True Goodness: A Reflection of God's Character
Summary
Good morning, church family. Today, we explored the profound concept of goodness as a fruit of the Spirit, drawing from Galatians 5 and Micah 6. We began by reflecting on the world's perception of the "good life," often defined by material success and comfort, contrasting it with God's definition, which is deeply spiritual and rooted in His character. The story of the corpse flower served as a metaphor for how appearances can be deceiving, reminding us that true goodness comes from within and is a reflection of God's presence in our lives.
We delved into the nature of goodness, distinguishing it from kindness. While kindness is an inner disposition, goodness is kindness in action—deliberate deeds that benefit others. This goodness is not about feeling or looking good but about being and doing good, which can only come from God. We acknowledged that, contrary to popular belief, people are not inherently good; only God is good, and His goodness is the standard we strive for.
The sermon emphasized that goodness is a matter of revelation, not reason. It is personal godliness lived out practically, producing fairness, promoting forgiveness, and proceeding from faithfulness. We are called to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God. This walk with God is the secret to cultivating goodness, as it aligns us with His will and empowers us to live out His character in our daily lives.
We were reminded that our actions, attitudes, and deeds speak volumes to an unbelieving world. As Christians, we are expected to embody goodness and godliness, reflecting the transformative power of the Holy Spirit within us. The story of the elderly deacon sitting with the young man in the aisle illustrated the impact of simple acts of goodness, which can leave lasting impressions on others.
Ultimately, the good life is not about how long we live but how well we live, rooted in a relationship with God. We are encouraged to walk humbly with Him, recognizing that goodness is not a matter of the head or hands but of the heart. As we grow in our walk with the Lord, the fruit of the Spirit ripens, and our goodness becomes a testament to His work in us.
Key Takeaways:
- True Goodness Comes from God: Goodness is not about appearances or material success but is a reflection of God's character within us. It is cultivated through a relationship with Him and is expressed in our actions and attitudes. [46:57]
- Goodness is Kindness in Action: While kindness is an inner disposition, goodness is the deliberate act of doing what is intrinsically good for others. It is not about feeling good but about being and doing good, which can only come from God. [46:09]
- Walking Humbly with God: Our relationship with God is the source of true goodness. Walking humbly with Him means recognizing that we don't deserve this relationship, yet it is freely given. This walk empowers us to live out His goodness in our lives. [01:04:32]
- The Power of Simple Acts of Goodness: Our actions and attitudes speak volumes to the world. Simple acts of goodness, like the deacon sitting with the young man, can leave lasting impressions and reflect the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. [58:39]
- Goodness is a Matter of the Heart: It is not about what we know or do but about who we are in Christ. As we grow in our walk with the Lord, the fruit of the Spirit ripens, and our goodness becomes a testament to His work in us. [01:10:33]
Youtube Chapters:
[0:00] - Welcome
[41:59] - Introduction to Goodness
[42:51] - The Corpse Flower Metaphor
[43:42] - The Aroma of Christ
[44:34] - The Good Life According to God
[45:29] - Fruit of the Spirit: Goodness
[46:09] - Kindness vs. Goodness
[46:57] - The Source of Goodness
[47:37] - God is Good
[48:15] - The Definition of Goodness
[48:55] - Scripture Reading
[49:40] - The Gospel's Transformative Power
[50:50] - Goodness Produces Fairness
[51:54] - Justice and Mercy
[53:01] - The Importance of Good Deeds
[54:02] - God's Goodness in All Things
[55:12] - America's Spiritual Landscape
[56:22] - The Influence of a Holy Life
[57:15] - The Story of Bill and the Deacon
[58:39] - Actions Speak Louder Than Words
[59:01] - The Good Life Promotes Forgiveness
[01:04:32] - Walking Humbly with God
[01:10:33] - Goodness is a Matter of the Heart
[01:13:10] - God's Goodness at Calvary
[01:15:16] - Invitation to Respond
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Galatians 5:22-23
- Micah 6:8
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Observation Questions:
1. What is the difference between kindness and goodness as described in the sermon? How does the pastor illustrate this distinction? [46:09]
2. According to the sermon, why is it important to recognize that only God is inherently good? How does this understanding affect our perception of goodness? [47:37]
3. How does the story of the corpse flower serve as a metaphor for the world's perception of the "good life"? What lesson does it teach us about true goodness? [42:51]
4. What role does the Holy Spirit play in cultivating the fruit of goodness in our lives, according to the sermon? [46:57]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the pastor's explanation of goodness as "kindness in action" challenge common societal views of what it means to be good? [46:09]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that our actions and attitudes can serve as a testament to God's work in us? How might this impact our witness to others? [58:39]
