The Goodness of God
Notes
Transcript
For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.
Introduction:
Introduction:
We live in a busy world and we are entering into a busy season. There is a lot going on and it is easy to lose focus of the things that really matter.
There are many things tugging at us and we are warring with our own desires, the temptations of the World and Satan’s crafty strategies.
It is important for us to fix our gaze on eternal things — focus on God!
Today, I come to you with an important message. It is a simple one:
God is Good!
God is Good!
When you really get ahold of this statement and make it your own, something very powerful happens.
You begin to fix your thoughts on Him and not your circumstances
You unlock the power to live an abundant life
Circumstances change - but God does not
We all face things, but the Bible reminds us to focus on God!
Philippians 4:8 “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”
All of these things describe God - fix your thoughts on Him!
Of the many characteristics of God, the one I want to focus on today is His GOODNESS!
What is God’s Goodness?
What is God’s Goodness?
“The collective perfection of His nature and the benevolence of His acts.” (Dr. Tony Evans)
Look what the Bible says: Psalm 119:68 “You are good and do only good; teach me your decrees.”
God is good by nature and good at what He does.
People want to think that they are good.
People want to think they do good things.
But, What do they base that on?
God’s goodness is the standard of measurement.
God’s goodness is the standard of measurement.
We must base all that we know about goodness on God Himself!
As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
“Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good.
The rich young ruler called Jesus good
Jesus used the opportunity to give him a theology lesson
How do you know I am good? (JESUS ASKED)
No one is really good except God.
The young man is faced with a dilemma — Either Jesus is not good or He is God!
Furthermore
God is the Source of all that is Good
God is the Source of all that is Good
James 1:17 “Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.”
So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.”
Then God said, “Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food.
And I have given every green plant as food for all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, and the small animals that scurry along the ground—everything that has life.” And that is what happened.
Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good! And evening passed and morning came, marking the sixth day.
All that is good comes from God!
All that God created was good and he didn't do this for His amusement but He did this for man
Genesis 1:29 “Then God said, “Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food.”
When you look up into the sky - you see God’s goodness
When you look at the green grass - you see God’s goodness
When you look at the beautiful sunrise or sunset - you see God’s goodness
For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.
God’s goodness is revealed all around us!
God’s Goodness is not equal
God’s Goodness is not equal
“God is good to all His creatures in some ways but He is good to His children in all ways!” (Dr. Tony Evans)
God is Good to All
God is Good to All
Everyone can experience God’s goodness in some ways.
Even unbelievers can experience God’s goodness.
Matthew 5:45 “In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.”
You don’t have to be a Christian to get rain.
There is surely a benefit in living in this world that God has blessed.
But there is more for those who love Him!
God is Good to Christians
God is Good to Christians
To those who have called upon the name of Jesus Christ and are walking with Him in a right relationship have the ability to enjoy the goodness of God in ways the world cannot appreciate.
He’s given us His revelation
He’s given His Holy Spirit to guide us
He’s given us a divine perspective
We can enjoy what God has given, we don’t have to live in a deprived state/poor. We don’t have to have a poverty mindset.
God wants us to enjoy all that He has given. (THIS REVELATION CAN SET PEOPLE FREE)
Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks.
For we know it is made acceptable by the word of God and prayer.
Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment.
Receive all God has given us with thanks!
What Should Our Response Be?
What Should Our Response Be?
God’s goodness should elicit a response in His children.
Worship — Psalm 107:1–2 “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies.”
Sing
Praise
Pray
Share with others
Tell others
be good to others/hospitable
Celebrate together
You don’t have to go to church to be a Christian
If you are a grateful Christian, you will go to celebrate God’s goodness
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.
Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies.
For he has gathered the exiles from many lands, from east and west, from north and south.
Some wandered in the wilderness, lost and homeless.
Hungry and thirsty, they nearly died.
“Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he rescued them from their distress.
He led them straight to safety, to a city where they could live.
Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them.
For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.
Some sat in darkness and deepest gloom, imprisoned in iron chains of misery.
They rebelled against the words of God, scorning the counsel of the Most High.
That is why he broke them with hard labor; they fell, and no one was there to help them.
“Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress.
He led them from the darkness and deepest gloom; he snapped their chains.
We have reason to celebrate!
God loves to hear us praise Him, worship Him, and thank Him!
Thankfulness is a lifestyle and not just a one time event. Don’t you teach your kids to say thank you. Is it just one time or each time they receive something from you?
God’s Goodness gives us opportunity to be thankful.
The epitome of God’s goodness is found in the grace offered by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross.
The epitome of God’s goodness is found in the grace offered by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross.
He took the punishment we deserved.
He took God’s judgement instead of us.
He reconciled a broken relationship with God.
He gave you a hope and a future.
He gave you life where there was only death.
We have reason to be thankful - let us celebrate the goodness of God together!
Altar
Altar
Take in New Member: Rebecca Miller
Take in New Member: Rebecca Miller
