Embracing Goodness: Reflecting God's Unselfish Love

Devotional

Day 1: Goodness is Unselfish

Goodness means doing things that benefit others without expecting anything in return. It is about being generous with our time and talents, reflecting God's goodness in our actions. This unselfishness is crucial for building healthy relationships and fulfilling God's command to do good to everyone, especially those in the household of faith. In a world where self-interest often takes precedence, practicing unselfish goodness can be a powerful testimony of God's love and grace.

When we act with unselfish goodness, we mirror the character of Christ, who gave Himself for us without expecting anything in return. This kind of goodness is not about seeking recognition or reward but about genuinely caring for the well-being of others. It challenges us to look beyond our own needs and desires and to serve others with a pure heart. [48:25]

Galatians 6:9-10 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: Think of one person in your life who could benefit from an act of unselfish goodness today. What specific action can you take to serve them without expecting anything in return?

Day 2: Goodness Originates from God

We cannot have true goodness apart from God. The psalmist asks, "What shall I render to the Lord for all His goodness to me?" The answer is to allow the Holy Spirit to produce goodness in our lives. This divine goodness gives us both the desire and the power to do good, making us more like Christ. Recognizing that goodness originates from God helps us to remain humble and dependent on Him for the strength to live out this virtue.

God's goodness is the foundation of our ability to do good. It is through His Spirit that we are transformed and empowered to reflect His character. As we draw closer to God and allow His Spirit to work in us, we become vessels of His goodness, impacting those around us in profound ways. [52:51]

Psalm 34:8 (ESV): "Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!"

Reflection: How can you allow the Holy Spirit to produce more goodness in your life? What steps can you take to draw closer to God and reflect His goodness to others?

Day 3: Repentance and Obedience

To cultivate goodness, we must first repent and turn away from our sinful and selfish ways. The next step is to obey the Bible, which is our manual for living a godly life. The Scriptures are useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, equipping us for every good work. Repentance and obedience are foundational to spiritual growth and the development of goodness in our lives.

Repentance involves a sincere turning away from sin and a commitment to follow God's ways. Obedience to God's Word is the practical outworking of this repentance. As we align our lives with the teachings of Scripture, we are transformed and equipped to do good works that honor God and bless others. [01:07:56]

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV): "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."

Reflection: Is there a specific area of your life where you need to repent and turn back to God? How can you commit to obeying His Word more faithfully in that area?

Day 4: Guard Your Eyes

What we see influences our actions and thoughts. Jesus said that the eye is the lamp of the body; if our eyes are good, our whole body will be full of light. Therefore, we must guard our eyes from impure and sinful things to ensure that our entire being is filled with goodness. By being mindful of what we allow into our minds through our eyes, we can protect our hearts and cultivate a life that reflects God's goodness.

Guarding our eyes involves being intentional about the media we consume, the environments we place ourselves in, and the things we focus on. By choosing to fill our minds with what is pure, lovely, and praiseworthy, we can maintain a heart that is aligned with God's will and filled with His light. [01:12:42]

Matthew 6:22-23 (ESV): "The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!"

Reflection: What are some things you need to guard your eyes from to ensure your heart remains pure? How can you be more intentional about what you allow into your mind?

Day 5: Do Good When Wronged and Discouraged

One of the most important times to do good is when we are wronged. Responding to evil with acts of goodness breaks the cycle of retaliation and bitterness. Another crucial time to do good is when we are discouraged. The enemy uses discouragement to prevent us from doing good, but we are encouraged not to grow weary in doing good, for in due season, we will reap if we do not give up.

When we choose to do good in the face of wrongdoing or discouragement, we demonstrate the transformative power of God's love. It is a powerful witness to the world and a testament to the strength and resilience that comes from walking in the Spirit. [01:24:57]

Romans 12:21 (ESV): "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you were wronged or felt discouraged. How can you respond with an act of goodness to break the cycle of negativity and reflect God's love?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we focused on the often-overlooked aspect of the fruit of the Spirit: goodness. We began by acknowledging the invaluable contributions of our children's and youth ministry workers and expressing gratitude for the support received during my sabbatical. Our primary scripture was Galatians 5:22-23, which lists the fruit of the Spirit. We have previously discussed love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, but today we zeroed in on goodness.

