In this third Episode in our series on Kindness Pastors Mitchell Buchanan and Steve Ownby discuss the sermon on kindness by Steve Ownby, emphasizing intentional and compassionate actions beyond simple niceness. They explore the concept of holy kindness and the need to go above and beyond for both long-time members and newcomers in the church community. The importance of discernment, prayer, and prioritizing relationships over tasks is highlighted as core values. They stress the significance of clothing oneself with intentionality and considering the voice of the Lord in all aspects of life. Encouraging others to prioritize God's voice over busy schedules and to demonstrate kindness for unity and community health.
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[00:00:09.92] - Mitchell Buchanan
Hello, hello, hello. Welcome to the Sermon podcast for the community church for God. My name is Mitchell Buchanan. We are here this week with Steve Ownby.
[00:00:21.00] - Stephen Ownby
That's me. Steve Ownby. Steven Ownby is my name. A lot of people call me Steve. I have a ton of nicknames, but we won't get into that.
[00:00:29.75] - Mitchell Buchanan
We didn't mess up the intro we got. That's me. We're locked on. But this is the time where we sit down with those who spoke at church and then just really go through, unpack. Hey, this is why I really went through this passage, or this is my heart behind my main points and just have a conversation where we can kind of explore the word outside of just like one time on Sunday. So Steve is awesome. Teaches came from teaching a class to come over here.
[00:00:58.20] - Stephen Ownby
That's right.
[00:00:58.75] - Mitchell Buchanan
So he's always working through lesson plans and things to teach. It's gonna be a great time. So. But kind of the intro, Steve's sermon was on kindness, which I really had no expectations going into the series. I felt like these are all gonna be pretty basic. And then the more people talked, the more I was like, there's more weight to this than you would, like, initially think. So if you wanna go ahead and just kind of give people, hey, this is the scripture I went through and then the maintain points that you had from it.
[00:01:28.79] - Stephen Ownby
Yeah, I think. I think, like you stated, when I initially was given the topic of kindness and then a few various scriptures to choose from, I was like, this is gonna be tough, because I feel like.
[00:01:42.40] - Mitchell Buchanan
At first it feels like, am I. It's too easy. And it's just like, I don't know what to do. But I think it actually is the harder sermons to give.
[00:01:50.10] - Stephen Ownby
I think that's what, you know, and not trying to, like, compare it to another series. But I think that's like, what made it difficult is it's like. And like I mentioned, even in my sermon, I think kindness is one of those things that we just kind of feel like we've got figured out. And I think generally people kind of do have a good, a decent understanding of what kindness is. So then it makes it difficult when it's like when the writers in scripture are making kindness something that's more than that. Something like what I wanted to draw out is that it's this holy activity that you get involved in. And so we went with Colossians 312 13. And the thing I wanted to highlight throughout the sermon is that kindness is this extra thing. It's not like the general walking the old lady across the street type of cliche like, hey, your so kind
[00:02:42.43] - Mitchell Buchanan
We all know Steve's against those old ladies.
[00:02:47.05] - Stephen Ownby
I love the old ladies. Mitchell settled down.
[00:02:48.99] - Mitchell Buchanan
They can make it all across on their own. That's not kind.
[00:02:51.15] - Stephen Ownby
But you know It's like, although that's a good thing, no one's upset with anybody for doing that.
[00:02:59.56] - Mitchell Buchanan
Right.
