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[0:00] I'd ask you to take your Bibles and turn to Psalm 145.! Psalm 145. Again, in this psalm we do see the goodness and the greatness of our God.

[0:17] ! Psalm 145. Pastor John has asked me to read the entire psalm. I will exalt you, my God, the King.

[0:36] I will praise your name forever and ever. Every day I will praise you and extol your name forever and ever. Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise.

[0:49] His greatness no one can fathom. One generation will commend your works to another. They will tell of your mighty acts. They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty.

[1:03] And I will meditate on your wonderful works. They will tell of the power of your awesome works. And I will proclaim your great deeds.

[1:15] They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness. The Lord is gracious and compassionate.

[1:25] Slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all. He has compassion on all he has made. All you have made will praise you, O Lord.

[1:37] Your saints will extol you. They will tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might. So that all men may know of your mighty acts. And the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

[1:49] Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. And your dominion endures through all generations. The Lord is faithful to all his promises.

[2:00] And loving toward all he has made. The Lord upholds all those who fall. And lifts up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to you.

[2:13] And you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand. And satisfy the desires of every living thing. The Lord is righteous in all his ways.

[2:25] And loving toward all he has made. The Lord is near to all who call on him. To all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him.

[2:38] He hears their cry. And saves them. The Lord watches over all who love him. But all the wicked he will destroy. My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord.

[2:51] Let every creature praise his holy name. Forever and ever. God is good.

[3:03] And he does good. Psalm 119.68. That's the truth of from God about God. With which we began this present series.

[3:14] On the goodness of God. God. He is good. That's his settled generous disposition. Of good will to all of his creatures. It's his delight.

[3:25] In delighting them. And since good is what God is. It's therefore. Therefore good is what he does. For the goodness of God.

[3:35] Now we've seen in the very first chapter of the Bible. The goodness of God in creation. And that's. Where we went to next. What he made was very good.

[3:47] He created. Just our bodies. With five senses. And a world to satisfy them. He created us with a soul. That capacity to. To know God.

[3:58] And enjoy God. Who is the highest good. He. Put us in. A wonderful world. And. And. He put our forefather. Our parents.

[4:08] First parents. To. A test. A probation. Which. If they pass. The promise was that they would be raised to a higher eternal life. And.

[4:19] Warn them. That if they disobey. That they would. Die. And come under the curse of death. And. All that. That he might become the rewarder of them.

[4:29] And not have to be the punisher of them. Then in the fall of man. We saw how Satan got Eve. To disobey God. By first doubting his goodness. And if you can't trust God.

[4:40] To be good for you. To you. Then you will try to carve out goodness for yourself. And find goodness where. It is not to be found in this world. And so they sinned against God's goodness.

[4:52] And they sunk themselves and our world. So that instead of being holy and happy. They became sinful and miserable. Under the curse of death. And hell.

[5:04] It was then that we saw gushing. A new gushing of God's goodness. Breaking forth upon this fallen race. In redemption.

[5:16] By setting forth a way of salvation. No sooner had Adam and Eve sinned. Than God came with a promise of a savior. Whom he would send. The seed of the woman.

[5:28] To deliver mankind. From the curse. And this seed of the woman. Would do. What Adam. And what we did not.

[5:40] And could not do. He would render perfect obedience. He would render perfect obedience. To God's law. And therefore have eternal life to give. And he would. Suffer the full penalty. Penalty of death. Under God's curse.

[5:51] That we sinners deserve. For our disobeying. That's a way of salvation. That was never offered. To the fallen angels. But it was offered to us. Fallen human beings.

[6:03] To all. Who would turn from their own way. And trust in this savior alone. To save them. That's the amazing goodness of God.

[6:13] In the gospel. That Jesus wins. For God's enemies. The very eternal life. That they forfeited. By sin. So God's goodness.

[6:24] In redemption. Is infinitely greater. Than even his goodness. In creation. And it costs God. Far more too. For. Creation. Just meant.

[6:35] The cost of. Speaking a word. But to redeem. Fallen man. Would mean. The blood of his own son. This savior has come. He has redeemed sinners. Are you one of them?

[6:47] Have you received. This savior. And then last time. We considered. God's goodness. In redemption. Completed. We went to the end. And we saw. This created world.

[6:59] At the end. Answering the critics. Who say. If God is good. He would obliterate. All evil. And suffering. We see.

[7:10] That this is precisely. What God is planning. To do. At the return. Of his son. In his own time. So. So. If we would. Really sense.

