“Righteousness” Part 2

Righteousness Part 2

1.    Introduction: Matthew 5:20 Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees you shall not enter the kingdom of Heaven

a.    The common people thought only the Scribes and Pharisees were holy and were going to heaven

b.    Beatitude = Blessed.  This word describes someone who has already gone to heaven

c.    The beatitudes describe true righteousness and Christian ATTITUDES and the INWARD nature of the born again believer

d.    5:13-14 The similitudes describe the OUTWARD manifestation of salvation

2.    5:13 YOU ARE THE SALT OF THE EARTH but if the salt loses its FLAVOR how shall it be seasoned? It is then GOOD FOR NOTHING but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men

a.    At the time of Christ salt was a valuable commodity

b.    Salt was used to preserve meat:  Christians are present to preserve the culture by being a restraining force

c.    Be a voice in the community

d.    Vote in 2016

e.    Lead people to the Lord and witness

f.     Be an example

g.    Disciple start with your family and then disciple others

h.    Salt brings out the FLAVOR

i.      Out witness/testimony is to give people a GOOD TASTE of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

j.      Psalm 34:8 Oh,TASTE and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

k.    How can the believer lose his FLAVOR effectiveness for the kingdom:

                                      i.        Through a pattern of sin

                                    ii.        Through apathy

                                   iii.        Through being engaged in the world to the point where there is no emphasis placed on the Lord no time devoted to the Lord

l.      If the believer loses his flavor He is GOOD FOR NOTHING

m.   Salt is no good if it never leaves the salt shaker

3.     John 8:12 I AM the light of the world he who follows Me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life

a.    One of 7 I AM statements in John

b.    5:14 YOU ARE THE LIGHT of the WORLD A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven

c.    He said you are the light of the WORLD not the light of Jerusalem

                                      i.        The mission is the entire world

d.     Oil wick lamp: The hardest part in the time of Christ was to get the thing lit no zippo lighters bic lighters or matches (moral of the story don’t let it go out)

e.    Put it under a basket NO! I’m gonna let it shine 

f.     Light exposes darkness

4.    Description of a salty Christian that is filled with the light of the world

a.    Poor in spirit, mourning over his own sin, gentle meek submitting to the Lord’s will for their lives, hungry for true righteousness and a relationship with the Lord, merciful, fulfilling the Lord’s purpose for your life

5.    5:17 Do not think that I came to destroy the law and the Prophets I did not come to destroy but to fulfill

a.    For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect

b.    The law revealed God’s righteous character

c.    The law showed man his sinful state

d.    The law restrains the flesh of man

e.    The law did not does not save anyone

f.     if you go back under the law you have to keep the whole law