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Welcome to Everyday Radical, a podcast where we help the everyday Christian follow Jesus and make him known everywhere.
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We pray that today's episode encourages you to do just that.
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So let's dive right in.
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I have a really funny story that I want to share with you.
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So we're in our mini-series on the fruit of the spirit, and today we're talking about kindness.
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Uh we're currently in the great city of Texas, in the great city of Dallas.
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And I remember You say that because you live in Texas, and everybody thinks the state of Texas is great, which is which is great for those of you who live in the country.
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I mean state of Texas.
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I mean, it was a country.
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I mean, was it?
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Was it okay?
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This is not a history lesson all.
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No, keep going.
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Sorry, I'd be real.
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Anyway, um, so I was here a couple years ago, and I remember walking into a coffee shop, and people were like raving about this coffee shop.
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It was like the trendy thing to do.
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So I went into this coffee shop and I'm like super excited to get my latte, and I get my latte, and on the on the label, you know, sometimes they have like the fun sayings.
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It said, and I kid you not, it said be, and then it said a curse word, kind.
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So it was like a command telling me to be, just think of that in your mind, okay, kind.
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Okay, and I like laughed out loud.
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I was like, is that not like contradictory to to the statement you're trying to?
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You're telling me to be blank kind.
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Uh, and so that just begs the question of like, for me at least, I think of that, I'm like, the world is trying to manufacture kindness uh to the point where they they're yelling from from the stages from the rooftops, like, just be kind.
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But what does that actually mean?
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Like, what's the difference between what the world is trying to tell me in that instance to be kind and the biblical definition of kindness?
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So that's super interesting because when you look at this word, like in the original language, uh, I was actually kind of surprised when I when I looked at it, some of the first for the for the word in there in the Greek here, uh that's translated kindness here.
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There's actually like words like uprightness and goodness, even which comes after this, usefulness, those are the kind of synonyms for so kindness is obviously one way to translate it.
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But then, yeah, so you put uprightness next to your latte cup, and it's like be blanking upright, and it's like, okay, well, that that doesn't make sense at all.
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Yeah, uh, but so it does show there's actually a standard by which we measure kindness, so it's not as I'm thinking about that, yeah.
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There's uh yeah, just using the word kind, like we've got to think through well, what is actually what does God say is kind?
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I think that's one of the things that's really helpful with all uh these pictures of the fruit of the spirit.
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I was just I was thinking about it in light of uh Ephesians 5, 1, but uh be imitators of God as beloved children.
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So like how do we know what kindness looks like in action?
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Well, what does kindness look like in God?
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And uh I think about Titus, right?
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When the goodness and kindness of God, our Savior appeared, and so just yeah, God and or Romans, uh, it's God's kindness that leads us to repentance.
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Yeah, which man, let that soak in.
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It's Romans two there doesn't say God's wrath leads us to repentance, it says God's kindness leads us to repentance.
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So man, tra kindness has a transformative effect.
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Yeah, that'll preach.
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Yeah, uh like so so that's God's kindness toward us.
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Obviously, in Christ, I think about uh uh Ephesians um two, uh but when the yeah uh that he might show so uh the God being rich in mercy, because the great love of which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ by uh and it says when he raised us up with him and seated us in the heavenly places, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
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So uh, okay, so this is God in all his uprightness and his generosity being kind toward us to save us from our sins to the sacrifice of his son.
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So then, man, what does that look like in action for us today?
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Yeah.
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What is uh so man, and and then okay, I don't want to just talk about all these different verses without just letting that soak in for a second.
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Well, maybe one one thing I'd love to know your thoughts on this.
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I I found it interesting in Romans 3 verse 12.
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This uh when it says there's no one who does good, not even one, talking about our sinfulness, our depravity, that's the same word that's translated good there, that's translated kindness here in Galatians 5.
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Yeah.
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So there's no one who does kind.
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There's no one who does so it's not natural for us to be kind.
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And I mean, our yeah, there's no one who does kindness.
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Uh what do you think that means?
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Well, I mean, the first thing that comes to mind is just like what I said earlier is like the the world manufactures kindness.
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So that just like you just proved it right there.
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It's not real.
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I was on a flight the other day, and they were like, okay, welcome to wherever you just got, and like just remember be kind.
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What do you mean?
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A big corporation telling me to be kind, like they're they're marketing it so so that I can is it what is what is the point of that?
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Um yeah, that's just kind of what comes to mind.
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I'm like, I don't feel like without Christ, anyone actually knows what it means to be kind.
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Like without him, we don't we can't it's a fruit of the spirit, which means that the spirit is the one who bears it within us.
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So that means that we can't do it apart from him.
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Um I think I think uh especially when we contrast it with some of the things that are the works of the flesh before this verse.
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So think about I mean he talks about jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy.
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Like those would be like opposite of kindness.
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Yeah.
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Uh because that's yeah, but but what the Bible's saying is that's what our flesh produces, um, and only the Holy Spirit in us can produce a selfless instead of jealousy, like kindness toward others.
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Like uh man, let's just let that soak in for a second.
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How tempted are we to envy or jealousy of others?
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Man, that's that's not kindness.
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Um so for us to examine our hearts, where am I envious of others?
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Where am I jealous of others to repent of that?
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Man, I yeah, yeah, I'll be honest, as I'm even saying that, I think about uh yeah, struggles I have sometimes when I see this is like well, I'm just confessing here.
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This is uh this is how sometimes this look in a past looks in a pastor's life.
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Like I can see other pastors who things are really going good and they're or other ministry leaders, and I can be like jealous that they're seeing things I'm not seeing.
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And that man, how selfish is that?
