NOVEMBER 1, 2026 SERMON NOTES

Dr. Ronny Raines, Senior Pastor

Fruit inspection: GOODNESS

Micah 6:8

8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

What is a Good Life? 

• Pleasure

• Possessions

• Purpose 

What are the Benefits of Goodness? 

• Guarantees Peace

• Reaches People 

• Honors God

I. Goodness is the Way We Model Justice (Micah 6:8; Zechariah 7:10)

II. Goodness is the Way We Show God's Kindness (Micah 6:8; Genesis 50:20) 

III. Goodness is the Way We Follow God's Leadership (Micah 6:8; Psalm 25:8-9)  

NOVEMBER 1, 2026 STUDY GUIDE

FRUIT INSPECTION: GOODNESS

Micah 6:8

Are you a good person? 

Is God good? How have you experienced God's goodness? If you have food to eat, a roof over your head, clothes to wear, a vehicle to drive, and money in the bank, you're blessed indeed. You can praise the Lord for His goodness.      

Many people are searching for a good life. What are many people chasing, hoping it satisfies the void in their lives? How would you define a good life? Years ago, Rick Warren's book, "The Purpose Driven Life" was a bestseller. What made his book so popular with people? Is it possible to live a good life outside of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ? 

As a follower of Jesus Christ, you're called to be His witness (Acts 1:8). He wants you to turn everyday conversations into gospel conversations. The FAITH Evangelism Strategy asks a simple, open-ended question, "In your personal opinion, what do you understand it takes for a person to go to Heaven?" What do you believe is the most common answer to that question? You're correct if you say it's about living a good life. 

How is a person saved? Is he or she saved by good works, religious deeds, church affiliation, or Jesus Christ? No one is saved by anything other than Jesus Christ (read John 14:6 and Acts 4:12). Who needs to hear the glorious gospel from you?    

Bad News: We all have sinned and come short of God"s glory (Romans 3:23). Sin is anything that we say, do, or think that disobeys God. Sin separates us from God. 

Good News: God loves you (John 3:16). Jesus left the glories of Heaven and took on human flesh in the city of David, Bethlehem. He lived a perfect, sinless life. He died a horrific and sacrificial death on an old rugged cross outside of Jerusalem. He experienced a glorious resurrection on Easter Sunday, Resurrection Day. He appeared to many people and ascended to the Father. One day Jesus is coming again. This is good news.

Great News: Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved (Romans 10:13). That's great news. If you'll call on His name, He promises to save you, forgive your sins, and change your life. You can know that you're going to Heaven (1 John 5:13).

If you don't know the Lord Jesus in a personal way, please pray this prayer and ask Jesus to change your life.                 

Dear Jesus. Thank You for loving me. I have sinned against You. You shed your blood and died on a cross for me and my sins. At this divine moment, I ask You to forgive my sins, save my soul, and change my life. Romans 10:13 says that if I called on Your name, I would be saved. Therefore, I call on Your name. Jesus, thank You for saving me. Please help me to follow You from this moment forward. Jesus, I love You. I rejoice that You are now my personal Savior and Lord. In Jesus' name, Amen!   

That is good news!      

What are the personal benefits to goodness? Take a moment and read Micah 6:8. Here are three biblical principles from this verse. 

1. Goodness is the Way We Model God's Justice (Micah 6:8; Zechariah 7:10). Justice is about doing what is right. God wants His people to model goodness and do what is obedient and right. Have you ever seen something and said, "That's not right?" What did you do? Read Zechariah 7:10. What can you and your group do this week to "do justice" toward widows, orphans, immigrants, and the poor? 

2. Goodness is the Way We Show God's Kindness (Micah 6:8; Genesis 50:20). God calls His people to love kindness. What do you love? Sports team? Favorite food? Other people? Justice is about doing what is right. Kindness is about why you do something. Read Genesis 50:20. How did Joseph show kindness to his brothers? How can you and your group show kindness this week to another person or group of people? 

3. Goodness is the Way We Follow God's Leadership (Micah 6:8; Psalm 25:8-9). Biblical worship is a lifestyle. It's more than an hour on Sunday mornings. God invites His people to walk humbly with Him. That's worship. God reveals, and His people respond. Read Psalm 25:9-9; 51:1-4, 12. David confessed his sin before God. His heart was broken and humble. How can you and your group walk humbly this week with God? 

As you reflect on God's goodness, pause and pray in your group. Thank Him for His goodness and the following five spiritual realities. 

• Your Salvation. He saved you, and you'll never be lost again.           

• Your Possessions. He has blessed you beyond what you deserve or need.  

• Your Gifts. He saved you and left you on this earth to serve Him.

• Your Freedom. He gave His life on a cross for your forgiveness and freedom.    

• Your Mansion. He promised you a mansion in Heaven.  

As you wrap up this week's study, here are three final questions to discuss. 

• How have you experienced God's justice? 

