True Righteousness (How to Build Your Life on the Rock, Part 2)
How to Build Your Life on the Rock: Sermon on the Mount Series • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
0 ratings
· 3 viewsNotes
Transcript
Intro
Intro
Series - Part 2, How to Build Your Life on the Rock (Sermon on the Mount Series)
Series Text - Matt 7.24-27
24 “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts on them, will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
25 And the rain fell and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock.
26 And everyone who hears these words of Mine, and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.
27 And the rain fell and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and its collapse was great.”
Part 2 - Manifesting True Righteousness
Part 2 Text - Matthew 5.13-20
13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by people.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;
15 nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.
16 Your light must shine before people in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
17 “Do not presume that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill.
18 For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke of a letter shall pass from the Law, until all is accomplished!
19 Therefore, whoever nullifies one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20 “For I say to you that unless your righteousness far surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Background
Background
The Series text - Matthew 7.24-27
The Series text - Matthew 7.24-27
the parable speaks of building a house on the right foundation
the person who builds his house on the rock is a wise man
the person who builds his house on the sand is a foolish man
the “house” stands for the “life” that we live as humans
we build wisely - on the rock - when we hear and act on the words of Jesus
we build foolishly when we choose to act by our own judgment and ideas
the “words of Jesus” is the very sermon He delivered here.
This sermon is - these words are - the foundation of a solid, stable, and overcoming Christian life.
ignore these words and you will be living on sinking sand
LISTEN AND OBEY THESE WORDS AND YOU WILL BE LIVING AN UNSINKABLE LIFE - LIFE THAT CAN WITHSTAND THE HARDEST TRIALS AND PROBLEMS OF LIFE!
Main Idea
Main Idea
The Sermon on the mount is Christ’s teaching about life as it should be before God - strong and overcoming.
First part - the Beatitudes, true blessedness - a life that God approves!
Second part - becoming salt and light to the world - a life that the world needs to taste and see!
The second part of Christ’s sermon covers Matthew 5.13-48
The second part of Christ’s sermon covers Matthew 5.13-48
verses 13-20 - serves as introduction
verses 14-48 - serves as the body of the sermon on righteousness
Genuine righteousness is the main idea in this part of the Sermon
righteousness that pleases God
righteousness that God approves
Matthew 5.13-20 - exegesis
Matthew 5.13-20 - exegesis
First - Jesus was telling us what true believers are supposed to BE in the world - salt and light
salt
something that can be tasted, gives flavor
signifies internal character
describes passive character
light
something that is seen; gives light, dispels darkness
signifies external character
describes active character
Second - Jesus was telling us what the true believers are supposed to DO in order to be salt and light to the world
first - we must fulfill the Law and the Prophets (the Scripture)
Jesus exemplifies this - Matthew 5:17 “17 “Do not presume that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill.”
Jesus described its necessity - Matthew 5:18–19 “18 For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke of a letter shall pass from the Law, until all is accomplished! 19 Therefore, whoever nullifies one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”
nullify - to annul, unbind, non-obligatory, non-binding;
least… great… - indicates approval and disapproval
second - we must exceed the righteousness of Judaism
Jesus acknowledged the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, but their is a righteousness that is better than this!
also, their righteousness is NOT ENOUGH for one to ever enter the kingdom of heaven
This part of the Sermon on the mount is Christ’s exposition on true righteousness.
Characteristics of true righteousness
Characteristics of true righteousness
Jesus begins to describe how genuine righteousness is applied to life.
He connects righteousness to six(6) situations in life
murder
adultery
divorce
false vows or broken vows
vengeance
hatred towards enemies
True righteouness is first internal before it is external. It begins in the heart.
True righteouness is first internal before it is external. It begins in the heart.
Example 1: murder - Matthew 5.21-22
Example 1: murder - Matthew 5.21-22
21 “You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘You shall not murder,’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be answerable to the court.’
22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be answerable to the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be answerable to the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.
to be angry - to despise a person without a cause, hate
Pharisaic righteousness will not physically harm a person.
But true righteousness will not hate another person - 1 John 3.15
15 Everyone who hates his brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him.
Also, true righteousness will not harbor anger in his heart - Matthew 5.23-26
23 Therefore, if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there you remember that your brother has something against you,
24 leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.
25 Come to good terms with your accuser quickly, while you are with him on the way to court, so that your accuser will not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you will not be thrown into prison.
26 Truly I say to you, you will not come out of there until you have paid up the last quadrans.
true righteousness will make a way to be reconciled with another person
Example 2: Adultery - Matthew 5.27-28
Example 2: Adultery - Matthew 5.27-28
27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery’;
28 but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Pharisaic righteousness limits adultery to a physical act.