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Yeah, like on so many levels, that's selfish.
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Like I should be delighting in the fact, one, that God's being glorified in these ways, two, that my brother or sister in Christ is experiencing God's blessing in that way, and instead I could be selfish, yeah, like and be envious, jealous, as opposed to kindness is like rejoicing in that and uh for them and for God's glory.
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Um, I don't know.
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Do you struggle with that?
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Yeah, 100%.
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I mean, I think I think too, like what you're saying, uh, someone our brothers and sisters who are succeeding and doing things for the kingdom, whatever it is, like if it's big or small, like in God's eyes, like it's glorifying to him.
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Like, I get so caught up in that of just like looking at people younger than me who are doing things that I'm like, man, I it goes back to our conversation earlier on like, man, I just want to be impressive.
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But you're right, like their good thing doesn't undermine my good thing, my good thing doesn't undermine their good thing.
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I feel like this is a word that I'll preach.
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Neither of these things undermine each other, but they both underline God's kindness in our lives.
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That he would even allow us to do anything.
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I mean, he doesn't have to allow us to do anything, like we could just go sit in a corner after giving our lives to Christ and still make it to heaven, but he and his kindness allows us to participate in his mission, like he partners with us, he's given us his Holy Spirit to walk with us and do good things.
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Like that's the ultimate kindness.
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That's good.
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And and I think it makes me think about how, well, humility is just so key to all of this fruit.
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Yeah, but uh, because it really is pride that's at the root of envy, that's at the root of jealousy.
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So to have a humility that's like, yeah, praise God for the ways he shows kindness to me and and the way ways he works in my life through my life, but uh uh humility to look at God's grace and somebody else and rejoice in that.
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Yeah, uh, and I just think about people that it frees you up to be an encourager of others, which is uh definitely an expression of kindness.
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I when I think about uh so I'll ask you this question even as I'm thinking about it myself.
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Like when you think of kind people who've shown this fruit of the spirit in your life, man, I just think about people who have selflessly encouraged me, yeah, who have uh in a uh yeah, selfless, right way, uh have built me up and uh and gone out of their way to do things for me, to serve me.
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Like, man, I'm just I've got well uh my mom is one of the most selfless, kindest people.
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I know like she and she does not expect anyone to pat her on the back for anything, and she is like a she's constantly serving with kindness the people around her in a selfless way, in a way that just I think, yeah, emulates the character of Christ.
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And man, my life is the fruit of her kindness.
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Yeah, yeah.
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Yeah.
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I I think of I mean, I just like think of some people in my life who have given so much just selflessly checking in, meeting up with me.
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Um and it's it's that type of kindness that we have access to as Christians that the world doesn't have access to.
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Like non-believers, I mean, going back to how we started this, like their desire um is unfortunately it's it's selfish.
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So even in them being kind, doing things out of going out of their way to do good things or kind things for people, like I'm not gonna assume everyone's motive, but oftentimes it's to present themselves as a kind person.
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Like I want to prove to the world that I am kind.
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So I'm going to do these things to achieve this status of being known as a kind person.
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Um but like I I just think my mind goes immediately to the Good Samaritan, like all of these people who are passing by this person who's on the side of the street, who's been just left for dead, like uh they probably are known in their communities for being kind.
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I mean, they were religious leaders and people who had status, but then uh the good Samaritan comes by and he does something.
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It's not just words, it's not just hey, have a good day, or you know, you you look great in that outfit.
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Like it's no, he he when no one was looking, he stopped and he helped that person.
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Um that's kindness, you know.
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That is that is selfless I mean, selflessness is a fruit of the spirit, but that is selfless kindness.
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You know, I uh I think about uh so kind of press in on that for a minute, the okay, the and I think it's a really good question to ask with all these all the fruit of the spirit.
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Like what is uniquely produced by the Spirit of God?
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Because I even think about I mean you're talking about people who don't know Jesus or maybe not have the Holy Spirit in them.
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I think they could do things.
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Well, I I struggle with uh yeah self in so many ways as a Christian.
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Um, but somebody can yeah, I can think of non-believers who have done really in many senses kind things for me.
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Yeah, but I think again, one of the biggest distinctions that we need to make is uh whatever the spirit does centers on exalting Jesus, not self or not even somebody else.
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Yeah, true.
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It ultimately is what distinguishes the fruit of the spirit is that the spirit lives to exalt Jesus.
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Yeah.
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And so whatever we do in kindness is not even just for another's sake, it's ultimately for Jesus' sake, because he alone is worthy, yeah.
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Uh and ultimately for God's sake.
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So I think that's where it's probably good to check ourselves, even when we're doing so.
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Now for us as followers of Jesus, when we're doing something kind to check ourselves, are we doing this ultimately for God's glory?
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And when, so this kind of goes back to the envy jealousy thing, when God's glory is really our supreme motivation, desire, goal, then that does free us up to rejoice in other people's good and to live for other people's good, to to be kind in these because that's bringing more glory to God.
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Uh I I think about uh I was speaking to a group of uh professional athletes, these were baseball players, and uh I was just talking about the humility that's involved in doing your best.
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Um, but then uh if somebody else wins because they did their best and your best wasn't as good, then there's still a contentment in that.
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And I remember the next day one of them texted me and was like, okay, so just to make sure I got this right, I am on she he was a uh major league pitcher, and he said, uh he said, so I'm in a key game, bottom of the ninth, bases loaded.
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I I make the pitch as best as I can, and dude smacks it over the wall.
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I'm supposed to just like watch him rounding the base and win the game and be like, Praise God.
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I'm like, okay, I realize it's tough, like in a competitive, like I I get, but there is a sense in which I this is what I love.
