Understanding God's Nature: Goodness, Love, and Grace

Today, we gathered to reflect on the true nature of God the Father—our King above all kings. As we marked the King’s Birthday weekend, we shifted our focus from earthly royalty to the eternal King, exploring who God is and what it means for us to know Him personally. Through simple objects—a flashlight, a rope, a rock, water, and a blank piece of paper—we uncovered deep truths about God’s character: His goodness, faithfulness, nearness, invisibility, and, above all, His love.

God’s goodness is not just a comforting phrase but a foundational reality. He is good all the time, and everything He does flows from that goodness. Even when life feels unstable or unpredictable, God remains unchanging and faithful, a rock beneath our feet when everything else shifts. He is not a distant monarch but a close companion, always near to those who call on Him, attentive to our lives, and present in every circumstance.

Though we cannot see God or capture His likeness, we see His heart revealed in Jesus. Jesus is the visible image of the invisible God, showing us what God is like through His life and love. At the core of all God’s attributes is love—not just as an action, but as His very essence. God is love, and everything He does is an expression of that love.

Grace is the outworking of God’s love, His power at work in us, enabling us to shine His light in the world. Grace is not something we earn; it is a gift we receive, and it continues to shape us, giving us strength to forgive, courage to speak truth, and power to love as Jesus did. God’s invitation is an open door—He calls us to step through, to receive His grace, and to let it transform us from the inside out. The challenge is not just to accept God’s love and grace for ourselves, but to pour it out to others, becoming living reflections of His goodness in a world that desperately needs it.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God’s Goodness Is Foundational God’s goodness is not dependent on circumstances or our behavior; it is intrinsic to who He is. Every act of God flows from His unwavering goodness, and we can trust that He will never act in a way that is not good for us, even when we don’t understand His ways. This truth anchors us in times of uncertainty, reminding us that God’s intentions toward us are always loving and kind. [31:21]
• 2. God Is Faithful and Unchanging Unlike the shifting ground of life, God is a steadfast rock—unchanging, reliable, and eternally faithful. His promises do not waver with time or circumstance, and His commitment to us is not seasonal. When everything else feels unstable, we can stand firm on the certainty of God’s faithfulness, knowing He holds our lives securely in His hands. [34:29]
• 3. God Is Near and Personally Involved God is not a distant ruler but a close companion, intimately involved in our daily lives. He is attentive to our needs, hears our prayers, and walks with us through every season—joyful or painful. This nearness means we are never alone; God’s presence is a constant source of comfort, strength, and hope. [37:44]
• 4. God’s Love Is the Core of His Being Love is not just something God does; it is who He is. Every attribute—His goodness, faithfulness, holiness, and desire to be near us—flows from His deep, unwavering love. This love is stronger than anything we can imagine, and it is the foundation for His grace, mercy, and salvation offered to all. [42:25]
• 5. Grace Is God’s Love in Action—An Open Door Grace is the practical expression of God’s love, empowering us to live as His children and to reflect His light in the world. It is a gift we cannot earn, only receive, and it continues to shape us, enabling us to forgive, love, and serve others. The invitation is to step through the open door of grace, allowing God’s love to transform us and flow through us to those around us. [48:41]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:57] - Opening Prayer and Focus
• [23:13] - Reflections on King’s Birthday
• [24:19] - Introducing God the King
• [25:27] - Exploring God’s Character
• [26:21] - Interactive Object Lesson Begins
• [27:22] - Discovering God Through Objects
• [28:34] - God’s Goodness Illustrated
• [30:33] - God Is Good All the Time
• [32:48] - God Is Faithful and Unchanging
• [34:29] - Trusting God in Uncertainty
• [36:09] - God’s Nearness and Presence
• [40:16] - God Is Unseen, Jesus Reveals Him
• [42:25] - God’s Love Is Stronger Than Anything
• [45:24] - Grace: God’s Power in Us
• [48:41] - The Open Door of Grace
• [49:50] - Responding to God’s Invitation
• [51:33] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Bible Reading

Psalm 107:1 — "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His faithful love endures forever."

2. Psalm 145:18
"The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth."

3. 1 John 4:8
"Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."

Observation Questions

1. What are some of the simple objects used in the sermon to help us understand God’s character, and what did each one represent? (flashlight, rope, rock, water, blank paper) [[27:22]]
2. According to Psalm 107:1, what is the reason given for giving thanks to God? How is this echoed in the sermon? [[31:21]]
3. In Psalm 145:18, who does the Lord promise to be near to? How was this idea explained in the sermon? [[37:44]]
4. The sermon says, “God is love.” How does 1 John 4:8 describe the connection between knowing God and loving others? [[42:25]]

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says God’s goodness is not just a comforting phrase but a foundational reality. Why is it important to believe that God is good all the time, even when life feels unstable? [[31:21]]
2. The rock was used to illustrate God’s faithfulness and unchanging nature. How does knowing God is unchanging help someone during times of uncertainty or disappointment? [[34:29]]
3. The blank piece of paper represented God’s invisibility, but the sermon said we see God’s heart in Jesus. What does it mean that Jesus is the “visible image of the invisible God”? [[41:32]]
4. The sermon described grace as “God’s love in action.” How does understanding grace as a gift, not something we earn, change the way we relate to God and others? [[47:25]]

Application Questions

1. The sermon said, “God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.” When was a time in your life when it was hard to believe God was good? How did you respond, and what might you do differently now? [[31:21]]
2. Think about a situation right now that feels unstable or uncertain. How can you remind yourself that God is your “rock”—faithful and unchanging—even when everything else shifts? [[34:29]]
3. The message emphasized that God is not a distant king but a close companion. In what ways do you sense God’s nearness in your daily life? Are there times when He feels far away? What helps you notice His presence? [[37:44]]
4. The sermon said, “God is love—not just as an action, but as His very essence.” How does this truth affect the way you view yourself and others, especially those who are hard to love? [[42:25]]
5. Grace was described as an “open door” that God invites us to step through. Is there an area of your life where you need to receive God’s grace more fully? What might it look like to accept that invitation this week? [[48:41]]
6. The challenge was not just to accept God’s love and grace for ourselves, but to pour it out to others. Who in your life needs to experience God’s goodness through you right now? What is one practical way you can show them grace or love this week? [[49:50]]
7. The sermon ended with the question, “What will be your next step?” What is one specific step you feel God is inviting you to take in response to His love and grace? [[50:50]]