Spreading the Seeds of Goodness
Notes
Transcript
Introduction:
Introduction:
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.
This week, we will be delving into the Goodness of God. We will be looking at several passages tonight, to lay out our common theme that because God has been good to us, so then we go show His Goodness to others.
Firstly, to recap, can anyone reflect on what we talked about last week [A: Patience], and give a little something that you learned [A: How God’s Patience leads us to love others, instead of getting wrapped up in being angry or focusing all about ourselves]?
When considering goodness tonight, I want us to have a different attitude. This is a Fruit of the Spirit, that is not optional, but we are called to bear. When we show goodness in our decisions, words, or actions, we reflect the character of God, embodying the transformation that has taken occured, just as we are called to be ambassadors or representatives of Christ. When displaying goodness to people, this not only transforms your life and your outlook, but it transforms relationships and communities within your own circle. When we view the Fruits of the Spirit, we must not view it is an obligation because we are a Christian, but an opportunity, to demonstrate Christ to the world. Now having that background, let’s see how God’s goodness has been shown to us.
Grasping God’s Goodness
Grasping God’s Goodness
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
This is surely a well-known part of scripture, where I’m sure all of you could quote in your sleep. However, let us not be apathetic to Scripture passages that we’ve heard a thousand times, but let us have an open mind and let the Spirit move.
When looking at this common passage of Scripture, we understand the good attributes of God. In verse 1, we find contentment in Christ, knowing that God is our Protector. Then, as we spoke about a couple of weeks ago, we see in verse 2, the Peace of God. In verse 3, we see the Faithfulness of God, leading His sheep in the paths of righteousness, for His name sake. In verse 4, we see again the Protection of God, that even when life gets difficult, God is with you and protects you. Verse 5, we see the Provision of God, how God provides for us, that even in spite of our enemies, we can be confident that God will provide favor to His children, not just the bare necessity, but that our cup of blessing overflows from the creator of the universe.
Then in verse 6, now knowing all that our God has done for us, Surely goodness and mercy shall follow us. As God has been Faithful, our Protector, our Peace, and our Provider, we can have confidence of God’s goodness to us. And David also assures, that not only will His Goodness follow His children, but that it’s not temporary, but eternal, dwelling in the presence of God forever. When looking at the picture David is painting us, it’s as a sheep, in need of Shepherd, that God assures the comfort and assurance in God’s nature and who he is.
22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” 25 The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.
As you see in verse 22, we see similar language that we looked at last week. The unwavering [agape] love of God never stops. Him showing His children compassion, has no stopping point.
Recap: Is Mercy withholding judgement or unmerited favor?
So God, withholding judgement, is an act that encompasses love, grace, goodness, forgiveness, truth, compassion, and faithfulness, all that never end. God than reassures and paints us the picture that they renew every single morning. That is believed to be alluded to Psalm 30:5
5 Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.
Trials, tribulations, or our sin may cause us to weeping, but God renews us with His joy or mercies in the morning. For we cannot stand firm in adversities, without God alone and His favor. For immediately when we stray, any adversity that may happen to us will cause our faith to fail, outside of Christ; for Christ is the true Foundation of patience and hope. Psalm 34:8
8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
Once our soul tastes and sees that the Lord is good, our soul is forever satisfied. For the portions of this world are temporary and perishing, yet Christ alone is forever, completely satisfactory. For we have seen the attributes of God in this passage, that God’s unwavering love and mercy will never come to an end, for they renew daily, having confidence of the Lord’s faithfulness. So for those who seek Him, or those who are truly are His children, He is good.
David got the concept. David, who is known as what? “The man after God’s own heart”, understood this key attribute of God: His Goodness. Here are few passages highlighting this.
1 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!
Why do we give thanks to the Lord? Not to earn His favor, or receive a blessing or goodness in return. Yet, it’s because He is good.
Lastly, let us look at the final passage of how we are to Grasp God’s Goodness.
68 You are good and do good; teach me your statutes.
If you have any question or doubt, if God is good, this verse is for you. Notice in this passage, that David does not state it like this: God does good to me, therefore He is good. No! David starts that God is good, therefore, we conclude that everything He does is good, whether we understand or not. Obviously, when we apply these concepts of the Goodness of God, when life is going “well”, we surely consider the Goodness of God. However, when we consider life to be not going so well, you have to admit, we beg the question either in our mind or actions, “God, are you sure you know what you’re doing?” So, let us rest assure in this small, yet powerful passage.
