toward them shows us how important we are to Him. It has been said that "Kindness is a language the dumb can speak and the deaf can hear and understand." — Christian Nestell Bovee; Instant Quotation Dictionary Now let us look at kindness played out.

He understands my weakness. Since then we have a great High priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weak- nesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:14-15

He tells me the truth. ….you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:32 Telling the truth in love is part of being kind. Jesus could have come to live as a man and He could have just spent His time excusing our sin by telling us things that were not true. It is so sad to see so many people who are living a life of sin have people excuse their sin by telling them they are born that way. I saw a man on television Thursday evening tell another person that God created him to be a homosexual so therefore God did not look down on that sin. Somewhere along the line, someone, probably under the umbrella of kindness or compassion, told this man his sin was not his fault so therefore he could not overcome it or should he even try to overcome it. 7

He forgives my sins. for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus. Romans 3:23-24 It is hard to be kind to those with whom you do not forgive. Jesus has forgiven our sins. Jesus found us worth saving, so He saved us from our sins. All the times we have sinned against Him are forgiven when we accept Him is our Lord and Savior. If we cannot forgive someone, do you think we are going to treat them with kindness?

He affirms me. My frame was not hidden from Thee, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth.16 Thine eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in thy book they were all written, the days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them.17 How precious also are Thy thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! By dying on the cross, by that very act of kindness, my worth is affirmed. It does not matter what the rest of the world thinks about me, Jesus says I have a high self-worth.   People need to know they are valuable to God, people need to know they have enough value to us that we would extend kindness to them. Ps. 139 15-17

4 Ways to Foster Kindness Be aware of the power of kindness. Exhibiting kindness to others can have dramatic effects on the lives of others. Sometimes we want to do things for people who can repay us in kind: Be nice to the boss to get a promotion; buy a candy bar from the neighbor kid, so they will buy popcorn from you during soccer season; babysit for a friend so they will babysit for you. But God says to give to those who can’t give back, “and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous" (Luke 14:14). you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." Luke 14:14 (NASB77)

4 Ways to Foster Kindness Be aware of the power of kindness. 2. Be willing to be inconvenienced. So many times we do not show kindness because we are not willing to go to the trouble. In the story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:30-37

4 Ways to Foster Kindness Be aware of the power of kindness. 2. Be willing to be inconvenienced. 3. Remember that others have been kind to you. David and Jonathan were best of friends. When King Saul was trying to kill David, Jonathan, Saul’s son, protected David and showed him kindness, even though he knew it would mean he would never sit on the throne. When Saul and Jonathan were killed in battle and David became king, he looked for anyone who was alive in Jonathans family. Most of the time this was done to make sure no one else would claim the throne who from the previous king. David wanted to show kindness to Jonathan’s survivors because of the kindness Jonathan showed to him. He was able to do this through Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth. He was crippled because of an accidental fall when he was escaping after Jonathan and Saul were killed. David took care of Mephibosheth, he remembered the kindness shown to him.

4 Ways to Foster Kindness Be aware of the power of kindness. 2. Be willing to be inconvenienced. 3. Remember that others have been kind to you. 4. Remember the kindnesses God has shown to you.  But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ ( by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Eph 2:4-7 (NASB77)