Category: Righteousness
Subject: Righteousness
Grace Teaches Us
Paul wrote to Titus, “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us…” (Titus 3:11-12a). It is a simple principle. God has granted His great mercy to us, and we are so blessed by this extended grace. We learn from this largesse that He loves us, He is good, He is omnipotent, He is eternal. Knowing Him by His grace, we are aware of our own obligations to be who He desires for us to be. Consider the following: Continue reading “Grace Teaches Us”
Sermon: The Integrity of Joseph (Genesis 50)
A discussion of Genesis 50, showing what kind of man Joseph was in his response to his brothers’ petitions.
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Five “Golden” Rules
(Adapted from a sermon outline “starter” that appeared on Facebook by Mark Posey on 1/19/24)
Anyone who is familiar with the teaching of Jesus Christ will know what is called the “golden rule.” “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12).
The rule encompasses the most important truth for the Christian, and that is the imperative of love. “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails…” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8). It is not inappropriate to call it the golden rule, though that is a name given it by man, not found in scripture. Continue reading “Five “Golden” Rules”
Sermon: Truly God is Good
Psalm 73 is used by guest speaker Jeremiah Cox to show that through our darkness and doubt, God offers us faith and hope, and shows His goodness toward us.
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Highly Esteemed Among Men
Luke 16 records an example of the typical conflict Jesus had the Pharisees. He had just taught the parable of the unjust steward to his disciples. The Pharisees heard him as well, teaching that material wealth was “unrighteous mammon”, and showing that duel loyalties do not please God.
We are told in verse 14, “Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they derided Him.” The word “derided” comes from the Greek ekmykt?riz? , signifying the nose. Thayer defines the word: “to deride by turning up the nose, to sneer at to scoff at.” The image is familiar to us today and shows that in different centuries the disdain of men is shown in similar ways. Continue reading “Highly Esteemed Among Men”
Three Qualities of Those Faithful to God
The qualities of godliness, righteousness and holiness characterize and identify those who please God.
Sermon: Light not Darkness
A discussion of Ephesians 4:17-24 showing the necessity of walking in the light as Christians, and refusing the sinfulness of the darkness.
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Sermon: Build and Grow
Justin discusses the call to add to our faith and love by becoming more Christ like day by day.
Fall 2022 Meeting with Kyle Campbell
Our Fall Meeting, 2022 with Kyle Campbell, November 5, 2002. A series of fundamental lessons answering fundamental questions.
The theme: “Can you show”
Lesson 1: Can You Show That There is a God? (Saturday)
Lesson 2: Can You Show that the Bible is the Word of God? (Sunday 9AM)
Lesson 3: Can You Show that Jesus Rose from the Dead? (Sunday 10AM)
Lesson 4: Can You Show What the Bible Says? (Sunday 11AM)
Lesson 5: Can You Show That the Bible Can be Understood? (Monday)
Lesson 6: Can You Show How We are Saved? (Tuesday)
Lesson 7: Can You Show What Worship Is? (Wednesday 10AM)
Lesson 8: Can You Show What the Church Does? (Wednesday PM)
Lesson 9: Can You Show That Chrisitans are Moral People (Thursday)
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Devoutly, Justly, Blamelessly
The apostle Paul loved his brethren. It is evident in every epistle he wrote, including his first epistle to the Christians in Thessalonica. Paul defends his conduct beginning in the second chapter. He was bold in his preaching, despite previous persecution, and conflict in that city (2). He spoke honestly and he spoke the truth from God (3). He did not seek to flatter them, nor did he seek glory in his speech (5-6). He was gentle in dealing with them, and clearly expressed his affection for them (7-8). He labored day and night, both in a physical trade, and in his ministry toward them. He did not want to be a burden to them as he proclaimed to them the gospel (9).
This led him to say in verse 10 of the text, “You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe.” This wonderful proclamation both expresses Paul’s ministry, and the manner of life we all should practice.
