John Lloyd - God's Kindness and Goodness: The Most Powerful Testimony
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Strengthen Your Core Series
God’s Kindness and Goodness: The Most Powerful Testimony
December 15, 2019
Pastor John Lloyd
Our physical bodies are made up of several core muscles. If kept in shape through exercise, they will function properly. God’s goal for followers is to make us more like Jesus. This happens when we think like Jesus, CORE beliefs, act like Jesus, CORE practices and be like Jesus, CORE virtues. We need to exercise our CORE in order to glorify God. We are now at the halfway point in our study of the key beliefs, practices and virtues. When one makes the courageous decision to step across the line of faith and accept God’s offer of salvation of grace and mercy through Jesus Christ, he changes our disposition to think outside of ourselves (kindness) and to put those thoughts into action (goodness) to those God has place in our lives.
Titus 3:1 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. 3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Memory Verse: I Thessalonians 5:15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.
Key Question: What does it mean to do the right thing in my relationships?
Key Idea: I choose to be kind and good in my relationships with others.
Kindness is a sincere desire for the happiness of others, goodness is the activity calculated to advance that happiness. Kindness is the inner disposition, created by the Holy Spirit, that causes us to be sensitive to the needs of others (whether physical, emotional or spiritual). Goodness is kindness in action—words and deeds. Jerry Bridges
I. Reflect on the _______________ expressed to us through Jesus Christ.
Titus 3:4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, (Titus 3:1-3)
Psalm 34:8 Taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
Titus 3:6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Philippians 2:5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
Jesus is the greatest expression of goodness and kindness the world has ever seen. May we celebrate Him this Christmas season!
II. God’s kindness transforms my ____________.
Ephesians 2:7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
God works positively for good all things even in unfavorable circumstances.
Acts 2:23 This Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.
Nahum 1:7 The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble;
he knows those who take refuge in him.
Titus 2:7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good.
Ephesians 4:32 Be kind to one another, forgiving one another as God in Christ forgave you.
Kindness received from God overflows to kindness expressed to others. I choose to be kind and good in my relationships with others.
III. Expressing kindness may be the most powerful _____________ to the world.
Romans 12:19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
“Kindness makes a person attractive. If you would win the world, melt it do not hammer it.” Alexander MacLaren
Romans 2:4b “Not knowing God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance.”
Luke 6:27 Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.
Kindness – thinking outside of myself (my inner disposition)
Goodness is kindness in action-words and deeds.
2 Thessalonians 1:11 We constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith.
I Thessalonians 5:15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.
“The greatest thing a man can do for his Heavenly Father is to be kind to some of His other children.” Henry Drummond
Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will
reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to
everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.(Ps.135:3)
Psalm 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Every morning, we ask God to give us opportunities to take the good he is depositing in our hearts and give it away to others. We approach every day on the lookout to encourage others. In every conversation and encounter, we try to do something or say something kind, because it builds people up. Kindness involves doing something deemed positive by the recipient. Goodness however, entails tough love for the benefit of another because it will genuinely help them. Randy Frazee
Spiritual Growth Questions for December 15, 2019
(Take one question each day and grow deeper in Bible study)
Kindness/Goodness, use a scale of 1-6 to rate how fully your life demonstrates the statements below: (1=does not demonstrate at all, 6 demonstrates fully)
___ I would never keep money that didn’t belong to me.
___ I am known as a person who speaks words of kindness to those in need
of encouragement.
___ I give to others expecting nothing in return.
___ I help those who are in trouble or who cannot help themselves.
Key Idea: I choose to be kind and good in my relationships with others.
1. Read the key idea together. How could this virtue express itself in your life? What is impeding your ability to embrace this virtue? How can you overcome this obstacle?
2. Read I Samuel 20:13-16 and 2 Samuel 9:1-13. David’s predecessor King Saul was downright evil to him for thirteen years. In what ways would it be tempting for David to use his newly acquired power to exact revenge on Saul and his family? Note specifically how David exhibited kindness and goodness to Jonathan’s family, in keeping with his promise to Jonathan. Why was this considered a radical decision?
3. David doesn’t appear to have any bitterness or hatred toward Saul’s family. After all the hardship Saul caused him, how is this possible? What can we learn from David’s example?
4. Read Philemon 1:1-25. What stands out to you about Paul’s request for kindness to Philemon? Would you have honored Paul’s request? Why or why not?
5. Read Titus 3:14, Romans 12:19-21. In the midst of a corrupt government in Rome, what do you notice about Paul’s exhortation to the Romans and to Titus? Why might this be a powerful witness?
6. Read Galatians 6:1, Ephesians 4:15, Proverbs 27:6. Read two times. Let the Scripture speak to your soul. What stands out to you? What do these passages teach us about a friend who is clearly taking the wrong path?