Fruits of the Spirit: Goodness (Chantilly Sermon)

Micah 6:8 CSB – “what is good; And what does the LORD require of you…”

Luke 18:18-19 CSB – A ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

¹⁹ “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked him. “No one is good except God alone.

Goodness Defined (by God)

Good = agathosune

“God is not merely good, but goodness; goodness is not merely divine, but God.”– C.S. Lewis

Genesis 3:6 CSB – The woman saw that the tree was good for food and delightful to look at, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom. So she took some of its fruit and ate it…

Goodness Clarified (by Jesus)

Goodness = Generosity (The Good Samaritan)

Luke 10:25 CSB – an expert in the law stood up to test him, saying, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

Luke 10: 37 CSB – “The one who showed mercy to him,” he said.

Then Jesus told him, “Go and do the same.”

Acts 9:36 CSB – She (Tabitha) was always doing good works and acts of charity.

Goodness = Integrity

Matthew 4:3, 4 CSB – “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

Matthew 4:6,7 CSB – “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down.

“It is also written: Do not test the Lord your God.

Matthew 4:10 CSB – “Go away, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.” 

Goodness = Boldness when unpopular

Matthew 26:6-9 CSB – Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. Why are you bothering her? She has done a noble thing for me. ⁷ You always have the poor with you, and you can do what is good for them whenever you want, but you do not always have me.

Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”

Goodness Cultivated

Ephesians 2:10 CSB – For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.

Ephesians 2:8 CSB – For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift

Luke 18:20-21 CSB – You know the commandments: Do not commit adultery; do not murder; do not steal; do not bear false witness; honor your father and mother.”

²¹ “I have kept all these from my youth,” he said.

Luke 18:22 CSB – When Jesus heard this, he told him, “You still lack one thing: Sell all you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

Luke 18:23 CSB – After he heard this, he became extremely sad, because he was very rich.

Seeing that he became sad, Jesus said, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!

Luke 18:26-27 CBS – Those who heard this asked, “Then who can be saved?” ²⁷ He replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”

Intentional Daily Surrender

Romans 12:1-2 CSB – present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. ² Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

Intentional Moment-by-Moment Surrender

Galatians 5:24-26 CSB – Now 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. ⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.