Episode 6: Don't Stop!
Discussion following the sermon from 9/8/2024
"Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." Ephesians 4:31–32
"Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith." Galatians 6:7–10
1. Don't stop loving!
"Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance." 1 Corinthians 13:7
2. Don't stop forgiving!
"Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!" Matthew 18:21–22
3. Don't stop fighting!
"A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm." Ephesians 6:10–13
4. Don't stop praying!
"Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere." Ephesians 6:18
5. Don't stop believing!
"No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:36–39
Episode 5: Undercover Kindness
Discussion following the sermon from 9/1/2024
"Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you." Matthew 6:1–4
How To Become Great At Giving
1. Give secretly and publicly.
"Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others… But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing." Matthew 6:1, 3
"In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father." Matthew 5:16
2. Give unexpectedly and expectedly.
"Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked." Luke 6:35
"Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you." James 1:27
3. Give a little and a lot.
"Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others." 2 Corinthians 9:6–8
"Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins. “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.”" Luke 21:2–4
4. Give like God.
"For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
Episode 4: A Community Of Kindness
Discussion following the sermon from 8/25/2024
"Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." Ephesians 4:31-32
"By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:35
A Community Of Kindness…
1. Is beneficial to me.
"A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself." Proverbs 11:17
"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken." Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
2. Is enticing to outsiders.
"The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness." Proverbs 16:21
"No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us." I John 4:12
3. Is the fulfillment of God's vision for His people.
"The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them…
They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea." Isaiah 11:6, 9
Episode 3: Beware Of The Killers Of Kindness
Discussion following the sermon from 8/18/2024
"Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." Ephesians 4:31-32
Kindness Can Be Killed By...
1. Prejudice.
"Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong… Who are you to condemn someone else’s servants? Their own master will judge whether they stand or fall. And with the Lord’s help, they will stand and receive his approval." Romans 14:1,4
"My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others?" James 2:1
"There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus." Galatians 3:28 2.
2. Propaganda.
"My dear friends, don’t believe everything you hear. Carefully weigh and examine what people tell you. Not everyone who talks about God comes from God. There are a lot of lying preachers loose in the world." 1 John 4:1
"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…" Romans 12:2
"Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" Isaiah 5:20
3. Procrastination.
"Never walk away from someone who deserves help; your hand is God’s hand for that person. Don’t tell your neighbor 'Maybe some other time' or 'Try me tomorrow' when the money’s right there in your pocket." Proverbs 3:27-29
"Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it." James 4:17
4. Pride.
"Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud." 1 Corinthians 13:4
"…In the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God…" 2 Timothy 3:1-2
"Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others." Colossians 3:12-13
Episode 2: How?
Discussion following the sermon from 8/11/2024
"Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." Ephesians 4:31-32
"Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose." Proverbs 18:21
How To Choose To Be Kind With My Words
1. Choose to assess and confess.
"A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything—or destroy it! It only takes a spark, remember, to set off a forest fire. A careless or wrongly placed word out of your mouth can do that. By our speech we can ruin the world, turn harmony to chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke and go up in smoke with it, smoke right from the pit of hell." James 3:5-6
"Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed." James 5:16
2. Choose to shut up and listen.
"Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent." Proverbs 17:28
"You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry." James 1:19
3. Choose to digest daily God's word.
"A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart." Luke 6:45
"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer." Psalm 19:14
4. Choose to bless everyone with my words.
"Kind words are like honey—sweet to the soul and healthy for the body." Proverbs 16:24
Episode 1: Why?
Discussion following the sermon from 8/4/2024
"Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." Ephesians 4:31-32
Kindness is love in action.
Why Be Kind?
1. Being kind is counter-cultural.
"Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." Romans 12:2
"Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good." Romans 12:21
2. Being kind is commanded by Christ.
"'Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?' Jesus replied, 'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself.'" Matthew 22:36-39
"'This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.'" John 15:12
"Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions." 1 John 3:18
3. Being kind is Christ like and our witness to the world.
"'So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.'" John 13:34-35