• How have you received God's kindness? 

• How have you followed God's leadership?                       

FBC Clarksville is praying that you will display the fruit of goodness this week. Have a blessed rest of your week, and worship the Lord in spirit and truth this coming weekend.

Grace and Peace!                  

View all of the "Fruit Inspection" Sermon Series Study Guides at fbct.org/fruitinspection.  

NEW GROWTH GROUPS

NEW Growth Groups are available, and we’d love for you to get connected! Check out all of the new 2026 Growth Groups and sign up today at fbct.org/growthgroups.

FIRST STEPS CLASS

UPCOMING CLASS: Wednesday, JANUARY 13, 2027

DINNER: 5:00-5:45PM Grace BUILDING, 3rd Floor Steeple Landing

CLASS: 5:45PM Grace BUILDING, 3rd Floor Steeple Landing

Our First Steps class is designed for new members and guests. We invite you to join our Senior Pastor, Dr. Ronny Raines, and our ministry team for our next membership class. We'll treat you to a delicious meal in the Steeple Landing at 5:00 pm, and then help you discover how God wants to use you at First Baptist Church. As you attend the class, we'll cover the following subjects:

• A personal relationship with Jesus Christ

• Meaning of church membership

• Biblical baptism

• The Lord's Supper

• The church's beliefs and vision

• Opportunities to give

• Ways to serve in the church

• Ministries at First Baptist Church 

• Meet our ministry team

• Time for Q&A

• Tour our church facilities

We hope you'll join us for our next First Steps class. You can register by filling out the online form at fbct.org/firststeps or by contacting Dana in the pastor's office at 931.245.0000 or dana.abee@fbct.org.

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

THROUGH NOVEMBER 15

We are in the middle of our Operation Christmas Child mission project emphasis! You can pick up a shoebox to pack on our church campus. There will be display boxes in the church concourse near Missions Landing entrance. Packing instructions will also be available. The last day to return boxes will be Sunday, November 15. Remember, each child who receives a shoe box will hear the gospel. The shoebox recipients will also have the opportunity to enroll in a 12-lesson follow-up discipleship program.

THANKSGIVING DINNER AND WORSHIP SERVICE

NOVEMBER 18 | fbct.org/thanksgiving

Join us on Wednesday, November 18 from 4:30 to 6:00 pm in the Laida Fellowship Hall for a Thanksgiving Dinner followed by a Thanksgiving Worship Service that will begin at 6:00 pm immediately after dinner.

While reservations are suggested, they are not mandatory. However, making a reservation will help us better plan for the dinner. The cost for dinner is $12 per person, and children aged 10 years and under is FREE. Childcare will be provided for children aged 2 years and under upon request. Please RSVP by November 15th to secure your spot.

Call the church office at 931.245.0000 or email info@fbct.org.

CHRISTMAS DINNER AND FELLOWSHIP

DECEMBER 16 | fbct.org/christmasdinner

Join us on Wednesday, December 16 from 4:30-6:00 pm in the Laida Fellowship Hall for Christmas Dinner. At 6 pm Preschool, Kids, and Students will meet in their areas, and Adults will remain in the Fellowship Hall for a time of Worship.

Reservations are suggested but not required. This will help us get a head count for dinner! Dinner will be $12 per person (kids 10 years old and under eat FREE). Purchase tickets online at fbct.org/christmasdinner or you can also call the church office at 931.245.0000 or email info@fbct.org .

FIRST BAPTIST MUSIC

Check out all of the First Baptist Worship Team videos from our online worship services at fbct.org/music.

THE VOICE - MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

Stay up to date with all that is going with our monthly newsletter, the Voice! Visit fbct.org/voice!

MEMBERSHIP AND GIVING TOOLS

Fellowship, Worship and Discipleship are fundamental to an obedient life in Christ. First Baptist Church maintains several tools to help us stay connected, share and offer the sacrifice of praise, and grow together. Scroll to the bottom of the home page at fbct.org and click on "app" to see options for adding these tools to your phone or other device. You can use these tools to stay connected to your discipleship group, contact the church, watch past worship services and sermons, as well as support the FBC financially as the Lord directs for you and your family. There are even instructions for how to access these tools using your web browser.

Using these apps, updating your profile information to share with the church is easy. When changes occur in your family life such as a move to a new home, change in email address, etc. you can update your information to be sure that our communication with you is efficient. You can even add a picture to make it easier for your church family to put a name with a face!

Information about any groups that might be of interest to you, such as Connect Groups, teams, committees, etc will be available as well.  Group Leaders can use the tools to take attendance online and access other features.  You can contact the church through the app, read messages from group members/leaders and browse the church directory.

Check out fbct.org/app  for instructions on how to get the app and reach the membership and giving website.

LOVE the time of worship through song today? You can follow us on Spotify and listen to our playlist each week! Follow us on Spotify “First Clarksville” and sing along!