Fruits of the Spirit
Love is Longsuffering, Enduring & Patient || Video part 1 || Part 2 || Part 3
Love is Kind, Good & Benevolent || Video part 1 || Part 2 || Part 3
Love is Longsuffering, Enduring and Patient
God
Exodus 34:6 And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,
Old israelites
How many years did they murmur against:
Nehemiah 9:21 Yea, forty years didst thou sustain them in the wilderness, [so that] they lacked nothing; their clothes waxed not old, and their feet swelled not.
With all their murmurings, complaining, God still sustained them through their journey
They sinned, repented, sinned, repented the cycle continued yet God did not give up on them
With our downfall, rising up again, repeat cycle, God is still there
Until you decide to reject the Holy Spirit, God will continue to work with you
Don’t think your situation is hopeless
Don’t think you cannot give up certain vices like drunkeness, smoking, drugs, etc
How about our character issues?
God is longsuffering towards us and is still working to help us overcome
Jacob
Genesis 29:18 And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.
29:19 And Laban said, [It is] better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man: abide with me.
29:20 And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him [but] a few days, for the love he had to her.
29:23 And it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to him; and he went in unto her.
29:25 And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it [was] Leah: and he said to Laban, What [is] this thou hast done unto me? did not I serve with thee for Rachel? wherefore then hast thou beguiled me?
29:26 And Laban said, It must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn.
29:27 Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.
29:28 And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week: and he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also.
Jacob endured even if he had to serve another 7 years
How long can we endure with our little trials? One week? One month?
Genesis 29:20 And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him [but] a few days, for the love he had to her.
For our love for God, we should learn to endure and suffer when we are required without murmuring and complaining
Some leave the faith because of intense trials and difficulties
They want ease and comfort instead of sacrificing for the truth sake
Some cannot wait for their prayers to be answered and give up too soon when if they have waited for a little bit they would have received the answers to their prayers
If we want to be like Christ, we should reflect His character of love which is long-suffering and endurance through pains and difficulties
Job
Job 1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name [was] Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.
With God’s permission he was tested
Trial #1
Job 1:13 And there was a day when his sons and his daughters [were] eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house: 1:14 And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them: 1:15 And the Sabeans fell [upon them], and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
Trial #2
1:16 While he [was] yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
Trial #3
1:17 While he [was] yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
Trial #4
1:18 While he [was] yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters [were] eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house: 1:19 And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
Describe Job’s long suffering and endurance
How long can we endure with 1 trial? How about 2s
Why is it important to endure?
What was Job’s reward for being long suffering
Job 42:12 So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses. 42:13 He had also seven sons and three daughters.
Our reward is more than the degree of the suffering that we will go through
Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time [are] not worthy [to be compared] with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Elijah
1 kings 17:1 And Elijah the Tishbite, [who was] of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, [As] the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.
17:2 And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying,
17:3 Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that [is] before Jordan.
17:4 And it shall be, [that] thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there.
17:5 So he went and did according unto the word of the LORD: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that [is] before Jordan.
17:6 And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook.
17:7 And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land.
Fastforward:
1 Kings 18:1 And it came to pass [after] many days, that the word of the LORD came to Elijah in the third year, saying, Go, show thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth.
18:2 And Elijah went to show himself unto Ahab. And [there was] a sore famine in Samaria.
Elijah survived the drought
He survived being alone in the brook
Elijah suffered long during this time of peril
He was in great danger against Ahab and Jezebel who we know Jezebel caused many prophets to get killed
He stood firm amidst the threat of death
He trusted in the Lord’s providence and continued to fulfill God’s plans for His people
How many people can long can suffer persecution without becoming weak and eventually give up?
How many people can be patient during trying and difficult times?
Only through the power of God we can endure and suffer long
Love conquers difficulties, love suffers long
2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Godly Traits: Love (Long-Suffering | Endurance | Patience) Part 2
God
How does God exercise his love which suffers long against the unrighteous?
Pharaoh -
He sent 10 plagues, waiting for his heart to soften
He did not wipe out Pharaoh right away
Pharaoh could have chosen to soften heart when the 1st plague happen but he did not
Many people today wait for some calamities to happen before they start to listen to God
Sun and rain to the wicked
Matthew 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
5:46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
5:47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more [than others]? do not even the publicans so?
