Read 2 Sanuel 9:1-13; Love is Kind

Love must deal with enemies.

A.  What is an enemy?

B.  How can we "win" them over?  How did God win you over when you were His enemy?

1.   Rom 2:4

2.   Eph 2:7

3.   Titus 3:4

4.   Matt 11:30

5.   1 Peter 2:3

C.  What is kindness?

LOVE IS K I N D

1)    Definition:

a)    Good works of grace that are useful to the recipients.

2)    Underlying Principles: 

a)    The kindness of God.  God is kind; He calls us to be like Him; it is His life in us.

b)    The command to love your enemy!  

3)    Illustrations: 

i)      Joshua 2:6-16; 2 Sam. 9:1-13; 2 Tim. 1:16-18

4)    Biblical principles:

a)    Kindness involves actions that benefit others.  What "kindnesses" do you find in the following passages?

i)      Lev. 19:34

ii)     Deut 22:1-4

iii)    Psalm 112:5

iv)    Prov 14:21

v)     Luke 6:30-35

vi)    1 John 3:17-18

vii)   1 Tim 5:9-10

viii)  2 Tim 1:16-18

b)    In these passages what actions are said to be "unkind" or not beneficial?

i)      Eph 4:31-32

ii)     2 Tim 2:14

c)    Does kindness come naturally for us?  Rom 3:12

d)    So how can a naturally cruel person become an unnaturally kind person?

i)      1 Peter 2:3

ii)     Gal. 5:22

iii)    Col 3:12

5)    Application:

"There is no misunderstanding the meaning of this.  Kindness will win where the finest rhetoric will fail.  Kindness melts the ice of indifference & breaks the flinty heart.  It is the best introduction we can give to the message we have." (Roy Laurin)