Re-Calibrate
Kindess
Galatians 5:22-23
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.
To know God is to understand his kindness. Jeremiah 9:23-24
- God “exercises” his kindness (hesed) liberally not hesitantly.
- Rooted in the idea of compassion to friend, family, and stranger. HBD
- It is a mindset of meeting the needs of others.
- This kindness is in light of his justice and righteousness.
- Justice- in bringing account to the guilty and vindication to victim.
- Righteousness- in restoring right-relatedness with him.
- Biblical example of man understanding God. 2 Samuel 9:1-8
- David was a man who walked with God and the Spirit was upon him. 1 Samuel 16:13
- David had every right (justice) to be bitter and vengeful towards Saul’s offspring.
- David instead showed kindness to Mephibosheth.
- This brought healing to two households—righteousness.
- A united nation.
Kindness serves the greater purpose of leading people to repentance.
Romans 2:1-4
- Misunderstanding God is to judge someone in ignorant hypocrisy. (3)
- Misunderstanding God is to forget God’s kindness shown to you. (4a)
- Misunderstanding God is to neglect the journey he took you on to get you to the place of repentance. (4b)
*Illustration: unwarranted pizza.
God’s expectation of us is to conform to what pleases him. Micah 6:8
Micah 6:8 “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And does the Lord require of you? To act justly and love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
- God is pleased by one who acts justly.
- Living as one who lives a standard fairness regardless of account.
- God is pleased by the one who loves kindness (hesed).
- Being a person who is driven to meet the needs of others—friend or foe.
- God is pleased by the one who walks humbly with God.
- Living as a person who understands their constant need of God’s guidance, correction, and presence because repentance brings a new path.
Titus 3:4-7 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Discussion Guide:
- What is the greatest act of kindness you have ever received? What was the impact it had on you?
- Read 1 Samuel 9. What are some of the ramifications of David’s act of kindness towards Mephibosheth?
- Considering Romans 2:1-4, how does kindness by God and through his church lead others to repentance?
- Read Jeremiah 9:23-24. How is it that we understand God more by considering his kindness? How do we evidence a personal misunderstanding of God by a lack of kindness in our own lives?
- In light of Micah 6:8, why is kindness, justice, righteousness, and walking humbly with God his expectation of us? What is God desiring to accomplish in us and through us by this challenge?
Series Information
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Unless you are the maker of something, it is difficult to truly fix something that is calibrated incorrectly. The Spirit of God is assigned the role of re-calibrating those who are redeemed by Christ so that we can experience the amazing life we were intended for. This is a journey of learning to live life by the Spirit and experiencing his transformative work. The Spirit will re-calibrate us in a manner that will lead to outcomes and “fruit” that will please God and impact others