23-0910a - Detailed Summary

Acknowledges visitors and those participating via phone, noting the absence of some regular attendees.

Introduces the sermon theme, "God is so good," explaining that it’s easy to see God’s goodness when life is pleasant.

Discusses how straightforward it is to recognize God’s goodness when life is going according to plan.

Acknowledges that life can be very challenging, even for the righteous.

Mentions specific congregation members dealing with health issues like cancer.

Questions how one can see God’s goodness in the face of tragedy like plane crashes, personal health crises, or financial difficulties.

Discusses different perspectives on interpreting these events, either as questioning God’s goodness or as moments to thank God for interventions like timely medical discoveries.

Reflects on the difficulty of accepting God’s goodness when experiencing the death of loved ones, using the example of a child named Austin who died of cancer.

Shares personal experience with a family member’s health decline post-vaccination, illustrating the choice between resentment and gratitude towards God.

Stresses the need for constant reminders of God’s unwavering goodness through scripture.

Points out that scripture provides ample evidence of God’s goodness, which should be a focal point during hardships.

Encourages looking for God’s mercy and goodness even in seemingly hopeless situations.

Argues against evolution, asserting creation by a loving God, referencing Genesis for support.

Quotes Psalm 139 to emphasize that each person is uniquely created with purpose by God.

Uses scriptures from Jeremiah, Isaiah, and Galatians to illustrate that individuals are set apart from birth for divine purposes, connecting this to the anti-abortion argument.

Cites Ephesians to describe Christians as God’s creations meant for good works.

Refers to Isaiah to underline that humans are created to glorify God, reinforcing the goodness of God through creation.

Discusses God’s indiscriminate care, providing for both the righteous and the wicked, referencing Matthew.

Quotes Isaiah to reassure that God cares for His people even in old age.

Encourages focusing on God’s kingdom as per Matthew, promising that necessities will be provided.

Advises against anxiety, promoting prayer and trust in God’s care as described in 1 Peter and Philippians.

Encourages giving all worries to God, who provides peace beyond understanding and protection, quoting Philippians and Matthew.

Discusses Jesus providing abundant life, contrasting with the thief’s intent to destroy, referencing John 10:10.

Highlights the third reason for God’s goodness: sending Jesus to die for our sins, quoting Romans and Isaiah.

Notes that Jesus' death was not obligatory but was chosen out of love, despite His request to avoid it.

Emphasizes Jesus' voluntary sacrifice on the cross for humanity, citing John 15:13 and 1 Peter 2:24 as examples of His love.

Introduces the fourth reason for God’s goodness: adopting believers into His family, beyond just forgiveness.

Describes Christians as God’s children with rights and privileges, referencing John 1:12-13 and Romans 8:14-15.

Quotes Matthew 12:48-50 to illustrate the priority of spiritual family over biological.

Explains the concept of being an heir through adoption by the Holy Spirit, with references to Romans 8:16-17 and Titus 3:7.

States that God’s goodness is immutable, quoting Hebrews 6:18 to affirm God cannot lie.

Affirms the reliability of God’s promises and prophecies, suggesting they have and will all come true.

Cites Psalms and Mark to underline that God’s goodness extends to all, but human goodness is limited.

Discusses universal sin nature, the necessity of Jesus for salvation, and God’s good gifts, including eternal life, referenced from Romans, Psalms, Matthew, and James.

Explains that despite His love and mercy, God must judge sin due to His holiness and justice, referencing Psalms and Nahum.

Highlights that God’s holiness prevents Him from tolerating sin.

Talks about Jesus as the atoning sacrifice for sins, God’s patience, and the choice humans have regarding salvation, citing 1 John and 2 Peter.

Discusses the consequences of choosing to follow or reject God, quoting Romans and John to illustrate the outcomes.

Concludes with the ease of God’s plan for salvation through Jesus, and a call to action for those not yet saved or needing reconciliation, referencing Romans and 2 Corinthians.