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  THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS . . . GOODNESS
  by A.B. Simpson
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Summary: The sermon emphasizes the importance of goodness as a fruit of
the Spirit, highlighting its characteristics and how we can represent
God's goodness in our lives.

Topics: "Goodness", "Active Benevolence"
Scripture References: Galatians 5:22

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DESCRIPTION
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A.B. Simpson emphasizes that goodness, as a fruit of the Spirit,
reflects the very nature of God, characterized by active benevolence and
kindness. He contrasts righteousness, which can be rigid, with goodness,
which is gentle and nurturing, likening a good person to a mountainside
adorned with life and beauty. Simpson calls for believers to embody this
godlike goodness, showing compassion and empathy towards others, and to
actively engage in cherishing lonely hearts and supporting weary souls.
He encourages the congregation to seek God's fullness in their lives to
truly represent His goodness.

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CONTENT
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Goodness is a fruit of the Spirit. Goodness is just "Godness." it is
being like God. And godlike goodness has special reference to the active
benevolence of God. The apostle Paul gave us the difference between
goodness and righteousness in Romans 5:7: Scarcely for a righteous man
will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to
die. The righteous man is the man of stiff, inflexible uprightness, but
he may be as hard as a granite mountainside. The good man is that
mountainside covered with velvet moss and flowers and flowing with
cascades and springs.

Goodness respects "whatsoever things are lovely." It is kindness,
affection, benevolence, sympathy, rejoicing with those who rejoice, and
weeping with those who weep.

Lord, fill us with Thyself, and let us be God-persons and good persons
and so represent Thy goodness. There are lonely hearts to cherish, While
the days are going by; There are weary souls who perish, While the days
are going by.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/ab-simpson/the-fruit-of-the-spirit-is-goodness/
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