But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.  Galatians 5:22, 23 (ESV)

A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself.  Proverbs 11:17 (ESV)

Introduction

Fallen Condition Focus: Cruelty is a work of the flesh that destroys life and community. This can manifest in the ways we talk and in the acts of cruelty that we do or that we perpetuate by our complacency and indifference. Cruelty in the name of religion is antithetical to the way of Jesus.

Sermon Proposition: Since the Lord has showed us kindness in Jesus Christ, we ought to be kind to one another and share his kindness with the world. 

I. Since the Lord has showed us kindness in Jesus Christ, we ought to repent and believe in him.

But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. Luke 6:35-36

so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Eph. 2:7

Do you suppose, O man–you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself–that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is mean to lead you to repentance? Rom. 2:3, 4

II. Since the Lord has showed us kindness in Jesus Christ, we ought to speak words of kindness and do acts of kindness

Love is made up of many kindnesses.

Love is patient and kind 1 Cor. 13:4a   

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Eph. 4:32

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another …  Col. 3:12

III. Since the Lord has showed us kindness in Jesus Christ, we ought to take this good news to the world through acts of kindness without any strings attached

Steve Sjogren, The Conspiracy of Kindness

"If there is any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not deter or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again." William Penn

Conclusion and Call to Respond