True righteousness refrain a man from lusting after other women.
Note - if a man lusting after another woman who is not his wife is wrong, how much more is man lusting after another man, or woman to another woman! - Romans 1.26-27
26 For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged natural relations for that which is contrary to nature,
27 and likewise the men, too, abandoned natural relations with women and burned in their desire toward one another, males with males committing shameful acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.
Jesus emphasized on the gravity of adultery with an advice - Matthew 5.29-30
29 Now if your right eye is causing you to sin, tear it out and throw it away from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.
30 And if your right hand is causing you to sin, cut it off and throw it away from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to go into hell.
True righteousness is faithful
True righteousness is faithful
Example 1: Marriage and divorce - Matthew 5.31-32
Example 1: Marriage and divorce - Matthew 5.31-32
31 “Now it was said, ‘Whoever sends his wife away is to give her a certificate of divorce’;
32 but I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for the reason of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
Pharisaic righteousness supports divorce even if the reason is not sexual immorality.
True righteousness teaches the person to be faithful to his/her covenant.
True righteousness considers what may happen to a divorced woman.
Example 2: false vows - Matthew 5.33-37
Example 2: false vows - Matthew 5.33-37
33 “Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, ‘You shall not make false vows, but shall fulfill your vows to the Lord.’
34 But I say to you, take no oath at all, neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God,
35 nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet, nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.
36 Nor shall you take an oath by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black.
37 But make sure your statement is, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’; anything beyond these is of evil origin.
make false vows - means to break one’s vows
Pharisaic righteousness makes vows if it benefits them person.
after all, the Law provides reparations to broken vows
True righteousness fulfills a vow no matter what happens.
Jesus provides a solution: do not make a vow at all!
True righteousness is forgiving
True righteousness is forgiving
Example 1: not taking vengeance - Matthew 5.38-39
Example 1: not taking vengeance - Matthew 5.38-39
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’
39 But I say to you, do not show opposition against an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other toward him also.
Pharisaic righteousness demands justice and takes vengeance.
after all, it is in the Law
True righteousness does take justice into its own hand.
it makes way for God’s vengeance -
it provides allowance for restoration -
True righteousness demonstrates kindness - Matthew 5.40-42
40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak also.
41 Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two.
42 Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.
Example 2: love of neighbor - Matthew 5.43-45
Example 2: love of neighbor - Matthew 5.43-45
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘you Shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
44 But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
45 so that you may prove yourselves to be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
Pharisaic righteousness limits their affection to those closest to them - loved ones, friends, fellow Jews.
True righteousness loves even the enemies. - Matthew 5.46-48
46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Even the tax collectors, do they not do the same?
47 And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Even the Gentiles, do they not do the same?
48 Therefore you shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Christ and True Righteousness
Christ and True Righteousness
Christ’s characterization of righteousness is His characterization of Himself!
Christ’s characterization of righteousness is His characterization of Himself!
He came to fulfill the Law and Prophets - Matt 5.17
17 “Do not presume that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill.
no one could fulfill the Law! Even the Pharisees failed!
It is only through Christ’s righteousness that we can enter into the kingdom of heaven!
It is only through Christ’s righteousness that we can enter into the kingdom of heaven!
Pharisaic righteousness is not qualified - Matth 5.20
20 “For I say to you that unless your righteousness far surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Pharisaic righteousness is self-righteousness - Romans 10.2-4
2 For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge.
3 For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.
4 For Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
Christ’s righteousness is not superficial - it begins from the inside!
Christ’s righteousness transforms a person from the inside out!
Conclusion
Conclusion
True righteousness is what makes us salt and light
True righteousness is what makes us salt and light
True righteousness is the flavor of life that Jesus wants the world to experience through the life of His believers!
True righteousness is the light that Jesus wants the world to see through the life of His saints!
6 He will bring out your righteousness as the light, And your judgment as the noonday.
21 One who pursues righteousness and loyalty Finds life, righteousness, and honor.
43 Then the righteous will shine forth like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. The one who has ears, let him hear.
True righteousness is what strengthens our lives against the problems of life
True righteousness is what strengthens our lives against the problems of life
True righteousness is also the HILL upon which your city/life is built! High above the reach of enemies!
it saves us from the guilt of murder
it saves us from the evils of sexual immorality
it saves us from the guilt of having caused others to commit sin
it gives us power over sin through forgiveness, prayer and genuine love
17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears And rescues them from all their troubles.
19 The afflictions of the righteous are many, But the Lord rescues him from them all.
39 But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in time of trouble.
21 Adversity pursues sinners, But the righteous will be rewarded with prosperity.
Song - The Solid Rock