[00:03:00.28] - Stephen Ownby
You know, there's this extra thing to kindness where you're going beyond. You're doing something that is outside of your routine. You're in your flow through the day, and there's something that comes up that you can now give time to. You have a friend who's hurting, but you also know you're extremely busy. That's where the dilemma comes in, and that's where it even requires some discernment, because you also don't want to be the person who's just like, yeah, I give money to homeless people every time I see them. I don't know, maybe some people are like that and they're very happy about that. I just think you're going to run out of ones every now and then or whatever it is that you give them, if that's your, like, if you have this set rule for yourself. Right. And so kindness definitely requires this act of discernment. It requires even one of the things that I liked noting about. About what? Paul's situation when he visits Malta. And he notes that the natives there were unusually kind towards him and his friends. I think looking at that, Paul is a foreigner. In that moment, he's in an uncomfortable place. And here's people who have their routine, their normal flow of things, but they see this foreigner and they tend to them, not knowing them, they're strangers to them, and they tend to the needs that they have. And I felt like that was something that we could even take from that to say, like, you know, even when you. One thing that you could look at is like, when you have a foreigner in your midst who's uncomfortable, who doesn't know what's taking place, who doesn't know the normal flow of things, a normal routine. And I'm getting real specific here real early, but it's like, there's people that you can know that they need that kindness extended to them. And it's a very objective thing to be able to look at in that point, if you're looking for something objective. But like, like I was starting with, that's what makes kindness kind of hard, is it's like there's so many good things you can do, but it's this extra thing that's like going beyond what is your norm, right?
[00:05:02.98] - Mitchell Buchanan
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. And I think that's it is interesting. And even noting at Malta, like, this extraordinary, this uncommon kindness that is like, pointed out where even just thinking in our world, like, I think generally there are kind people in the world, it's not just, you know, a christian belief of like, oh, we should be kind and everyone else is just insanely mean.
[00:05:28.39] - Stephen Ownby
Right, right.
[00:05:29.26] - Mitchell Buchanan
But so even one of my thoughts is like, what I think you're saying, it's something extra. It's something that's very intentional. And in the holy kindness, do you think it's a different way that we are kind where it's like, hey, walking old lady across the street, but holiness would be, hey, I'm going to walk her across the street and then do more, or I get to know her, or do you think kind of. This was my question. Do you think the holy aspect is that the intentionality of, like, hey, just like the verse in cautions, I'm going to clothe yourself in kindness, where it's like, hey, I'm actively, you know, in the day putting this on where it's like I'm not just responding out of the moment, but it's like, I have intention to be kind.
[00:06:12.31] - Stephen Ownby
Yeah, yeah. I think it's the latter there. The holiness comes in when there's that intentionality to it. So, like, you brought up, that's exactly where I was going to go and that's why I spent time on this in the sermon is there's this act of putting on that intentional act of kindness that you have to do. And even prior, like I mentioned in verse eight, Paul goes through the list of, like, anger and malice and slander, all these types of speech that can come out of a person that they're needing to put off those things because those are like, it's very easy to get angry, to get frustrated, you know, for the flesh to act up and have all those kinds of responses. And Paul is saying, you have to do this intentional act of putting off that type of clothing, putting on kindness. And so, yeah, it's this intentional act. So in that regard, like, yeah, walking a lady across the street, to keep using that example, it could be a holy act, but it's done with, even as the scripture mentions in verse twelve, that there's this compassion, that there's this consideration for the person that's taking place. Like you said, there's kind people. I think people generally would consider me a nice guy outside of maybe my coaching when I'm very fired up. But I think people would generally consider me a nice guy, and I don't consider just being a nice guy, like this holy thing. I think there's just how I was raised. You know, created me to, or formed me to, like, want to generally be nice to people. That's. That's fine. That's good. Wonderful. But the whole being polite, they go, although there was this guy at Sam's club one time. He was like, my same age. Well, I was probably like 24. I was working at Sam's club.
[00:08:02.12] - Mitchell Buchanan
Yeah.
[00:08:02.56] - Stephen Ownby
And this guy was. He was probably like 28, 29, and he asked me for something, and I was like, oh, yeah, it's just. It's just right over there in the next aisle over. And the guy was like. He was like, you must be from the north. I was like, I'm not sure what you're talking about. He was like, well, down here we say sir and ma'am.
[00:08:22.41] - Mitchell Buchanan
Oh, my gosh.
