The Law Of Kindness

And I do want to thank all of you in here today who have ever mothered me now that population is getting smaller or have allowed me to Mother you it's a good Mother's Day happy Mother's Day they say to start with A Mother's Day. Joke but I think we've had plenty why you think Pastor I don't know, but you know I have a habit anyway of messing up punchlines. So I asked brother Jeff if he could put this on the projection just because I think moms you need to save the best stuff okay my mother gave each of us a book about probably 20 years ago. Now, and why did she save this I was eight years old and I wrote dear Mom I did not want my other half of that word is sandwich I drew a picture. Because I was kind of afraid I misspelled it and I didn't want my orange.

So Lori can have it there's a one redeeming thing in this note is that I was kind to Lori I said I go on to say I spelled some words wrong. Because I was in a hurry lie I spelled some words wrong because I didn't know. How to spell them love Carla and then of course I had to have a little post note. Because my brother was being a brother Mom I wish I could stay home because David. Won't stop hitting me and you see that squiggly line there that's supposed to be the drama of it all you know David hitting me he wasn't. Again, I need to pray through I know and he took the rolls up north sweet rolls Bakery from the bakery he took him to school.

So yeah anybody in here can relate to this note I'm just telling you moms you need to save this stuff this is the kind of stuff that your grown kids are going to love you for I'm going to start today by and I think. This has been alluded to and thank you I want to ask every lady here actually every human in this room today I want to start by asking you to forgive me because today I may say some things regarding mother. Or mothering that may hurt or offend you and you know sometimes we assume that what we see on the surface is all there is to your story. But I want to comfort you today and tell you no matter what your story is the Bible has a story you know I know that like Eve you know the first mother some of you mothers today have a strange children I know that like.

Hagar some of you have been abandoned and you're raising your children alone I know that like Naomi in the Bible some of you have lost your husband, and some of you have lost your children like Rachel some in this room have counted the months. And the years without a child While others seem to have no problem having children I know that like Joseph, and Benjamin Benjamin there are those of you in this room. Who have experienced the death of your mother and like Mary some of you the Bible uses the word Ponder some of you have had to ponder the treatment of your children you may be like Miriam. And Lydia in the Bible the Bible never mentions that they were wives or that they were mothers yet maybe they had those desires or you may be like Timothy's mother, and his grandmother you're teaching your children.

And sewing seeds without any seeming recognition but God sees, but God sees we each have a story we each have a story. But God's word applies to all our stories you know you can look at my family back there and Sydney's usually over there. But we're not perfect all the moms in our family we're not perfect Glenn Lori Tanya Britney terrie Sydney they each have a story to tell. But the theme of every story all of our stories is God is redeeming our stories, and so ladies today as I get into this lesson I want you to remember that your story is addressed in the Bible. And that each of us have a story and God is in the business of redeeming every story, and honestly I resisted going to this chapter please. Don't T tune me out and you've probably already guessed where I'm going proverbs 31, and I'm going to tell you this has been bashed a lot lately I don't know.

If my ears were just you know super tuned to it, but this chapter has gotten a lot of bashing Lately by a lot of women. But is it the word of God ah yes it is and you know Titus Chapter 2 says that the older women gray hair herin AES are in so I think I qualify. So here we go and if you're a visitor to visitor today please please please. Come back and hear the best preaching in the world to me all right all right all right. If you have a diamond on I want you to look at it right now you know they say a diamond is a symbol of enduring love, and if you want to find out. If there are any flaws in your diamond that would make it less valuable okay ladies.

Don't get too fixated on it I'm looking out and everybody's just like we take it to a jeweler, and he gets out a magnifying glass right and he can magnify up to 10 times. So that he can see things in that diamond that might Escape our detention detection God's word is our magnifying glass, and we hold it over our lives. Thank you sister Chassidy I love the word of God it's our magnifying glass to see. If there's something we need to learn and I'm going to take you to what the Lord has been teaching me, and I hope that you will take it and apply it Proverbs 31-26 in the King James version it's speaking of the characteristics of a virtuous. Some of your Bibles will say noble character some of your Bibles will will say excellent woman it reads she openeth her mouth with wisdom, and in her tongue is the law of kindness 1 Corinthians chapter 13 is famously known as the love chapter right.

