Sunday, August 25, 2024

Episode 4: A Community of Kindness

"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