[00:08:24.95] - Stephen Ownby
Well, I was actually raised in Knoxville, so I don't know what to tell you. I felt like I was being nice. But, you know, people have their expectation as to what is nice, what is kind. But we. And that's part of what I emphasize in the sermon is we have to look at the Bible, look at the references from scripture, where we see kindness being demonstrated, kindness being noted as this activity that is outside of what a person is going to generally do. And yes, it requires that intentionality. And I thought compassion was key in colossians 312, because compassion causes you to have. Compassion causes you to consider what a person is experiencing, what they're going through, their situation, you know, so it's going to put you in the position where not every time you see someone changing a tire on the side of the road, you need to stop. But you also need to be sensitive to the Lord and discerning enough, because there might be times where God will tell you to stop, or this is a moment where you need to stop and help that person. And I think being sensitive and part of what I also wanted to do in this washington, not just make it some generic rule, like, you have to do this, have to do that, but try to focus on even where Jesus directs our attention towards, with his disciples in loving one another. And so I wanted to also bring kindness in this talk about kindness in this way, where we need to make sure we are emphasizing kindness with one another, like, with our church body, like, specifically, because, like, if we're just so focused outward and we got, like, people hurting within our own midst, that's rough. And so I wanted to, like, because I think I grew up hearing about all of the. The fruits of the spirit and all these which. Kindness being one of those, and all these actions that we're supposed to do. And they were always so outward. Everything was just so outward. Everything was outward, like, towards people you don't know, towards strangers, which that's mentioned. We get that. Right. But, like, there has to be a strong consideration of demonstrating that with one another. And I think that's part of the overall love that Jesus, like, under that umbrella of love, kindness is in there as something that he wants us to demonstrate towards one another so we can have a healthy body. And that's why I went even through that list of moments of kindness that I've experienced or seen happen myself within our own community, was being able to say, like, this is the type of intentional, holy acts that are building up our community. Like, one of the examples I gave was actually Greg, witnessing him talk to a couple parents of a young, like, tween daughter at the time who was having a hard time. And he was like, would you like for me to talk to her? And they were like, yes, please, please. You know, it was like, you know, they were. They were first time parents trying to figure things out. He had kids that were slightly older, and it's like, you know, he had some experience where he could offer something there, but that was, you know, that's going out of his way. That was like. It was like on a weekend, could have been going, doing whatever, but he decided to take time with that young lady and talk to her. And, you know, I'm not going to like that young lady this day. I watch her, and she's thriving. She's doing great. I'm sure that conversation, as well as other acts of kindness that were done in her life and in their family's life have contributed towards that. And so I think we can't overlook those things. Like, even the actions of. I brought up Ruth and Naomi in the sermon and Ruthenhouse, perhaps in her day, I'm sure it would have been noticed that she was doing something that was uncommon, sticking with Naomi, making sure that Naomi was cared for, making sure that, like, she wasn't going to be just left alone and left bitter for the rest of her life, but trying to be there and be of aid. It's this thing that, again, goes beyond what culturally or commonly would have been expected of her to do. Everybody would have been fine if she left Naomi stranded. Like, people would have just been like, yeah, that's normal. We get that. Like, no one would have been judging or misjudging her for it or anything like that. But she does this extra work to show that compassion that she has for her and ultimately demonstrates kindness towards her.
[00:12:41.62] - Mitchell Buchanan
Yeah, no, I think that's that relational element of kindness, because I think we're bringing up a couple times, like, hey, how do we do it to a stranger? And then it's like, you know, you have those moments with, like, people you're close to or friends just thinking of our church overall. Like, it's. It is an interesting dynamic where so many of us are so, have been so close for so long, you know, where it's like, if. I think we all have a trust, where it's like, if there's a serious need, that we will go above and beyond for one another, or it's like, so there's a dynamic where it's like, you know, your wife calls me, hey, Steve, his car broke down, he stuck, and it's like, we need to go get him. It's like, all right, I'm going to make that happen.
[00:13:25.94] - Stephen Ownby
Yeah.
