The Goodness and Severity of God

The Goodness and Severity of God

Introduction:
Romans 11:22 teaches, “Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.” God’s nature has not changed. From Genesis to Revelation, He remains both merciful and just.

The God of the Old Testament

Throughout the Old Testament, God’s goodness and severity were both clearly revealed. His goodness is shown in creation, His promises, His care, and His blessings upon His people. In the Garden of Eden, God provided Adam and Eve with everything good and pleasant (Genesis 2:8–9). He blessed Abraham, promising to make of him a great nation and to bless all families of the earth through his seed (Genesis 12:2–3). When His people wandered in the wilderness, He fed them with manna and gave them water from the rock (Exodus 16:35; 17:6). Even during the captivity of His people, God showed favor and deliverance, as recorded in Esther 8:16–17, where joy and gladness returned to the Jews through His providence.

Yet God’s severity is also seen throughout the Old Testament. When wickedness filled the earth, He sent the flood (Genesis 6:5–7). He destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah because of their sin (Genesis 19:24–25). In Egypt, the death of the firstborn demonstrated His power and judgment against those who hardened their hearts (Exodus 11:5–6). When Nadab and Abihu offered unauthorized fire, they were struck down immediately (Leviticus 10:1–2). Achan’s disobedience brought destruction upon his entire household (Joshua 7). These examples remind us that God is holy and will not tolerate sin.

The God of the New Testament

The same God who judged in the Old Testament revealed His love fully in the New. His goodness is unmatched—He loved the world enough to send His Son (John 3:16). Jesus healed the blind, the lame, and the broken (Matthew 11:5). He wept with Mary and Martha and raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11:43–44). He looked over the city of Jerusalem and wept for its spiritual blindness (Luke 19:41–44). Ultimately, Christ gave His life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28). His desire is for all to come to repentance and none to perish (2 Peter 3:9).

But the New Testament also reveals God’s severity. Jesus displayed righteous anger when He cleansed the temple of corruption (Matthew 21:12–13). Ananias and Sapphira fell dead for lying to the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:5, 10). In Matthew 24:51, Jesus warned of punishment for the unfaithful—those who will face weeping and gnashing of teeth. God’s justice remains firm; His patience does not mean permissiveness.

The Goodness and Severity of God Sermon Outline:

• Introduction: Romans 11:22—A call to remember both sides of God’s character.

• I. The God of the Old Testament

  • God’s goodness in creation (Genesis 2:8–9).

  • Blessings to Abraham (Genesis 12:2–3).

  • Provision in the wilderness (Exodus 16:35; 17:6).

  • Deliverance and joy among His people (Esther 8:16–17).

  • God’s severity shown in judgment:

    • The flood (Genesis 6:5–7).

    • Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:24–25).

    • The death of Egypt’s firstborn (Exodus 11:5–6).

    • Nadab and Abihu consumed (Leviticus 10:1–2).

    • Achan’s sin and punishment (Joshua 7).

     

• II. The God of the New Testament

  • God’s goodness revealed through Jesus Christ:

    • God’s love for the world (John 3:16).

    • Healing the afflicted (Matthew 11:5).

    • Compassion for Mary, Martha, and Lazarus (John 11:43–44).

    • Weeping over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41–44).

    • Christ’s sacrifice for mankind (Matthew 20:28).

    • God’s desire for all to repent (2 Peter 3:9).

     

  • God’s severity in the New Testament:

    • Jesus cleansing the temple (Matthew 21:12–13).

    • The judgment of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:5, 10).

    • Eternal punishment for the unfaithful (Matthew 24:51).

     

• III. The Unchanging Nature of God

  • God’s character does not change (John 5:24–29).

  • He remains both just and merciful.

  • His goodness offers life; His severity warns of judgment.

   

Call to Action:
Let us remember both the goodness and severity of God. His love invites us to salvation through obedience to the gospel. His justice warns us to remain faithful. The same God who blessed Abraham and gave His Son still calls us to holiness. Continue in His goodness and walk in faithfulness, lest we too be cut off.

Key Takeaways:

• God’s goodness and severity are both part of His unchanging nature (Romans 11:22).

• God blesses those who trust and obey Him (Genesis 12:2–3).

• Sin brings judgment both in the Old and New Testaments (Genesis 6:5–7; Acts 5:5,10).

• God’s mercy offers eternal life through Christ (John 3:16; John 5:24–29).

• Faithfulness preserves us in God’s goodness (Romans 11:22).

Scripture Reference List:

• Romans 11:22 – The call to consider both God’s goodness and severity.

• Genesis 2:8–9 – God’s goodness in creation.

• Genesis 12:2–3 – God’s promise to Abraham.

• Exodus 16:35; 17:6 – God’s provision in the wilderness.

• Genesis 6:5–7 – The flood and God’s judgment.

• Genesis 19:24–25 – Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.

• Exodus 11:5–6 – Death of the firstborn in Egypt.

• Leviticus 10:1–2 – Death of Nadab and Abihu.

• Joshua 7 – Achan’s sin and punishment.

• John 3:16 – God’s love revealed in Christ.

• Matthew 11:5 – Jesus heals and restores.

• John 11:43–44 – Jesus raises Lazarus.

• Luke 19:41–44 – Jesus weeps over Jerusalem.

• Matthew 21:12–13 – Jesus cleanses the temple.

• Acts 5:5,10 – Judgment of Ananias and Sapphira.

• 2 Peter 3:9 – God’s desire for repentance.

• John 5:24–29 – God’s unchanging judgment and promise of resurrection.

Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO