The Benefits Of Righteousness

Title: The Benefits Of Righteousness

Text: Psalm 40:4; Psalm 34:8; Psalm 84:12

Pray!!!

Read Text!!!

Psalm 34:8 says, “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him.”

Psalm 84:12 says, “O Lord of hosts, Blessed is the man who trusts in You!”

Psalm 40:4 says, “Blessed is that man who makes the Lord his trust, and does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.”

Introduction:

- One of the greatest challenges confronting believers today is to communicate the message of Christ in terms that everyday people can understand. Words like “Righteousness” (Rom. 1:17) have become unrecognizable to many in our culture, and even to many in the church.

- Yet it’s hard to talk about the bible—and certain part like the gospels, Romans without coming to terms with the word “righteousness”

- (Greek, dikaiosuna). The New Testament uses the term 228 times, at least 40 in Romans.

- What, then, does “righteousness” mean and how does the Bible reveal “the righteousness of God”

- The word “righteous” goes back to a base, reg, meaning “move in a straight line.” Thus, “righteous” (rightwise) means “in the straight (or right) way.”

- Used with reference to morality, “righteous” means living or acting in the right way.

- But what is the “right” way?

- In our society, people commonly say that everyone must determine what is right for oneself.

- However, Scripture offers a different standard—indeed, the ultimate standard of rightness or “righteousness,” is God Himself. God’s character reveals what is absolutely right. He is the measure of moral right and wrong. (Give examples)

- God is also the source of right living.

- God has done and is doing everything that needs to be done to restore things to the way He originally intended—to the right way.

- For example, He dealt with sin through Jesus’ death on the cross (5:6-11), and He transfers the righteousness of Christ to those who trust in Him (5:1-2). As believers, we can enjoy a restored relationship with God.

- That means that we can begin to live with righteousness, that is, in a way that pleases God and fulfills His purposes for us. We can do that because He gives us the ability to do it (8:1-17).

- Rather than trying to “prove” ourselves good enough for Him or live up to impossible moral standards, we can relate to Him in love, expecting Him to help us as we make choices about how to live.

- The gospel, then, is “good news” because it reveals God’s right way. It tells us that He is a good God who, in love and mercy, has done something about the wrong way that the world has taken.

- How have you responded to that good news of God’s righteousness?

Listen to this Story that will explain what I mean and answer the question for all of us:

In the Antarctic summer of 1908-1909, Sir Ernest Shackleton and three companions attempted to travel to the South Pole from their winter quarters. They set off with four ponies to help carry the load. Weeks later, their ponies dead, rations all but exhausted, they turned back toward their base, their goal not accomplished. Altogether, they trekked 127 days.

On the return journey, as Shackleton records in The Heart Of The Antarctic, the time was spent talking about food—elaborate feasts, gourmet delights, sumptuous menus. As they staggered along, suffering from dysentery, not knowing whether they would survive, every waking hour was occupied with thoughts of eating.

Jesus, who also knew the ravages of food deprivation, said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for RIGHTEOUSNESS.” We can understand Shackleton’s obsession with food, which offers a glimpse of the passion Jesus intends for our quest for righteousness.

- This morning church God wants us to passionately pursue Right living or righteousness.

- God has set the standard in the Bible. All of life’s difficulties can be found in the Bible.

- God shows us how to walk blameless before Him so that we can be in right standing.

- Yes we are clothed with Righteousness from Jesus Christ, but in order to stayed clothed by Jesus, we must passionately pursue right living after we have giving our hearts to God.

- Because you can’t have the peace of God and be at war with God at the same time.

- You will either pursue God or pursue your own way, but the choice is ours.

- Chose Jesus, and when we chose Jesus, we are clothed with righteousness from on high.

- But once we have chosen Christ, and have chosen to love Him and live for Him, there are blessings to the believer for pursuing right living or righteousness that is found in Jesus Christ.