[7:20] How good God is. We. We can go. All the way back. And look at creation. As it came from his hand. And. And we can go forward. All the way. To what it will look like.

[7:32] As. He. Perfects it. At the return. Of Jesus Christ. A new heaven. And a new earth. But. What about now? What about here.

[7:43] And now. Our present life. In a world. Of sin. And sorrow. Pain. And suffering. And that brings us. Then today. To consider the goodness. Of God. In providence. In his upholding.

[7:54] And. And controlling. All things. Right now. Even the coronavirus. Now we've recently studied. God's providence. So all that I want to do here.

[8:06] Is to see. God's goodness. In providence. We've seen his power. In providence. But I want you to see. His goodness. In providence. Even in the midst.

[8:16] Of evil. And suffering. Now I'm. Sure you've noticed. That. Once man. Fell.

[8:27] Into sin. And God. Cursed. The man. And brought. Suffering. And death. And the curse. On the earth. All good. Did not stop.

[8:38] Did you eat. This morning. There was good. The whole world. Is eating. This morning. That's God's goodness. Are you breathing. That's God's goodness.

[8:49] There is so much. Of God's goodness. That continues. Even between. The perfect. The fall. And the final. Perfection. Of the creation. Right now.

[8:59] In that present. Order. That. That we live in. God is being good. To all of his creatures. And we call that.

[9:11] Common grace. We sinned. And forfeited. God's goodness. God. God. And yet. He continues.

[9:21] His goodness. And mercy. To every one of us. Every day. All day. Now. That's how God. How good God is. Even to a world.

[9:32] Deserving his wrath. I ask you. Is that not a higher goodness. To give such good gifts. To ill deserving rebels. Than to obedient children.

[9:43] Children. This is a higher. Good. In God. And I'm sure you've noticed. That. The earth is still full.

[9:53] Of God's goodness. As Psalm 33. Five says. After the curse. Before the return of Christ. This earth is still full. Of God's goodness. So.

[10:05] We come this morning. Then to. God's goodness. In common grace. It's called common. Not because. The gifts of God. Are really. Ho hum. It's common. In the sense.

[10:15] That it's. It's not his special goodness. It's not his special grace. To his elect. To his own people. This is God's goodness. To all. Without distinction.

[10:26] Saved. Lost. Righteous. Unrighteous. Hence. It's called common. It's called grace. Because. It's God's goodness. Now. To the undeserving.

[10:37] Indeed. To the ill. Deserving. It's not saving grace. Yet. It is grace. It's God's goodness. Given to those. Who do not deserve it. But deserve his wrath.

[10:49] And so. It's called grace. God's common grace. His goodness. Then. Is seen. In his common grace. And I want us to see. If that's not what we see. Taught in our Bibles.

[10:59] And what we witness. Every day. In this. World. In which we live. There's two ways. Common grace. Works in the world. The two categories. So. We can see God's goodness.

[11:11] In restraining. What is bad. For man. And his goodness. In giving. What is good. For man. Let's look first. At his restraining. What is bad. For man. First.

[11:21] God's goodness. Is seen. In restraining. His own wrath. The whole earth. Stands. Under God's curse. Because of man's sin. Reserve.

[11:31] For fire. But God. Holds back. Much. Of his own wrath. What do all people deserve. Because of our sin. The wrath of God.

[11:44] In hell. For how long. Forever. When should it start. Yesterday. Immediately. Upon our fall. It should have begun. It should have begun.

[11:54] So every day. Out of hell. Is grace. It's God. Being very good. To sinners. It's God.

[12:04] Restraining. And holding back. His wrath. For the present time. That verse. In Psalm 103. He does not treat us. As our sins deserve. Is stated there.

[12:15] Of the righteous. But it's equally true. Of the unrighteous. At least in the present. World. Nobody's getting. What they deserve. Yet. Are we?

[12:27] Even the. The sinner. Who will spend. Eternity. In hell. Is not now. Being treated. As his sins deserve. He's receiving. Goodness. And mercy. Every day.

[12:37] From the Lord. The Bible. Speaks much. Of God's patience. His long. Suffering. Even with sinners. Who will never.

[12:47] Be saved. Romans 9. 22. God endured. With much. Long. Suffering. The vessels. Of wrath. Fitted. To destruction. Of which. Pharaoh.

[12:57] Is an example. Oh. How patient. God was. With Pharaoh. He waited. How many times. Did he give him. Opportunity. To repent. There was at least. Ten times.