The Father was patient and longsuffering with the prodigal son
Accepted when the son repented
Professed christian churches can kick out anyone from their church fellowship in a second yet God can work with the sinner for a long time
Israelites 40yrs of falling rising but God did not give up on them until of course they as a nation rejected Him, then He rejected them as a nation as well
Professed remnant people have no patient or time allowance against those who cannot comply right away with the truth they profess to believe
They use matthew 18 like step 1 for 1 day, step 2 for 2nd day and step 3 for 3rd day and kick out,
Some even kick others out without step 2 or 3
No labouring for the soul
We need to labour as much as God laboured so hard for us just for us to see the truth and reflect God’s true character of love which is long-suffering and endurance
So long as the person is listening continue to help, stop only when they refuse to listen, now let God deal with them in another way
Joseph
Betrayed and sold to be a slave by his own brothers
Genesis 37:23 And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stripped Joseph out of his coat, [his] coat of [many] colours that [was] on him;
37:27 Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he [is] our brother [and] our flesh. And his brethren were content.
37:28 Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty [pieces] of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.
39:1 And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither.
Can you imagine yourself being betrayed by your own brother or sister by blood?
What will you do?
Can you endure if you become a slave to another nation and being accused and put to prison?
How long can you endure being betrayed or accused of 1 crime, how about many crimes?
Accused of adultery and put to prison
Genesis 39:19 And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled.
39:20 And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners [were] bound: and he was there in the prison.
He suffered and endured through his sufferings
He followed the footsteps of Christ (accused) but did not take revenge
How many of us can stand being accused of the most horrible crime you have ever heard?
Moses
Describe the experience of Moses with the israelites who continued to murmur against him and Aaron. Example food, drink, who questioned his calling. Summarized form.
Yet when Isrealites made a golden calf, he interceded for the people and even volunteered his name be removed from the book.
Exodus 32:31 And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold.
32:32 Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.
32:33 And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.
His love for his nation was great
He was willing to give his life just to save his people
He suffered greatly with those who were stubborn among them
He did not give up and surrender until death
Was God longsuffering enough towards Achan?
Some may say God was not longsuffering and forbearing towards Achan or for Uzzah who died instantly in front of everyone. HOw about Ananias and Sapphira
These people did not just commit one sin and died immediately, it’s accumulation of unrepented sins otherwise God would say He is lying when he said his love is enduring and longsuffering
God had not punished anyone for sinning the first time.
Cain was not punished right away
God was trying to reason with him
Genesis 4:9 And the LORD said unto Cain, Where [is] Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: [Am] I my brother's keeper?
He added lying excuses to his murder
God knew what happened to Abel but He still tried to reason with Cain
There must be some chain of rebellion and unrepentant spirit in the person until the person gave up and rejected the Holy Spirit for sin against the 3rd person is unpardonable
Matthew 12:31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy [against] the [Holy] Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. 12:32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the [world] to come.
Blasphemy - G988
Vilification, evil speaking, railing
Vilification - defamatory, slander, libel
Like you turn truth from God into falsehood or from Satan
You call the truth false or from Satan and not from God
You call a servant of God a worker of Satan because that minister is exposing your false teachings and lies
When You willfully reject the voice of the 3rd Person of the Godhead
No one will convict you of sin anymore since the 3rd Person convicts us of sin so no 3rd Person no conviction,
You basically closed your own probation and you cannot be forgiven
David - and his enemies
How did david endure amidst the many enemies that surrounded him
Psalms 56:2 Mine enemies would daily swallow [me] up: for [they be] many that fight against me, O thou most High.
56:3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
59:1 To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David; when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him. Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me.
59:2 Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men.
59:3 For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul: the mighty are gathered against me; not [for] my transgression, nor [for] my sin, O LORD.
59:4 They run and prepare themselves without [my] fault: awake to help me, and behold.
59:5 Thou therefore, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to visit all the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah.
59:6 They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.
59:7 Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords [are] in their lips: for who, [say they], doth hear?
59:8 But thou, O LORD, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision.
59:9 [Because of] his strength will I wait upon thee: for God [is] my defence.
Prayer - always praying, never tired of praying
Waiting upon the Lord, never gave up, he always allowed God to take revenge
His love and longsuffering for his enemies - he did not kill nor seek revenge or place justice in his own hands, he allowed God to deal with them
David could kill them because he had armies and he was equiped with weapons of war but he did not seek to kill his enemies, he did not even kill Saul when he had the chance to kill Saul
Godly Traits: Love (Long-Suffering | Endurance | Patience) Part 3
Daniel
A decree against God’s people in Babylon
Daniel 6:7 All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.
Daniel violated the law of the land which was man-made
Daniel 6:11 Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.
Punishment
Daniel 6:16 Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast [him] into the den of lions. [Now] the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.
What happened to him in the den
Daniel 6:21 Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever.
