Sermon Manuscript

Text: Luke 18:19 – “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone.”
Title: The True Source of Goodness

I. Introduction

In Luke 18, a rich ruler comes to Jesus and addresses Him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus replies with a surprising question: “Why do you call me good? No one is good—except God alone.”

At first glance, it may sound like Jesus is denying His own goodness. But what He was really doing was leading the man to recognize that goodness cannot be defined by human standards—it belongs to God alone.

BRAZAAR CHAIN

BIOTIPS

II. Human View of Goodness

People often think of themselves as “good” based on actions:

  • helping the poor,

  • being polite,

  • following religious traditions.

Society measures goodness by comparison. “I’m not perfect, but I’m better than others.”
But Scripture tells us otherwise: “There is no one righteous, not even one” (Romans 3:10).
Our own righteousness is like filthy rags before God (Isaiah 64:6).

III. God’s Standard of True Goodness

A. Only God is Perfectly Good

  • His holiness is absolute.

  • His nature defines what is good.

  • Goodness is not something God possesses—it is who He is.

B. Man is Sinful and Limited

  • Even the best of us fall short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23).

  • Good deeds may impress people, but before God, they are never enough.

C. Christ Reveals the Goodness of God

  • Jesus, being God in the flesh, was not denying His goodness but pointing the ruler toward God’s perfect standard.

  • In Christ, we see God’s goodness displayed in compassion, mercy, and sacrificial love.

IV. Lessons for Our Lives

  1. Do not rely on your own goodness.

    • Good works are not the ticket to eternal life.

    • Salvation is by grace, not by merit (Ephesians 2:8–9).

  2. Recognize God as the ultimate source of goodness.

    • Everything good flows from Him (James 1:17).

    • To be truly good, we must align our lives with His will.

  3. Trust in Christ as our righteousness.

    • 2 Corinthians 5:21 – “God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”

    • It is only through Christ that we are made right and counted good before the Father.

V. Conclusion

When Jesus asked, “Why do you call me good?” He was not denying His divinity but confronting a wrong idea—that eternal life could be earned by human goodness.

The truth is clear: No one is truly good but God alone. Our goodness is not enough. Our hearts, though trying, are imperfect. But thanks be to God, He sent Jesus—perfectly good, perfectly righteous—to take our place.

So, if you want to inherit eternal life, don’t look to your own goodness. Look to Christ. Trust Him, follow Him, and let His goodness transform your life.

Closing Verse: Romans 15:13 – “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him.”

Be Blessed Beyond Measure!

CHRIS N. BRAZA, TR.

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