[13:08] Weren't there? The ten plagues. God was so good. To Pharaoh. He put up. With him. For a long time. That's what. He endured. With much.

[13:18] Long. Suffering. The vessels. Of wrath. Think of the. Unbelieving. Israelites. In the wilderness. Complain.

[13:29] Complain. Complain. God put up. With them. For a long time. First. Peter. Three. Twenty. God waited. Patiently. In the days. Of Noah. While the ark.

[13:39] Was being built. They all. Deserved. To be. Flooded. And destroyed. Right away. But God. Waited. Patiently. They had. That period. While the ark. Was being built. To repent.

[13:51] And to come. To God. He was being patient. Think of the. Goodness. And grace. Of God. Being shown. Every day. As men. Constantly. Sin against him.

[14:02] And God. In goodness. Withholds. The fullness. Of his wrath. Upon them. So God's goodness. Is seen. In restraining. His own wrath. But also. In restraining.

[14:13] Man's depravity. He restrains. Man's depravity. In this world. The Bible. The Bible. Teaches us. That man. Is totally depraved. But. By that.

[14:23] We don't mean. That man. Is as wicked. As he could be. No. He could get worse. Evil men. Will go. From bad. To worse. So total depravity. Doesn't mean. He is as bad.

[14:34] As he could be. It just means. That. His sinfulness. Has infected. The totality. Of his being. So his mind. As it thinks. Is warped. It's distorted. His affections.

[14:45] Not set on God. But on sin. On self. His will. It's bent toward evil. Rather than. Toward doing the will of God. There's no part of man.

[14:57] That is not. Fallen. And. Perverted. By sin. That's what total depravity means. So that. The potential for every sin.

[15:08] Is within the sinner's heart. For out of the heart. Proceeds. Immorality. Adultery. Wickedness. Murder. It comes from within. But in goodness.

[15:21] God holds man back. From manifesting. All that potential. Wickedness. Within him. He restrains sinners. From carrying out. All that their depraved hearts. And sinful passions.

[15:32] Desire to do. In the words of Job 5. 12. He thwarts. The plans. Of the crafty. So that their hands. Achieve no success.

[15:42] They're planning. Some wickedness. And God. Scraps their plans. That's God withholding. Evil. That was being planned. Upon this earth.

[15:53] And that's good for man. Many examples. In scripture. Pharaoh's wicked heart. He planned. To destroy the Israelites. At the Red Sea. Well. God took care of that.

[16:04] He thwarted it. Didn't he? Wicked King Saul's. Many attempts. To murder David. Throwing the spear. A couple times. And him dodging. God thwarted it.

[16:16] Chasing him all up. And down the wilderness. God restrained. Saul's wickedness. Holding it back. We recently studied.

[16:26] In Esther. Haman's desire. And plan. To destroy. Not only Mordecai. But the whole Jewish race. And God thwarted the plans. Of the crafty.

[16:38] Now these plans. Didn't just fizzle out. On their own. And come to nothing. It was God's goodness. Very active. And frustrating. And thwarting.

[16:49] And throwing a wrench. Into the works. So that. It didn't come to pass. And that's good. For this world. That God is doing that. Even here and now.

[17:00] In a world. That's under the curse. For the secret power. Second. That's two seven. For the secret power. Of lawlessness. Is already at work. But the one. Who now.

[17:10] Holds it back. Will continue. To do so. Until it is taken. Out of the way. So God's common grace. Is like a dam. And it's holding back. The swirling waters.

[17:20] Of man's depravity. But once he. Cuts. The dam open. Then this world. Will see. What.

[17:32] Depravity really is. At present. He holds it. Back. That's God's kindness. And goodness. To this world. Men are not. All men are not. As wicked. As they.

[17:43] Could be. Now. How does God do this? How does he hold back? Men's depraved desires? What are some instruments? He uses. Well. Well. One is the inborn conscience. In Romans 2.

[17:54] We're told that. That God made us. With a conscience. That accuses man. When they do wrong. It's a. There's even a sense. Of judgment. To come. That. That men know. That.

[18:04] The deeds. That they do. Deserve. Death. Abimelech. A pagan. Philistine king. Had some fear. Of God. And a conscience. That knew it was wrong. To take Abraham's wife.

[18:15] He thought he was his sister. But he knew enough. That it was wrong. To take another man's. Wife. I've read of criminals. Turning themselves. Into the law. Because they couldn't live.