[00:13:26.75] - Mitchell Buchanan
At the same. So I think there's an element there where it's like, if you've been around for a while or you feel like you belong to our church community, you have, like, that kind of trust and faith in those that have been around. But then it's like, there's even elements of people that are newer, and it's. I feel like those expectations are not there of, like, hey, I can count on anyone. It's like, hey, can you help set up for this? And it's like, I really can. And it's like, they kind of. I think those levels of relationships or someone that you've known for a long time, you kind of have a bank of like, hey, I guarantee kindness is going to be there, you know? And it's like, if they can't do it, it's like, I'm not worried about it. People that are new, or they don't even have that. I think that level of like, hey, I can expect kindness, you know, from people. And for people not just to be, like, courteous, like, open the door, but to go above and beyond, like, hey, I know I'm putting you out, asking you to help do this thing. Can you do it? I feel like my experience of being asked, even from the people organizing the kids church, like, hey, can you help do this? I'm like, I don't know if I can. And it feels like that they don't. There's been not a tension, but I think just not knowing of, like, hey, are people just not as kind as I had hoped, where it's like, no one's able to fill this need. I don't know what to do. Whereas, like, if you can't help me get a new refrigerator to my house, you're like, dude, I can't do it. I'm not coming. I'm not thinking, oh, Steve's just not as kind as I am. So I think there is an element trying to work through in our community, which I kind of. I'll try to put into a question. But it's like, I think how as a church, where there's people from far different relationship spectrums of, like, some people have been here for a long time, some people are just coming to, I think, how do we maybe even get on the same page of, like, hey, we hold as a value as a church because that's what all of these series are. It's like, these are our church values, where it's like, we want to demonstrate from the least of the greatest, from those that we have known forever to those that we just met this week, we want to demonstrate that we hold as a value that we will go above and beyond. We have an intentionality to our kindness, where it's like, if we truly can help and do it in a way that God has gifted us, where God is even, like, speaking to us, like, you said that, like, we should be discerning where it's like, hey, even if it's going to wreck my day, if, you know, if Chris is asking me to do something, I should be discerning and bring that before the Lord and think like, hey, it's worth it. I think I need to make a connection with this guy, and God is wanting me to help do this. It's like, which I think that's a struggle. That's a discipline that even for those that are mature believers, it takes that daily discipline of, like, prayer, submitting yourself to the Lord to have that. But I think that is, like, probably a dynamic that is worth fighting for in our church of, like, hey, there's such a confidence for those that are members that have been around for a long time that, like, I know your character, you know mine. Like, we're brothers in Christ. We have been all over the world together. Like, there's. There's things that time has attributed there and, like. And even, like, a steadfastness from both of us that's like, dude, we know there's above and beyond kindness, you know, there's a holiness in our kindness. People that are just coming around may not even feel that or may not have that sense because a lot of their opportunities are just like, hey, can you help out this thing? And it's like, I may not be able to, but it's like, what are ways that we can help, I think, bridge that gap and let everyone know, hey, our value goes beyond just being nice to you when I see you on Sunday. But it's like, we all really hold this value of, like, having a committed intentional kindness that would demonstrates holiness.
[00:17:06.59] - Stephen Ownby
Yeah. Yeah. I think it's a difficult question because there's not a black and white answer to it, you know? Like, I think that's why we have to be so careful. That's why we have to include so many other scriptures, even, like, where, you know, Parker running around with the big log on his eye comes to mind because, like, we can't be quick to judge one another because there are so many different situations that everybody's involved in. Like you said, like, you're not going to judge me because you've known me, you've seen me. You know, we've spent about 20 years together, even living in Knoxville, you know, being friends there prior to moving here. We've spent so much time together where we've seen that. And I know in those, like, early on stages of the ministry, there was a lot of work being done that required a lot of volunteerism, and we've grown. We've grown bigger in number. We've grown bigger and even just the size of our campus and the things that need done. And what is specifically being done now? We've grown in a lot of ways.
[00:18:13.25] - Mitchell Buchanan
Right.
[00:18:14.09] - Stephen Ownby
And there's a lot of people with more responsibilities now as a result of the growth that we've had, that a lot of times people don't even know, you know, what's going on. And so I think we have, first, I think we have to be careful not to make judgments when someone can't fulfill something that you have an expectation on them for. I think, like, you know, if I have an expectation on, let's say. Let's say you're meeting weekly with people in India. You know, I know that's not you, but I don't. Maybe you are.
[00:18:51.69] - Mitchell Buchanan
I have zero Hindi in any dictionary in my brain. If I could apply, pulled any out, namaste. That's what.
