Brother Kindness

Introduction:

A. Spiritual ladder of character development: the Christian Graces (2 Pet. 1:5-7).

B. “Out of the vertical, upward movement toward God” expressed by godliness, “there grows a horizontal movement toward one another”, brotherly kindness (Orbison).

I. What Is Brotherly Kindness?

A. Etymology of philadelphia

B. Definitions of philadelphia

“It is a word that sandwiches a warm, emotional love together with brotherhood” (Warden 334).

It “is proper good will and help and affection shown to brethren in Christ” (Roberts 72).

C. Family word

D. Phileo (Distinctions)

“denotes an inclination prompted by sense and emotion” (Thayer)

“is the more personal word for love….used esp. for the love of friends…” (Kittel IX 115).

John 21:15-17

II. Why Is Brotherly Kindness Important?

A. It is an indication of spiritual rebirth (1 Pet. 1:22-23; Heb. 13:1; Rm. 12:10).

B. It is linked to a higher from of love (1 Pet. 1:22-23; 1 Th. 4:9; 2 Pet. 1:7).

C. How can one love (agapao) without it? (1 Jn. 4:20; 5:1; Rev. 3:19; 1 Cor. 16:22).

III. What Does Brotherly Kindness Look Like?

A. Jesus (Mt. 12:47-50; Jn. 20:2; 11:3, 35-36; Mt. 11:28-30; 1 Pet. 5:7)

B. God’s People (Rm. 12:15, 10, 13; Hb. 13:1-2; Acts 2:44-45; Gal. 6:10)

C. When Absent

Conclusion:

A. “They treat one another like family!”

B. Ephesians 4:32