THE TREE OF GOODNESS (6 OF 7)
by Jeff Strite
Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23
This content is part of a series.
The Tree of Goodness (6 of 7)
Series: The Fruit of the Spirit
Jeff Strite
Galatians 5:22-23
Open with audience reciting the following verse: ''But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control...'' Galatians 5:22-23a
OPEN: A preacher once spoke of the fact that some of the people in his congregation had gotten in the habit of shaking his hand after the sermon and then telling him ''Now be good!''
He got to thinking about that… and one day he began responding to ''Now be good!'' by saying ''Hey, in my profession - it's hard to be anything else.''
Now think about that, it's true isn't it? I'm a preacher… you expect me to be good!
You might even say ''I'm paid to be good.''
But now, by contrast, you folks are (pause…) good for nothing.
APPLY: God has always wanted His people to be ''Good''. He places such a high priority on it that he repeatedly requests and commands that His people do just that.
For example, in Galatians 6:9 to God encourages us to ''… not become weary in DOING GOOD, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.''
In his third letter, John tells us ''Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but WHAT IS GOOD. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.'' 3 John 11
And Romans 2 even says: ''God will give to each person according to what he has done… for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger… but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good…'' Romans 2:6, 8 and 10
But, as I was preparing for the sermon this morning, I encountered an intriguing story in the book of Matthew:
''… a man came up to Jesus and asked, ''Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?''
Jesus replied ''Why do you ask me about what is good?. There is only One who is good…'' Matthew 19:16-17a
I. (pause…) Well… now I'm confused
In one place I'm told that God w ...
Series: The Fruit of the Spirit
Jeff Strite
Galatians 5:22-23
Open with audience reciting the following verse: ''But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control...'' Galatians 5:22-23a
OPEN: A preacher once spoke of the fact that some of the people in his congregation had gotten in the habit of shaking his hand after the sermon and then telling him ''Now be good!''
He got to thinking about that… and one day he began responding to ''Now be good!'' by saying ''Hey, in my profession - it's hard to be anything else.''
Now think about that, it's true isn't it? I'm a preacher… you expect me to be good!
You might even say ''I'm paid to be good.''
But now, by contrast, you folks are (pause…) good for nothing.
APPLY: God has always wanted His people to be ''Good''. He places such a high priority on it that he repeatedly requests and commands that His people do just that.
For example, in Galatians 6:9 to God encourages us to ''… not become weary in DOING GOOD, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.''
In his third letter, John tells us ''Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but WHAT IS GOOD. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.'' 3 John 11
And Romans 2 even says: ''God will give to each person according to what he has done… for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger… but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good…'' Romans 2:6, 8 and 10
But, as I was preparing for the sermon this morning, I encountered an intriguing story in the book of Matthew:
''… a man came up to Jesus and asked, ''Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?''
Jesus replied ''Why do you ask me about what is good?. There is only One who is good…'' Matthew 19:16-17a
I. (pause…) Well… now I'm confused
In one place I'm told that God w ...
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