Verse four in that chapter says about love love suffers long and is kind one writer said patience will take anything kindness will give anything kindness is a giving love it's active my mom will tell you that one of her first memories around the age. Of six is of her mother mom says they were picking cotton and to this day. Don't show my mother a picture of a cotton field don't decorate your resour with cotton she does not think that's beautiful they were picking cotton, and it was cold and my mother's hands were numb. And hurting and one of her first memories is her mother warming her hands in her apron a kind act a kind Spirit not a come. Come on kid get your row get your bag come on let's go m- it was a kind act Proverbs 31:26 she openeth her mouth with wisdom, and in her tongue is the law of kindness one of my earliest memories mom is sitting on the kitchen.

Counter in Harvey Illinois and mom was baking looking for brother Wayne recipient of some of those pies, and I can remember Mom would kindly. Let us David and Lori sit on the counter and eat the leftover P though I know some of you kids are probably like. What but or she would let us lick the batter from the bowl now mind you there. Wasn't a lot to lick she could scrape that bowl, but it's interesting that neither of our first memories are about expensive gifts or any material possession. But it was about the kind act of a mother you know we live in a day of selfing, and cynicism do we think that pleases God is kindness dead Proverbs 31-26 she openeth her mouth with wisdom. And in her tongue is the law of kindness kindness is the way God treats the human race Titus 3: 4, and 7 says, but when the kindness and the love of God our savior toward men appeared not by works of righteousness which we have done.

But according to his Mercy he saved us through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit whom he poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ Our Savior that having been justified by his grace we should become heires according to the hope. Of eternal life when the kindness of God appeared Jesus said in Luke 6: 35. But love 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 kindness is the way God has always related to people Romans 2, and 4 in the living Bible says or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness tolerance. And patience not realizing that God's kindness leads you to repentance God's kindness is a product of his love for us, and it's been proven time and time.

Again, through his word it shows us how we are to treat others and it should grow grow it should grow as we grow in him Franklin Roosevelt said human kindness has never weakened the stamina. Or softened the fiber of a free people a nation does not have to be cruel to be tough we don't have to be cruel to be tough we don't have to be unkind to be tough kindness is not a weakness kindness is a strength. Who doesn't need kindness our world our neighborhoods our homes need kindness to remind them of God's faithfulness his love his forgiveness we are to be kind to the unkind that's what reveals what's in our heart. And that's what will lead others to Jesus Proverbs 21 and 21 in the ESV says whoever pursues righteousness, and kindness will find life righteousness and honor Matthew 7:12 says therefore whatever you want me oh we know this.

Don't we way back to Sunday school now the Golden Rule right right let's read it therefore whatever you want men to do to you do also to them for this is the law. And the prophets kindness is a distinguishing attribute a of a Christian Galatians 5:22 tells us that because the fruit the fruit that you have the spirit in you is love joy peace longsuffering kindness goodness faithfulness kindness. If you look up the definition is defined as the quality of being gentle caring, and helpful not very 2024 is it Ephesians 4:32 says and be kind to one another tenderhearted forgiving one another even as God in Christ forgave you Colossians 3 and12 says therefore. As the elect of God holy and beloved put on Tender Mercies kindness there it is again humility meekness long suffering. Notice the writer says it doesn't magically appear on you weren't born with it any mothers of toddlers here you weren't born.

Just naturally kind you put it on it is an action you choose you can ask my husband. How many times when we're driving around he hears me say to myself be nice Carla be kind Carla you might have heard me say it during a PR's game kindness. Doesn't flow at Bridgestone does it guys oh be nice Carla be kind Carla let me say it again to fulfill the word of God Colossians 3 and12 we have to take action we have to put on kindness it's an action we choose it's the right. Words it's the right gestures it's the right action for kindness to be kindness it has to be active it has to be sincere it has to involve another person it doesn't matter about your intentions. Well, I didn't mean to be unkind back to our proverbs 31 verse and you're going to have a new verse memorize.

When we leave here today she openeth her mouth with wisdom and in her tongue is the of kindness that word law in Proverbs 31, and 26 is from a word that means instruction. Or teaching instruction or teaching some commentators even say that Hebrew word correlates with the same root of the word Torah, and you know that is the first five books of the Bible. What the Jewish people call the law the law of kindness Jesus said back in Matthew 7, and 12 we've already read remember the Golden Rule remember that last phrase he says our kindness to others doing to them what we want done to us fulfills. Fulfills the law and the prophets seriously sister de priest being kind fulfills the law Jesus said it you can take it up with him we all want to be treated with kindness. So to fulfill the law we want to obey the word right so to fulfill the law we are to treat others with kindness Jesus Jesus said this is the essence of the law.