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Uh just a reference, uh a book I would reference, it's a little booklet uh that Tim Keller wrote called The Blessed Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness.
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It's so good.
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I don't know if you've ever read it, but it's amazing.
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Uh so the blessed freedom of self self-forgetfulness.
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But he's basically saying, man, this is what denying self is about.
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It's really getting the point where we're not living for self or we're living for God's glory.
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And and to the extent that uh if uh your brother in Christ knocking it over the fence, now I don't know if it was a non-Christian or Christian who's betting, but and it's gonna give glory to God, you're like, okay, it's not about me.
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Yeah, it's about the glory of God more than anything else.
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Yeah, amen.
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That's a good example.
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But that's that's what the fruit of the spirit really we've got to make sure, and what we're praying for in our lives is all these things in ways that center on the supremacy of Jesus.
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Yeah, because that's really what differentiates the Christian from the non-Christian.
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Yeah, exactly.
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And I think that's a cool way speaking on the supremacy of Christ and Him getting the glory.
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I think kindness is a an amazing tool to share the gospel.
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Like I I I think of all the times that I've shared the gospel, I don't just jump in immediately and be like, hey, you know, if you're going to if you don't believe in Christ, you're gonna go to hell.
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Like I don't jump in and just say that to somebody.
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I usually start with like a kind word, like hey, hey, bro, I love your shoes.
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Thanks, man.
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And hey, what's your name?
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And that's an immediate bridge to the gospel.
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Uh, but I do think that non-believers can can have this perception of Christians being unkind, which which that distorts our gospel witness.
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And I think that's what's so dangerous about I think of I mean, things that I I can repent every single day that I drive because I get frustrated with how bad other drivers are.
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And I'm probably just as bad, but I I just think of those times.
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Like I just don't, I'm not kind in those moments.
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Maybe I'm not saying it.
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And I I this is funny, I'm I'm speaking this out loud.
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Uh, when I ran the half marathon a week ago, I'm in the parking garage, I got my QR code out, I'm waiting for the the thing to like go up, and it's not going up yet, and my thing is about to scan.
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Someone behind me says, Move it moron.
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I'm not joking.
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Like, he I was like there for five seconds, and I had everything in me.
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I was like, Are you serious to like say something back?
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But I was just like, Nope, that's not that's not my gospel witness.
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Uh, but it is frustrating, and there are times that I do need to repent of lack of kindness, exactly.
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Well, man, yes, and we uh I mean you started off talking about this, but we uh yeah, if we're not careful, we can be conformed to a pattern of this world that can be really unkind.
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And we as Christians, as followers of Jesus who have the name of Jesus, do not live in a manner worthy of our calling uh to kindness, then a way that reflects the kindness of our God.
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Yeah, I mean, to to enemies.
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Like that's who we are, the immeasurable riches of his kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
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Right before that, it's talking about we were dead in our trespasses and sins, following the prince of the power of the world, power, power of the air, uh the just by nature children of wrath.
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Like we were deserving of God's wrath, and he showed kindness toward us in Christ.
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And so the think of the people who call you a moron, the people who offend you, the people who are hurtful towards you, the people who slander you, the people who like this is where yeah, kindness really gets tested.
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And the fruit of the spirit is to respond to uh all kinds of these other the works of the flesh with kindness, because this is who our God is, and his spirit enables us to do that.
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Man, I want to grow in that to where my impulse toward even people who would uh want to harm me is kindness.
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Yeah.
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How do we cultivate that?
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Like what are what are some like practical steps?
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Because like we've been talking about, it's not something that we can manufacture, it's by the Spirit of God within us.
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So how do how do we practically cultivate a kinder heart?
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Man, I I think well one, I think with all these fruit, uh all these pictures of fruit of the spirit, uh pray for them.
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Like ask for these things, these are gifts from the spirit.
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And two, uh I also just remember, and this applies to all of them, like it's the root that produces the fruit.
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It's not like uh um yeah, focus on getting fruit on a tree.
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It's like focus on getting water at the root.
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So yeah, don't ever underestimate.
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Just uh blessed is the man who walks not in the council of wicked, stands in the way of sitters, sits in the seat of scoffers, his delights in the law of the Lord.
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On his laws meditates day and night.
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He's like a tree planted by streams of water, bearing fruit in seasons.
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So just don't underestimate just the just the prayer, word, fasting, just spiritual discipline of walking with God, solitude, submission before God.
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But then I think about specifically with kindness.
00:21:04.400 --> 00:21:10.559
I uh Psalm 48.9, I was actually reading this this morning, uh, so it's what's coming to my mind.
00:21:10.799 --> 00:21:16.240
Um we have thought on your steadfast love, O Lord, in the midst of your temple.
00:21:16.720 --> 00:21:22.480
And I just I'm reading that and I'm thinking, okay, I'm in I'm in your presence right now, God.
00:21:22.640 --> 00:21:24.960
I just want to think about your steadfast love.
00:21:25.119 --> 00:21:27.119
So meditate on the kindness of God.
00:21:27.279 --> 00:21:27.519
Yeah.
00:21:27.759 --> 00:21:37.359
Like especially, especially when we are tempted to not be kind towards someone else, meditate on his kindness toward you.
00:21:37.519 --> 00:21:37.759
Yeah.
00:21:37.920 --> 00:21:59.599
And just reflect on, just stop before you let the flesh take over in your mind and heart at that point, and certainly in your mouth, or whatever you're about to text or send or post or whatever, just stop and meditate on the kindness of God and toward me, and then pray for.
00:22:00.319 --> 00:22:05.359
God help me to reflect that kind of kindness toward this person.
