Part 5 | KINDNESS: The Habit That Endears Others
September 13th, 2026
Dr. Mark S. Hartman, Lead Pastor with Jude Hartman, Grandson
- Galatians 5:22-23But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, He will produce this kind of fruit (results) in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. (NLT)
“Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can read.” (Mark Twain)
1. KINDNESS REQUIRES A “GOD-VIEW” OF PEOPLE.
A. Genesis 1:27 God created man in His own Image, in the Image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
B. Matthew 25:35-40 For I was hungry and you gave Me food, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed Me, 36 I was naked and you gave Me clothing, I was sick and you took care of Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.' 37 Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw You hungry and gave You food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? 38 And when was it that we saw You a stranger and welcomed You, or naked and gave You clothing? 39 And when was it that we saw You sick or in prison and visited You?' 40 And the king will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to the least person, you did it to Me.
C. Luke 6:27-28, 31, 35-36 But I tell you who hear Me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 31Do to others as you would have them do to you. 35…Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because God is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
2. KINDNESS IS ALSO DEMONSTRATED BY BECOMING PEOPLE-BUILDERS.
A. The Greek word for kindness is Crestos. The word Crestos also means to be used by God to help someone else grow and develop.
B. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Encourage one another and build each other up.
C. Romans 15:2 We who are strong in the faith ought to help the weak in order to build them up in the faith.
D. When we encourage, there are some right things we should do.
1. When we encourage people, what we say needs to be sincere and genuine.
2. Encouraging others needs to become a habit.
3. Encourage with specifics.
3. KINDNESS IS DEMONSTRATED BY DEVELOPING THE ART OF TACTFULNESS.
A. Proverbs 15:23, 28 Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time! 28 The godly think before speaking; the wicked spout evil words.
B. Proverbs 15:4 Kind words bring life, but cruel words crush your spirit.
C. Proverbs 15:28 A good person thinks before he speaks; the evil person pours out his evil words without a thought.