And the prophets it's the essence of his word when we are kind from proverbs 31 and 26. Again, if we are Wise Women we we're going to ask oursel two questions are my words wise, and that's a whole other lesson and are my words following the law of kindness were my words kind many of you that were married by my husband. Know that one of the charges when he gave the charge in the wedding o was he charged you to speak kindly to each other wow sounds. So easy doesn't it at the altar when there is a law a standard is set by which judgments are made we all know that pastors use this example I've heard many use this example. But you know if you're on a road and there's no sign somebody might think that 25 M an hour should be the standard.

Somebody else on that road thinks 50 should be the standard some of you think 80 might be, but however. If there is a clear sign posted that says 40 mil an hour guess what the law has just been laid down right. So everyone is supposed to regulate your speed right to the law when kindness is our standard. When kindness is our law when kindness rules our speech is regulated controlled or set to that standard, and I hear you I hear you I hear you I hear you I'm reading your minds right. Now, well you don't know the genan pool I came from you don't know the gene pool I came from stubborn, and just saying it like we feel it might be in our Jee pool. But it doesn't change the law the law of kindness we know when our words are unkind, and fail to meet the standard right.

So we regulate our words to the law of kindness a law also indicates control or rulership you know Paul said in Romans chapter 7 that the law of sin was in his body right. So it ruled him and he described throughout that chapter the hold that sin had on him it controlled him was the law. But if the law of kindness is in effect in our tongues then it will control our responses, and Rule Our Lives I said our okay mine too mine too. When the law of kindness rules we will find the kindest way to say things that might otherwise sound harsh or hurtful are we ruled by our own selfish interest in areas where our tongues are concerned I want you to hear this next statement. Because I have found it true in my life at the root of unkind words is self at the root of unkind words is self you know it's all about me I can say.

What I want the speech of the noble character virtuous or excellent woman in Proverbs 31 is regulated constantly by the law of kindness a law also determines guilt or innocence right back to the speed limit. If you're driving the speed limit are you worried when you see a vehicle that looks like a trooper nope. But if you're not doing this if you're breaking the law you know you're guilty. So every vehicle that resembles a trooper you're stomping on those breaks right the law of kindness, and effect in our lives will bring that uneasy and it's okay folks it's okay guilt has a purpose we're not to live in guilt he doesn't intend for us to live. In guilt but it has a purpose the law of kindness will make that uneasy uncomfortable feeling of guilt. When we say something that's not kind when we hurt someone the law of kindness will guide us to make apologies to make restitution not.

Just to you know get it done okay I said I'm sorry that that's that doesn't work. But it's for your own piece of heart one of the best feelings in the world is when I've apologized really is it's good to get that out. Isn't it is the law of kindness in effect in your life it's the law of kindness does kindness set the standard for what we allow ourselves to say or do or do we find our words cutting. And sharp we live in a world that loves loves cutting and sharp words does kindness control our response, and our conversations or do we find in most situations we're little less than loving does the law of kindness reveal our unkind statements. And cause us to apologize or do we just walk around feeling all justified in every mean thing we've said y'all can catch up with Pastor later he's the one that extended this invitation.

And I'm just doing what I felt the lord gave me next week good preaching today hard teaching maybe you know it's famously said she who Rocks the Cradle rules the world. What would happen to our world if it started in our homes with the law of kindness you know there's a prayer in Psalms Chap 141:3, and I've prayed this prayer I prayed a lot set a guard O Lord over my mouth keep watch over the doors. Of my lips you know submission is it's one of my favorite subjects and it's probably. Because I've had to settle it had to settle it a lot in my life. Again, I have stubborn jeans but unkindness when you are unkind when you are unkind. When someone is unkind to you just tell yourself they have a submission issue because they're they're choosing to refuse to submit to God's word which demands kindness unkindness is a submission issue please.

Don't use that as a as a ammunition against your family this week okay you have a submission issue no no. Don't do that but just say in your mind that that's a submission issue and when it's you get yourself submitted. Again, submitted under your whoever's your headship in your home under your pastor under the Lord here I was thinking that I was going to make it through a whole lesson without bringing that up. But it's so important you have to be under that protection if you are not submitted you are exposed, and it's a terrible place to be if we allow the Lord to be the Watchman. And the doorkeeper who approves everything that passes the door of our lips I'm reading your minds. Again, so I'm going to say it again it is possible to allow the Lord to be the Watchman and the doorkeeper.

