Goodness Series

August 22, 2020

We throw the word “good” around a lot:

• That was a “good” sermon - Pastors really like that one…. ???

• She is really “good” at math.

• Fresh vegetables are “good” for you.

• He is a “good” singer.

The word “Good” suggests a desirable quality and "Goodness" means little more than to be likeable/pleasant/friendly. These terms have been carelessly applied to people. We excuse our behavior by saying that down deep we’re not as bad as our actions say we are:

• I know he’s verbally and emotionally abusive, but down deep he’s a good person.

• I know she’s a malicious gossip, but down deep she’s a good person.

• I know I texted malicious and racist remarks about…… but those words don’t reflect who I am deep down – I really am a good person.

OR we excuse our behavior by saying it isn’t as bad as someone else’s behavior.

• Sure, I stole $10 from Sue, but at least I didn’t embezzle $1-million like Fred did.

OR we use “good” behavior as evidence that a person is good on the inside – those who do something admirable are regularly considered “good” even though their character may be exceedingly immoral.

If the human standard of “good” – which can be achieved through human effort – is all that God is looking for in His children, then none of us need be here today and Jesus died for nothing.

That’s exactly what Satan wants us to believe, but Jesus has a different opinion:

• Matthew 7:16-18 - You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor figs from thistles, are they? 17 "Even so, every good tree bears good fruit; but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 "A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.

Jesus seems to think that what goes on on the inside is way more important than what we see on the outside and from where He stands none of us is good on the inside or any place else.

• Isaiah 64:6 - All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.

• Romans 3:10-12 - As the Scriptures say, "No one is good—not even one. No one has real understanding; no one is seeking God. All have turned away from God; all have gone wrong. No one does good, not even one."

So, if the human standard of “good” is not good enough, what hope do we have?

The Source of All Goodness

• Exodus 33:19 - And the LORD said, "I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

• 2 Chronicles 6:41 - Now arise, O LORD God, and come to your resting place, you and the ark of your might. May your priests, O LORD God, be clothed with salvation, may your saints rejoice in your goodness.

• Psalm 31:19 - How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you.

• Psalm 116:12 - How can I repay the LORD for all his goodness to me?

God is the Source of all that can truly be called “good”, because at the heart of goodness is love. God’s “goodness” is others focused and is expressed in mercy, faithfulness, patience, compassion, forgiveness as well as justice and judgment.

The Christian Life

The Greek word for “goodness” {Agathosune}, means “uprightness of heart and life”.

Goodness is always, under every circumstance, beneficial to others – it is doing good, because it is the right thing to do and not for the purpose of being recognized for being or doing “good”.

• Matthew 6:1-3 - Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 "So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,

However, Biblical Goodness “Agathosune” is bigger than simply “being kind”; it covers a lot of territory. It can mean doing the right thing in a quiet and gentle way, like giving a cup of cold water to a thirsty man.