Introduction
1. Illus... #2679 “Enriching Every Sphere”
"Socrates taught for 40 years, Plato for 50, Aristotle for 40, and jesus for only 3. Yet the influence of Christ’s 3-year ministry infinitely transcends the impact left by the combined 130 years of teaching from these men who were among the greatest philosophers of all antiquity. Jesus painted no pictures; yet, some of the finest paintings of Raphael, Michelangelo, and Leonardo da Vinci received their inspiration from Him.
Jesus wrote no poetry; but Dante, Milton, and scores of the world’s greatest poets were inspired by Him. Jesus composed no music; still Haydn, Handel, Beethoven, Bach, and Mendelssohn reached their highest perfection of melody in the hymns, symphonies, and oratories they composed in His praise. Every sphere of human greatness has been enriched by this humble Carpenter of Nazareth. - Henry G. Bosch
Trans...I will never be a Michelangelo ... Dante ... Milton ...
Beethoven ... I don’t need to be! If I am one of the elect then I
am predestined to be holy. I will have the same surpassing
(enriching righteousness spoken of in Vs 20. )
I. An Enriching Righteousness
A. The Entrance into His Righteousness
The Scribes & Pharisee’s were very protective and watchful of
the wrong things! They were focused in the wrong direction!
They believed that the entrance into the Kingdom was by way
of their heritage. They were the ones God had entrusted with
His laws.
Their oral laws became more authoritative than God’s moral
laws.
They became hardened by pride and disobedience!
Jesus was revolutionary in His teaching. In versus 3 - 12 He
tells us the requirements for entrance into His righteousness.
Read vss 3 - 12 It was the entrance of the camel going through
the eye of a needle.
Trans...Instead of keeping God’s law they became a law unto
themselves. They were blind & deluded to their own
hypocrisy!
B. The Fulfillment of The Law (Vs 17).
Illus...Matt. 15 “Why do your disciples transgress the traditions
of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat.”
He answered their question with a question. “And why do you
transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your
tradition? .... You hypocrites, ... you invalidated the word of
God for the sake of your tradition. Rightly did Isaiah prophesy
of you, saying, ‘They honor Me with their lips, but their heart is
far from Me. .... Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’
They accused Jesus of being a law breaker when in truth they
were the law breakers. They were deluded by their pride and
sin.
Vs 17 ‘Do not think that I came to abolish the law ... but to
fulfill. ... Not one letter or stroke will pass away until all is
accomplished. .... Whoever annuls one of the least of these
commandments, and so teaches others, shall be called least in
the Kingdom of heaven....’
Application...Followers of Calvin, Wesley, Luther or the Pope.
If their doctrines annul the doctrines of God’s word you need to
follow God’s word.
Vs 20 “For I say to you, that unless your righteousness surpasses
that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter the kingdom of
heaven.” It does not say you will miss a blessing!
Trans...Look at the illustrations that Jesus gave of His
surpassing (enriching) righteousness!
C. The Enriching Righteousness
Vs 27 “You have heard it said, ‘You shall not commit adultery;
but I say to you, that everyone who looks on a woman to lust
for her has committed adultery with her already in his heart.
And if your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out ... it would
be better for you to lose some body parts than be thrown into
hell.’
Does this sound to you as if a sinning religion would be okay?
What about divorce?
What about murder? You have heard it said , ‘You shall not
commit murder, but I say to you that everyone who is angry
with his brother, or even so much as refers to him as a fool shall
be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.’
You have heard that it was said to love your neighbor and hate
your enemy. But I tell you ‘love your enemies and pray for
those who persecute you.”
Why? In order that you may be sons of your Father who is in
heaven. Without which, you are a child of the devil and headed
for an eternity in hell!
Vs 48 “Therefore be perfect, as your heavenly Father is
perfect.”
Conclusion
1. These are the words of Jesus, not the doctrines of men!
2. Have you entered into the righteousness of God through Christ
Jesus our Lord?
3. Does your righteousness surpass that of a hypocrite, or are you
deluded by the doctrines of men?
4. Are you living in slavery to sin, or the freedom of righteous
living?
5. Have you recognized your poverty of spirit to the place where
you begin to mourn?
6. Our you hungry and thirsty for the righteousness that only
comes through Christ Jesus?
