Proverbs 19:22a Theme: The wise man displays kindness. I. The Nature of Kindness A. Kindness itself 1. Fulfilling pact or covenant obligations 2. Mercy or pity for the needy 3. Kindness or generosity B. The Good Samaritan model 1. Availability 2. Usefulness 3. Benevolence and compassion 4. Outgoingness II. The Desirability of Kindness A. What a man desires or craves or lusts for 1. What brings a man pleasure 2. Septuagint: "Mercy is a fruit to a man" B. What others desire to see in a man 1. Being mean and ornery is not desirable in a man 2. Kindness is a trait that others want to see in people Application A. Are you a kind person? This means . . . 1. . . . being polite 2. . . . being considerate of others' time and well-being 3. . . . being willing to go out of your way to help B. In being a kind person, are you looking to Jesus? 1. The Lord is kindness personified 2. His kindness led Him to die on the cross for your sins 3. Your kindness is acceptable only in Christ

In conjunction with the observance of the Lord's Supper, the pastor gives an explanation of the practice of fencing of the table via elder-controlled communion.

II Samuel 9 "Mephibosheth!" Theme: The Lord's anointed shows compassion to a lame man. I. David's Covenanted Faithfulness to Jonathan A. This covenant between them was based on love B. They swore loyalty to one another C. A covenant involves remembering promises made D. A covenant often involves a meal 1. Friendship/treaty meals—Gen. 31:51-54 2. Ratification of the covenant—Exodus 24 3. Passover (Exodus 12) with its covenantal sacrifice 4. Covenant faithfulness => eating at David's table 5. Christ and our relationship with Him II. David's Compassion to the Lame A. Mephibosheth was a cripple B. Compassion by the king C. Loading him with benefits D. Fellowship III. David's Calling Mephibosheth by Name

Theme: James counsels us with regard to patience. I. Call to Patience A. "Be patient" (v. 7)—a command [makrothumia] B. "Be ye also patient" (v. 8)—firm and constant II. Examples of Patience A. Farmers B. Prophets/Martyrs 1. The catacombs 2. Bloody Mary's reign [1553-1558] 3. Today: Nigeria; Eritrea; India; China; Pakistan C. Job III. Motivation for Patience A. The coming of the Lord [v. 7] 1. Temporal judgment—particularly, AD 70 2. The parousia B. The blessedness of those who endure [v. 11a] 1. The world is miserable in their happiness 2. Christians are happy in their misery 3. We count them happy which endure C. The Lord's love 1. Pitiful—He sees us in our miseries 2. Merciful—in tender mercy, He pardons us Application A. Don't bear a grudge against the brethren (v. 9) B. Avoid impatience—which is a form of witchcraft C. Don't get impatient with yourself D. Keep your eyes on Christ

Theme: James counsels us with regard to patience. I. Call to Patience A. "Be patient" (v. 7)—it's a command 1. Longsuffering 2. "therefore"—what is it there for? (vv. 1-6) B. "Be ye also patient" (v. 8) II. Examples of Patience A. Farmers 1. Waits long for the harvest 2. Not distracted or discouraged 3. Awaits early and latter rain 4. Rain => God's ordinary providence 5. Anticipates the precious fruit that will result B. The prophets C. Job—lost everything (except a nagging wife) III. Motivation for Patience A. The coming of the Lord (v. 7) B. The blessedness of those who endure (v. 11a) C. The Lord's love—pitiful and merciful Application A. Don't judge according to your own system B. Hold yourself accountable: repent, renew, repeat C. Experience the joy of the Lord through patience

Three potential disciples and the true nature of discipleship I. The Rash Resolution [Impetuous] A. Jesus does not enthusiastically accept this man B. Jesus challenges him to count the cost of discipleship II. The Entangled Resolution [Procrastinating] A. "'Lord, allow me first to bury my father'" B. "'Let the dead bury their dead, but go and preach . . .'" III. The Wavering or Half-Hearted Resolution A. "I will follow Thee, Lord—but first . . ." B. The response 1. "But Jesus said to him" 2. "'No one, having put his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God'" a. The conflict here (1) Distracted attention vs. complete devotion (2) Looking back b. The activity c. The warning—a lack of fitness for the kingdom Application A. Resolve to follow Christ 1. Count the cost, and pay it! 2. Give Him first place in your life 3. Be whole-heartedly committed to Him B. Realize that Jesus Christ has gone before you

Three potential disciples and the true nature of discipleship I. The Rash Resolution [Impetuous]—count the cost! II. The Entangled Resolution [Procrastinating] A. The challenge—"Follow Me!" B. The Resolution 1. "'Lord, allow me first'" 2. "'to go and bury my father'"—three temptations a. A discipleship-at-large, and not closing with Christ b. To put off following Christ 'til a more convenient time c. Family duties trumping our duty to Christ C. The response 1. "'Allow the dead to bury their own dead'" 2. "'But go and publish abroad the kingdom of God'" Application A. Are you putting anything above commitment to Jesus? 1. Your family? 2. Your career? 3. Your money? B. Are you putting off being committed to Christ? C. Put your trust in Christ's grace 1. His grace is necessary and sufficient 2. He is the one who gave first priority to the preaching of the gospel and the spread of the kingdom

Daiyaan Winston reflects on his spiritual journey and how his commitment to the Bible as the Word of God has led him into deep conflicts with people of his generation, particularly fellow African-Americans, who despise Christ and seek to undercut the teachings of the Bible.

Three potential disciples and the true nature of discipleship I. The Rash Resolution [Impetuous] A. The background B. The resolution 1. Made by a scribe 2. "I will follow Thee wherever Thou goest" C. The response 1. Jesus stops the man dead in his tracks 2. Its substance a. "The foxes have holes; the birds of the air have nests" b. "but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head" 3. The point of Jesus' response a. Don't be overconfident b. Count the cost of discipleship D. The result—probably, the man went back Application—Make sure that you are a Christian A. What does it mean to be a Christian? 1. It means to believe in Christ 2. It means that you have genuine and not false faith a. It's easy to say you believe—"easy believism" b. But are you really committed? c. How do you know if you're committed? (1) Personal devotions (2) Keeping God's law (3) Being a faithful church member B. Are you willing to pay the price for following Jesus? 1. It might cost you your job, or prestige 2. It might cost you your life 3. It might cost you inconvenience