FRUIT OF THE
SPIRIT - GOODNESS
3 John 1:11
Pastor Keone
Review:
• Love, Joy, Peace
– Found in God, guards our minds and hearts
• Patience, Kindness, Goodness
– Relating to others
– Rooted in the first three
• Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-Control
– General conduct of a believer
Definition of Goodness:
• state or quality of being good
• mysterious word that communicates a sense of
delight and fathomless depth
God is Good
God is Good
Mark 10:17- 18 17 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?" 18 "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered.
"No one is good-- except God alone.
God is Good
Exodus 33:19 19 And the LORD said, "I will cause all my
goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my
name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on
whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on
whom I will have compassion.
Exodus 34:6-7 6 And he passed in front of Moses,
proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and
gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and
faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and
forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not
leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and
their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and
fourth generation."
God is Good
Matthew 5:44-45 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies
and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may
be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to
rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the
righteous and the unrighteous.
Acts 14:16-17 16 In the past, he let all nations go their
own way. 17 Yet he has not left himself without
testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain
from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides
you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy."
If the Spirit is working in your life, then you will be like
God…
Your life will reflect His goodness.
3 John 1:11 11 Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but
what is good. The one who does good is of God; the
one who does evil has not seen God.
What is Good?
Micah 6:8 8 He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and
to love mercy and
to walk humbly with your God.
Why do Good? Doing Good…
• Brings praise to God
– Matthew 5:16 16 In the same way, let your light
shine before men, that they may see your good
deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Why do Good? Doing Good…
• Brings praise to God
• Brings shame on those who slander you
– 1 Peter 3:13-17 13 Who is going to harm you if you are
eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for
what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they
fear; do not be frightened." 15 But in your hearts set
apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an
answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason
for the hope that you have. But do this with
gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience,
so that those who speak maliciously against your
good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their
slander. 17 It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for
doing good than for doing evil.
Why do Good? Doing Good…
• Brings praise to God
• Brings shame on those who slander you
• Keeps you out of trouble
– Romans 13:3-4 3 For rulers are not a cause of fear
for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to
have no fear of authority? Do what is good and
you will have praise from the same; 4 for it is a
minister of God to you for good. But if you do
what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the
sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an
avenger who brings wrath on the one who
practices evil.
Why do Good? Doing Good…
• Brings praise to God
• Brings shame on those who slander you
• Keeps you out of trouble
• Will be rewarded
– Galatians 6:9-10 9 Let us not lose heart in doing
good, for in due time we will reap if we do not
grow weary. 10 So then, while we have
opportunity, let us do good to all people, and
especially to those who are of the household of
the faith.
What aspect of goodness is God asking you to grow in?