Text: Galatians 5:22, 23
Matthew 12:35
“A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.”
Ephesians 5:8-10
“For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.”
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.”
“Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the ways you can, In all the places you can, At all the times you can, To all the people you can, As long as ever you can.” John Wesley
*Goodness is both a character and a command.
*It’s whose we are and who we are that dictates what we do and why we do it.
“God’s been too good to you for you not to be good and do good.”
I. God Is Good And God Does Good
*When we are challenged to make sense of what is happening to us, always remember to trust God’s character.
Romans 12:21
“Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”
*Christians are not called to be a bunch of “do-gooders” but “good doers”.
II. God’s People Do Good Because We Have God’s Spirit Within Us
Titus 3:3-8
“For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.”
*Doing good is one of the external evidences of internal change.
*Christians are to be predictably good in a world of evil!
Acts 11:22-24
“Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.”
Ephesians 2:8-10
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
“The cross and the resurrection are not just proof of God’s goodness, they are also the source and pattern of any and all goodness we can do as Christians”. C Wright
I 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.”
II Thessalonians 1:11, 12
“Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: 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.”
*As believers doing good we demonstrate the transforming power of the Gospel and give evidence of God’s goodness.
