It has been a long time since I have had the honor to preach here, and that is not necessarily a bad thing. We have had some wonderful lessons from some good gospel preachers. I have also had the opportunity to preach two gospel meetings because we have preachers here to take up the slack. For that I am thankful to you and to the Lord! 

While watching our cat (Elvis) and dog (Poncho) recently, I noticed something unusually kind. In the morning and the afternoon, Elvis has a tendency to go up to Poncho, while Poncho is hooked up to his chain, and rub on him and snuggle with him for no apparent reason. When this first started happening I do not think Poncho knew what he was supposed to do. Now it seems that Poncho really likes the unexpected kindness that his friend Elvis shows him.

When we think about our lives, it is really nice when you get an unexpected hug, phone call, e-mail, card, or text message from someone who simply wants to show a little kindness. I am not talking about things that happen on a special occasion but rather those times when it is least expected.

Illustrations:

• While wondering what I needed to say before brother Jack’s graveside service, a brother took the time to approach me and talk to me. He saw that I was deep in the thought and sensed I could use some kind words of encouragement. He probably did not realize how much that helped me or meant to me.
• Text message from Brendan on “Easter”.
• Flora sent girls some slippers.
• Once in a while my kids will simply come up to me or Beth and give us a hug. No words are spoken, but the message of kindness is loud and clear.
• Zackery loves to color and then hand out his work to brethren. When I have received such artwork it has been a powerful and unexpected act of kindness.
• Sister in Tunnel Hill insisting that I take $20 from her.
• The last day the Dunagans were with us, Beth had a study in the morning with Helen Brown and her friend Beverly in Oak Ridge. When Beth got home she called me. I asked her how her study went and then asked how the Dunagan crew was doing. She said they were doing fine, except that she could not stop them from cleaning her house. They were cleaning the house as an act of kindness toward Beth for all she had done for them during their stay. 

Unexpected kindness is found in the Bible:

John 4:39-42, Luke 10:29-37, John 12:1-8, Acts 28:1-2

The Bible encourages kindness in His Word:

Luke 6:32-36, Ephesians 4:32, Galatians 5:22-25, Colossians 3:12-14, 2 Peter 1:7

Good things to make a natural part of our lives as Christians. Showing unexpected and unsolicited kindness is a gift that has been given to us from God and His Son and is a gift that we can pass on to others.

The kindness we have talked about is not really earned. It is something that kind people show for no other reason than they care about us. That is similar to the kindness that God has shown to us all. Notice some scriptures about this (Romans 5:6-8, Ephesians 2:4-10, Hebrews 10:10).

The kindness of Jesus will be wasted if you have not humbled yourself to Him and have not obeyed His commandments. To become a Christian the Bible tells us we must believe in His Son, we must confess that Jesus is the Son of God, we must repent (acknowledge our sins, turn away from our sins, and turn our lives completely over to Jesus), and then we must be baptized to wash away our sins. Then we can have the benefit of the kindness of God and His Son (Titus 3:4-7) and start living a life of kindness toward Him, His people, and those lost in sin (Galatians 6:10).

Please let us know if we can help you this morning, while we stand and sing!