[00:18:59.13] - Stephen Ownby
But let's say you're doing that, like. Or let's say you have, like, morning meetings with cooperatives in India. Like, I don't know about that. And I'm like, Mitch, man, can we really just get a coffee time together in the morning? And, like, I really need some time. But you're like, well, I have this responsibility with, like, people who have a lot of needs in a place where we're trying to help development to take place, you know? And it's like, you could explain that, but I may not understand it if I'm only thinking about myself. So I think it requires each and every one of us to enact this type of consideration and compassion that will allow us to look at. And compassion may be a little bit of a stretch there, because it might not be like a suffering situation or something like that, but definitely to consider each other and what kind of responsibilities people have, I think, is where we all kind of have to start is, like, we understand that we're working, you know, now, if someone's not working, that's. That's another topic, right? It's like, hey, let's. Let's do this together. Let's all work hard together, okay? Because. Because we're doing a lot of things. But. But specifically concerning the church, I think, yeah, there's. There's a real discernment that has to take place, and it does take prayer. I think it just takes more and more and more knowledge of God's word. Because the more knowledge of God's word you have, the more you're informed about how to act in all the various situations that occur, the more you're informed about what it is that is expected of you as God's kid and someone who is upholding his reputation. So now, when it comes to acts of kindness or when it comes to, like, someone needing help for something, you can, like, you can do the very act that Jesus is telling us to do and deny yourself.
[00:20:40.96] - Mitchell Buchanan
Right.
[00:20:41.48] - Stephen Ownby
You know? But again, I think it has to start with, you can't have the same expectation on every single person. You know? Like, there's some people who are handling things all over the world that if we're asking them to do our childcare on Sunday mornings or, like, even handling things with our church that aren't even seen, you know, like, there's some people who might be handling, like, video related things or things like that, that perhaps they're not seen or known. And it's like, hey, I notice on Sundays you don't really do a lot when really they're like, I don't know, maybe managing the. The AV crew in the back and making sure they're getting trained in the way they need to be, you know?
[00:21:21.42] - Mitchell Buchanan
Right.
[00:21:21.99] - Stephen Ownby
And it could look like maybe they're not doing anything, but really they're doing a lot. It's just not seen. And then. So it'd be easy to make a judgment when they're like, well, I'm actually can't because I'm doing this. And like, well, I see you sitting there, but it's like those kind of conversations can be had, rather than making the kind of unfair judgments that just makes it like, well, that person's not very kind of right. They're not doing the extra that Steve talked about. What's wrong with them? You know, but, like. But we. And that's why I said it's a difficult thing to answer, but. Because there are people doing so many things. But I do think if we have that kind of discernment and if we are being informed by the word of God and we're prayerful, then we can do what Jesus asked us to do and deny ourselves when. When those needs arise, when. When we see that someone has something. And I think I. The big thing is the more people that are doing that, the healthier we'll be. But I think often we expect, like, this person in leadership to handle it. Like, that person's got some issues. Hey, Greg, will you take this one? You know, it's like, maybe that might be a case where, like, you don't have what it takes to help that person. You're not equipped yet, you're not mature enough yet. That's. I get that. But, like, the more of us that are denying ourselves to now show this kind of consideration towards the whole body, and you can't. No one can put themself in the position of, well, I'm the person who should be the recipient all the time. Like, everybody should be actively looking to see where they can demonstrate kindness. Because although kindness can require a lot of maturation and, like, an incredible amount of knowledge in God's word, it also can just be a very simple act sometimes. And I think the more of us that are looking for ways that we can be kind, like, I mentioned in my sermon, Rebecca Castellanos texting me, like, just an encouragement, like, hey, praying for you, really appreciate you, love you, those kinds of things. Like, the morning that I'm about to preach, she was very much capable of doing that and more, but that was all it took in that moment. That was a wonderful act of kindness and love, and I felt it. It encouraged me. It was great.
[00:23:33.26] - Mitchell Buchanan
Yeah.
[00:23:33.78] - Stephen Ownby
And I think if everyone is looking for how they can be kind and not always looking for how they can receive. It really helps all of us to now get unified in this effort. And then, yeah, there's going to be moments where you do need to receive and you can feel confident to ask. And one of the things that gives us confidence is if we know we're doing something ourselves. Right? If you're a leader and you're asking people to do something, but yet you've never in your life done that yourself, you don't feel as confident asking them to do it. And then when they don't do it, you're like, I get it.
