On the last Sunday in August, Tyler Burch dove back into the Fruits of the Spirit, focusing on the transformative power of kindness and goodness. Drawing on the parable of the Good Samaritan, Tyler challenges us to move beyond titles and qualifications to embody genuine compassion and mercy. Watch or Listen on our website, or your favorite podcast app!
AI Generated Sermon Summary
The sermon “Harvesting Goodness & Kindness” by Tyler Burch, part of a series on the Fruit of the Spirit, explores the nature and expression of Christian kindness and goodness. The core thesis is that biblical kindness is an extension of God’s longsuffering grace, mercy, and compassion toward us, which is intended to draw us away from sin (Romans 2:4). The speaker uses the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) to illustrate this standard, emphasizing that the inaction of the priest and the Levite demonstrates that religious qualifications are meaningless without genuine compassion. The selfless act of the Samaritan, who showed mercy to a person who would have hated him, serves as the model: goodness is the essential outward expression of the inner disposition of kindness, like faith demonstrated through works. The sermon challenges listeners to stop asking “Who is my neighbor?” and instead ask, “Who can I be a neighbor to?” by engaging in small, selfless acts of goodness. Ultimately, these intentional acts of kindness are meant to honor God, leading others to praise our Heavenly Father (Matthew 5:16), just as Christ—the true Good Samaritan—first showed us kindness and love.
Small Group Discussion Questions
Here are 7 questions based on the sermon for your small group to discuss:
- Tyler notes that kindness and goodness can feel like we’re “wandering in a fog”. What makes these two fruits of the Spirit feel less clear or measurable than love or patience in our daily lives?
- The sermon defines Biblical kindness as grace, mercy, and compassion, intended to turn others from sin, just as God’s kindness does (Romans 2:4). Can you share a time when someone’s unexpected, long-suffering kindness helped turn your heart or perspective?
- Tyler states that a lack of kindness can “ruin” a Christian’s witness. Do you agree with this? Why or why not? What are common everyday situations where your witness might be at risk due to stress or unkindness?
- In the Parable of the Good Samaritan, the religious expert asked, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus shifted the question to “Who can you be a neighbor to?”.
- Who are the “Samaritans” in your life—the people you might be naturally inclined to ignore or despise—and what would it look like to intentionally be a neighbor to them this week?
- Goodness is described as the “outward expression” of kindness, similar to how works accompany faith. What is one small, tangible “good deed” the Holy Spirit is prompting you to perform this week without seeking recognition or praise?
- The true reason for our good deeds is so that others “will praise our heavenly father” (Matthew 5:16). How does this motivation change the way you approach acts of kindness, compared to doing it just to “put some good karma into the world”?
- The sermon challenges us to extend kindness “even when it’s inconvenient or costly”. What makes practicing this kind of radical kindness and goodness so difficult in a culture that often prioritizes self-care and convenience?