00:22:05.519 --> 00:22:11.920
Help me to be upright, generous, gracious, kind toward them.
00:22:12.160 --> 00:22:27.680
Uh man, we do that, it changes so many dynamics in our personal relationships, family relationships, friendships, church relationships, and certainly the picture of the church that we give to the world.
00:22:28.400 --> 00:22:29.519
Yeah, that's so good.
00:22:29.680 --> 00:22:33.680
I I did my mind just went to Romans 5, 8.
00:22:34.000 --> 00:22:39.279
God shows his love for us, that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
00:22:39.759 --> 00:22:44.000
And I I think I mean you can you can put kindness next to love there.
00:22:44.160 --> 00:22:54.960
Like he shows his kindness us that while we were still unworthy, undeserving, without hope, so wicked, he died for us.
00:22:55.440 --> 00:23:02.480
And if if we can internalize that, if I can internalize that, I can forgive the guy who called me a moron.
00:23:02.880 --> 00:23:14.720
If I can internalize that, then I can I can walk out, you know, actually being kind, that leads to the glory of God, not for myself, not for the other person, but for him.
00:23:15.119 --> 00:23:26.079
And and I can remember if I can internalize the understanding of the gospel for myself, then it will lead to a more fruitful, more kind life.
00:23:26.400 --> 00:23:26.640
Yeah.
00:23:27.119 --> 00:23:36.720
Well, that's where I I think that's gonna be true, or it is true for all these, like it's gospel root that leads to uh I don't mean this to rhyme, spiritual fruit.
00:23:36.799 --> 00:23:38.400
Yeah, but it's I think that's true.
00:23:38.559 --> 00:23:41.519
It's gospel root that leads to this the spiritual fruit.
00:23:41.680 --> 00:23:50.480
Yes, uh beautiful and uh and to remember in all these, uh like we need supernatural power to show supernatural kindness.
00:23:50.559 --> 00:23:50.799
Yep.
00:23:50.960 --> 00:23:53.599
Uh that's why it's the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
00:23:53.680 --> 00:23:54.000
Yep.
00:23:54.240 --> 00:24:01.039
So to pray for an otherworldly kindness in us that's expressed through us.
00:24:02.000 --> 00:24:06.960
Man, that way, and like you said, what a testimony to the gospel.
00:24:07.119 --> 00:24:23.440
I I think about when you were talking about that, I I think about when I was in school at the University of Georgia, uh one day I like I raised some money for us to buy, I can't remember, it was like thousands of cans of coke.
00:24:23.680 --> 00:24:30.799
And we just stood in the student center and we just gave them out with a little thing on it that was just like something like God loves you.
00:24:31.680 --> 00:24:34.880
And uh people were like, Why are you getting well what's the catch?
00:24:34.960 --> 00:24:42.720
It's like nothing, just just once you know, and then I remember one guy was like, uh, why are you giving out Coke then?
00:24:42.799 --> 00:24:43.680
This is not healthy.
00:24:43.920 --> 00:24:46.319
I was like, okay, you don't have to take it, bro.
00:24:46.400 --> 00:24:48.720
Oh so anyway, looking too far into it.
00:24:49.039 --> 00:25:05.279
Uh so but it did the whole goal was just to like, hey, let's like show yeah, just uh a kind picture of of who God is by giving people on a hot day something refreshing to drink.
00:25:05.680 --> 00:25:19.200
Uh so yeah, how can so that it just I I share that in part because yeah, this is something we can pray for and look for opportunities to uh put into practice today, yeah, in super simple ways.
00:25:19.359 --> 00:25:31.680
And the words we speak and ways we serve, like God, uh use this conversation today to produce the fruit uh spiritual, supernatural fruit of kindness and our interactions with people today.
00:25:31.839 --> 00:25:32.240
Amen.
00:25:32.559 --> 00:25:35.359
Thank you so much for watching this episode of Everyday Radical.
00:25:35.440 --> 00:25:39.519
We pray that it encouraged you to follow Jesus more faithfully and make him known everywhere.
00:25:39.680 --> 00:25:43.200
Be sure to hit that like and subscribe button, and we'll see you in the next one.
00:00:00.160 --> 00:00:07.040
Welcome to Everyday Radical, a podcast where we help the everyday Christian follow Jesus and make him known everywhere.
00:00:07.200 --> 00:00:10.880
We pray that today's episode encourages you to do just that.
00:00:11.039 --> 00:00:12.800
So let's dive right in.
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I have a really funny story that I want to share with you.
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So we're in our mini-series on the fruit of the spirit, and today we're talking about kindness.
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Uh we're currently in the great city of Texas, in the great city of Dallas.
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And I remember You say that because you live in Texas, and everybody thinks the state of Texas is great, which is which is great for those of you who live in the country.
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I mean state of Texas.
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I mean, it was a country.
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I mean, was it?
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Was it okay?
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This is not a history lesson all.
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No, keep going.
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Sorry, I'd be real.
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Anyway, um, so I was here a couple years ago, and I remember walking into a coffee shop, and people were like raving about this coffee shop.
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It was like the trendy thing to do.
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So I went into this coffee shop and I'm like super excited to get my latte, and I get my latte, and on the on the label, you know, sometimes they have like the fun sayings.
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It said, and I kid you not, it said be, and then it said a curse word, kind.
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So it was like a command telling me to be, just think of that in your mind, okay, kind.
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Okay, and I like laughed out loud.
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I was like, is that not like contradictory to to the statement you're trying to?
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You're telling me to be blank kind.
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Uh, and so that just begs the question of like, for me at least, I think of that, I'm like, the world is trying to manufacture kindness uh to the point where they they're yelling from from the stages from the rooftops, like, just be kind.