3. The sermon emphasizes walking humbly with God as a source of true goodness. How does this concept relate to the idea of personal godliness lived out practically? [01:04:32]
4. How does the pastor use the story of the elderly deacon and the young man to illustrate the power of simple acts of goodness? What does this story reveal about the nature of Christian witness? [58:11]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you might be prioritizing appearances or material success over cultivating true goodness? How can you realign your focus to reflect God's character more authentically? [42:51]
2. Consider a recent situation where you had the opportunity to show kindness. How could you have turned that kindness into an act of goodness? What steps can you take to be more intentional about this in the future? [46:09]
3. The sermon highlights the importance of walking humbly with God. What practical steps can you take this week to deepen your relationship with God and align your actions with His will? [01:04:32]
4. Think of a time when a simple act of goodness had a significant impact on you or someone else. How can you incorporate more of these acts into your daily life to reflect the transformative power of the Holy Spirit? [58:39]
5. The pastor mentioned that goodness is a matter of the heart. What specific changes can you make in your heart attitude to better reflect the goodness of God in your interactions with others? [01:10:33]
6. Identify a person in your life who may not know Christ. How can you be a living example of God's goodness to them this week? What specific actions or words might you use to demonstrate this? [55:12]
7. Reflect on the concept of forgiveness as part of the good life. Is there someone you need to forgive or seek forgiveness from? How can you take steps toward reconciliation this week? [59:01]
Devotional
Day 1: True Goodness Reflects God's Character
True goodness is not about external appearances or material success; it is a reflection of God's character within us. This goodness is cultivated through a deep relationship with God and is expressed in our actions and attitudes. The world often equates the "good life" with wealth and comfort, but God's definition is deeply spiritual, rooted in His nature. As we align ourselves with Him, His goodness becomes evident in our lives, transforming us from the inside out. This transformation is not about achieving perfection but about allowing God's presence to shape our hearts and actions. [46:57]
"For the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true, and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord." (Ephesians 5:9-10, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you allow God's character to shape your actions and attitudes today?
Day 2: Goodness as Kindness in Action
Goodness is more than an inner disposition; it is kindness in action. While kindness may be a feeling or intention, goodness is the deliberate act of doing what is intrinsically good for others. It is not about feeling good but about being and doing good, which can only come from God. This active expression of goodness requires us to step beyond our comfort zones and engage in acts that reflect God's love and justice. By doing so, we become conduits of His grace, impacting the lives of those around us in meaningful ways. [46:09]
"Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor." (Romans 12:9-10, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one specific act of kindness you can perform today that reflects God's goodness to someone in need.
Day 3: Walking Humbly with God
Our relationship with God is the source of true goodness. Walking humbly with Him means recognizing that we don't deserve this relationship, yet it is freely given. This walk empowers us to live out His goodness in our lives, aligning our hearts with His will. As we walk with God, we are called to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly, allowing His presence to guide our steps. This humble walk is not about self-reliance but about dependence on God, trusting Him to lead us in paths of righteousness. [01:04:32]
"He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8, ESV)
Reflection: How can you practice walking humbly with God today, acknowledging your dependence on Him in your daily decisions?
Day 4: The Power of Simple Acts of Goodness
Our actions and attitudes speak volumes to the world. Simple acts of goodness, like the deacon sitting with the young man, can leave lasting impressions and reflect the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. These acts do not require grand gestures but are often found in the small, everyday moments where we choose to reflect God's love. By being attentive to the needs of others and responding with compassion, we demonstrate the reality of God's presence in our lives, inviting others to experience His love through us. [58:39]
"Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." (Hebrews 13:16, ESV)
Reflection: What simple act of goodness can you perform today to demonstrate God's love to someone in your community?
