Tag Archives: true righteousness
THE REAL VALUE IN CHRISTIANITY IS FOUND IN THE LIVES OF IT’S BELIEVERS
“DO YOU HUNGER AND THIRST AFTER RIGHTEOUSNESS”
MATTHEW 5:6 Intro. 1. Spiritual food & drink is more necessary than bodily food – Matt. 4:4; Jno. 6:27. 2. Matt. 5:6 – Jesus challenges our real desire for goodness: “Are you so intensely & sharply pained by your need for true righteousness that you would die unless you get it? Just how badly do you want to be righteous?” (Gospel Of Matthew, Fowler, I:215). I. WHAT IS THE RIGHTEOUSNESS WE MUST HUNGER & THIRST AFTER? A. “The Character or Quality of Being Right or Just” (Vine, III:298). 1. Whatever conforms to the revealed will of God – Jno. 16:8, 13 (Psa. 23:3). 2. Whatever is appointed by God to be obeyed by man – Matt. 3:15. 3. Sum total of God’s requirements – Matt. 6: 33 (Psa. 119:172). B. Life of Holiness Before God – 1 Pet. 1:15-16. 1. “Integrity, virtue, purity of life, uprightness, correctness of thinking, feeling & acting” (Thayer, 149). 2. Produces fruit – Prov. 11:30; 21:21. 3. Secures eternal life – 1 Tim. 6:11-12. II. HUNGERING & THIRSTING AFTER RIGHTEOUSNESS. -(Present participles, expressing a continuing, constantly-felt longing.) A. The Priority of Spiritual Things. 1. A full man feels no need to eat or drink (Lk. 6:25). Bitterly dissatisfied with self. 2. Matt. 6:33 – Of first importance to the meek person who, in poorness of spirit, mourns his sin (Matt. 5:3-5). B. A Preoccupation with Spiritual Life. 1. 1 Pet. 2:2 – As baby instinctively searches for its mother’s breast, we are to long for God’s word, which sustains our spiritual life. – cf. Jno. 6:35 2. Never have an “I have arrived” attitude (Lk. 18:9-12). C. A Strong Desire to be Right with God – Psa. 42:1-2; 63:1-6 — Conform to truth! III. WHY HUNGER & THIRST AFTER RIGHTEOUSNESS? -”Shall be filled!” A. To be Acceptable to God – Acts 10:35. 1. 1 Jno. 2:29 – Begotten of God. 2. 1 Jno. 3:7 – A faith by which God reckons us righteous – Rom. 4:5. B. Because through Christ we have Died to Sin – 1 Pet. 2:24. C. To Be Worthy Citizens Of God’s Kingdom – Rom. 14:17 (Col. 1:13). Conclusion 1. When we are consumed with the desire to be righteous we will pursue it in all of life’s endeavors! 2. Prov. 11:18-19 – The real value of righteousness is ultimately measured in its reward: Eternal life. 3. Crave it – Long for it – Pursue it (priority, preoccupation, strong desire) – God will satisfy your soul with mercy, honor, hope & eternal life!“THE GREAT EXCHANGE” WHAT WILL YOU GIVE IN EXCHANGE?
“WHY DO PEOPLE EXCHANGE THE TRUTH OF GOD FOR A LIE?”
Intro.
1. “What is truth?” Jno 18:37-38 “Truth” used in various senses in the Scriptures:
a. Truth is opposite of falsehood, Prov 12:17, 19, 22 (Eph 4:25)
b. Truth is used to mean fidelity or truthfulness, Jer 7:28 (Isa 59:13-15).
c. The doctrine of Christ, “the truth of the gospel”, Gal 2:5, 14.
1) Some never come to the knowledge of the truth, 2 Tim 3:7.
2) Some turn away from the truth, 2 Tim 4:4.
2. The Lord is “the truth”, Jno 14:6; Eph 4:21.
3. Why you need truth in your life.
I. BECAUSE YOU NEED JESUS IN YOUR LIFE.
A. The Truth Reveals Jesus and Makes Him Available to You, Jno 6:68 (Acts 5:20)
1. Fellowship with Jesus by following His word (truth), 2 Jno 9; Jno 14:23.
2. Cannot reject the truth of the gospel and be with Jesus!
B. Who Do You Turn to in Times of Need? (Phil 4:13, 19)
1. Need spiritual guidance…advice…support…redemption?
2. App. Do you turn to…
a. Worldly friends? 1 Cor 15:33
b. The world’s wisdom? 1 Cor 1:21
c. Self-help? Jer 10:23
d. Theologians? Matt 15:7-9
e. Gospel of Jesus? Jno 6:68; (Eph 1:7-13); 2 Tim 2:24-26
II. BECAUSE YOU NEED TO BE SAVED FROM YOUR SINS, 1 Tim 2:3-4 (Jas 1:21).
A. Truth Reveals Salvation to Sinners, Tit 2:11-12.
1. Hear and know the grace of God in truth, Col 1:6.
2. Truth forms the basis for faith, Jno 19:35; 20:30-31.
3. Truth purifies the soul when obeyed, 1 Pet 1:22.
B. Jesus (Truth) is our only Way to the Father, Jno 14:6.
1. Because truth is in Jesus, Eph 4:21 (Jno 1:17). Produces “true righteousness and holiness” in the faithful.
2. Revealed by His apostles, Rom 9:1; 2 Cor 11:10 (2 Tim 1:7)
3. App. What is your source of truth? (Feelings, friends, reason, Bible)
III. BECAUSE YOU CAN ONLY SERVE GOD IN TRUTH, 2 Jno 4; 3 Jno 3-4 (1 Jno 1:5-9).
A. Truth Sanctifies Us unto God, cf. Jno 17:17-19; Eph 5:25-27; 1 Pet 2:9.
1. Set apart to God’s service and pleasure (1 Cor 1:2).
2. App. What are you doing to be sure you are set apart to God?
a. Learning and living the truth?
b. Attentive during classes and sermons?
c. Take time to be holy with Bible reading?
B. Must Worship God in Truth, Jno 4:23-24; cf. Eph 5:17-20.
-App. What defines worship for you: Word of truth or feelings?
C. In Order to Grow to Maturity, Eph 4:14-16 (Heb 5:11-6:3); 2 Pet 1:3-8.
1. Christ is truly food and drink, Jno 6:55 (His truth, 6:63).
2. App. Is truth your “favorite food”?
D. To be Protected from Sin, Eph 6:13-17.
1. The battle rages; you must be strengthened in the Lord by His truth (6:10-12).
2. App. Can you identify the victories of truth in your life? (Make a list of truth’s triumphs in your life, and thank God for the power of His truth!)
Conclusion
1. Truth is the essence of God, Deut 32:4.
2. We must not “exchange the truth of God for the lie” of false gods and false teachings, Rom 1:25.
3. Christians are and must ever be people of truth, 2 Jno 1-2.
a. Love the truth… (2 Ths 2:10)
b. Obey the truth… (1 Pet 1:22)
c. Live the truth… (1 Jno 2:3-6)
d. Be saved in truth! 1 Tim 2:3-4
