At Liberty church we believe that the fundamental nature of God is that He is good. Jesus Himself being the express image of the Father, revealed to us God’s nature and desire for mankind as He walked this earth as Jesus went about doing GOOD and healing all who were oppressed by the devil. Through the prophet Jeremiah we hear God’s very own words as He declares, “My thoughts towards you are for GOOD (Shalom) and not for evil”. Also in James we read that every GOOD gift comes down from Him and there is no variation or change of heart in His desire for us. He can not tempt anyone to do what is not good neither can He himself be tempted to do what is not good. That He is light and in Him there is no darkness. Even our very own salvation is as a result of the GOODNESS and kindness of God.

 

Sections Covered

1/. Overview of the twelve names of God.

2/. Jesus. The final revelation of God.

3/. The Goodness of God revealed through the person of Jesus.

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1/. Overview of the twelve names of God.

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Between Genesis and Malachi, the first and last book of Old Testament. God progressively reveals His nature and character to mankind. 12 names that make up a full 12 aspects to Gods character. His first name was revealed to Abraham as He met Melchizedek. El Elyon. Means “God most high, creator and possessor of heaven and earth”.  

Imagine you were alive in the days of Abraham. At this point you only knew God as El Elyon. Only 1/12th of His character. You would be blind to or ignorant of the other 11/12ths. 

E.G. 12 months in a year. Imagine there is light shinning in the first month only, so we can see during January, but then we are in darkness and blind from February to December, not able to see where we were going. 

 

The current climate of Covid 19 has revealed many a wrong thought towards God and His character. In Jeremiah 29 the Hebrew people had been taken into captivity in Babylon. They didn’t know what the outcome would be for them. Whether God was with them, on their side or not. During the first years of captivity there were false prophets declaring lies regarding the time scale of the captivity, which prevented the people from settling and finding peace and contentment about their current situation. Isaiah however, spoke the truth of what was in Gods heart and His plans for His people

 

Jeremiah 29:11 NLT 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

 

It is vital therefore that we do not deviate from the written word concerning the heart and desire of God for mankind. 

 

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2/. Jesus. The final revelation of God.

 

Jesus. He is the final, complete and full revelation of the 12 names in bodily form. 

Hebrews 1:1-3 TPT.  Throughout our history God has spoken to our ancestors by his prophets in many different ways. The revelation he gave them was only a fragment at a time, building one truth upon another. 2 But to us living in these last days, God now speaks to us openly in the language of a Son, the appointed Heir of everything, for through him God created the panorama of all things and all time. 3 The Son is the dazzling radiance of God’s splendour, the exact expression of God’s true nature—his mirror image! He holds the universe together and expands it by the mighty power of his spoken word. He accomplished for us the complete cleansing of sins, and then took his seat on the highest throne at the right hand of the majestic One.

 

Colossians 2:9. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead, bodily;

Fulness. pleroma. Means “repletion or completion”. “Which is put in to fill up”. 

English word Pleroma means the totality or fulness of the Godhead which lives in Christ.

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3/. The Goodness of God revealed through the person of Jesus.

 

His Goodness confirmed by Jesus.

Mark 10:18  So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.

 

His Goodness revealed through His healing. 

Acts 10:38. how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

 

NOTE: God anointed Jesus with the holy Spirit. The three persons of the Godhead mentioned here, and all were going about doing GOOD. The word Good, actually meaning being “philanthropic”,  that means “seeking to promote the welfare of others; being generous and benevolent.”

 

His Goodness revealed in repentance.

Romans 2:4.  Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and long-suffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

 

Even our very own salvation is as a direct result of Gods goodness. Romans 5:8 Says that even when we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  Thats Gods  goodness. 

 

His Goodness is under attack.

James 1:13. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.

 

Ezekiel 18: 31-32. Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel? 32 For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies,” says the Lord God. “Therefore turn and live!”

 

His Goodness is everlasting and unchangeable. 

James 1:17.  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.

 

Analogy taken from a sun dial. No movement. No shadow of turning. Absolutely still. God never moves from His position of being good.

 

His Goodness is untainted and totally pure.

1 John 1:5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.

 

His goodness promised to those who love Him.

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

 

His goodness is to be revealed through His church.

Ephesians 2:10. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

 

Luke 6:27 27 “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. 

 

 His goodness is a fruit produced in us by His Spirit 

Galatians 5:22 NKJV “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,”

 

It is not only Gods heart and desire to be good towards us, but that His goodness is produced in us to be recognised, tasted and shared with others.

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Psalm 34:8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!