Alexandria Covenant Church
Goodness
Like the other fruit of the Spirit the Apostle Paul describes, goodness is depicted as a virtue that we cannot obtain on our own. Goodness is a Christ-like trait that grows inside of us and experienced by those around us. Where kindness may be the sincere desire for the happiness of others; goodness is the activity calculated to advance that kindness. Goodness is kindness in action. --- The Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit produces types of fruit in the Christian life that reflect God’s character. The fruit of the Spirit that is manifest in the Christian life includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. In this sermon series, we will learn how this fruit is produced and what it looks like to reflect the fruit of the Spirit in our daily lives.
Locations & Times
Alexandria Covenant Church
4005 Dakota St, Alexandria, MN 56308, USA
Sunday 8:00 AM
Sunday 9:30 AM
Sunday 11:00 AM
1. Goodness Defined
—Rom. 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
—Acts 10:38 “...how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
—Greek word - agathosune meaning to be ‘upright or positive moral qualities of the most general nature.’ Goodness implies some type of activity involving others, ‘to be good to’ or ‘to benefit.’
In this point to mean generosity and to act of generous giving.
—Isaiah 63:7 I will recount the steadfast love of the Lord, the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord has granted us, and the great goodness to the house of Israel that he has granted them according to his compassion, according to the abundance of his steadfast love.
—Gal. 6:9-10 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
—Kindness and goodness - going hand-in-hand throughout Scripture. Kindness is a sincere desire for the happiness of others; goodness is the activity calculated to advance that happiness. Goodness is kindness in action.
—Good Samaritan story (all were showing kindness, only one showed goodness)
—Umbrella term: God’s love, mercy, longsuffering, lovingkindness=all manifestations of his goodness. ‘It is the absence of any imperfection or defect, and the presence of perfect holiness.’ Does not stay with God, but is poured out in tangible ways. (The Character of Christ –Cruse)
—Rom. 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
—Acts 10:38 “...how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
—Greek word - agathosune meaning to be ‘upright or positive moral qualities of the most general nature.’ Goodness implies some type of activity involving others, ‘to be good to’ or ‘to benefit.’
In this point to mean generosity and to act of generous giving.
—Isaiah 63:7 I will recount the steadfast love of the Lord, the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord has granted us, and the great goodness to the house of Israel that he has granted them according to his compassion, according to the abundance of his steadfast love.
—Gal. 6:9-10 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
—Kindness and goodness - going hand-in-hand throughout Scripture. Kindness is a sincere desire for the happiness of others; goodness is the activity calculated to advance that happiness. Goodness is kindness in action.
—Good Samaritan story (all were showing kindness, only one showed goodness)
—Umbrella term: God’s love, mercy, longsuffering, lovingkindness=all manifestations of his goodness. ‘It is the absence of any imperfection or defect, and the presence of perfect holiness.’ Does not stay with God, but is poured out in tangible ways. (The Character of Christ –Cruse)
2. The Only One Who is Good
—Jesus said “Why do you ask me what is good?” Matt. 19:17
—Found in the very heart and essence of God: Charnock - This is the true and genuine character of God. He is good, he is goodness, good in himself, good in his essence, good in the highest degree, possessing whatever is comely, excellent, desirable; the highest good, because the first good…All the names of God are comprehended in this one good.
—Ps. 143:10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!
—Songs we sing and associate with God’s goodness: “Good, good Father, Goodness of God, King of my Heart,
—Creation story - God saw that it was all good each day; when got to humankind, it was very good.
—Providence - Matt. 7:11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
—We ask Jesus what is good, because he is the provider of good things: that breath you took, today [the day of salvation] and our response should be thanksgiving.
—Jesus - He Obeys, submits, serves, fulfills God's law.
—Quote by Thomas Brooks, “Christ is the greatest good, the choicest good, the chiefest good, the most suitable good, the most necessary good. He is a pure good, a real good, a total good, an eternal good, and a soul-satisfying good.”
—Jesus said “Why do you ask me what is good?” Matt. 19:17
—Found in the very heart and essence of God: Charnock - This is the true and genuine character of God. He is good, he is goodness, good in himself, good in his essence, good in the highest degree, possessing whatever is comely, excellent, desirable; the highest good, because the first good…All the names of God are comprehended in this one good.
—Ps. 143:10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!