[00:24:07.03] - Mitchell Buchanan
Well, I couldn't have done it anyways, dude. Yeah. I think in just trying to explore that a little bit, my, you know. Cause I think everyone, you know, most people, I think, are reasonable, which is like, a good measure of, you know, just like, expectation with people, where it's just like, hey, Greg, can you come do this? Like, I think it's pretty clear he's quite busy. Even Greg, I think, has shared testimonies of, like, you know, sweeping, sweeping the floor, cleaning the bathroom. And it's like, I think even taking that as, like, a cue of those moments of being sensitive to the Lord and even discerning or, hey, like, this is a true need. Like, can you meet this need? And even if you're able to, because I think as we age or get older, which our whole. A lot of members have been around for a while, we're younger, I think, are moving more into middle age. And it's just like, the. The larger your families get, the older I think you get, the more it's your schedule demands of you or the more really it speaks to you where it's like, hey, I feel like so many times I'll, like, we'll finish dinner, kids are in bed, and Bryn's like. Like a deep sigh, like, all right, we need to go through the schedule for tomorrow. Like, can you pick up at this time and drop off here and do this? And it's like all our kids are doing because the academy is great. Like, you know, Nashville football clubs great. They're all doing a zillion different things. Like chess club, where it's like, oh, and then cross country starting and then street dance academy. There's dances happening.
[00:25:38.92] - Stephen Ownby
It's right here on the horizon .
[00:25:41.27] - Mitchell Buchanan
which you know, personally, me and Brenda. Like, if our kids have an opportunity and that we can do it, like, we want them to do as many things as possible, it's like, I think we're all have such big hearts for all of our kids, but I think the tendency I feel, and I'm, you know, maybe just thinking this is probably true of other people, it's like the easier that schedule can speak to you where it's like, hey, I'm just naturally closing off doors where it's like, hey, can who can come to, like, Wednesday prayer? I'm just like, I'm not even thinking, hey, I should do I have things I want to, like, bring to the Lord or like even to come and say, hey, Brandon, I have something I want to share and like, help facilitate that. Like, I'm not even opening myself up to those opportunities. I'm like, naturally closing them off because, like, all right, I have to be here. I have to do this, I have to do that. And I think just as a reminder, because this text really is just so intentional, like, clothing yourself with these things, that it's like, you don't accidentally get dressed. It's like you either slept in your clothes and you are dressed from the day before, or you're like, having to take off clothes and put them on intentionally. It's like, I picked out this shirt for a reason. So I think if we're doing that with intentionality of, like, nothing, allowing our schedules to speak louder than, you know, like the voice of the Lord and even, you know, discerning where people are at and what people are needing. And I think just as a church community overall. Cause people are coming from so many different places, so many people who don't have, I think, the ultimate security of, like, hey, I've known you since Knoxville 20 years ago. We've been doing ministry ever since. Like, this is my guy. Like, no matter what, like, we've got each other. Like, people are coming in with far less, I think, security in that. And so I think just finding ways where it's like, even those who have been around and have responsibilities or large families, like, are we really subjecting all those opportunities to serve and just to be kind in a holy way? Are we subjecting that? I think, to the word of God, to even the spirit of the Lord that's alive in our midst? And it's like, because I think from, you know, Greg, Rob, Jen, so many people that were here before me have testimony after testimony of, like, hey, I went above and beyond in this way. You know, it's like, and it really is a matter of, like, are we all really pursuing the Lord? And in that spirit, are we clothing ourselves with those, like, intentional ways? Yeah, because, like, you said, I'll kind of turn it over to you. But, like you were saying, like, I think if. If we're not all in that mind, space judgments get to be really easy, and it becomes almost transactional of, like, hey, she's. They've asked me to do this twice, and I haven't. I guess I'll do this third time. And now I'm off the hook for the next four months or whatever. It's like, you get in a space where it's like. Because our schedules are so transactional, where it's like, time blocks and where I'm committed to and what I'm doing, and that's kind of. That can. If we're not careful, that can push our lives forward a month and, like, a year at a time. Yeah, but, like, really seeing it as, like, this isn't transactional where it's like, I am fulfilling, fulfilling a block, though that may be what's required of you. It's like, I'm really engaging with Chris asking me to help do this podcast or Kristen asking me, can you give us times we can do this? You're not just doing a task. You're doing it relationally with someone in an intentional way, where it's like, hey, how do I need to consider them? And should I message, hey, dinner's gonna be an hour late. I've got to help do this because it matters for this person that is holy in a way, where it's like, I'm subjecting my whole being to, like, this rule of Christ in my life.