[18:27] With their own. Guilty conscience. Though. Though. Though. The police. Were not on their tail. Their conscience. Was with them. Everywhere they went. And it was such a heavy thing. They finally came clean.

[18:37] With the law. How good that God. Has given man a conscience. About basic right and wrong. Reducing evil. And suffering. In this world. He uses human governments.

[18:49] God's good gift. To society. To punish the evil doer. And to reward the good. They do it for God. Who's established. These governments. To do just that.

[19:00] Romans 13. Two to five. Consequently. He who. Rebels against the authority. Is rebelling against. What God has instituted. And those who do so. Will bring judgment.

[19:10] On themselves. For rulers. Hold no terror. For those who do right. But for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free. From fear of the one in authority. Then do what is right. And he will commend you.

[19:21] For he is God's servant. To do you good. We're studying the goodness of God. These government officials. Are God's servant. To do you good. They're on.

[19:32] An assignment from God. Do this world good. But if you do wrong. Be afraid. For he does not bear the sword. For nothing. He's God's servant. An agent of wrath.

[19:43] To bring punishment. On the wrongdoer. That's good for our world. Martin Luther spoke of. The hangman.

[19:54] Hindering sin. Used to be. They hang people in public. And he said. That. That sends a message. And it hinders men.

[20:05] From being as evil. As they might. Otherwise. Be. And so. God gives government. For our good. To enforce the law.

[20:15] To punish the wrongdoer. To maintain law. And order. Fear. And this fear. Of punishment. Is God's good gift. To us. It's why even lost people.

[20:26] Obey traffic laws. Some of them. Some of the time. They don't want to pay the ticket. It's why more drunks. Don't drive drunk. They. They don't want their license. Taken away. They don't want to be thrown.

[20:37] Into prison. What. Why more men. Do not rob banks. And steal. Why more men. Do not kill. Those that they hate. The fear. Of being caught. And punished. Is a deterrent.

[20:49] A restraint. That holds men back. From the thing. They would like to do. You see. God is. Is good. In giving us. Government. To restrain evil.

[21:01] I've been reading. Something of. The nations. From which all the refugees. Are fleeing. Not all of them. But some of them. Honduras. It's something like. Ninety percent.

[21:11] Of the murders. Are never. Tried. Because people. Are afraid. Of the threats. From the gangs. To go to court. And to. And to bear witness. About.

[21:22] Who shot. Who here. And so. Out of fear. For their lives. They. They refuse to. And so. People are literally. Getting away. With murder. Wholesale. Some ninety percent.

[21:33] Of such murders. Never make it to court. You see. Our world. In many places. Is seeing. The. The rule. Of law. And order. Crumble.

[21:45] But wherever. We see it. And as bad. As our nation. Is. We should. Thank God. That there is. Yet. Some. Semblance. Of law. And order. In our life. And that it. Creates.

[21:56] A stable. Environment. In which. We can live. Peaceful. And quiet. Lives. Which. Paul tells. Timothy. Is why. We're to pray. For our leaders. That we might.

[22:08] Go on. Enjoying this. It's not salvation. But it's a wonderful gift. That we still have. Some places. On the planet. That they're good. To. To. To.

[22:18] To. To raise a family. And to live. That's God's goodness. To a world. Under the curse. There's social pressure. Of public opinion. There's the fear of men.

[22:28] That holds men back. From evil. What would. Oh. I want to do this. But if I did it. My name might be in the headlines. Tomorrow.

[22:40] Oh. So. I'm not going to do it. And. That's another way. That God can restrain. Societal pressures. Can be strong. Against certain evils. And then there's the Christians.

[22:55] Presence. And voice. And. Example in the world. As salt. In the midst of a. Of a corrupting. Society. And as light. Into this dark world.

[23:08] And with righteousness. That exalts a nation. And lifts a nation. A nation up. A leavening influence on earth. So that it's not as bad. As it would be.

[23:18] In so many ways. God is restraining the evil. In man. From what it would. And could be. And he's to be praised for that. It's his goodness. In common grace.

[23:31] It's. It's too easy. When watching the news. Or reading the news. To just whine about. All the evil in the world. And there should be something. That. That dissatisfies us. Whenever and wherever.

[23:41] We see evil. People. But there is this problem. That we complain. As if we should expect. To see something. Better. From fallen man.

[23:52] In a cursed world. But if we really believe. In total depravity. And what the Bible says. That man is capable of. And desires.

[24:03] To do. Then we should rather. Be surprised. And far more thankful. That the world is no more rotten. Than it is. That there still are.

