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The Fruit of Kindness: Giving to the World Around Us

The Fruit of the Kindness: Giving to the World Around Us

July 30, 2018

Taking an honest look at the world, there are certain people that we find easier to be kind to than others. People similar to us tend to be the ones we show kindness towards. Agreeableness tend to breed kindness simply because there is no reason to fight or quarrel. Yet, when a person disagrees with us or wrongs us, kindness quickly flies out the window. The rules of civility quickly disappear and our heels dig in to whatever position we once held for the sake of being right. Relationships are damaged all for the sake of whatever minuscule argument. Sure, not every case is THIS extreme, but the undergirding principles are still present. The root issues expresses itself through our need to view ourselves and our positions as much higher than we should. If kindness stems from a self sacrifice (as we discussed earlier in the series) and goes beyond a simple niceness (which we looked at the second part of this series) then kindness is a type of grace that we show to others.

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse - Revelation 6:1-8

The Revelation of Jesus Christ – The Four Horsemen – Revelation 6:1-8

July 26, 2018

In Revelation 6, with the Lamb of God being worthy, He opens the first six of the seven scrolls. The first four have gained the monicker as the “Four Horsemen of The Apocalypse.” With each opening of the seal, the four creatures worshipping God in the throne room summons one of the horse and his rider to come forth. These horsemen are not necessarily demonic forces but one thing is clear, they are the instrument of judgment upon the world. This is the beginning of the end and the timeline has begun for when Christ will return for His people. Most depictions of the four horsemen tend to be with these as representations of the devil’s work throughout the earth. Yet, this would ignore the presence of the creatures summoning them. Whether it be through the permissive will of God, which allows things to happen, or the active will, which causes things to happen, the seals are the result of the judgment of the Lamb being poured out on the world. For all whose identity remains with the Lamb of God, the consequences of the judgment will not be felt. The church will feel the effects of the judgments but our ultimate source of hope and salvation is Jesus Christ who reigns in the throne room of Heaven, speaking with the authority of God the Father.

The Fruit of Kindness: On Confrontation and Niceness

The Fruit of the Kindness: On Confrontation and Niceness

July 23, 2018

We live in a culture that continually is ruled and directed by our feelings. Truth is viewed through the litmus test of how it makes a person feel, rather than on its veracity of being truth. All of this is guised under the supposed idea of “tolerance.” Out of this new cultural norm, there are large portions of Christians who feel as if they should never confront a person for their sin or talk about any difficult issue. After all, this wouldn’t be nice to the person to confront their sin. Yet, Jesus never called his followers to be nice. Instead, He called them to understand what the risks and consequences of our actions were and to be kind. By His very presence, we must conclude that we are all sinful in need of a Savior. We are all wretched sinners in need of God to rescue us from the depths of our sin. When we refuse to confront the sins in the body of Christ for the sake of niceness, we neglect the basic commands of God and the Fruit of Kindness is nowhere to be found.

The Parables of Mark: The Fig Tree

July 19, 2018

Jesus stood there in front of the Pharisees and the religious rulers of the day knowing full well that if he had taught anything other than parables, the consequences would have been quite severe. Specifically, for this message. The love that Jesus had for His people went beyond religious rules and adherence to produce salvation. Instead, Jesus cared for the people of God and provided a path for them when they strayed from God’s plan and His best for them. This included correcting the religious leaders of the day who sought to lord their power over the people and, in doing so, abandoned their role to the world.

The Revelation of Jesus Christ - The Throne Room of God - Revelation 5:1-14

The Revelation of Jesus Christ – Worthy To Open The Scroll – Revelation 5:1-14

July 18, 2018

The events of the throne room in chapter four are rich and exciting but they are constant. God, although on the throne, makes no real action but simply displays His presence. Do not be mistaken, however, the presence of God is still immensely more powerful than we can image and is worthy to reign on the throne. In chapter 5, things begin changing and moving. The events that unfold here establish the foundation for everything else that is to come in the book of Revelation. The introduction of Jesus Christ to the throne room sets in motion opening of the scroll which contains the finality of creation and the pronouncement of judgment on the world. The lamb of God makes its appearance in the throne room of God and the response can only be worship. The final stages of creation are unfolding before John’s eyes and the presence of God remains sovereign and in control.

The Fruit of Kindness: Outward from Above

The Fruit of the Kindness: Outward from Above

July 16, 2018

Kindness carried with it the idea of outward or moral rightness alongside being useful towards another person. Kindness is a quality that must be expressed outwardly. While some fruits are conditions of the heart, kindness involves a relationship with other person. It is only measured when it is apply. A person cannot be kind without any interaction towards anyone or anything. At it’s core, it reinforces the idea that Christians are to be a light to the world, creating a lasting impact on those we come into contact with. Kindness expresses an outward usefulness towards those it comes into contact with but is fueled by the ultimate example of kindness; Jesus Christ on the cross dying for the sins of mankind.

The Parables of Mark: The Tenants

July 12, 2018

Jesus stood there in front of the Pharisees and the religious rulers of the day knowing full well that if he had taught anything other than parables, the consequences would have been quite severe. Specifically, for this message. The love that Jesus had for His people went beyond religious rules and adherence to produce salvation. Instead, Jesus cared for the people of God and provided a path for them when they strayed from God’s plan and His best for them. This included correcting the religious leaders of the day who sought to lord their power over the people and, in doing so, abandoned their role to the world.

To Revelation of Jesus Christ: The Throne Room of God

The Revelation of Jesus Christ – The Throne Room of God – Revelation 4:1-11

July 11, 2018

The letter to the church in Laodicea ends with Jesus knocking asking to come in. Yet, for John, the door is wide open for his invitation to the throne room of God. In chapters 2 and 3, we see the explicit commands for the church on how they should be the church. Starting in chapter 4, John describes the visions God gives to him. It seeks to answer not the how but the why. Thus, John is caught up in the Spirit and given an image of the Throne room of God consistent with other biblical depictions of the Throne Room of God in Isaiah and in Daniel. From the specifics of the gems, the nature of the angelic presence, and various other details, John’s vision aligns with previous apocalyptic literature. This should not lead a person to feel that the work was plagiarized or simply a parroting, but rather speaks to the internal consistency of John’s vision with the rest of scripture.

The Fruit of the Patience: Speaking The Name of The Lord

July 9, 2018

For a moment, stop and consider the patience of God. Having created mankind in His image and given them the purpose of being an emissary of God’s will on earth, the people quickly turned to rebellion. They had one rule and were unable to be obedient in that. Thus, mankind fell to sin and cracked the fabric of creation and reality in the process. Yet, despite this, God knew hearts of the people could be returned to Him. Thus, over thousands of years, God lead the people to the cross where Jesus would die for their sins. Even now, we rebelled against God and, in His great patience, God pursued us even though we ran from it. God extended his grace and mercy to mankind who wanted nothing to do with Him but was doomed to die from their sins without intervention. God is patient and extends that patience to us as well. As a fruit of the Spirit, a Christian carries himself in patience in the context of the world. Through our patience for the things of God and for the people of God, we proclaim the name of God, putting our faith on full display. We remain patient for the promises and patience for the people.

The Parables of Mark: The Salt

July 5, 2018

At the end of Mark 9, Jesus tells this brief parable: “Everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.” (Mark 9:49-50, NIV). At first glance, verses 49 and 50 are only thematically related, in that they both refer to salt. Context, though, paints a different picture of the parable of the salt told in Mark’s Gospel. Directly preceding these verses are a dire warning against teaching falsehood and preserving oneself from the ravages of sin.