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But what does that actually mean?
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Like, what's the difference between what the world is trying to tell me in that instance to be kind and the biblical definition of kindness?
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So that's super interesting because when you look at this word, like in the original language, uh, I was actually kind of surprised when I when I looked at it, some of the first for the for the word in there in the Greek here, uh that's translated kindness here.
00:02:05.120 --> 00:02:16.560
There's actually like words like uprightness and goodness, even which comes after this, usefulness, those are the kind of synonyms for so kindness is obviously one way to translate it.
00:02:16.639 --> 00:02:27.919
But then, yeah, so you put uprightness next to your latte cup, and it's like be blanking upright, and it's like, okay, well, that that doesn't make sense at all.
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Yeah, uh, but so it does show there's actually a standard by which we measure kindness, so it's not as I'm thinking about that, yeah.
00:02:38.080 --> 00:02:48.719
There's uh yeah, just using the word kind, like we've got to think through well, what is actually what does God say is kind?
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I think that's one of the things that's really helpful with all uh these pictures of the fruit of the spirit.
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I was just I was thinking about it in light of uh Ephesians 5, 1, but uh be imitators of God as beloved children.
00:03:01.360 --> 00:03:04.319
So like how do we know what kindness looks like in action?
00:03:04.479 --> 00:03:07.199
Well, what does kindness look like in God?
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And uh I think about Titus, right?
00:03:10.719 --> 00:03:22.639
When the goodness and kindness of God, our Savior appeared, and so just yeah, God and or Romans, uh, it's God's kindness that leads us to repentance.
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Yeah, which man, let that soak in.
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It's Romans two there doesn't say God's wrath leads us to repentance, it says God's kindness leads us to repentance.
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So man, tra kindness has a transformative effect.
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Yeah, that'll preach.
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Yeah, uh like so so that's God's kindness toward us.
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Obviously, in Christ, I think about uh uh Ephesians um two, uh but when the yeah uh that he might show so uh the God being rich in mercy, because the great love of which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ by uh and it says when he raised us up with him and seated us in the heavenly places, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
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So uh, okay, so this is God in all his uprightness and his generosity being kind toward us to save us from our sins to the sacrifice of his son.
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So then, man, what does that look like in action for us today?
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Yeah.
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What is uh so man, and and then okay, I don't want to just talk about all these different verses without just letting that soak in for a second.
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Well, maybe one one thing I'd love to know your thoughts on this.
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I I found it interesting in Romans 3 verse 12.
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This uh when it says there's no one who does good, not even one, talking about our sinfulness, our depravity, that's the same word that's translated good there, that's translated kindness here in Galatians 5.
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Yeah.
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So there's no one who does kind.
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There's no one who does so it's not natural for us to be kind.
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And I mean, our yeah, there's no one who does kindness.
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Uh what do you think that means?
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Well, I mean, the first thing that comes to mind is just like what I said earlier is like the the world manufactures kindness.
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So that just like you just proved it right there.
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It's not real.
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I was on a flight the other day, and they were like, okay, welcome to wherever you just got, and like just remember be kind.
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What do you mean?
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A big corporation telling me to be kind, like they're they're marketing it so so that I can is it what is what is the point of that?
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Um yeah, that's just kind of what comes to mind.
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I'm like, I don't feel like without Christ, anyone actually knows what it means to be kind.
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Like without him, we don't we can't it's a fruit of the spirit, which means that the spirit is the one who bears it within us.
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So that means that we can't do it apart from him.
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Um I think I think uh especially when we contrast it with some of the things that are the works of the flesh before this verse.
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So think about I mean he talks about jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy.
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Like those would be like opposite of kindness.
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Yeah.
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Uh because that's yeah, but but what the Bible's saying is that's what our flesh produces, um, and only the Holy Spirit in us can produce a selfless instead of jealousy, like kindness toward others.
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Like uh man, let's just let that soak in for a second.
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How tempted are we to envy or jealousy of others?
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Man, that's that's not kindness.
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Um so for us to examine our hearts, where am I envious of others?
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Where am I jealous of others to repent of that?
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Man, I yeah, yeah, I'll be honest, as I'm even saying that, I think about uh yeah, struggles I have sometimes when I see this is like well, I'm just confessing here.
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This is uh this is how sometimes this look in a past looks in a pastor's life.
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Like I can see other pastors who things are really going good and they're or other ministry leaders, and I can be like jealous that they're seeing things I'm not seeing.
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And that man, how selfish is that?
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Yeah, like on so many levels, that's selfish.
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Like I should be delighting in the fact, one, that God's being glorified in these ways, two, that my brother or sister in Christ is experiencing God's blessing in that way, and instead I could be selfish, yeah, like and be envious, jealous, as opposed to kindness is like rejoicing in that and uh for them and for God's glory.
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Um, I don't know.
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Do you struggle with that?
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Yeah, 100%.
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I mean, I think I think too, like what you're saying, uh, someone our brothers and sisters who are succeeding and doing things for the kingdom, whatever it is, like if it's big or small, like in God's eyes, like it's glorifying to him.
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Like, I get so caught up in that of just like looking at people younger than me who are doing things that I'm like, man, I it goes back to our conversation earlier on like, man, I just want to be impressive.
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But you're right, like their good thing doesn't undermine my good thing, my good thing doesn't undermine their good thing.
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I feel like this is a word that I'll preach.
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Neither of these things undermine each other, but they both underline God's kindness in our lives.
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That he would even allow us to do anything.
