94) You Can't Bootstrap Kindness

Overview

• Personal story illustrates impact of kind communication in a church setting, highlighting the surprise of a young girl previously unfamiliar with such interactions.
• Biblical foundation for kindness rooted in Ephesians 4:31-32 emphasizes need for cooperation with the Holy Spirit for genuine transformation.
• Three root causes of unkindness identified: lack of modeling, hurt from trauma, and absence of a relationship with Christ.
• Salvation path articulated through Romans 10:9-10, underscoring the belief in Jesus’ resurrection and commitment to follow Him.
• The Holy Spirit's role in transformation discussed, focusing on the fruit of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22-23, particularly kindness.
• Inner healing ministry highlighted as essential for addressing trauma, referencing Hebrews 4:16 for access to God's grace and James 5:14 for communal healing support.
• Jesus serves as the ultimate model of kindness, exemplified through His actions in the Gospel of Mark and His forgiving words while on the cross.
• Steps to overcome unkindness outlined: confession, breaking agreements with negativity, and seeking Holy Spirit's filling.
• Upcoming 'Speak Life' workshop promotes practical strategies for addressing unkind speech and fostering empowerment in individuals.
• Importance of seeking mature believers who display kindness as models for personal growth and transformation in faith.

Biblical Foundation for Kindness (01:33 - 03:06)

• References Ephesians 4:31-32 as core scripture: removing bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, slander and replacing with kindness, tenderheartedness, and forgiveness
• Emphasizes cooperation with Holy Spirit rather than self-effort for sustainable kindness
• Speaker admits personal experience with season of bitterness and harsh words requiring Holy Spirit's work for transformation

Three Root Causes of Unkindness (03:06 - 04:54)

• Never Been Modeled - People who have never experienced or witnessed kindness, only saw niceness when wanting something
• Wounded People - 'Hurting people hurt people' - those acting from pain and spiritual wounds, compared to dangerous cornered animals
• Need Jesus - Those without relationship with Christ lacking foundation for true kindness

Salvation Message (04:54 - 06:27)

• Cites Romans 10:9-10 for clear salvation path: declaring Jesus as Lord and believing in resurrection
• Leads salvation prayer for listeners: acknowledging need for Jesus, believing in his death and resurrection, commitment to follow
• References Ephesians 2:8-9 emphasizing salvation by grace through faith, not works
• Quotes Colossians 1:13-14 about rescue from darkness kingdom and transfer to God's kingdom

Holy Spirit's Role in Transformation (08:03 - 09:36)

• Cites Galatians 5:22-23 listing fruit of Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control
• Emphasizes cooperation with Holy Spirit to unlearn toxic habits from 'kingdom of darkness' background
• Explains new believers must learn to live as new creation while unlearning old patterns

Inner Healing Ministry (09:36 - 12:48)

• States everyone deals with trauma - both 'big T' (abandonment, betrayal, abuse) and 'little T' (embarrassment, name-calling)
• References Hebrews 4:16 for bold access to God's throne for mercy and grace
• Cites James 5:14 about calling elders for prayer and healing, extending to soul/spirit wounds
• References Galatians 6:2 about sharing burdens as scriptural basis for inner healing ministry

️ Jesus as Model for Kindness (16:15 - 17:54)

• Recommends reading Gospel of Mark for new believers to learn Jesus' example of gentleness and kindness
• Acknowledges Jesus' harsh words to Pharisees due to their misrepresentation of God, but notes his kindness to individuals like rich young man, woman at well, centurion
• Highlights Jesus' ultimate kindness: 'Father, forgive them, they don't know what they're doing' while on cross

️ Steps to Overcome Unkindness (17:54 - 20:50)

• Confess and Repent - Own words and actions, confess following flesh instead of Spirit, ask forgiveness for damage caused
• Break Enemy Agreements - Cancel agreements made with enemy regarding unkind words, gather up warfare under Jesus' feet using believer's authority
• Holy Spirit Filling - Ask Holy Spirit to fill places where unkindness resided and produce his fruit

Action items

• Pray salvation prayer acknowledging Jesus as Lord and believing in his death/resurrection (04:54)
• Contact Carrie via comment or email to share salvation decision for encouragement (06:27)
• Reach out to speaker for prayer support if needed (12:48)
• Visit https://CarrieHurley.com under services/soul care to learn about healing sessions (14:24)
• Read Gospel of Mark to learn Jesus' example of kindness and gentleness (16:15)
• Follow three-step process: confess/repent, break enemy agreements, ask Holy Spirit filling (17:54)
• Register for 'Speak Life' workshop on June 22nd via https://CarrieHurley.com/workshop (22:09)
• Find mature believers who demonstrate fruit of the Spirit as models for kindness (17:54)

Copyright Carrie Hurley All Rights Reserved
All Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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