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Kindness

Bible Study by Martin G. Collins

The fifth fruit of the Spirit, kindness, reflects God's loving actions toward us. We in turn must learn to bestow kindness on others.

Fear the Lord's Goodness!

'Ready Answer' by Martin G. Collins

There is an aspect of God's goodness that is rarely associated with goodness. As surprising as it may seem, God's goodness can be feared!

Themes of Ruth (Part Four): Kindness and Faith

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Both Ruth and Naomi demonstrated covenant loyalty in this marriages long after the death of their spouses. Ruth faithfully continued to serve her mother-in-law.

The Fruit of the Spirit: Goodness

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Goodness is a nebulous concept, used to describe everything from a tasty snack to God's sublime character. But God's character defines what goodness is.

No Real Love Without God

Sermon by John O. Reid

God's love is the true essence of what the world desperately needs, a love that brings peace, harmony, joy, happiness, fulfillment, purpose, and brotherly unity to all mankind. This love, defined as agape, reflects God's willful direction toward humanity, involving His desire to do what is best for us, even when it differs from our own desires. As John 3:16 reveals, God so loved the world that He gave His Son as a sacrifice, not to fulfill human wants, but to meet our deepest needs, offering justification through repentance and access to His Father. God's love is characterized by benevolence, a disposition to do good, marked by kindness, sympathy, and generosity in individual dealings, while His overarching plan is philanthropic on the grandest scale, aiming to elevate mankind to participate in the Kingdom of God. This love originates from God Himself, reflecting His Spirit in us, and as we exhibit it, we take on the nature of our Father. Those who reflect God's love show they are born of Him, while those who do not, regardless of their knowledge, fail to truly know Him. The proof of God's love is evident in the world He has provided, where rain falls on the just and unjust alike, in His patience toward us, and most profoundly, in sending His Son as a sacrifice to reconcile us to Him. Even when we were ignorant of His ways and opposed to Him, He loved us and sought our ultimate good. As I John 3:16 states, we perceive God's love because He laid down His life for us, and in like manner, we are called to lay down our lives for others, perfecting His love in us through active application in our relationships. This love is not our own but God's love within us, and as the Father and Son love, so must we strive to love our fellow man. John emphasizes that we love Him because He first loved us, underscoring that true love is reflected in our way of living. If we harbor hatred or resentment, we lack God's love, but if we actively love others, even forgiving as He forgave us, we emulate His nature and grow toward perfection. Perfect love casts out fear, granting us boldness to stand before Him, as we become like Him in this world. Jesus Christ taught that the greatest commandment is to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, submitting every faculty to His will and devoting ourselves to glorify Him. The first four commandments demonstrate this direct love for God, ensuring no idols or other gods stand before Him, honoring His name in all aspects of life, and keeping the Sabbath as holy time to refresh spiritually and honor Him. The second great commandment, to love our neighbor as ourselves, extends this love to all around us—family, friends, countrymen, and even enemies—by seeking their good, denying ourselves if needed, and refraining from harm, even when their actions do not warrant kindness. Attaining God's nature and love requires keeping His commandments, not as a burden, but as essential boundaries that train us to become like Him. True love produces a desire to live God's way, and obedience to His Word perfects this love, establishing an intimate relationship with Him and His Son. If true love exists in the heart, it will be reflected in our actions, showing that we belong to Him and uniting all aspects of His calling in us. Above all, we are to put on godly love, forgiving others as He forgave us, cementing the understanding of His laws and opening His mind for us to emulate.

Manifesting Kindness

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

We desperately need to internalize the godly traits of kindness, mercy, compassion, and tenderness, displacing the carnal traits of bitterness and wrath.

Marriage and the Bride of Christ (Part Eight)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

The husband is commanded to love his wife as his own body, regarding her as precious and delicate, continually nourishing and protecting her.

How God Deals With Conscience (Part Four)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

At times, God has to ignite our conscience and undermine our self-confidence to get our attention in a similar fashion as he did to Joseph's brothers.

Perfect, Gentle Courtesy (Part 1)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Our manners express our personality, especially as they portray humility, courtesy, or gentleness, and are improved as we make use of God's Spirit.

The Lord's Nourishing and Cherishing

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

The marriage covenant must be elevated to the stature of Christ and the church. A caring husband must love his wife as he nourishes his own physical body.

The Manifold Grace of God

Sermon/Bible Study by Martin G. Collins

God's calling us is just our initial taste of His grace. Grace is unmerited, but it is not unconditional. We have an obligation to respond to God.

Do You Recognize This Man? (Part Six)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Jesus shared many happy feasts with His disciples and attended banquets and celebrations, much to the chagrin of the self-righteous Pharisees.

Philippians (Part Nine)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Godly righteousness demands humility, a readiness to admit shortcomings, a yieldedness to correction, and a willingness to be refashioned.