The Fruit of the Spirit Is . . . Goodness
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.
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.
Text
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.
Sermon Outline
- I. Definition of Goodness
- A. Goodness is being like God
- B. Godlike goodness refers to the active benevolence of God
- II. Contrast between Goodness and Righteousness
- A. Righteousness is stiff, inflexible uprightness
- B. Goodness is kindness, affection, and benevolence
- III. Characteristics of Goodness
- A. Respects 'whatsoever things are lovely'
- B. Includes kindness, sympathy, and rejoicing with others
Key Quotes
“Goodness is just 'Godness.' it is being like God.” — A.B. Simpson
“The good man is that mountainside covered with velvet moss and flowers and flowing with cascades and springs.” — A.B. Simpson
“Lord, fill us with Thyself, and let us be God-persons and good persons and so represent Thy goodness.” — A.B. Simpson
Application Points
- We can show goodness in our lives by being kind, sympathetic, and rejoicing with others.
- We can represent God's goodness by being God-persons and good persons, and by showing kindness and compassion to others.
- We should strive to comfort the lonely, care for the weary, and rejoice with those who rejoice.