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I mean, he doesn't have to allow us to do anything, like we could just go sit in a corner after giving our lives to Christ and still make it to heaven, but he and his kindness allows us to participate in his mission, like he partners with us, he's given us his Holy Spirit to walk with us and do good things.
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Like that's the ultimate kindness.
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That's good.
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And and I think it makes me think about how, well, humility is just so key to all of this fruit.
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Yeah, but uh, because it really is pride that's at the root of envy, that's at the root of jealousy.
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So to have a humility that's like, yeah, praise God for the ways he shows kindness to me and and the way ways he works in my life through my life, but uh uh humility to look at God's grace and somebody else and rejoice in that.
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Yeah, uh, and I just think about people that it frees you up to be an encourager of others, which is uh definitely an expression of kindness.
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I when I think about uh so I'll ask you this question even as I'm thinking about it myself.
00:10:02.320 --> 00:10:28.639
Like when you think of kind people who've shown this fruit of the spirit in your life, man, I just think about people who have selflessly encouraged me, yeah, who have uh in a uh yeah, selfless, right way, uh have built me up and uh and gone out of their way to do things for me, to serve me.
00:10:28.799 --> 00:10:37.679
Like, man, I'm just I've got well uh my mom is one of the most selfless, kindest people.
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I know like she and she does not expect anyone to pat her on the back for anything, and she is like a she's constantly serving with kindness the people around her in a selfless way, in a way that just I think, yeah, emulates the character of Christ.
00:10:56.639 --> 00:11:00.960
And man, my life is the fruit of her kindness.
00:11:01.120 --> 00:11:01.759
Yeah, yeah.
00:11:02.559 --> 00:11:02.960
Yeah.
00:11:03.120 --> 00:11:13.759
I I think of I mean, I just like think of some people in my life who have given so much just selflessly checking in, meeting up with me.
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Um and it's it's that type of kindness that we have access to as Christians that the world doesn't have access to.
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Like non-believers, I mean, going back to how we started this, like their desire um is unfortunately it's it's selfish.
00:11:30.320 --> 00:11:43.279
So even in them being kind, doing things out of going out of their way to do good things or kind things for people, like I'm not gonna assume everyone's motive, but oftentimes it's to present themselves as a kind person.
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Like I want to prove to the world that I am kind.
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So I'm going to do these things to achieve this status of being known as a kind person.
00:11:54.879 --> 00:12:12.480
Um but like I I just think my mind goes immediately to the Good Samaritan, like all of these people who are passing by this person who's on the side of the street, who's been just left for dead, like uh they probably are known in their communities for being kind.
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I mean, they were religious leaders and people who had status, but then uh the good Samaritan comes by and he does something.
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It's not just words, it's not just hey, have a good day, or you know, you you look great in that outfit.
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Like it's no, he he when no one was looking, he stopped and he helped that person.
00:12:34.639 --> 00:12:36.879
Um that's kindness, you know.
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That is that is selfless I mean, selflessness is a fruit of the spirit, but that is selfless kindness.
00:12:43.919 --> 00:12:56.000
You know, I uh I think about uh so kind of press in on that for a minute, the okay, the and I think it's a really good question to ask with all these all the fruit of the spirit.
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Like what is uniquely produced by the Spirit of God?
00:13:00.080 --> 00:13:05.279
Because I even think about I mean you're talking about people who don't know Jesus or maybe not have the Holy Spirit in them.
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I think they could do things.
00:13:08.159 --> 00:13:15.279
Well, I I struggle with uh yeah self in so many ways as a Christian.
00:13:15.440 --> 00:13:23.600
Um, but somebody can yeah, I can think of non-believers who have done really in many senses kind things for me.
00:13:23.679 --> 00:13:35.279
Yeah, but I think again, one of the biggest distinctions that we need to make is uh whatever the spirit does centers on exalting Jesus, not self or not even somebody else.
00:13:35.360 --> 00:13:35.919
Yeah, true.
00:13:36.080 --> 00:13:42.399
It ultimately is what distinguishes the fruit of the spirit is that the spirit lives to exalt Jesus.
00:13:42.480 --> 00:13:42.639
Yeah.
00:13:42.879 --> 00:13:52.960
And so whatever we do in kindness is not even just for another's sake, it's ultimately for Jesus' sake, because he alone is worthy, yeah.
00:13:53.120 --> 00:13:55.679
Uh and ultimately for God's sake.
00:13:55.840 --> 00:14:01.440
So I think that's where it's probably good to check ourselves, even when we're doing so.
00:14:01.519 --> 00:14:09.120
Now for us as followers of Jesus, when we're doing something kind to check ourselves, are we doing this ultimately for God's glory?
00:14:09.519 --> 00:14:30.399
And when, so this kind of goes back to the envy jealousy thing, when God's glory is really our supreme motivation, desire, goal, then that does free us up to rejoice in other people's good and to live for other people's good, to to be kind in these because that's bringing more glory to God.
00:14:30.639 --> 00:14:43.679
Uh I I think about uh I was speaking to a group of uh professional athletes, these were baseball players, and uh I was just talking about the humility that's involved in doing your best.
00:14:44.480 --> 00:14:53.600
Um, but then uh if somebody else wins because they did their best and your best wasn't as good, then there's still a contentment in that.
00:14:53.759 --> 00:15:09.200
And I remember the next day one of them texted me and was like, okay, so just to make sure I got this right, I am on she he was a uh major league pitcher, and he said, uh he said, so I'm in a key game, bottom of the ninth, bases loaded.
00:15:09.360 --> 00:15:16.000
I I make the pitch as best as I can, and dude smacks it over the wall.
00:15:16.240 --> 00:15:22.159
I'm supposed to just like watch him rounding the base and win the game and be like, Praise God.
