Goodness

Info

Series: Fruits of the Spirit

Title: 6. Goodness

Preached:

  • 2016-07-02: White Rock Lake

  1. Introduction: Fruits of the Spirit: Goodness
    1. In college, the way most speakers started their talks: “God is good all the time; all the time, God is good. If you believe that, say ‘Amen.’ ”
  2. What does it mean to be good?
  3. God’s goodness
    1. God’s goodness in people’s eyes
      1. Some people say that a good God would never destroy the wicked, but would instead leave them to their own natural fate.
        1. Is there a material difference between destroying the wicked and allowing them to be destroyed?
        2. God destroyed the wicked in the flood; it was most decidedly not the natural consequence of human wickedness. Numbers 16: Ground opened and swallowed Korah and his followers because he tried to usurp the priesthood (vv. 31, 32)
      2. Some say that goodness always means pleasantness. However:
        1. Hebrews 12:5, 6, 11: God Himself sometimes brings about unpleasant situations (not necessarily the natural consequences)
        2. God’s discipline is intended to train us in righteousness; therefore, it is good.
    2. God’s goodness according to the Bible
      1. Goodness connected with satisfaction and abundance
        1. Zechariah 9:14-17
        2. Speaking of Israel’s deliverance and also the first coming of Jesus.
          1. God’s goodness results in tremendous abundance and flourishing
        3. Psalm 65:1-5, esp. v 4: God’s nature and character result in satisfaction
      2. Goodness connected with חֶסֶד:
        1. Psalm 23:6: God’s goodness and mercy is constant; it doesn’t fluctuate with the times.
        2. Psalm 25:6-8: God’s goodness and mercy enable Him to be forgiving and gracious to sinners and to lead them in the right way.
      3. Goodness connected with salvation
        1. Hosea 3:5
        2. Referring to the end of the Babylonian captivity
          1. When we repent, we seek God’s goodness
        3. Titus 3:4-7: God’s goodness is the precursor to salvation.
  4. Human goodness
    1. Are most people good? Depends on the definition
      1. Do most people have good intentions? Generally, yes.
      2. Do most people follow the law of the land and comply with society’s standards for correct behavior? Sure
      3. Do most people meet God’s standard for goodness? No.
    2. So, what does it mean to be good?
      1. Mark 10:17, 18: Only God is good. Therefore, true goodness is synonymous with godliness.
      2. Human goodness should mirror the goodness of God
        1. Romans 15:14: True goodness reflects our spiritual condition
        2. 1 Timothy 4:7-10: Godliness, and therefore goodness, is closely connected to salvation, and should be our goal
        3. 2 Peter 1:3, 4
        4. God’s power gives godliness and His promises
          1. Through them, we can become partakers of God’s nature, …
          2. Thereby escaping the corruption of sin.
          3. This process makes us good people.