[00:29:18.57] - Stephen Ownby
Yeah, I think you're spot on. The demand of schedules is important. We have schedules to keep. We have responsibilities to keep that are even part of our jobs, it's like, we have strong, important schedules to keep. But I think you're so right in not allowing our schedules to be louder than the voice of God. Like, we have to be sensitive to the voice of God. And I think if we're all subjecting ourselves to that voice, then it will allow us to do what you said and, like, be like, well, I might have to push dinner back, like, an hour to handle this thing right here, because this is a need right now to take care of these things. And I think that's why I mentioned in my sermon that whole list of all those, like, holiness, kindness type things that I've seen is because I want people to see, like, even though schedules are packed and even though, like, you may not be seeing it firsthand yourself, this is happening. It's happening a lot. It's something that even our organization, our community, has. This ministry has been built upon, because I remember for me and you, like, we just saw that all the time. You know, we had, like, Greg driving to Knoxville once a month and doing Bible studies with us just because we were hungry for it. Like, for no other reason than the fact that we were hungry for it. And he wanted to meet that need. You know, we wanted more of the word of God, and he was excited to be able to demonstrate that kindness and do that. And I still see these things happening today, and that's, like, it's what we witness. So it's, like, part of us to want to extend ourselves in that way, to want to be available, to be kind to people. And I'm still seeing it. You know, I'm still seeing Greg do those same kind of things. I'm still seeing, like you mentioned, Jen do those same kinds of things. I was watching Rob do those same kinds of things, and so many others do these acts of kindness. They are happening. You just might not see them, or you might not even be looking for where they're happening and testify to them. So you can't see them. Yeah. So, like, people need to testify when. When an act of kindness is done towards them or when they see someone putting on that kindness consistently. People. People need to be testifying about these things because it's for sure happening.
[00:31:32.52] - Mitchell Buchanan
Yeah.
[00:31:33.02] - Stephen Ownby
And, like, just yesterday, I was.
[00:31:35.30] - Mitchell Buchanan
And that spurs, like, spurs people on. Like, there's a post on workplace. There's like, something like, hey, like, this meant so much to me when someone did this. Like, that spurs you on to, like, hey, I. You know, like, how can I, like, help benefit someone? Like, as iron sharpens iron. Like, we can be the kind of people where it's, like, out doing. Out doing one another in honor and love, and it's like, hey, like, Steve serving in this way and, like, being, you know, testifying, it's like, hey, this really met a need for me. I, like, thanks so much for this person. It's like, that matters even for people to hear that and to kind of connect with that. But we got to finish up. You have any?
[00:32:10.29] - Stephen Ownby
Yeah, yeah. I just wanted people to feel encouraged. Like. Like, I was saying that this type of kindness is happening in our midst. Yeah. And the more that each of us are looking for how God can use us to demonstrate kindness, the more unified we're going to be, the healthier that we're going to be as a body, for sure. Yeah.
[00:32:30.82] - Mitchell Buchanan
Yeah. Well, the schedule's got a thumb on us. So we gotta get out of here. But if you're watching, we super appreciate it. Make sure that you, like, subscribe wherever you're watching, on YouTube, on Apple Podcasts, on Pocketcast, because I insisted on that. But this is a great time, as always, like, the sermons we have isn't just for the time on Sunday. Like the word of God should be alive, it should be part of our everyday should be coming out in our conversation. So hopefully this can push forward when you all are chatting throughout the week and we'll see you again on Sunday.
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