[24:14] Some places. That are decent. To raise a family. Places to live. In relative peace. And quiet.

[24:25] Donald MacLeod. MacLeod writes. Not every city is a Sodom. Could be. Not every prison is an Auschwitz. And I would add.

[24:36] Not every nation. Murders Christians. And not every mother. Aborts her baby. And not every father. Beats his wife. And not every neighbor. Runs a meth lab. In the basement. And all of this.

[24:47] Is due not to. To man's own goodness. He's just such a good creature. But. But it's all owing. To God's active goodness. In the world. Or else it would be unfit.

[25:00] An unfit place. To live in. So when you look. At the world. And you wonder. Where's God. In all this evil. And suffering. Remember. He's far busier. With this world.

[25:11] Than we may realize. I think we'd be surprised. To learn. How much evil. He has restrained. In this past week. If we could have it. Played out on the screen. We'd be watching.

[25:22] A long time. All the evils. That men. Would like to have done. But God. Held them back. That's his common goodness. To this world. Even between the fall. And the final remaking.

[25:33] Of it. We understand. Then why. Henry Crabbendam. Would define. Common grace. As the formaldehyde. That keeps the world. From stinking.

[25:44] Now that may be. A little negative. Especially when. There's more to be said. About. Common grace. Than just the negative side. But I think it's. It's right on. In pointing out.

[25:55] To us. That. Apart from God's. Common grace. This world. Would not. Be a fit place. For man. To live in. That he's.

[26:07] Daily. Pouring out. Goodness. Upon. A world. Under. The curse. Oh. That men. Would praise. The Lord. For his goodness.

[26:17] To them. That's the negative. Side. Of common grace. There's. God's. Restraining. His own wrath. And he's. Restraining. The evil. Within men. But there's.

[26:28] A good side. A positive. Side. Of God. Giving. Many good. Things. To this world. That's under. The curse. He heaps. Upon. His creatures.

[26:39] Blessing. It's. It's seen. In his providence. Just upholding. And preserving. All things. I mean. If. If the world. Is under. His curse. We might just think.

[26:50] God would just. Let the whole thing. Go down. But no. He upholds it. And he preserves it. He cares. About what he created. Even in its. Fallen state.

[27:01] And that's often. Celebrated. In the Psalms. We read. Psalm 145. Verse 9. The Lord is good to all. The all's. The every's. In this psalm.

[27:11] Are amazing. He's good to all. He has compassion. On all. That he has made. You open your hand. And you satisfy. The desire. Of every Christian. No.

[27:22] You open your hand. And satisfy. The desire. Of every living thing. People. Animals. Plant life.

[27:35] He gives food. To every creature. Psalm 136. 25. Oh Lord. You preserve. Both man. And beast. 36. 6. He covers. The sky. With clouds.

[27:45] He supplies. The earth. With rain. And makes. Grass. Grow. On the hills. That's. That's the world. It's. And the ground. That's been. Cursed. And God.

[27:56] Takes care of it. That's his. Common grace. Right now. He's feeding. 7. 6. Billion. People. On the planet. Most of them. Are God's enemies.

[28:08] And yet. He feeds them. And our Lord. Jesus. Draws attention. To that very fact. Doesn't he? Have you noticed. That when it rains. It not only falls. On Christian farms. And gardens.

[28:18] But on the just. And the unjust. And that the sun. Not only shines. On the righteous. But on the evil. As well. Matthew 5. 45.

[28:30] And Jesus says. That's our heavenly father. Doing good. To his enemies. That's our heavenly father. Being kind. To the ungrateful. And the wicked. Who daily.

[28:41] Take his gifts. His good gifts. His food. Without so much. As a thank you. To him. And then use. Its strength. To sin against him. And even that.

[28:52] Does not stop God. From feeding them again. And again. And again. Is God good. Or what? Do you see the goodness of God. In common grace.

[29:04] Do rainy days. And Mondays. Always. Get you down. Well they're not all rainy days. He gives sunny days. Doesn't he? Isn't he good. To give sunny days.

[29:14] The New Testament. Makes much of this goodness of God. To all. Acts 17. 25. Paul. On Mars Hill.

[29:24] There in Athens. The God who made the world. Gives all men. Life. Breath. And everything else. He gives them life. And most of them. Use it for themselves. And not for God.

[29:35] He gives them breath. And even though many. Use that breath. To take God's name in vain. To break his laws. By telling lies. And gossiping. And slandering. And speaking unkindly.

