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The Fruit of the Spirit: Living a Life that Pleases God
 Sermon Notes

Pastor Scott Archer 10.26.2014*

Central Congregational Church

www.ccclamesa.com

The Good Life (Beyond Morality)

Series: The Fruit of the Spirit – Living a Life that Pleases God

Galatians 5:22

Goodness = “The sum of everything right, friendly and wholesome.” (Karl Barth)

Mark 10:17–18 (NIV) — 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.

Central Thought: The “Good Life” is a life transformed by the Spirit of God, centered in the Son of God and lived for the glory of God and the good of others.

  • Goodness is not primarily an act of the will but rather, a work of the Spirit.

Galatians 5:16–18 (NIV) — 16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

Galatians 5:22–23 (NIV) — 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

  • We were made for good by God, and remade for good through Jesus.

Ephesians 2:8–10 (NIV) — 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

3 John 11 (NIV) — 11 Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.

  • True goodness moves beyond “do's & dont's” and actively seeks the glory of God and the good of others.

Amos 5:4 (NIV) — 4 This is what the Lord says to Israel: “Seek me and live...

Amos 5:6 (NIV) — 6 Seek the Lordand live...

Amos 5:14–15 (NIV) — 14 Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the Lord God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is. 15 Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts. Perhaps the Lord God Almighty will have mercy on the remnant of Joseph.

1 Corinthians 10:23–24 (NIV) — 23 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. 24 No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.

Romans 12:21 (NIV) — 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Questions/Homework

  • Read and reflect on Mark 10:17-31 and Romans 12:9-21.

  • Prayerfully consider your pursuit of “The Good Life.”

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