6:22 My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.
6:23 Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.
No weapon of death can hurt you if God has a purpose to preserve you
Endure through the suffering or threats of death for the truth’s sake
What happen to those that accused and seek his hurt
Daniel 6:24 And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast [them] into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.
Did Daniel change his position so that he will escape the punishment?
Daniel’s true love for God was manifested through his patience and endurance amidst death
Will you change your position when Sunday law is enforced when you cannot buy and sell and eventually face death threat?
Let us practice our self to endure hardships, persecutions, threats, shaming, accusatory statements made against us and all sorts of plans of the enemies
Like Daniel in the Lion’s den, God will also keep us safe but He will overthrow our enemies in the end
Paul
In Trials and Hardships
2 Timothy 3:10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
3:11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of [them] all the Lord delivered me.
3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
2 Corinthians 6:4 But in all [things] approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
6:5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;
6:6 By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,
6:7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
6:8 By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and [yet] true;
6:9 As unknown, and [yet] well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;
6:10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and [yet] possessing all things.
Paul manifested much fruits of longsuffering in his ministry
Persecutions, afflictions, tumults,
Hardships - physical, financial
Labouring for the believers and heathen - he did not give up
Evil reports - people thought evil about his ministry but he did not mind them nor waste his time with them
All these he overcame because of his great love for God and His cause
We have to be longsuffering and patient With one another
Ephesians 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 4:2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 4:3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Colossians 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also [do] ye.
3:14 And above all these things [put on] charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
To the believers:
Be patient with your brethren with their shortcomings and their weaknesses
Treat them as you want to be treated
Do not spread evil talks about your brethren who are striving so hard
Do not condemn your brethren and treat them like a heathen
Follow Matthew 18 to settle indifferences and offences
Do not avoid your brethren because he has a weakness or he has offended you, except, help him because you are your brother’s keepers
Romans 15:1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
We have to be longsuffering and patient To the unbelievers or the world:
Understand the unbelievers have weaknesses as well and since the world does not teach them to overcome or how to overcome, most of them are too extreme when you offend them or whey they offend you
Do not provoke them to anger, if they are mad, don’t be mad as well
Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
If you know they are upset or they hate you, just don’t provoke them, instead, stay a healthy distance so they would be tempted to sin again
Loving our enemies doesn’t mean you hang out with them, it means do not provoke them to anger or to sin against you and if they need help like they are hungry or thirsty then help them
Loving our enemies does not mean you unequally yoke with them
Don’t hate them means: do not seek revenge
After you have told them the truth, Titus said
Titus 3:10 A man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition reject;
3:11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.
Let them be and God will handle with them
Be patient, if you are injured by the unbelievers, God will do something if not today, in the future
Just like David waited on the Lord to deal with his enemies
He did not put the justice in his own hands, instead, he allowed God to render justice
In preaching the gospel when people refuse to believe
2 Timothy 4:1 I charge [thee] therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4:4 And they shall turn away [their] ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
1 Timothy 4:10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.
Preach the truth even when people will not believe right away
Endure through mocking or ridicule
Sometimes people get mad of the messsage
Leave the results to God
Work everywhere you can, don’t worry about the results
Whether you have a degree or not, you can be longsuffering in preaching the gospel
John the Revelator
Survive through his hardships
Describe his persecution
Revelation 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast [some] of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
John survived through weapons of death
His enemies could not kill him so they sent him to patmos
How many of us can survive through what John had suffered?
Peter
1 Peter 4:16 Yet if [any man suffer] as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
4:19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls [to him] in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
3:13 And who [is] he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?
3:14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy [are ye]: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
3:16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
3:17 For [it is] better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
Peter also is very clear about what we should do when we are suffering for the truth sake
The best option is to endure, suffer and be patient
We have to follow the footsteps of Jesus
If people speak evil of you, be at peace, the truth will still prevail at the end
Be happy when you are suffering
Love conquers all pain and suffering
Moses
Hebrews 11:24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
11:25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
11:26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.
11:27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
Godly Traits: Love (Long-Suffering | Endurance | Patience) Part 3
Kind = of a sympathetic or helpful nature, of a kind to give pleasure or relief
Benevolent = marked by or disposed to doing good
Good – a very broad term that refers to anything positive but we will pick a few definition that goes along with kindness and benevolent
of a kind to give pleasure or relief
All 3 terms point towards giving and not taking
All 3 terms point towards disposing something good and about taking anything back
All 3 terms point towards helping or giving benefits but not about taking benefits back
God
Jesus fed 5000
Luke 6:35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and [to] the evil.
