Why We Can Shout, Praise God!

WHY WE CAN SHOUT, PRAISE GOD!

There are many things to be happy about being a Christian. However, when we are feeling down, think of this. God has, through the death of the cross, made you the righteousness of God. Is that not something to make you shout, if you find yourselves walking through the 'Valley of the Shadow of Death' while pressing on to the still waters and pastures green?

I. While we need to grow in holiness, we do not grow in righteousness.

A. Why, because there is not one who is righteous. Romans 3:24 (KJV) Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:.

1. "Holiness consists in thinking as God thinks, and willing as God wills."

2. How little people know who think that holiness is dull. When one meets the real thing, it is irresistible. C.S. Lewis.

3. A holy life will make the deepest impression. Lighthouses blow no horns, they just shine. D.L. Moody.

II. Jesus can only make you righteous.

A. When and how?

1. When you believe and receive Christ you become righteous as much as you will ever be.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (KJV) For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

III. JESUS PAID THE PRICE IN FULL TO MAKE US HIS!

A. Not by works but by His love and grace, He saved us.

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. For by grace are you saved through faith .... John 3:16 (KJV) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

B. Not by our works Ephesians 2:9 ...... Not of works, lest any man should boast.

1. We should work for Him daily because we love Him. God gives the birds their food, but He doesn't throw it into their nests.

IV. Let us face it, God loves you. He paid the full price to make you one of His children. John 1:12 (KJV) But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

A. Bible Dictionary for Righteousness: God the Father is righteous (just); Jesus Christ his Son is the Righteous (Just) One; the Father through the Son and in the Spirit gives the gift of righteousness (justice) to repentant sinners for salvation; such believing sinners are declared righteous (just) by the Father through the Son, are made righteous (just) by the Holy Spirit working in them, and will be wholly righteous (just) in the age to come. They are and will be righteous because they are in a covenant relationship with the living God, who is the God of all grace and mercy and who will bring to completion what he has begun in them by declaring them righteous for Christ's sake.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow. HE HAS MADE US THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD!