God Is Good
I. God wills nothing but good
A. Romans 8:28‐29 –
[28] “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
[29] For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.”
1. Conditional promise
2. All things work together for good
a. Love God
b. Called according to His purpose
B. James 1:2‐4 –
[2] “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
[3] Knowing this, that the trying of your faith works patience.
[4] But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”
1. Problems do not perfect (mature) us
2. Resisting and standing on God’s Word does
3. Faith and patience do
C. James 1:12 (New Living Translation) –
[12] “God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”
1. Blessed if you endure
2. Crown of life to those who love Him
D. James 1:13‐15 (NLT) –
[13] “And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, ‘God is tempting me.’
God is never tempted to do wrong, nor does He ever tempt anyone else.
[14] Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.
[15] These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it
gives birth to death.”
E. James 1:16‐17 (NLT) –
[16] “So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters.
[17] Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.”
1. God does and wills nothing but good for us
2. He works all things together for our good, if we engage in faith
F. James 4:6‐8 –
[6“] But he gives more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resist's the proud,
but gives grace unto the humble.
[7] Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the
devil, and he will flee from you.
[8] Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.
Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.”
1. Submit
2. Resist
3. Draw near
4. All are acts of choice or freewill
II. Israel
A. Deuteronomy 30:15‐20 (NLT) –
[15]“Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between life
and death, between prosperity and disaster.
[16] For I command you this day to love the LORD your God and to keep his commands, decrees, and regulations by walking in his ways. If you do this, you will live and multiply, and the LORD your God will bless you and the land you are about to enter and occupy.
[17] But if your heart turns away and you refuse to listen, and if you are drawn away to serve and worship other gods,
[18] then I warn you now that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live a long, good life in
the land you are crossing the Jordan to occupy.
[19] Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!
[20] You can make this choice by loving the LORD your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the LORD, you will live long in the land the LORD swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”
1. God willed nothing but good
2. They had to choose!
III. King Saul – 1 Samuel 13:1‐14
A. History
B. 1 Samuel 13:10‐14 (NLT) –
[10]“Just as Saul was finishing with the burnt offering, Samuel arrived. Saul went out to meet and welcome him,
[11] but Samuel said, ‘What is this you have done?’
Saul replied, ‘I saw my men scattering from me, and you didn’t arrive when
you said you would, and the Philistines are at Micmash ready for battle.
[12] So I said, “The Philistines are ready to march against us at Gilgal, and I haven’t even asked for
the LORD’s help!” So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering myself before you came.’
[13] ‘How foolish!’ Samuel exclaimed. ‘You have not kept the command the LORD your
God gave you. Had you kept it, the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel
forever.
[14] But now your kingdom must end, for the LORD has sought out a man after
his own heart. The LORD has already appointed him to be the leader of his people,
because you have not kept the LORD’s command.’”
1. God would have established his kingdom forever
C. 1 Samuel 15 – reveals Saul’s heart
1. Rebellion (witchcraft)
2. Stubbornness (idolatry)
IV. The takeaway
A. God wills nothing but good for us
B. Submit to God
C. Resist the devil
D. Draw nigh (close to) to God regardless
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