Goodness, as we explored, is not just a forgotten virtue in our sermon series but also in our society. We see a lack of goodness in various sectors, from corporate America to the judicial system, and even within the church. Goodness is defined as unselfishly doing things that benefit others. It originates from God, and we are called to reflect His goodness in our lives. We discussed how goodness is essential for healthy human relationships and how it is a part of our spiritual growth.

We also examined how to cultivate goodness in our lives. The first step is repentance, turning away from our sinful and selfish ways. The second step is obeying the Bible, which is our manual for living a godly life. The third step is guarding our eyes, as what we see influences our actions and thoughts. We emphasized that goodness is not just about having good traits but about being transformed by the Holy Spirit.

Finally, we discussed when to do good, especially when we are wronged or discouraged. Responding to evil with acts of goodness breaks the cycle of retaliation and bitterness. We were encouraged not to grow weary in doing good, for in due season, we will reap if we do not give up. The message concluded with a call to trust in the Lord and allow the Holy Spirit to produce goodness in us, making us more like Christ.

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Key Takeaways

1. Goodness is Unselfish: Goodness means doing things that benefit others without expecting anything in return. It is about being generous with our time and talents, reflecting God's goodness in our actions. This unselfishness is crucial for building healthy relationships and fulfilling God's command to do good to everyone, especially those in the household of faith. [48:25]
2. Goodness Originates from God: We cannot have true goodness apart from God. The psalmist asks, "What shall I render to the Lord for all His goodness to me?" The answer is to allow the Holy Spirit to produce goodness in our lives. This divine goodness gives us both the desire and the power to do good, making us more like Christ. [52:51]
3. Repentance and Obedience: To cultivate goodness, we must first repent and turn away from our sinful and selfish ways. The next step is to obey the Bible, which is our manual for living a godly life. The Scriptures are useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, equipping us for every good work. [67:56]
4. Guard Your Eyes: What we see influences our actions and thoughts. Jesus said that the eye is the lamp of the body; if our eyes are good, our whole body will be full of light. Therefore, we must guard our eyes from impure and sinful things to ensure that our entire being is filled with goodness. [72:42]
5. Do Good When Wronged and Discouraged: One of the most important times to do good is when we are wronged. Responding to evil with acts of goodness breaks the cycle of retaliation and bitterness. Another crucial time to do good is when we are discouraged. The enemy uses discouragement to prevent us from doing good, but we are encouraged not to grow weary in doing good, for in due season, we will reap if we do not give up. [01:24:57]
### [84:57]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[35:00] - Gratitude for Ministry Workers
[36:47] - Proverbs and Friendship
[38:49] - Reading of Galatians 5:22-23
[40:45] - Oh My Goodness
[43:16] - Lack of Goodness in Society
[45:18] - Trio of Trios: Fruit of the Spirit
[48:25] - Goodness in Human Relationships
[52:51] - Goodness Originates from God
[55:24] - Personal Reflection on Goodness
[61:14] - Created for Good Works
[67:56] - Steps to Cultivate Goodness
[72:42] - Guard Your Eyes
[80:07] - Do Good When Wronged
[83:59] - Do Good When Discouraged
[84:57] - Encouragement to Keep Doing Good
[91:05] - Trust in the Lord
[94:26] - Call to Revival
[98:22] - Closing Prayer and Praise

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to Galatians 5:22-23, what are the nine aspects of the fruit of the Spirit? How does goodness fit into this list? [38:49]
In Ephesians 2:10, what does it mean to be "created in Christ Jesus for good works"? How does this relate to the concept of goodness discussed in the sermon? [01:01:55]
The sermon mentioned that goodness is often overlooked in society. Can you recall specific examples given where goodness is lacking? [43:16]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon defines goodness as "unselfishly doing things that benefit others." How does this definition challenge or align with your current understanding of goodness? [52:51]
Reflect on the statement, "Goodness originates from God." How does this influence the way we should approach cultivating goodness in our lives? [52:51]
The sermon emphasized the importance of guarding our eyes. How do you think what we see influences our ability to cultivate goodness? [01:12:42]