00:15:23.200 --> 00:15:31.840
I'm like, okay, I realize it's tough, like in a competitive, like I I get, but there is a sense in which I this is what I love.
00:15:31.919 --> 00:15:40.000
Uh just a reference, uh a book I would reference, it's a little booklet uh that Tim Keller wrote called The Blessed Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness.
00:15:40.159 --> 00:15:40.720
It's so good.
00:15:40.799 --> 00:15:43.200
I don't know if you've ever read it, but it's amazing.
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Uh so the blessed freedom of self self-forgetfulness.
00:15:46.320 --> 00:15:50.399
But he's basically saying, man, this is what denying self is about.
00:15:50.480 --> 00:15:55.279
It's really getting the point where we're not living for self or we're living for God's glory.
00:15:55.519 --> 00:16:09.279
And and to the extent that uh if uh your brother in Christ knocking it over the fence, now I don't know if it was a non-Christian or Christian who's betting, but and it's gonna give glory to God, you're like, okay, it's not about me.
00:16:09.440 --> 00:16:12.559
Yeah, it's about the glory of God more than anything else.
00:16:12.720 --> 00:16:13.440
Yeah, amen.
00:16:13.679 --> 00:16:14.559
That's a good example.
00:16:14.799 --> 00:16:24.639
But that's that's what the fruit of the spirit really we've got to make sure, and what we're praying for in our lives is all these things in ways that center on the supremacy of Jesus.
00:16:24.720 --> 00:16:29.679
Yeah, because that's really what differentiates the Christian from the non-Christian.
00:16:29.919 --> 00:16:30.480
Yeah, exactly.
00:16:30.639 --> 00:16:35.360
And I think that's a cool way speaking on the supremacy of Christ and Him getting the glory.
00:16:35.440 --> 00:16:40.080
I think kindness is a an amazing tool to share the gospel.
00:16:40.720 --> 00:16:49.440
Like I I I think of all the times that I've shared the gospel, I don't just jump in immediately and be like, hey, you know, if you're going to if you don't believe in Christ, you're gonna go to hell.
00:16:49.600 --> 00:16:52.399
Like I don't jump in and just say that to somebody.
00:16:52.559 --> 00:16:57.440
I usually start with like a kind word, like hey, hey, bro, I love your shoes.
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Thanks, man.
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And hey, what's your name?
00:16:59.679 --> 00:17:02.240
And that's an immediate bridge to the gospel.
00:17:02.480 --> 00:17:14.640
Uh, but I do think that non-believers can can have this perception of Christians being unkind, which which that distorts our gospel witness.
00:17:15.119 --> 00:17:27.440
And I think that's what's so dangerous about I think of I mean, things that I I can repent every single day that I drive because I get frustrated with how bad other drivers are.
00:17:27.680 --> 00:17:32.079
And I'm probably just as bad, but I I just think of those times.
00:17:32.160 --> 00:17:35.279
Like I just don't, I'm not kind in those moments.
00:17:35.519 --> 00:17:36.799
Maybe I'm not saying it.
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And I I this is funny, I'm I'm speaking this out loud.
00:17:40.079 --> 00:17:53.039
Uh, when I ran the half marathon a week ago, I'm in the parking garage, I got my QR code out, I'm waiting for the the thing to like go up, and it's not going up yet, and my thing is about to scan.
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Someone behind me says, Move it moron.
00:17:56.079 --> 00:17:57.039
I'm not joking.
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Like, he I was like there for five seconds, and I had everything in me.
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I was like, Are you serious to like say something back?
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But I was just like, Nope, that's not that's not my gospel witness.
00:18:09.039 --> 00:18:15.119
Uh, but it is frustrating, and there are times that I do need to repent of lack of kindness, exactly.
00:18:15.359 --> 00:18:24.880
Well, man, yes, and we uh I mean you started off talking about this, but we uh yeah, if we're not careful, we can be conformed to a pattern of this world that can be really unkind.
00:18:25.039 --> 00:18:36.480
And we as Christians, as followers of Jesus who have the name of Jesus, do not live in a manner worthy of our calling uh to kindness, then a way that reflects the kindness of our God.
00:18:36.640 --> 00:18:38.720
Yeah, I mean, to to enemies.
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Like that's who we are, the immeasurable riches of his kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
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Right before that, it's talking about we were dead in our trespasses and sins, following the prince of the power of the world, power, power of the air, uh the just by nature children of wrath.
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Like we were deserving of God's wrath, and he showed kindness toward us in Christ.
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And so the think of the people who call you a moron, the people who offend you, the people who are hurtful towards you, the people who slander you, the people who like this is where yeah, kindness really gets tested.
00:19:15.920 --> 00:19:32.960
And the fruit of the spirit is to respond to uh all kinds of these other the works of the flesh with kindness, because this is who our God is, and his spirit enables us to do that.
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Man, I want to grow in that to where my impulse toward even people who would uh want to harm me is kindness.
00:19:49.440 --> 00:19:49.759
Yeah.
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How do we cultivate that?
00:19:51.680 --> 00:19:54.240
Like what are what are some like practical steps?
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Because like we've been talking about, it's not something that we can manufacture, it's by the Spirit of God within us.
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So how do how do we practically cultivate a kinder heart?
00:20:09.359 --> 00:20:16.640
Man, I I think well one, I think with all these fruit, uh all these pictures of fruit of the spirit, uh pray for them.
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Like ask for these things, these are gifts from the spirit.
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And two, uh I also just remember, and this applies to all of them, like it's the root that produces the fruit.
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It's not like uh um yeah, focus on getting fruit on a tree.
