Thank Goodness: A Cover Story

Today, we gathered as a community to celebrate not just the long legacy of our church, but the deeper, ongoing story of God’s people—stretching back generations, rooted in faithfulness, and always moving forward in hope. We remembered that our life together is not just about us as individuals, but about the “we”—the family of God, built on the faith and sacrifice of those who came before us and sustained by the grace that carries us now. In a world that is often divided, we are called to be a people of unity, mercy, and love, embodying the welcome and healing of Christ.

Reflecting on the musical “Wicked,” we explored the tension between outward appearances and inward reality. The character Glenda sings of happiness, but beneath the surface, she is hollow—her joy is a performance, not a truth. This mirrors the spiritual danger of living with a mask: saying the right words, looking the part, but missing the transformation that God desires. We considered Jesus’ parable of the unforgiving servant, who receives extravagant mercy but fails to extend it to others. His story warns us that it is possible to look grateful, even to kneel in worship, yet remain unchanged at the heart level.

The challenge before us is to move from “thanking goodness” to “being goodness”—to let the mercy and grace we have received from God actually shape our lives, our relationships, and our actions. It is not enough to sing songs of praise or to say we are blessed; God calls us to honesty, to integrity, and to a life where our outward expressions match our inward reality. Hypocrisy is subtle and self-deceiving, but the Spirit invites us to trade performance for presence, polish for peace, and comfort for character.

As we come to the table, we remember that we are part of a legacy—a people who have tried, sometimes failed, but always sought to live faithfully. May we be those who, by God’s grace, leave behind not just memories, but a living witness of mercy, love, and truth for generations to come.

Key Takeaways

• 1. True spiritual transformation is not about outward performance but inward honesty. It is easy to put on a mask of happiness or gratitude, but God desires truth in our innermost being. Only when we are honest with ourselves and with God can real change begin to take root. [33:00]
• 2. The mercy we receive from God is meant to flow through us to others. The parable of the unforgiving servant reveals the tragedy of receiving grace but refusing to extend it. Our calling is not just to be recipients of forgiveness, but to become agents of mercy in a world desperate for it. [39:40]
• 3. Hypocrisy often grows in the soil of self-deception. We can become so accustomed to our own spiritual performances that we start to believe them, losing sight of the deeper work God wants to do in us. The danger is not just in fooling others, but in fooling ourselves and missing the invitation to real holiness. [46:12]
• 4. Small compromises and convenient untruths can quietly erode our integrity. Whether it’s a borrowed Tupperware never returned or a “thank you Jesus” smile masking deep pain, these small acts matter. God calls us to a life where our words and actions align, where even the smallest details reflect His truth. [44:50]
• 5. The journey from “thanking goodness” to “being goodness” is ongoing and often difficult. It requires daily self-examination, humility, and a willingness to let God’s grace shape us from the inside out. Our legacy as Christ’s followers is not in our perfection, but in our persistent pursuit of integrity, love, and mercy. [52:42]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [14:17] - Opening Prayer and Community Gratitude
• [16:15] - Celebrating Our Church’s Legacy
• [18:14] - Stories from the Past: Homecoming Memories
• [20:39] - The Meaning of Church Family
• [22:32] - Introducing the “Wicked” Series
• [24:22] - Act Two of Wicked: The Story Unfolds
• [27:22] - “Thank Goodness” Musical Performance
• [31:14] - The Mask of Happiness
• [34:55] - Jesus’ Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
• [39:40] - The Danger of False Peace
• [42:16] - When Gratitude Isn’t Transformation
• [44:50] - Small Lies and Spiritual Integrity
• [46:12] - The Trap of Spiritual Hypocrisy
• [50:01] - From Thanking Goodness to Being Goodness
• [54:01] - Communion and Living the Legacy
• [56:44] - Closing Song: “Precious Lord, Take My Hand”

Bible Reading

Matthew 18:21-35 (ESV) – The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant —
> 21 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.
>
> 23 “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27 And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30 He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. 32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

Jeremiah 6:14 (ESV) —
> They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace.

Isaiah 29:13 (ESV) —
> And the Lord said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men…”

Observation Questions

1. In the parable Jesus tells in Matthew 18, what is the difference between the debt owed by the first servant to the king and the debt owed by the second servant to the first? ([36:15])
2. According to the sermon, what outward signs did Glenda (from “Wicked”) and the unforgiving servant both display, and what was really happening inside them? ([33:00])
3. What phrase does Jeremiah use to describe people who claim things are fine when they are not, and how does this relate to the story of the unforgiving servant? ([42:16])
4. What does the king call the servant who refuses to forgive, and why? ([37:39])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus chose to use such an extreme difference in the amounts owed in his parable? What point was he making about forgiveness and mercy? ([36:15])
2. The sermon talks about the danger of “false peace” and “spiritual performance.” How can someone look grateful or happy on the outside but remain unchanged on the inside? ([39:40])
3. According to the sermon, how does hypocrisy “grow in the soil of self-deception”? What are some ways people might start to believe their own spiritual act? ([46:12])
4. The sermon mentions that “small lies” and “convenient untruths” can erode our integrity. Why do these small things matter so much in our spiritual lives? ([44:50])

Application Questions

1. The sermon challenges us to move from “thanking goodness” to “being goodness.” Is there an area in your life where you tend to put on a mask or perform for others, rather than being honest with God and yourself? What would it look like to take off that mask this week? ([33:00])
2. Think about a time when you received mercy or forgiveness from God or someone else. Did you find it easy or hard to extend that same mercy to others? What holds you back from being merciful? ([39:40])
3. The sermon gives examples of “small lies,” like not returning borrowed Tupperware or pretending to be “too blessed to be stressed.” Can you think of a small area where you’ve let a convenient untruth slide? What step could you take to make it right? ([44:50])
4. The parable ends with the servant being called “wicked” for not forgiving as he was forgiven. Is there someone in your life you need to forgive, or at least begin the process of forgiveness with? What is one practical step you could take this week? ([37:39])
5. The sermon says, “We can sing, ‘How great thou art!’ while our heart is muttering, but don’t change me too much, Lord.” Are there areas where you resist real change, even while participating in church or spiritual activities? What is one area you want to invite God to change in you? ([47:31])
6. The legacy of the church is built on people who tried, sometimes failed, but kept seeking to live faithfully. What kind of legacy do you want to leave for those who come after you? How can you start building that legacy now? ([54:36])
7. The sermon invites us to let our “outward expressions match our inward reality.” What is one way you can practice greater honesty and integrity in your relationships this week? ([52:42])