-Tonight, we are continuing our series on the fruit of the Spirit as found in Galatians 5:22-23
-We have looked at love, joy, peace, patience and kindness
-Tonight we are going to look at goodness
-We have chosen literal fruits to symbolize the Spiritual Fruit
-Love was symbolized by the cherry
-Joy was symbolized by the lemon
-The kiwi symbolized the fruit of peace
-The coconut symbolized the fruit of patience
-The Alpine Strawberry symbolized the fruit of kindness
-I have chosen the apple to symbolize goodness
-While good is an adjective, it looks back to an action
I. Goodness Is A Characteristic
-It is a description
A. Of God
-Psalm 25:8
-It is who God is
-He can be no other way
B. Of man
-Matthew 19:16-17
-Romans 3:10
-Now this makes it sound like man cannot be described in this way
-But, what it actually means is that man cannot be described in this way on his own
-Many try to become good on their own
-He needs the working of the Holy Spirit in his life to be described in this way
-So, man’s goodness only comes through God’s goodness
II. Goodness Is A Calling
-It is God’s will for all of us
-Ephesians 2:10
-God so much wants us to be good that He gives us helps along the way
-II Timothy 3:16-17
-Of course, the greatest help is the Holy Spirit
-Remember: We cannot make the fruit appear in our lives
-Only help create an environment for it to grow and flourish
III Goodness Is A Choice
-It is lived out in the things we choose to do
A. Serving others
-Romans 12:20-21
B. Living in holiness
-III John 11
-Let’s look at a few people in scripture described as “good”
I. Barnabbas
-Acts 11:22-24
-Good people are encouragers
II. Dorcas
-Acts 9:36
-Good people are charitable
III. Two Servants
-Matthew 25:21-23
-Good people serve the Lord
IV. Ephesian Believers
-Ephesians 5:8-9
-Good people walk in the light
-In holiness
CONCLUSION
-The fruit of the Spirit is goodness