The verse defines itself
kind = lend, do good, hope for nothing again
- Lend = to allow others to borrow cheerfully without expecting any benefits
When you have, allow to share to others, when you don’t have then that’s another situation
You lend not because they can pay back
Luke 6:34 And if ye lend [to them] of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
- Do good = do not render evil against your enemies, don’t take revenge
Matthew 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
Some in the multitude followed Him just for food yet they were too fed along with the crowd
He knew who were his enemies attending with the crowd yet He did not call them out and say you are not allowed to eat the fish and bread
He was kind to all of them even if He knew that some were not truthful
Love motivated Him to do good to those whom He come in contact everywhere He went
- Hoping for nothing = when you do good, don’t expect for anything good back, you don’t do good because there is a reward back even though God’s rule is when you do good, you receive good
The reward is not the reason why you do good
The reward is just to boost your zeal but not the reason why you do good
You do good because you love God
God is love
Love is kind = character of God
God is kind because love is kind
Love equalizes everyone’s situation
If everyone is kind, everyone can give and by that, everyone can receive as well
Widow
1 Kings 17:9 Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which [belongeth] to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee.
17:10 So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman [was] there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.
17:11 And as she was going to fetch [it], he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand.
17:12 And she said, [As] the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I [am] gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.
17:13 And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go [and] do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring [it] unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son.
17:14 For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day [that] the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth.
Even she had the last meal, she was kind to give it away
Kindness involves self-denial and selflessness and sacrifice
Kindness is not what about me but what about you
Being poor is not a reason to excuse from helping
Just like the widow with 2 mites
Kindness begets kindness
The widow’s kindness paid off
1 King 17:15 And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat [many] days.
17:16 [And] the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah.
The widows kindness to Elijah resulted to unending supply of blessings
God will continue to supply our needs even when we think it is going to run out for helping others
Sometimes you doubt to help when you are running out but that is when you are tested to see if you are willing to sacrifice for others or not
It is very important to help others esp the servants of God like Elijah the prophet
When the son died
1 Kings 17:21 And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto the LORD, and said, O LORD my God, I pray thee, let this child's soul come into him again.
17:22 And the LORD heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived.
17:23 And Elijah took the child, and brought him down out of the chamber into the house, and delivered him unto his mother: and Elijah said, See, thy son liveth.
17:24 And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that thou [art] a man of God, [and] that the word of the LORD in thy mouth [is] truth.
In the midst of death, God brought life back
Our kindness repays and God is glorified
In the days of apostles
They gave to the apostles freely
Acts 4:33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
4:34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
4:35 And laid [them] down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
The kindness and benevolence of the believers sustained the needs of the apostles
Our kindness to God’s servants in giving to them our offerings will help them do their work in spreading the gospel
Our kindness and benevolence to the needy shall also repay in times when we will be the ones in need
The kindness of God sustains us in our daily needs
None of God’s children lack anything, if they are kind they will receive the same kindness from God
2 Corinthians 8:14 But by an equality, [that] now at this time your abundance [may be a supply] for their want, that their abundance also may be [a supply] for your want: that there may be equality:
Rahab
Joshua 2:15 Then she let them down by a cord through the window: for her house [was] upon the town wall, and she dwelt upon the wall.
2:16 And she said unto them, Get you to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet you; and hide yourselves there three days, until the pursuers be returned: and afterward may ye go your way.
Others who do not professed to know the truth have a good heart to help God’s people than those who profess to know the truth just like the priest and levite who just ignored the wounded person by the road
God has many people out in the world and when truth comes they will accept it
Why did Rahab help the 2 spies?
She heard about the power of God because of what happened in the past with the Israelites from Egypt and with the encounter with 2 other nations.
Joshua 2:10 For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that [were] on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed.
2:11 And as soon as we had heard [these things], our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he [is] God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.
2:12 Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, since I have showed you
Kindness begets kindness
The scarlet cord used to save God’s servants was used to save the family of Rahab
Joshua 2:18 Behold, [when] we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father's household, home unto thee.
Abraham
Genesis 13:7 And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot's cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land.
13:8 And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we [be] brethren.
13:9 [Is] not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if [thou wilt take] the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if [thou depart] to the right hand, then I will go to the left.
13:10 And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it [was] well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, [even] as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.
13:11 Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.
13:12 Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched [his] tent toward Sodom.
Kindness is giving way for others to avoid controversy
Willing to give up unless for truth sake
Be the peacemaker
Unless for truth sake, be willing to give up certain things for peace
After you tell the truth, let them choose and have their way and if they argue with truth, God will discipline them