[29:46] He gives. Everything else. That's all inclusive. What he's saying is. He's claiming that. Everything. All good gifts. Come from our.

[29:57] Heavenly Father. James 1. 17. And they. They still. Come down. To this. Earth. That's under his. Curse. That's.

[30:07] Grace. That's common grace. Because it falls on. All. Acts. 14. 16. To 17. Paul's telling. Pagan idolaters.

[30:18] At Lystra. That in the past. God let all nations. Go their own way. Worship their own idols. Yet. He's not left himself. Without testimony. He's shown kindness.

[30:28] By giving you. Rain from heaven. Crops in their seasons. He provides you. With plenty of food. And fills your. Hearts. With joy. Why? Well we are in Arizona.

[30:41] When I was in Arizona. We. We ate out at a barbecue place. It was not much for ambience. But the food. Was another story. Barbecued brisket. With. Poppy seed.

[30:52] Lime. Cold slaw. And macaroni and cheese. On the side. And even my old taste buds. Came alive for that meal. And all around me. I wasn't alone.

[31:02] Happy couples. Families. Laughing. Enjoying the food. And each other's company. How do you explain that?

[31:14] If God has cursed this earth. Will you explain that God is still good to those people that are under his curse. He's still good to this world.

[31:25] That is headed for judgment and for fire. He's still good. He's just that good. He not only fills their stomachs with good. Did you get that? He fills their hearts with joy.

[31:38] That's another level. Isn't it? God's goodness is his delight in delighting his creatures. And so as he sees them eating that brisket.

[31:49] And enjoying the husband, the wife, the children, the parent. God is delighted to see them delighted. He fills their hearts with gladness.

[32:01] Psalm 104 says. Not just their bellies with food. But their hearts with joy and gladness. Oh, his goodness shines in this world.

[32:14] Even after the fall. In fact, God's so good to some of his enemies that it causes trouble for his own children. Children. Like Asaph and countless others who have looked over the wall and seen how good God is to the wicked.

[32:29] And they don't have trouble. And they've got better health and wealth and prosperity than I do. I've got trouble every day. God is so good to the wicked. That take his gifts and pervert them.

[32:42] That it causes his own children to stumble sometimes. Oh, that men would praise the Lord for his goodness. Common grace.

[32:56] Another good gift of God is conscience. We talked about it. Restraining wickedness. But there's a positive side of conscience that Romans 2 says that Gentiles who do not have the law.

[33:08] They've never read the Bible. They nevertheless do by nature the things required by the law. This is common grace. They do many things that are in and of themselves good as to the matter.

[33:22] They don't do them as God requires perfectly. They will not win any merit with God. They will not save them in the day of judgment. But nevertheless, lost people do things that we're glad they do them.

[33:39] It makes the world a better place to live in. That's God's kindness. So even the lost may have a sense of moral indignation over certain evils. Child abuse and trafficking.

[33:52] You don't have to be a Christian to be upset about that. They may have conservative moral views that line up with scripture. They may live outwardly moral lives.

[34:04] They may be heavily involved in promoting good over evil. They may belong to mothers against drunk drivers. Fighting against drunk drivers. Fighting against prejudice. They may be doing works of charity.

[34:17] Feeding the poor. Helping the needy. You don't have to be a Christian to do those things. But why do people do them? Well, that's God's kindness to a world that if he just let go, we wouldn't see such goodness.

[34:34] Rejectors of Christ may be law-abiding citizens. They may respect the life and property of others. They may try to keep the golden rule. They may be good workers on the job.

[34:45] Many serve their country sacrificially, even laying down their own lives. Many are good neighbors. Friendly. When I took my morning walks in Mesa, I was greeted in a cordial manner in the neighborhood.

[35:07] A perfect stranger. And they said hello. They didn't scowl at me. They didn't curse me. They didn't sick their dog on me.

[35:19] What's this? Where's this kindness come from? Anything good comes from God, you see. He's got it in the world. I don't believe for a moment that all those people were Christians.

[35:31] It doesn't take a Christian to be a good neighbor. To be friendly. To have a real concern and care about others. I've seen it in the medical field. There's people who really care about those that they're treating.

[35:45] Did you read about the cab driver out in California? He picked up a 92-year-old woman. She says, take me to the bank. I owe the IRS $25,000.

[35:56] I'm going to withdraw. And he says, that doesn't sound right. And he drove her to the police station. And he had the police explain to her that this was a scam.

