Righteousness Found In Christ

I. EXORDIUM:

Do you have righteousness?

II. AUDIENCE PROFILE:

Believers

III. OBJECTIVES:

To show that by faith we can have CHRIST'S Righteouness in our lives

IV. TEXT:

Philippians 3:9 (Amplified Bible)

And that I may [actually] be found and known as in Him, not having any [self-achieved] righteousness that can be called my own, based on my obedience to the Law’s demands (ritualistic uprightness and supposed right standing with God thus acquired), but possessing that [genuine righteousness] which comes through faith in Christ (the Anointed One), the [truly] right standing with God, which comes from God by [saving] faith.

V. THESIS:

By faith we can have CHRIST'S Righteouness in our lives

VI. TITLE:

Righteousness found in CHRIST

VII. EXPLICATION:

A. Author: Apostle Paul

B. Date written: 60 - 64 A.D.

C. Purpose: 3-fold purposes:

1. To express Paul's affection for the Philippian believers

2. To thank them for their gift

3. To encourage them to a lifestyle of unity, holiness and joy

D. To whom written: Philippian believers

E. Main theme: JESUS CHRIST

VIII. MAIN BODY:

A. Not of my own

"And that I may [actually] be found and known as in Him, not having any [self-achieved] righteousness that can be called my own"

1. We are found in CHRIST not from self-righteousness

Proverbs 12:15 (Amplified Bible)

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who listens to counsel is wise.

Proverbs 20:6 (Amplified Bible)

Many a man proclaims his own loving-kindness and goodness, but a faithful man who can find?

Proverbs 30:12 (Amplified Bible)

There is a class of people who are pure in their own eyes, and yet are not washed from their own filth.

2 Corinthians 10:12 (Amplified Bible)

Not that we [have the audacity to] venture to class or [even to] compare ourselves with some who exalt and furnish testimonials for themselves! However, when they measure themselves with themselves and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding and behave unwisely.

B. Does not come from the Law

"based on my obedience to the Law’s demands (ritualistic uprightness and supposed right standing with God thus acquired)"

1 Corinthians 15:56 (Amplified Bible)

Now sin is the sting of death, and sin exercises its power [upon the soul] through [the abuse of] the Law.

Galatians 3:10-11 (Amplified Bible)

And all who depend on the Law [who are seeking to be justified by obedience to the Law of rituals] are under a curse and doomed to disappointment and destruction, for it is written in the Scriptures, Cursed (accursed, devoted to destruction, doomed to eternal punishment) be everyone who does not continue to abide (live and remain) by all the precepts and commands written in the Book of the Law and to practice them.

Now it is evident that no person is justified (declared righteous and brought into right standing with God) through the Law, for the Scripture says, The man in right standing with God [the just, the righteous] shall live by and out of faith and he who through and by faith is declared righteous and in right standing with God shall live.

C. Through faith in CHRIST

"but possessing that [genuine righteousness] which comes through faith in Christ (the Anointed One), the [truly] right standing with God, which comes from God by [saving] faith"

1. Comes from GOD - only GOD can save us, can do this, that which is impossible for us, GOD had already done 2000 years ago.

2. By faith - we have to reach out for it, claim it by the "hands" of faith, practiced in prayer.

Romans 10:4 (Amplified Bible)

For Christ is the end of the Law [the limit at which it ceases to be, for the Law leads up to Him Who is the fulfillment of its types, and in Him the purpose which it was designed to accomplish is fulfilled. That is, the purpose of the Law is fulfilled in Him] as the means of righteousness (right relationship to God) for everyone who trusts in and adheres to and relies on Him.

1 Corinthians 1:30 (Amplified Bible)

But it is from Him that you have your life in Christ Jesus, Whom God made our Wisdom from God, [revealed to us a knowledge of the divine plan of salvation previously hidden, manifesting itself as] our Righteousness [thus making us upright and putting us in right standing with God], and our Consecration [making us pure and holy], and our Redemption [providing our ransom from eternal penalty for sin].

Romans 5:1 (Amplified Bible)

THEREFORE, SINCE we are justified (acquitted, declared righteous, and given a right standing with God) through faith, let us [grasp the fact that we] have [the peace of reconciliation to hold and to enjoy] peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).