Brotherly Kindness
2 Peter 1:5-11 Introduction:
A. Peter in this passage reminds us we must grow in our service to God.
B. Eight areas for growth listed here.
C. In this lesson we will look at Brotherly Kindness
Discussion:
I. What Is Brotherly Kindness?
A. Webster defines as
1. Brotherly
a. of or relating to brothers
b. natural or becoming to brothers
2. Kindness
a. a kind deed
b. the quality or state of being kind
3. Kind
a. affectionate, loving
b. of a sympathetic or helpful nature
c. of a forbearing nature; gentle
d. arising from or characterized by sympathy or forbearance
e. of a kind to give pleasure or relief
B. BDB/Thayer defines as
1. 5360 philadelphia
2. brotherly love
3, brotherly kindness 2, love of the brethren 1; 6
a. love of brothers or sisters, brotherly love
b. in the NT the love which Christians cherish for each other as brethren
C. Bible defines as
1. 1Jhn 3:13-18
2. God's love shown by laying down life for us
D. A practical definition would be
1. Special concern and care we have for our brothers and sisters in Christ
2. We are all in the family of God
a. Should treat one another as family
b. Not fussing and fighting of children, but love and concern we have for siblings as adults
II. Why do we need Brotherly Kindness?
A. In our relationship with God
1. Taught to love one another 1Thes 4:9-10
2. Let brotherly love continue Heb 13:1-2;
B. In our relationship with our brethren
1. preferring one another Rom 12:9-10
2. Compassion one for another 1Pet 3:8-9
C. In our relationship with alien sinners
1. All men know we are disciples by our love for one another Jhn 13:35
2. Been told over and over again "I went there and they were so loving and kind to me and each other"
III. How do we get or develop Brotherly Kindness?
A. Only a Christian can truly develop
1. Must be in family to love family
a. Rom 6:3-4; Jhn 3:5
b. Begin a new life in Christ 1Jhn 4:20
2. New life comes through Word
a. Begotten thru Word James 1:18
b. Thru faith Gal 3:26
3. Brotherly Kindness comes from common relationship with Christ, God, Spirit and one another 1Jhn 5:1
B. Comes from a pure heart
1. Without dissimulation (hypocrisy) Rom 12:9-10
2. Unfeigned 1Pet 1:22; 1Tim 1:5
3. Fervent and intense
a. As Christ loves us Jhn 15:12
b. Even unto death 1Jhn 3:16
IV. How Brotherly Kindness is expressed:
A. Kind tongue (Possible to think kind, not be)
1. Speak from abundance of heart: To be for good Col 4:6
a. Doesn't speak without thinking: governed by kindness
b. "How will it affect others?" "What is motive?" "What is said, how?"
2. Unkind tongue is common sin among God's people: "speak not evil" Jas 4:11
a. As sword Prov 12:18 Cut another to pieces, back-stab.
b. Compared to a serpent Rom 3:13 Poison through slander
3. "Angry words are lightly spoken: Love is much too pure, holy; let them never slip; may heart's best impulse check, lest soil the lips
B. Sympathy toward others
1. Def.: "Together-feeling." Action arising from this feeling, especially expressed in pity, compassion 1Pet 3:8
2. Members of one body, family 1Cor 12:25-27 Therefore, can rejoice, weep Rom 12:15
a. One of problems: too concerned for self to be aware of needs of others
b. Perhaps in a tragedy, stop for a moment, then busy again
4. To have sympathy when it concerns spiritual welfare of others 2Cor 11:28-29
a. When others faced with trials of faith, need encouragement; or "confess...pray one for another" Jas 5:16
b. "Bear one another's burdens" Gal 6:2
c. Only this attitude will cause concern when another is weak, unfaithful
C. Restoring erring brethren
1. Greatest act of kindness is to help one return to God 2Tim 2:24-26; Jude 22-23
2. Might take a "shock" to accomplish job Gal 4:16
D. Forgiving others of trespasses against us
1. Know importance of forgiveness Mt 18:23-35; Yet, often unwilling to show mercy, kindness Jas 2:13
2. Cruelest injustice suffered by man not compared to Lord's suffering. Yet, He was willing to forgive
3. "Kind, tender-hearted, forgiving..." Eph 4:32
E. Doing good for evil
1. Human "nature" is eye for an eye. Not so for Christian Rom 12:17-21
2. Doesn't require much "religion" to do good for good Mt 5:46
F. Being courteous 1Pet 3:8
1. "Friendly thoughtfulness" (Vine); "marked by respect for and consideration of others" (Webster)
2. Some manuscripts use "humbled minded." This is basis of courtesy
3. Taught to children: forgotten as adults
V. What is the result of strengthening our Brotherly Kindness?
A. In the physical realm
1. We will be more likely to associate with our Christian family
a. Fighting and backbiting causes us to avoid our brothers and sisters
b. We should be preferring them to worldly friends
2. Time together will be pleasant and productive
B. In the spiritual realm
1. Produces unity Eph 4:1-3
a. Jesus prayed for unity Jhn 17:20-23
b. Paul plead for unity 1Cor 1:10
2. How good and pleasant to dwell in unity Psa 133:1
C. In our dealing with others
1. Brotherly kindness overlooks things that don't matter but will not ignore things that do matter
2. Love covers a multitude of sins 1Pet 4:8
Conclusion:
A. What about you?
B. How strong is your Brotherly Kindness?
C. What changes should you make to begin growing as you should?
D. Invitation to the lost.
This outline by Daniel Lee Henderson of Jasper, Texas
Go to next characteristic: Charity
Return to "ADD TO YOUR FAITH"
Home / Bible studies / Bible Survey / Special Studies / General Articles / Non-Bible Articles / Sermons / Sermon Outlines / Links / Questions and Answers / What Saith The Scriptures /Daily Devotional / Correspondence Courses / What is the Church of Christ / Book: Christian Growth / Website Policy / E-mail / About Me /