[36:07] And she's about to be robbed of $25,000. He's an Indian man. I don't know whether he's a Christian. Or a Hindu.

[36:19] Or a Muslim. But he got a good going award. And many non-Christians get good going awards. And it's good for the world that they do.

[36:31] It's good for that lady. Again, that's common grace. Human love. Family love. A man's love for his wife.

[36:41] A wife's love for her husband. Their faithfulness. Through their whole life. Never cheated on each other. Even godless parents provide for their families, Paul tells Timothy.

[36:54] Because if any one of you does not provide for his relatives. And especially for his immediate family. He's denied the faith. And is worse than an unbeliever. In other words, they take care of their own families.

[37:06] By and large. That's what he's saying. Unbelievers. Provide for their families. That's God's common grace. That there is such a love in their hearts.

[37:20] And he's given mom extra doses of that, hasn't he? We call it a mothering instinct. A mother's heart. The Bible acknowledges it at least in three places.

[37:33] In fact, Solomon solved a crime using that truth. It's so true that when two women came to him. Arguing, both of them, that the living child, the living baby was theirs.

[37:48] And the dead one belonged to the other woman. He says, I know what we'll do. We'll just get a sword and cut him in half. And give each of you half. And immediately, the real mother said, no.

[38:03] No, let her have him. And Solomon says, give it to that woman. She's the real mother. Willing to give up her child.

[38:14] Rather than to see it killed. And these weren't virtuous women. These were two prostitutes. That lived together. You see.

[38:27] Thank God that there's that kind of love left in the world. Of a mother and her children and so on. Not saying always. But it's there. And we have God to thank for it.

[38:38] We don't have time to tell all the good gifts of technology. And the way that these inventions. You know that all scientists and inventors are not Christians.

[38:50] And yet, they come up with very helpful gadgets. And helpful instruments. That are good for mankind. Advances in medicine. A lot of folks in the medical field.

[39:04] Are pumped. The evolutionary line. That there is no God. And everything is just biology. And yet. There are surgeons who.

[39:17] Every day are saving the lives of people. And others. Many of you have had. They make your quality of life. Much better.

[39:28] That's good. That's God. And we need to. To trace it back to God's goodness. This is his common grace. The arts. Unbelievers. Are often the ones that seem to be excelling in the arts.

[39:42] For some reason. But they have skills in painting. And sculpturing. Architecture. Decorating. Music. Writing. Cooking. Etc. Ways that reflect. The creativity of their maker.

[39:55] And enrich our lives. I was looking at this plant. Isn't it beautiful? God made that. And people can draw that.

[40:08] Take pictures of it. And present it. That's good. Isn't it? To be able to look again. At the goodness of God. In creation. We woke up this morning. What did we find?

[40:19] We find. That God had made it snow. Everywhere. Except the driveway. And the sidewalk. And the roads. Just covered it. With a beautiful blanket of snow. And gorgeous. And.

[40:31] He's this artist. And. Man. By virtue of him. Being the image of God. Still reflects something. Of that goodness. And. It's good for us. It's good for this world. And a world.

[40:42] Still. Under. God's curse. And wrath. Well. God is good. In common grace. Enriching. Both the saved.

[40:53] And the lost. Restraining his wrath. For the moment. Restraining man's evil. For the moment. Positively. Giving many good gifts. To mankind. To make this world. A more enjoyable place.

[41:04] Because God is good. And he delights. In doing good. To his creatures. Now what do we do. With this truth. We. We see it in scripture. We see it in our life.

[41:14] In our lives. First. Let it stretch. Our view. Of God's goodness. To see so much. Of his goodness. Spent on those. Who are his enemies. Wow.

[41:27] My goodness. Often runs out. Toward those. Who do me wrong. Not God. Not. Not in this life. He's so good.

[41:39] To his enemies. And let that move us. To love our enemies. That's what Jesus. Was. Reminding us of. That. For. For that reason. That we might. Imitate our heavenly father. In doing good.

[41:49] To those who mistreat us. And thereby prove. That we truly do belong. To the family. Because we show the family. Likeness. Of loving our enemies. Of loving our enemies.

[42:01] Doing good. To those who misuse us. And then. Secondly. Let us stir us to praise. And thanksgiving. For God's continued goodness. In common grace. That keeps this world.

[42:11] From being a hell on earth. He still fills it. With so many pleasures. God's to be praised. For all of his works. We see in Psalm 145. So when you praise God.

