Building Christian Character Brotherly Kindness

Transcription

1 Building Christian Character Brotherly Kindness Introduction: Some believe that faith alone saves mankind from eternal destruction. This belief may be comforting, but is not scriptural. The Bible teaches the importance of SPIRITUAL GROWTH. There are characteristics of a mature Christian presented in the Bible. In order to grow spiritually, we must add some things to our faith. 2 Peter 1:5-10 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. 10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; Introduction: Brotherly kindness is closely associated with brotherly love. It may be translated "love of the brethren". Brotherly kindness defined: warm-heartedness, goodness, generosity, helpfulness When thinking of brotherly kindness or brotherly love we might consider love the cause and kindness the effect. Let's look at a few statements concerning brotherly love. John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. NKJV 1 Peter 1:22 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, I John 4:21 And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also. Therefore, brotherly love will naturally be there when we sincerely love God with all of our heart.

2 I. BROTHERLY KINDNESS IS A COMMAND A. In the Old Testament. Zechariah 7:8-10 Then the word of the LORD came to Zechariah, saying, "Thus says the LORD of hosts: 'Execute true justice, show mercy and compassion everyone to his brother. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. Let none of you plan evil in his heart against his brother.' Deuteronomy 22:1 You shall not see your brother's ox or his sheep going astray, and hide yourself from them; you shall certainly bring them back to your brother. B. By the apostle Peter. 1 Peter 2:17 Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. C. By the apostle Paul. Ephesians 4:32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you. II. WAYS BROTHERLY KINDNESS CAN BE SHOWN A. Through our conversation. Kindness makes a person attractive. If you would win the world, melt it, do not hammer it. Alexander Maclaren We should always strive to speak kindly to each other. The law of kindness is in our tongue. Exodus 23:1 You shall not circulate a false report. Do not put your hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness. Psalm 15:1-3 LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill? 2 He who walks uprightly, And works righteousness, And speaks the truth in his heart; 3 He who does not backbite with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor does he take up a reproach against his friend;

3 Proverbs 15:4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life... Proverbs15:1 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 16:28 A perverse man sows strife, And a whisperer separates the best of friends. Proverbs 26:28 A lying tongue hates those who are crushed by it, And a flattering mouth works ruin. Proverbs 31:26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness. Colossians 4:6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. 1 Peter 4:15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people s matters. Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. Colossians 3:8-10 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, B. Through sympathy toward one another. 1 Corinthians 12:25 that there should be no schism ("a split in the organization because of difference of opinion; the offense of trying to cause a split in the church") in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Onesiphorus is an example of one who was kind to another. 2 Timothy 1:16-18 The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he

4 often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; but when he arrived in Rome, he sought me out very zealously and found me. The Lord grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord in that Day-- and you know very well how many ways he ministered to me at Ephesus. Christ demonstrated this compassionate characteristic. Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; NKJV Matthew 14:14 And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick. Are we as sympathetic as we ought to be? Are we concerned about others when they are absent from services? Do we visit the sick? Do we sincerely care about others? When we say, If there is anything I can do, let me know, do we mean it? Are we mindful of problems and situations of others? When we see others in need, do we say, Be ye warmed and filled, and do nothing? C. By practicing the Golden Rule. The standard of dealing with one another was given long ago by Jesus himself. Matthew 7:12 Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. This is not a negative, but rather a positive rule. We must DO something! It does not mean to just be as kind to others as they are to you. It means treating others like you want to be treated.

5 D. By doing Good for evil. 1 Peter 3:8-12 Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; 9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit. 11 Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil. Put out the fire with water. Put out the evil with good! Illustration: The story is told of a farmer in a Midwestern state who had a strong disdain for "religious" things. As he plowed his field on Sunday morning, he would shake his fist at the church people who passed by on their way to worship. October came and the farmer had his finest crop ever--the best in the entire county. When the harvest was complete, he placed an advertisement in the local paper which belittled the Christians for their faith in God. Near the end of his ad he wrote, "Faith in God must not mean much if someone like me can prosper." The response from the Christians in the community was quiet and polite. In the next edition of the town paper, as mall ad appeared. It read simply, God doesn't always settle His accounts in October. (William E. Brown) Romans 12:17-21 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord. 20 Therefore If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. NKJV E. Not sowing discord among brethren. Proverbs 6:16-19 These six things the LORD hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: 17 A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, 19 a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren. NKJV Two wrongs have never made a right!

6 Conclusion: When we sin against the brethren we sin against Christ. 1 Corinthians 8:12 But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.