Who approves everything that passes the door of our lips someday and the Bible says we will stand before him, and account for every Idol word I don't know about you that scares me it's easy to dismiss the proverbs 31 virtuous noble character excellent woman. Oh the memes out there you know I'm not even going to go there, but it's true we'd probably get more laughs, and likes on social media by bashing the Proverbs 31 Woman than praising her because we all like to be affirmed in our excuses. And shortcomings don't we yeah yeah I'll just put the meanness out there and I'll have a you know few hundred people affirm me oh you have every right to feel that way you have every right nuh-uh. But the word of God cannot be dismissed ladies it's the word of God it is a law the law of kindness, and my prayer today is that it would not die on my watch I want my grandkids to remember John.

And Britt Tyler and Brett I want them to remember me saying be nice be kind the word of God cannot be dismissed may it not die on our watch may it not die in our families in our church Center Point oh. How I want it to be said that when people come here was a kind Church they treated me kindly I saw Jesus in their actions in our Outreach and you know even. Now, because God is love and he is kind and he is patient I had a mental picture a couple weeks ago of us just like this and God's voice. Just shouting out publicly calling us out kind I was thinking a along the lines of you know. How the world does it on social media or videos whatever shouting out our sins making fun of us, but you know. What that's not how he does it that first verse we read said his kindness draws us he's not calling anybody out publicly today he's not shouting all your faults he's simply says come.

Come last week I was we were in Arlington precious church and I told that group I said you know I think the Lord's favorite word must have been come cuz he said it so many times. Come to me come to me come to me follow me stay with me follow me, and moms I just thought today and I'm giving this back to Pastor he's he's pastor, but ladies I would love. If you would gather at this altar just come and pray for ourselves and pray for each other that the law of kindness would rule in our lives, and I would love it if Pastor if the men of God. If you Godly men would come afterwards and pray with us that the law of kindness would r rule God bless you will you stand with us, and I think I'm going to be obedient I think I'm going to invite all of the ladies to come.

Down to the front right now it was a very good word very challenging very sobering you think about those law of kindness I think she said it well we are living in a day. And age when it seems to be the norm and we're encouraged to just speak your mind. Just speak your mind I'm going to tell you right now if I spoke my mind I wouldn't have this job there's a lot of crazy things going on up there that's why you got to take every thought captive. And bring it into the obedience that is there so come on in ladies come on y'all push in because we're going to have the guys. Come in later so come on all the way up the front push push push push push push push push in push in while they're coming we're going to start praying I want you to start praying too that what was brought to us today that we can apply.

It in our lives it's not always easy to be kind, but living for God was never never never never laid out in his word that it was going to be easy it was going to be that he was going to be with us when they were when they were nailing. Him to a cross are you going to tell me that was easy when he said father forgive them when the first words from Calvary as they were nailing him to the to the wood that was there was words of forgiveness that he was able. To be kind in that moment but he did that to show you and I that we can too with his help. So that's what we're going to pray today so if you don't mind bow your head and close your eyes. Let let's pray right now Jesus we have heard a very anointed word delivered to us today, and Lord as we process we understand that this is not going to be an easy task a lot of times we're fighting against.

What has already been set as a default mode and that is self-preservation, but God I pray that we can bring oursel to a to a place, and in a moment where we can take thoughts captive. And bring them into The Obedience of your word that you will help us God be mindful of the things we dwell on, and how we feel we can be kind in what we do that we can speak the law of kindness around us Lord. I pray for these mothers that are here today gathered around this altar area right. Now, Lord they're facing so many overwhelming circumstances regardless of the season of Life they're in they are facing overwhelming circumstances, and God I pray your peace over their mind right. Now, now your peace that passes human understanding oh that they could feel you right. Now, drawing in close and near to them we trust in you Lord Jesus oh God help us help us to have right thoughts help us to say right things help us to act in the law of kindness.

Let it be done in Jesus name I want you to continue to pray they're going to sing right. Now, I invite the men in this room if it's a appropriate for you to make your way forward make your way forward help us pray right. Now, that God will continue to work God to continue to do in Jesus name.