[42:23] For his goodness. Don't forget his goodness. In common grace. That he pours out every day. Upon this earth. To saved and lost delight. Give thanks to the Lord. For he is good.

[42:34] And if you are in Christ. Let's prize all the more. The special grace. That he has shown to us. You see. There is a higher grace. Than common grace.

[42:46] There is more. To God's goodness. Than just what he shows. To the world. Indiscriminately. There is a special. Goodness and grace.

[42:57] That he shows. To his own children. And. If this is good. Oh. Oh. How we should prize. His special grace. We who have come.

[43:08] To know the Lord. We who have tasted. And seen. That the Lord is good. Let's be thankful. That. What we have. Is not just. A world. A life.

[43:18] Here in this world. That is. Cursed. And is full of suffering. And evil. And death. And yet. Sprinkled in. With all kinds of goodnesses. And we have a few more years. To live. And then it's hell.

[43:28] No. For us. It's a few more years. To live. And then. We escape. All that is evil. And sinful. And painful. And suffering. To enjoy the presence of Christ.

[43:41] Without anything. Of a curse. Because Jesus took it for us. Surprise him. And what he's won for you. And if you're lost.

[43:53] What I want to say to you. Is that all this goodness of God. In common grace. That. We've just been talking about. Is meant.

[44:06] To lead you. To repentance. God is good. And delights to do you good. That's why he's filled your life. And world with such good things.

[44:17] That's why he's been so patient. And withholding his full wrath upon you. That's why. This world is still. Has some really good things. About it. Even while it's under his curse.

[44:30] And all of that goodness. Is meant to do what? To stop you from going away from God. And to turn you. To seek God. And salvation.

[44:41] In his son. Jesus Christ. You see. His good gifts to you. Have a voice. That are leading you. To God. They're. They're. They're saying. Stop running from God.

[44:51] He's a good God. There's more goodness. Than what you've seen here. In this common grace. There's a better goodness. A higher goodness. And that's knowing Christ.

[45:02] Whom to know. Is life. Eternal life. Abundant life. You see. God wants to give you. The bigger goodness. Of knowing his son.

[45:14] And that's what all this good stuff. In this life. Is meant to do. It's meant to. Not cause you to be so distracted. With it. That that's all that you do. Is you grovel. In the muckrake.

[45:25] Of the good things. In this life. That are going to end. The moment you die. But these good things. Are meant to lift up your eyes. To see. There's a higher good. There's eternal life.

[45:36] To gain. There is a savior. Who can save us. From our sins. And bring us. Into a right relationship. With God. That we might enjoy him. And know him. Which is the highest good.

[45:46] Of all. Has the goodness of God. Led you to repentance. Or are you just neglecting. God the giver.

[45:56] While you're absorbed. With the goodness. Oh. Hear me. If you die. If you die. In that state. You seal. Your own.

[46:07] Eternal destiny. For this text. Goes on. That this goodness. Is meant to lead you. Toward repentance. It says. Do not despise. The riches. The riches of his goodness.

[46:17] And forbearance. And patience. Not realizing. That God's goodness. Leads you toward repentance. Because of your stubborn. And your unrepentant heart. You are storing up wrath.

[46:28] Against yourself. For the day of wrath. When his righteous judgment. Will be. Revealed. He's holding back. His wrath.

[46:42] For the moment. But a day of wrath. Is coming. And it will fall. Forever. Upon you. Hell is the absence.

[46:52] Of anything. Of God's goodness. And mercy. And the presence. Of his just. And holy. Wrath and anger. Which is only right. For those who rebel.

[47:02] Against him. Oh. Turn to him. Today. Let his goodness. Take you by the hand. And lead you right. To Jesus. This morning. And say.

[47:14] There's the higher good. He's willing. To give you his son. If you're willing. To receive him. Let's pray.

[47:29] Our good. And gracious God. You've shown us again. Just how good you are. We do. Stand amazed. At your goodness. To your enemies.

[47:39] And such as what. All of us. Once were. And some still are. And so we praise you. Who is a God. Like. Like you are. And yet you've.

[47:51] Loved us enough. And are good enough. To warn us. That. If we despise. This goodness. That. There's coming. A day of wrath. And there will be. No more goodness.

[48:02] So. Help. Help us to live. In the light of that. And help us to. To treasure the Lord Jesus. Who.

[48:13] Makes us right. With God. As we. Come and trust in him. As we turn. From our own way. And rely. Entirely. On him. To save us.

[48:24]  We ask it in Jesus name. Amen. Amen. Thank you.