If you listen to the audio all the way to the end, you will hear Ronnie turn on Pandora to play the next random song. As Ronnie finishes his sermon on the faithfulness and goodness of God, listen to what song immediately comes on…
The Purpose of the Goodness of the Lord
Ps. 33:4-5 For the word of the Lord is upright, And all His work is done in faithfulness.
5 He loves righteousness and (judgment) justice; The earth is full of the (Goodness) loving-kindness of the Lord.
- The Goodness of the Lord is done in faithfulness.
Deut. 7:9 say, Know therefore that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindness (Goodness) to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments;
Deut.32:4 says, He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.
Ps. 89:8 say, Who is like you, Lord God Almighty? You, Lord, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you.
Even when the storm of life comes God is faithful….. Even when we think we are alone God is right there with us …..Even when our plans fail God is faithful…..
- God Loves never changes Even if we are Unrighteous He is Righteous…
Ps.11:7 For the Lord is righteous, He loves righteousness; The upright will behold His face.
- God loves those who want to learn His ways and what Righteousness means…
Ps119: 64 The earth is full of Your lovingkindness (Goodness), O Lord; Teach me Your statutes.
- The goodness of the Lord will outlast our foolishness…
1 Cor. 1:9 God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 Cor.10:13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.
- Why does God love Righteousness and Judgment?
- First of all: It brings us back to intended relationship or (right standing ) that God created mankind to be in with him….
Psalm 11:7 For the Lord is righteous, He loves righteousness; the upright will behold His face.
Gen1:27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
Judgment and righteousness has to work hand in hand because God is Righteous in all ways and when man fell into the curse of the sinful nature, He was no longer able to walk with God….. That why the Psalmist says God loves rightness and Justice…
God doesn’t change His mind, He is Omniscient! He is the same today, as He was yesterday and will be forever more….
So, then judgment of man became a part of the God’s plan because of the fall of mankind in the garden. Does that make sense? God never changed MAN CHANGED…..
- Second Point is that Judgment should make us look into our own hearts! MIRROW POINT OF VIEW>>>
Matthew 7: 1“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
- So, what is the purpose of God’s goodness?
Romans 2:1-4 2 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. 2 Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. 3 So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? 4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s Goodness is intended to lead you to repentance?
- God’s not good to you because you’re good! He’s good to you because He’s good!!!!
The Goodness of God will outlast our foolishness….. EX. Thinking we can do this on our own… Thinking we don’t have to go to church or be taught the word of God….
Thinking if I marry this person I can be happy….
The fullness of God cannot be measured when we understand what a good God He really is..
But our expectations are foolish in thinking we can make decisions based on our own abilities that will fulfill our emptiness and certain expectations that only Jesus can fulfill…
It’s by Only having a relationship with God that we can have that fullness of life.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
The Goodness of God leads us into His presence and the peace that can pass all understanding, it can change the mind of the worst of the worst and set them who have been held captive free….
The goodness of God leads the sinner to see the truth because the truth will bring us to the realization that without God there is nothing good, only selfish ambitions and temporary pleasures…….
The Apostle Paul realized this after his conversion and said in;
1 Timothy 4:9 “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
1 John 1:9 says. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Matthew 5:8 “Happy are the pure in heart”.
James 5:16 “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed”.
2 Corinthians 7:10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.