Day 5: Goodness is a Matter of the Heart
Goodness is not about what we know or do but about who we are in Christ. As we grow in our walk with the Lord, the fruit of the Spirit ripens, and our goodness becomes a testament to His work in us. This transformation is a matter of the heart, where God's Spirit cultivates His character within us. It is not about external achievements but about an internal change that reflects God's love and grace. As we surrender our hearts to Him, His goodness flows through us, impacting the world around us. [01:10:33]
"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." (Psalm 51:10, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to invite God to transform your heart, allowing His goodness to flow through you?
Quotes
1) "Some people may appear larger. Larger than life through financial success or social status or educational development or material possessions. But once you get near them, they might surprise you by emitting a rotten stench, whether it's in the way of a bad attitude or a compromising lifestyle or a harshness towards other people. And what you discover is this, that as you get to know them better, the inside is very different from the outside. Their stench is more repellent than attractive. Now the fruit of the Spirit, on the other hand, has an incredible drawing power. When people see the fruit of the Spirit being cultivated in your life, it draws them not to you, but to Jesus." [44:34] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "Now, contrary to opinions, it is not feeling good, it is not looking good, it is not owning good. It is about being good and doing good. Since it's the fruit of the Spirit, we know that goodness can only come from God. Now, again, contrary to popular opinion, people think that people in the world are basically good. People are basically bad. Amen. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We are not good. Romans 3.12 says, There is none who does good, no, not one. You know what that word none means in Greek? That's right. It means nobody." [47:37] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3) "Goodness is not a... a matter of reason. It is a matter of revelation. Only God shows what is good because only God knows what good is. And so, in this scripture, we find the definition of goodness. Goodness is personal godliness lived out in a practical way. Now, there's three things we see here that the fruit of the spirit of goodness will cultivate in our lives. First, it will produce fairness. According to God himself, the first step of goodness is this. He has told you, O man, what is good and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice." [50:50] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4) "Now, biblically, the concept of justice involves three things, integrity, honesty, and a concern for the weak. And we can only cultivate these through a relationship with Christ Jesus. If goodness comes from God, you can only truly be as good as you can be through the power of the Holy Spirit. Now, does that mean that people that aren't Christians can't act good? Well, yeah, of course they can. There's lots of folks that don't know Jesus that do good things, but they're not intrinsically good. And ultimately, when they die, they're going to go to hell and be separated from God forever." [53:01] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5) "Our actions, our attitudes, and our deeds, they speak volumes to an unbelieving world. And the world expects people who call themselves Christians to be good, and to be godly. To do good, and to do godly things. A real thing, and not a cheap imitation. And if you're a child of God, you possess the fruit of the spirit, and the world will be able to see on the outside, what God is doing to you on the inside. Sometimes all we have to do, is simply do a good deed." [59:01] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6) "It's easy to forgive others, when we see God's goodness in everything. And we can find the goodness of God everywhere. And that man understood, the good life is a life that promotes forgiveness. Finally, the good life proceeds from faithfulness. We see the last line, is to, walk humbly with your God, friends, this is the real secret, and the real source of goodness. It is walking with God. You can only have a relationship with the Father, if you first have a relationship with the Son. You have got to know the Son, before you can come to know the Father. Walking with God is the secret." [01:04:32] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7) "You see, when you have a walk with the Lord, you are going to be spiritually sensitive to other people. When I have a conversation with people, and this is just something that I have cultivated over the years, Jesus is my primary focus. No matter what that conversation is about, I want it to go to Christ Jesus. You want to talk about the Ravens? I don't. But I'll sit and listen to you talk about the Ravens. You want to talk about the Orioles? I definitely don't. But I'm going to talk about the Ravens. I'm going to listen to you talk about the Orioles if it gives me the opportunity to talk about Jesus." [01:08:20] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8) "Goodness is not a matter of what you know nor what you do. It's a matter of what you are. If you're a child of God, you have the capacity to be good. To be godly. To be right. And to be righteous. You see, that is the fruit of the Spirit living in you. It is the fruit that you bear as you grow in Christ Jesus. It's not automatic. I wish it was. I wish it was. Because I would love to be just the goodest old guy in the world. But God is still chipping away at me. I'm still on my path of sanctification. And if you're a Christ follower, you are too." [01:10:33] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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