Goodwill Toward Men

In one paragraph

On the fourth Sunday of Advent, Pastor Joel walked through the Greek word eudokia, the "goodwill" the angels announced at the birth of Jesus, and asked what it actually means that God's goodwill is directed toward people. The sermon worked through a close reading of Luke 2:14 alongside several other New Testament passages to show that God's posture toward humanity is not distant or punishing, but...

Read together

1. Matthew 2 opening reading about the wise men coming to the house and bowing to worship Jesus
2. Psalm 29 quoted before the offering: 'ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name, and worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness'
3. Luke 2:14 the angels' song, glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill toward men, central text of the sermon
4. Matthew 11 one of nine New Testament uses of eudokia, 'this was well pleasing in the sight of God'
5. Romans 10 Paul's heart's desire and prayer for his own people to be saved
6. Philippians 1 some preach Christ out of envy and strife, others by goodwill and love
7. Philippians 2:13 it is God who works in you both to desire and to work for his own good pleasure
8. 1 Thessalonians prayer that God would count them worthy of their calling and fulfill every desire for goodness and work of faith with power
9. Galatians 4:4-5 when the fullness of time had come God sent his son so that we might receive adoption as sons
10. 2 Corinthians 8:9 though Christ was rich he became poor so that through his poverty we might become rich
11. John 1 to those who believed he gave them the right to be called children of God
12. John 3:16 God loved the world and gave his one and only son so that whoever believes in him might not perish but have eternal life
13. 2 Peter 3:9 the Lord is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance
14. 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 benediction: God has not destined us for wrath but to obtain salvation through Christ who died so that we might live fully in him

Talk about it

1. Joel Hill described believers becoming 'carriers of peace and grace and love and mercy and forgiveness' in their own communities. Where in your everyday life do you find it hardest to actually carry those things to the people around you?
2. The sermon walked through many translations of Luke 2:14, ranging from 'goodwill toward men' to 'peace to those on whom his favor rests.' How does it affect the way you think about God to hear that he is described as favorably disposed toward people, taking delight and pleasure in them?
3. Robertson McQuilkin was quoted as saying it is easier to go to a consistent logical extreme than to remain in the center of biblical tension. Where have you seen that pull in your own thinking, either about God's sovereignty or about human responsibility?
4. The sermon used the idea of a coach training a player so that he can kick a field goal, while knowing the player may still miss it. How does that picture change the way you think about God's goodwill being extended to people who never receive it?
5. Second Peter 3:9 says God is not willing that anyone should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Thinking about the people in your own life who have not yet received that gift, what does it look like practically for you to carry the message of peace and goodwill to them?