God Is Good
The sermon emphasizes the goodness of God, encouraging listeners to trust in Him and follow Christ's example in their lives.
Mary Wilder Tileston preaches about following God as dear children, walking in love as Christ loved us and sacrificed Himself for us. She emphasizes the supreme joy of knowing God's voice and the reassurance that God is supremely good, loving, forgiving, and just. Tileston highlights that God's character is revealed through Jesus Christ, who exemplifies endless love and teaches us to do good against evil.
Text
Be ye therefore followers of God as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God.
EPHESIANS 5:1,2
O JOY supreme! I know the Voice,
Like none beside on earth or sea;
Yea, more, 0 soul of mine, rejoice,
By all that He requires of me,
I know what God Himself must be.
JOHN G. WHITTIER
EITHER there is a God supremely good, One whom His children may love and trust to the very uttermost point without the slightest fear of the reality falling short of the heart's desire, or else there is no God, no love, no forgiveness, no redress. God is wholly good, if good at all, and those who hope in Him will be wiser if they hope with all their hearts than if they hope with only half their hearts.
WILLIAM R. HUNTINGTON
As mighty and as wise as God is to save man, as willing He is. For Christ Himself is the ground of all the laws of Christian men; and He taught us to do good against evil. Here we may see that He is Himself this charity, and doth to us as He teacheth us to do: for He willeth that we be like Him in fullness of endless love.
MOTHER JULIANA
We know what God is like because we know the character of Jesus Christ.
GEORGE HODGES
Sermon Outline
- Introduction to God's Goodness
- The Nature of God's Goodness
- Jesus Christ as the Example of God's Goodness
- Christ's Teachings on Love and Charity
- Following Christ's Example in Our Lives
Key Quotes
“Either there is a God supremely good, One whom His children may love and trust to the very uttermost point without the slightest fear of the reality falling short of the heart's desire, or else there is no God, no love, no forgiveness, no redress.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“We know what God is like because we know the character of Jesus Christ.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“For Christ Himself is the ground of all the laws of Christian men; and He taught us to do good against evil.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
Application Points
- We can trust in God's goodness without fear of His love falling short of our heart's desire.
- Following Christ's example in our lives is essential to applying God's goodness.
- Doing good against evil is a key aspect of living out God's goodness in our lives.