Fruit of the Spirit - Goodness

Goodness” 

 Galatians 5: 22-23, “But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against these things, there is no law.  

 Mark 10: 17-18, “As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him, “Good teacher, he asked, what must I do to inherit eternal life?  Why do you call me good? Jesus answered.  No one is good - except God alone.” 

Romans 3:10, “There is no one righteous, not even one!” 

Galatians 5: 22-25.  “But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against these things, there is no law.  Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.  Since we live by the spirit, let us keep in step with the spirit.” 

Central Truth:  Goodness is not just what you do, it’s who you are. 

Luke 6: 43-45, “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.  Each tree is recognized by its own fruit.  People do not pick figs from thorn bushes or grapes from briers, the good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart.  For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.”

 Mark 12:33, “Make a tree good and it’s fruit will be good or make a tree bad and it’s fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit.”

 James 1:17 says, “Every good thing and every perfect gift is from above.”

 Isaiah 55:8-9, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.  As the Heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

 Call to Action (instead of application)

 Start Giving.

1.A  Matt 20:11, “When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner, these men who were hired last only worked one hour they said, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’  Vs. 13, “But he answered one of them and said, “Friend, I am not being unfair to you.  Take your money and go.  I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you (A fair days wages – emphasis mine).  Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money?  Or, are you envious because I am generous?”

Encourage Others. 

2.A  Acts 11:23 “When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.  He was a good a man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith.”

Serve Jesus by serving others. 

3.A  Jn. 13: 15, “I have set for you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”

 Walk in Holiness. 

4.A  Eph 5:8-9, For you were once in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.  Live as children of the light, for the fruit of the light is goodness, righteousness and truth and find out what pleases the Lord.”

 Matt 5:16, “in letting the Holy Spirit control us, we are blessed with the fruit of goodness.  As others see our good works, they will praise our Father in Heaven.”