A Superior Righteousness
FILING INFORMATION:
2001046
Subject: righteousness
Preached originally:
08/26/01 – Rapid City, SD
Introduction:
A. Last wk – studied these verses in depth. Discovered that Jesus fulfilled both law & prophets.
1. We noted one of the reasons Jesus mentioned these things. That is, He expects those who follow Him to have a superior righteousness.
2.
Jesus…. completely different teacher from scribes/Pharisees. His conduct different in that He sought
out sinners.
B. In these verses: Jesus lays down two principles:
1. not contradicting/destroying the law.
2.
His teaching different from Pharisees.
C. Note 5:19-20 – These are the two verses today’s lesson based on.
1. Most Bible commentators argue that meaning of 5:19 difficult. But it seems that:
a) Pharisees had a habit of dividing God’s law into lesser/greater parts.
b)
Violated what they considered to be “trivial” – no big deal.
c)
Those who taught/made this distinction – would be called least in
the kingdom.
2. Pharisees often tried to void the law by their traditions/divisions.
3.
In His kingdom – all vain division/tradition would cease.
4.
Adam Clarke has said: He who, by his mode of acting, speaking, or
explaining the words of God, sets the holy precept aside, or explains away its
force and meaning, shall be called least-shall have no place in the kingdom of
Christ here, nor in the kingdom of glory above.
D. Note…the one that teaches ALL the law of God = binding & that the whole of it should be obeyed – shall be called great!
E.
We must understand:
1.
all the law of Christ is binding upon Christians – Js. 2:10
2.
All commands/expectations of God should be preached.
a)
preached the whole counsel of God – Acts 20:27.
3. that when we minimize God’s laws as to the point of disobedience – we are unworthy of His Kingdom.
4.
A true Christian will have respect for ALL the commandments of God.
F. This is why Jesus said what He did in 5:20.
I. Who
were the Scribes/Pharisees?
A. Scribes:
1. Spent lives copying/teaching/expounding Scripture.
2.
entire life spent in study. They lived w/it.
3.
They would have been authorities on the law…held in high esteem.
B.
Pharisees
1. Great deal of Jesus time spent dealing w/them – criticizing them.
a) Jesus had to made people see their hollowness/inconsistencies.
b)
People depended on them for guidance/teaching.
2.
“Pharisee” literally means separatist. They were set apart from others. They were members of a Jewish sect.
a) conservative & legalists of their day.
b)
Believed in angels/spirits/& the resurrection – Acts 23:6-8
3. Had a code of rules/regulations. Went far b/y anything demanded in OT.
a) Lk. 18:12 – fasted twice/wk. OT required once/yr.
b)
This caused them to be held in high esteem by masses.
c)
Yet….Jesus said the Christians righteousness must be far greater!
II. Why does Jesus demand a superior righteousness?
A. Mt. 23:3 – Pharisees were inconsistent.
1. 23:4 – put burdens on others – but would not move any themselves.
2.
did not practice what they preached.
3.
Brethren…nothing more damaging to cause of Christ than a life filled
w/inconsistency.
a) brethren pray for good influence. But attitude/actions clearly demonstrate otherwise. Words/actions/etc.
c)
notice how God regards such – Titus 1:15-16
d)
can slip up at any time. Must work daily; hard; etc.
B. Mt. 23:5-7 – Pharisees operated w/improper motivation.
1. 23:5 – to be seen of men.
a) rooted in pride; self esteem; ambition.
b)
Loved religious titles; compliments; personal glory.
c)
See Lk. 18:11-12
2. We must do things religiously to give the glory to Jesus!
a)
Mt. 5:16 – glorify God
b)
1 Cor. 1:31 – boast in the Lord – see also 2:1-5
c)
1 Pet. 4:11 – God glorified through Jesus Christ.
3. We are to do nothing for personal glory!
C. Interested more in quantity than quality.
1. enthusiastic about finding people to convert. See 23:15.
2.
Got converts to swell #’s. But converts no more converted than religious leaders themselves.
D. Pharisees righteousness was external & formal.
1. 23:16-18 – stressed the “gold” of the temple & the “gift” of the temple.
2.
solely concerned w/outward appearances.
a) He knew their hearts – 23:25-28.
b)
We must guard against “putting up a front.”
1)
Christianity = religion of the heart – involves a change from
within.
2)
Eph. 4:23-25
3)
Why so important? See Lk.
16:15.
E. Pharisees more concerned with ceremonial than the moral.
1. Mk. 12:38-40 – made long prayers.
a) were ceremonially clean – but hearts far from clean.
b)
Mk. 7:15-23 – proceeds out of mouth – that defiles man. Must keep our hearts clean! Mk. 7:21-23.
2. Some have the idea: as long one finds himself filling a pew on Sunday – doesn’t matter what done during week.
F.
They majored in the minors and minored in the Majors.
1.
23:23-24
2.
Always those who waste their time & the Lord’s – by making
mountains out of molehills.
3.
trivial matters; details; matters of judgment.
G. Finally: they fed on comparisons & criticisms.
1.
Stevens: they had a regrettable & tragic attitude toward others.
a) extremely critical of others.
b)
Always compared their righteousness to others. Paul criticized people in his day w/a similar attitude
– 2 Cor. 10:12.
2. You can always find someone worse – which makes us look pretty good.
Conclusion:
A. Pharisees/scribes = exact opposite of what Jesus was trying to get across in His sermon.
1. Interested in details rather than principle.
2.
Interested in doing rather than being.
3.
Interested in actions more than motives.
B. How is your righteousness?
1. What motivates you?
2.
How reliable is your consistency?
3.
How deep is your humility?
C. We can/will succeed in having kind of righteousness Christ demands w/a concentrated effort.
D.
Would you like to b/c a new person through obedience to Christ?
1. You can do it!
2.
Obey the gospel!
E. I N V I T A T I O N