Application Questions

Think of a recent situation where you were wronged. How could you have responded with goodness instead of retaliation? What steps can you take to respond differently in the future? [01:20:07]
The sermon mentioned that we should not grow weary in doing good. Identify a specific area in your life where you feel discouraged. How can you find encouragement to continue doing good in that area? [01:24:57]
The pastor shared a personal story about realizing his own selfishness during his sabbatical. Reflect on a time when you recognized selfish behavior in yourself. How did you address it, and what changes did you make? [56:10]
The sermon highlighted the importance of obeying the Bible as a step to cultivate goodness. What specific scripture or biblical principle can you focus on this week to guide your actions towards goodness? [01:07:56]
Guarding our eyes was emphasized as crucial for maintaining goodness. What practical steps can you take to guard your eyes from impure or sinful influences this week? [01:12:42]
The sermon mentioned that doing good when discouraged is vital. Share a time when you felt discouraged but chose to do good anyway. What was the outcome, and how did it impact your faith? [01:23:59]
Reflect on the idea that goodness is essential for healthy human relationships. Identify one relationship in your life that could benefit from more goodness. What specific actions can you take to improve that relationship? [48:25]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "Goodness, my brothers and sisters, originates with God. Goodness, my brothers and sisters, And that's why we find the psalmist asking the important question in Psalm 116, verse 12. He says, what shall I render to the Lord? Watch this, for all his goodness to me. See, goodness originates from God. You might have some good traits. You might have some good characteristics. You might even have some good attributes. But you can't have goodness apart from God because goodness originates with God." [52:51] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "We became Christians. Or followers of Jesus. Through God's grace. Or in other words. Through undeserved favor. It was you are not saved. Because of your own efforts. You are not saved. Because of your own goodness. You are not saved because of your own abilities. Come on. Don't talk back to me in this place. But our gratitude for this free gift is shown in our willingness to do good for others." [01:02:25] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "The word gospel literally means good news. It tells us how to become Christians. And thus become good in God's sight. As a matter of fact in the last sentence of Mark chapter 1 verse 15. What does Jesus say how we become Christians? Look at what it says. And say the time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand. Look at what Jesus said. Repent and believe in the gospel. Repent and believe. In the gospel the word repent means we turn from living life the way we want to live. And we start living like God wants us to live." [01:07:06] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Let your light so shine that men would hear your words. Do y'all know the Bible? Let your light so shine that men would know how much Bible you know. No. No. Let your light so shine that men would do what? See your good works. And then glorify the Father which is in heaven. Hebrews 13 and 16 commands us this. It says do not neglect to do good and share what you have. For such sacrifices are pleasing to God." [01:03:16] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "When we do things unselfishly. To the. Benefit of others. We are displaying. Goodness. During. The sabbatical. It gave me an opportunity. To reconnect with my wife. Gave me an opportunity. To reconnect with my children. Gave me an opportunity. To realize. selfish I was. Gave me an opportunity to realize. Just. How much pride I had." [55:24] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "So the first trio is love, joy, and peace, right? All right. So these three really talk about our relationship. Watch this with God. So these three talk about our God relationship. Okay. And if our God relationship or if our relationship with God is right, we will have the love of God. We will have the joy of Christ and we will have the peace that surpasses all understanding in Christ Jesus. Amen." [46:51] (59 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "So doing things that benefit others. Is a sacrifice that pleases God. Because doing good and being willing to share. You know what it does? It strikes a death blow. It strikes a death blow to selfishness. And let me just tell you something. Selfishness in my opinion is the root of all sin. Selfishness. So what is goodness? It is unselfishly doing things. That benefit others." [01:05:49] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "And let us not grow weary of doing good. For in due season we will reap if we do not give up. Boy, that's a lot in that one verse. Let me just try to unpack this and drive this thing home and then we can get out of here. Look at what it says. It says, and let us not grow weary. In other words, he's already telling you life was never meant to be done alone he says, let us." [01:24:57] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "When we are wronged, should do good. I know this is counterintuitive. This is counterculture. But let me tell you something. Nothing reveals whether or not we are good people like how we react when someone does us wrong. I know that's right, Dignus Jones. Just help us. I mean, you know, sometimes if you can't say it. My granddad used to say, if you can't say amen, say ouch. Evil people try to get even, or at least they harbor bitterness." [01:20:07] (55 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "So if you're here in this place and you say, Pastor Devin, I, I know, I know, I know I need to be revived in the ways of the Lord. Come on. You don't have to, you don't have to be ashamed because we're all in this thing trying to just get ourselves right. But I can tell you the only way to get right is to let him get you right." [01:34:26] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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