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It's like focus on getting water at the root.
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So yeah, don't ever underestimate.
00:20:39.200 --> 00:20:47.359
Just uh blessed is the man who walks not in the council of wicked, stands in the way of sitters, sits in the seat of scoffers, his delights in the law of the Lord.
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On his laws meditates day and night.
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He's like a tree planted by streams of water, bearing fruit in seasons.
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So just don't underestimate just the just the prayer, word, fasting, just spiritual discipline of walking with God, solitude, submission before God.
00:21:02.000 --> 00:21:04.319
But then I think about specifically with kindness.
00:21:04.400 --> 00:21:10.559
I uh Psalm 48.9, I was actually reading this this morning, uh, so it's what's coming to my mind.
00:21:10.799 --> 00:21:16.240
Um we have thought on your steadfast love, O Lord, in the midst of your temple.
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And I just I'm reading that and I'm thinking, okay, I'm in I'm in your presence right now, God.
00:21:22.640 --> 00:21:24.960
I just want to think about your steadfast love.
00:21:25.119 --> 00:21:27.119
So meditate on the kindness of God.
00:21:27.279 --> 00:21:27.519
Yeah.
00:21:27.759 --> 00:21:37.359
Like especially, especially when we are tempted to not be kind towards someone else, meditate on his kindness toward you.
00:21:37.519 --> 00:21:37.759
Yeah.
00:21:37.920 --> 00:21:59.599
And just reflect on, just stop before you let the flesh take over in your mind and heart at that point, and certainly in your mouth, or whatever you're about to text or send or post or whatever, just stop and meditate on the kindness of God and toward me, and then pray for.
00:22:00.319 --> 00:22:05.359
God help me to reflect that kind of kindness toward this person.
00:22:05.519 --> 00:22:11.920
Help me to be upright, generous, gracious, kind toward them.
00:22:12.160 --> 00:22:27.680
Uh man, we do that, it changes so many dynamics in our personal relationships, family relationships, friendships, church relationships, and certainly the picture of the church that we give to the world.
00:22:28.400 --> 00:22:29.519
Yeah, that's so good.
00:22:29.680 --> 00:22:33.680
I I did my mind just went to Romans 5, 8.
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God shows his love for us, that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
00:22:39.759 --> 00:22:44.000
And I I think I mean you can you can put kindness next to love there.
00:22:44.160 --> 00:22:54.960
Like he shows his kindness us that while we were still unworthy, undeserving, without hope, so wicked, he died for us.
00:22:55.440 --> 00:23:02.480
And if if we can internalize that, if I can internalize that, I can forgive the guy who called me a moron.
00:23:02.880 --> 00:23:14.720
If I can internalize that, then I can I can walk out, you know, actually being kind, that leads to the glory of God, not for myself, not for the other person, but for him.
00:23:15.119 --> 00:23:26.079
And and I can remember if I can internalize the understanding of the gospel for myself, then it will lead to a more fruitful, more kind life.
00:23:26.400 --> 00:23:26.640
Yeah.
00:23:27.119 --> 00:23:36.720
Well, that's where I I think that's gonna be true, or it is true for all these, like it's gospel root that leads to uh I don't mean this to rhyme, spiritual fruit.
00:23:36.799 --> 00:23:38.400
Yeah, but it's I think that's true.
00:23:38.559 --> 00:23:41.519
It's gospel root that leads to this the spiritual fruit.
00:23:41.680 --> 00:23:50.480
Yes, uh beautiful and uh and to remember in all these, uh like we need supernatural power to show supernatural kindness.
00:23:50.559 --> 00:23:50.799
Yep.
00:23:50.960 --> 00:23:53.599
Uh that's why it's the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
00:23:53.680 --> 00:23:54.000
Yep.
00:23:54.240 --> 00:24:01.039
So to pray for an otherworldly kindness in us that's expressed through us.
00:24:02.000 --> 00:24:06.960
Man, that way, and like you said, what a testimony to the gospel.
00:24:07.119 --> 00:24:23.440
I I think about when you were talking about that, I I think about when I was in school at the University of Georgia, uh one day I like I raised some money for us to buy, I can't remember, it was like thousands of cans of coke.
00:24:23.680 --> 00:24:30.799
And we just stood in the student center and we just gave them out with a little thing on it that was just like something like God loves you.
00:24:31.680 --> 00:24:34.880
And uh people were like, Why are you getting well what's the catch?
00:24:34.960 --> 00:24:42.720
It's like nothing, just just once you know, and then I remember one guy was like, uh, why are you giving out Coke then?
00:24:42.799 --> 00:24:43.680
This is not healthy.
00:24:43.920 --> 00:24:46.319
I was like, okay, you don't have to take it, bro.
00:24:46.400 --> 00:24:48.720
Oh so anyway, looking too far into it.
00:24:49.039 --> 00:25:05.279
Uh so but it did the whole goal was just to like, hey, let's like show yeah, just uh a kind picture of of who God is by giving people on a hot day something refreshing to drink.
00:25:05.680 --> 00:25:19.200
Uh so yeah, how can so that it just I I share that in part because yeah, this is something we can pray for and look for opportunities to uh put into practice today, yeah, in super simple ways.
00:25:19.359 --> 00:25:31.680
And the words we speak and ways we serve, like God, uh use this conversation today to produce the fruit uh spiritual, supernatural fruit of kindness and our interactions with people today.
00:25:31.839 --> 00:25:32.240
Amen.
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Thank you so much for watching this episode of Everyday Radical.
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We pray that it encouraged you to follow Jesus more faithfully and make him known everywhere.
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Be sure to hit that like and subscribe button, and we'll see you in the next one.