Giving God’s Goodness
Giving God’s Goodness
Now that we understand a little better of God’s Goodness, we then are instructed and is evidence that we are Followers of Christ, to be a Giver of God’s Goodness.
7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
We start in verse 7 and Paul states this: Don’t you know better? God is All-Knowing, Sovereign and Supreme. Using a agricultural metaphor, Paul states that when you plant something in the ground, that seed will come up. So, for the one who sows for his own flesh, it will produce corruption or in the book of Romans, states spiritual death. But for the one who sows the Spirit, it will reap eternal life. When used as “eternal life”, this expression not only means that life endures forever, but primarily, the highest qualify of living that a person can experience.
Paul then, gives us a reminder or encouragement. That living for the Spirit has a cost. Helping out our neighbors, being kind to someone at school, or showing patience to our sibling. However, in doing that, sometimes we can feel defeated, persecuted, or feeling as we are alone, because sometimes people can make it hard to do the right thing. Which sometimes, may cause us to stumble or lead us from doing right. So, Paul encourages us to not relax or be discouraged in doing good, for at just the right time, we will realize it has been worth it and God will reward us. So, having that in mind Paul says, that in every season, whether sowing or reaping, to do good to everyone and Paul then adds the comment to especially to believers. Now, this does not get you off the hook to mistreat unbelievers! No, for treating our fellow brothers and sisters with goodness, then shows to the outside world that we are Followers of Christ. For in our love and unity with one another, the world may know we are followers of Christ.
The next passage, Jesus widens the net even more. Paul makes it clear to do good to everyone. Say yeah, that’s easy to people I like or even people who are nice. But what happens when people aren’t friendly or unkind?
27 “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
Jesus takes us a step further. We are called to love, to do good to our enemies. So, yeah, that’s pretty clear don’t you think? That relative or classmate that is super annoying, or even down-right rude? That person may even be sitting in this room. But we are not only called to love them but do good. But knowing us, as sinful human beings, we like to add ourselves into the mix. We wanted to be treated good back, right?
35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.
Jesus then answers that person by saying we should expect nothing in return. This is why when we read in Galatians to not be discouraged. For in most cases, let’s face it, we won’t receive anything back in return. Just like the analogy Jesus used in this passage, about turning the other cheek and offering the other cheek, that same analogy applies here.
Potential Illustration:
Read the room, offer a volunteer or have Mckenna slap me in the face.
15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.
We are not instructed to hit that person back [pretend to hit Mckenna], but we are called to repay evil with good, to one another as believers in Christ, and everyone.
Our obvious reaction when evil is paid to us, is to get back what is ours. Because you mistreated me, I am going to repay that back to you. Because let’s be real, it feels good, does it not? But as Followers of Christ, let us not act based on an negative action towards us, rather “Be Holy, for Christ is Holy”, found in 1 Peter.
Application:
Application:
Now how do we apply this principle?
Firstly, I would encourage you if you’re struggling to see the Goodness of God in your life, to be active about it. Write a list where God has been good to you, even the little things. Oftentimes, we focus on the one thing we “think” God has not been good to us in. Where, when we do that, we get tunnel vision, and forget everything else that is obvious of His goodness. If we change our perspective, to how God has been good to us, you’ll see you’re perspective on your situation will change.
When it comes to showing others God’s Goodness? That is difficult. But I beg the question to you. If us, as Christians don’t show the Goodness of God, who will? You are agents of change, be the Fruit of Goodness to support and uplift others in their daily life.
Think about this, when you’re at school, at your job, people probably know that you go to church and you profess to be a Christian. When making choices, be conscious to follow goodness in your thoughts and actions, thus becoming reflections of God’s Goodness.
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
So when that classmate, co-worker, sibling, or friend sees you representing Christ with His Goodness, it is not to build your ego or cause them to esteem or applaud you. No, rather as Fruit-Bearers, your good works is a reflection of your Father in Heaven, to whom the glory is given.
Discussion:
Discussion:
Where has God shown you goodness?
Who is someone in your life, that you struggle to show God’s goodness towards?
