Temple Baptist Church - 10-4-2020
Galatians 5:22
Introduction:
A. If the inward is not right (love, joy, peace), the outward and upward cannot be right. So, not everyone in our church this morning has the inward right. Right? Right!
B. Each of us also has the first and second aspect of the outward Fruit of the Spirit right also. Right? Right!
C. The third aspect of our outward Fruit of the Spirit is goodness. Longsuffering, gentleness, goodness. I want to define the word “goodness.”
GOOD'NESS, n. The state of being good; the physical qualities which constitute value, excellence, or perfection; as the goodness of timber; the goodness of a soil.
1. The moral qualities which constitute Christian excellence; moral virtue; religion.
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, and faith. Gal.5.
2. Kindness; benevolence; benignity of heart; but more generally, acts of kindness; charity; humanity exercised. I shall remember his goodness to me with gratitude.
3. Kindness; benevolence of nature; mercy.
The Lord God--abundant in goodness and truth. Ex.34.
4. Kindness; favor shown; acts of benevolence, compassion, or mercy.
1. You can have an outward “goodness” without having an inward “goodness.”
a. As far as salvation is concerned, there is none good - Romans 3:10-12 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
1) We live in days of desperately wicked hearts. (2 Timothy 3:1-5)
2) We live in days of little “goodness” expressed. People of our day have become calloused to some degree and there is a lot of wickedness going on. Few have the Old School “scruples” that we were raised with.
b. As far as being a good neighbor, there are still some - Romans 5:7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
2. But you cannot have an inward “goodness” without having an outward “goodness.” An inward “goodness” will always produce an outward “goodness”
a. Goodness Is An Attribute Of The Lord (First Mention) - Exodus 18:9 And Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which the LORD had done to Israel, whom he had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians.
Exodus 33:19 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.
1 Chronicles 16:34 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.
b. It Is A Fruit Of The Spirit (Speaking of Barnabus) - Acts 11:24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.
I Will Pull This Verse Out Of Context To Make A Point - Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
1. The Example of Good. The word “goodness” is found in 51x in the Bible and 42 of those mentions call our attention to the “goodness” of God, not man.
a. God is good to Israel - First Mention - Exodus 18:9 And Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which the LORD had done to Israel, whom he had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians.
b. God is good to the Child of God - Psalms 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
c. God is good to the Sinner - Romans 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
d. God’s goodness and kindness to the Body, the Church – The Last Mention - 2 Thessalonians 1:10-12 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. (11) Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: (12) That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
e. The First Mention and the Last Mention are always consistent. God is good to His People in both Old and New Testaments. The old saying, “God is good all the time,” says it all.
2. The Experiencing of Good. The Lord Has Been So Good To Us!
a. He Has Been Good In Our Sinfulness - Psalms 25:7 Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness’ sake, O LORD.
b. He Has Been Good In Our Trials - Psalms 27:13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
Psalms 124:1-8 If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, now may Israel say; If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us: If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us: Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul: Then the proud waters had gone over our soul. Blessed be the LORD, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth. Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped. Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
c. He Has Been Good Through Out Our Lives - Psalms 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Psalms 65:11 Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness.
3. The Excellence of Good.
a. The Proving of Good - Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
b. The Cleaving of Good - Romans 12:9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
c. The Overcoming of Good - Romans 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
d. The Testimony of Good - Romans 13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
e. The Following of Good - 1 Thessalonians 5:15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
f. The Maintaining of Good - 1 Thessalonians 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
g. The Protection of Good - 1 Peter 3:13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?
h. The Peace of Good - 1 Peter 3:13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?
4. The Evidence of Good. “longsuffering, gentleness, goodness”
Golden Rule – “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.”
a. Be Good to the Brethren - Romans 15:14 And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.
b. Be Good to the Unsaved - Galatians 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
c. Be Good to your Enemies - Luke 6:27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
d. Be Good to those in Authority - Romans 13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
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