Good morning! I’m glad to welcome you to worship today at Hillcrest Baptist Church. 

As we continue the sermon series “THE 9”, Bearing Fruit at Home, we come to the virtue of “goodness.” Goodness is one of the 9 virtues of the Fruit of the Spirit: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22)

The word “fruit” in Galatians 5:22 means “beneficial results”, because of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives and in character changes. Goodness is one of the benefits of the fruit of the Spirit. Basically, goodness is seen in a life characterized by deeds motivated by righteousness and a desire to be a blessing. It is when someone selflessly acts on the behalf of someone else.

Goodness can only flow from a life by the work of the Holy Spirit in that life. James 1:17 says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” This most definitely is true of a life characterized by goodness. So, as we allow the Holy Spirit to control our lives, we will be blessed to share goodness with others.

Today we will learn about the virtue of GOODNESS from Micah 6:8.