—Songs we sing and associate with God’s goodness: “Good, good Father, Goodness of God, King of my Heart,
—Creation story - God saw that it was all good each day; when got to humankind, it was very good.
—Providence - Matt. 7:11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
—We ask Jesus what is good, because he is the provider of good things: that breath you took, today [the day of salvation] and our response should be thanksgiving.
—Jesus - He Obeys, submits, serves, fulfills God's law.
—Quote by Thomas Brooks, “Christ is the greatest good, the choicest good, the chiefest good, the most suitable good, the most necessary good. He is a pure good, a real good, a total good, an eternal good, and a soul-satisfying good.”
3. Goodness is Kindness in Action
—Keep the commandments - Rich ruler was to submit and fulfill law (Matt. 19:17)
—“Commandments Jesus gave example of were about others (#5–#10)
—Goodness is full of kindness/compassion: via Pastor Trinity - Compassion is love in action. Compassion moves us in our depths or inner being to respond to the needs around us.
—One commentator says, “True goodness is not merely impulsive, but rational and considerate–it will therefore pause, and be at some trouble to inquire what service, and how best may it be rendered…Goodness should be willing to give time, and thought, and patience, and even labor; not mere money and kind words and compassionate looks.”
—Rich ruler thought he put in effort to be good, even asking of Jesus, but was impulsive and did not want to live out kindness.
—Follow up on Good Samaritan
—Goodness as a redemptive work: Need to look towards redemption.
—Rom. 5:8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
—Keep the commandments - Rich ruler was to submit and fulfill law (Matt. 19:17)
—“Commandments Jesus gave example of were about others (#5–#10)
—Goodness is full of kindness/compassion: via Pastor Trinity - Compassion is love in action. Compassion moves us in our depths or inner being to respond to the needs around us.
—One commentator says, “True goodness is not merely impulsive, but rational and considerate–it will therefore pause, and be at some trouble to inquire what service, and how best may it be rendered…Goodness should be willing to give time, and thought, and patience, and even labor; not mere money and kind words and compassionate looks.”
—Rich ruler thought he put in effort to be good, even asking of Jesus, but was impulsive and did not want to live out kindness.
—Follow up on Good Samaritan
—Goodness as a redemptive work: Need to look towards redemption.
—Rom. 5:8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
4. “Lord what would you have me do?”
—Rich ruler left sad; Our conflict: its hard to love God and others.
—Our salvation hinges on the fact that Jesus Christ, in perfect goodness, fulfilled these two great commandments.
—Limitation to our threshold (Jesus was the cross)
—Professor who wanted to give everybody 95% on final test but had to be unanimous. Out of 300 students 20 said ‘no’ Professor asked for reasons and almost all 20 stated that they didn’t want others to get the good grade because they didn’t earn/they wanted to competitively be better.”
—Eph. 2:8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
—God has prepared good works for each of us, consistent with our gifts and circumstances. We should pray “Lord, what will you have me do?” and then we should do it.
—Our nature changes gives us capacity to be good; We all have weak moments - the goal is not to try and do more, but believe more; to abide in Christ.
—3 John 11 Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.
—Jesus and Simon Peter - John 21; Be good because I am good
—Rich ruler left sad; Our conflict: its hard to love God and others.
—Our salvation hinges on the fact that Jesus Christ, in perfect goodness, fulfilled these two great commandments.
—Limitation to our threshold (Jesus was the cross)
—Professor who wanted to give everybody 95% on final test but had to be unanimous. Out of 300 students 20 said ‘no’ Professor asked for reasons and almost all 20 stated that they didn’t want others to get the good grade because they didn’t earn/they wanted to competitively be better.”
—Eph. 2:8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
—God has prepared good works for each of us, consistent with our gifts and circumstances. We should pray “Lord, what will you have me do?” and then we should do it.
—Our nature changes gives us capacity to be good; We all have weak moments - the goal is not to try and do more, but believe more; to abide in Christ.
—3 John 11 Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.
—Jesus and Simon Peter - John 21; Be good because I am good
Application:
Doing good with job
Doing good with family
Doing good to all people
‘God’s goodness, combined with his love of righteousness, moves him to make sinners happy by making them holy.”
Doing good with job
Doing good with family
Doing good to all people
‘God’s goodness, combined with his love of righteousness, moves him to make sinners happy by making them holy.”