Devotion, justice and blamelessness are the proper life choices of all who have named the name of Christ. It is a response to God for the gift of grace, and the discipleship that he requires of us. It is characteristic of our interactions with the world, and especially our brethren. Why? Because it serves as edification! Paul said that his actions were so that “you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory” (vs. 12).
Devoutly, justly, and blamelessly… does this correctly describe your interactions with God and man?
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The Patternists: Be Reconciled to God
In 2 Corinthians, the apostle Paul makes an impassioned plea for holiness on the part of God’s people, as the proper response to the gift of grace they have received from God. This plea was necessary because of the failures the Corinthians had already experienced in their walk. These failures were clearly enumerated in his first epistle to them.
In chapter 5 of his second epistle, he speaks of the assurance of the resurrection. “For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (1). He notes the reality of judgment. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (10). He affirms that Christ “died for all” (15). That God “has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ…not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation” (18-19).
The Danger of Assumption
When the wicked in the world engage in evil without suffering consequences, what do we think? Do we think that this not fair? Do we think that God is not fair? Do we think that God is evil? Some have gone beyond thinking it, and have actively said as much.
God has something to say on the matter. In Psalm 50, He speaks to the wicked regarding their evil works. Consider His words:
“These things you have done, and I kept silent;
You thought that I was altogether like you;
But I will rebuke you,
And set them in order before your eyes.
“Now consider this, you who forget God,
Lest I tear you in pieces,
And there be none to deliver:
Whoever offers praise glorifies Me;
And to him who orders his conduct aright
I will show the salvation of God.”
(Psalms 50:21-23)
It is a mistake to assume that God is anything at all like the wicked. Though He does not always work in ways we understand, we know two truths absolutely. One, those who “forget God” will eventually pay for their sin, (cf. Romans 1:28-32). Two, the one who “orders his conduct aright” will be saved by God (cf. 2 Thessalonians 1:5-7).
God is righteous in character and judgment. In the end, righteousness will prevail!
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A Righteous Person
In Titus 3, the apostle Paul gave instructions to Titus as an evangelist about what he must teach. These instructions serve to express, through positive affirmation and negative rebuke, the type of person a Christian should be. Consider the following attributes, taken from the list:
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Obedient to civil authorities
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Ready for every good work
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Unwilling to speak evil of others
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Peaceable, gentle, humble to all men
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Wise, obedient, perceptive, self-controlled
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Refusing anger, malice, envy and hate
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Careful to maintain good works
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Avoiding foolish arguments
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A maker of peace with brethren
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One who rejects those who bring division
A Christian should be pleasant to be around. He recognizes the importance of getting along, having a selfless and perceptive mind, and being in control of his impulses. Seldom will he be a part of conflict, and then only when the defense of truth is required. Because he emulates his Lord, he seeks to be a positive influence on others, making their eternal welfare his priority.
Look at the list, and determine what improvements might be needed to be the kind of person God wants you to be! “Let our people also learn to maintain good works” (14).
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Sermon: Night and Darkness
Day and Light are contrasted with Night and Darkness in scripture. The lesson discusses the realm of spiritual Night and Darkness, and the Holy Spirit’s call to Wake Up!
Just
The word “just”, translated from the Greek term dikaios, is a common word in the New Testament. It occurs 81 times in 76 different verses. The primary definition of the term is, according to Thayer: righteous, observing divine and human laws, one who is such as he ought to be.
This term, dikaios, is translated “righteous” a total of 41 times in the KJV of the New Testament. It is this wide sense of the term that is most common. A righteous (dikaios) person is upright, virtuous, and keeps the commands of God.
For example, in Luke 6:1, the term is used to describe the parents of John the Baptist, Zacharias and Elizabeth, “And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.”
In Titus 1:8, the term is found as one of the qualifications for elder. The term is translated “just” here, and seems to have a narrower definition than that found in the verse above.
Thayer states of the term dikaios: In a narrower sense, rendering to each his due; and that in a judicial sense, passing judgment on others, whether expressed in words or shown by the manner of dealing with them.
So an elder should be a just “judge” in his dealings with the flock. Here there is found the need for compassion and fairness in the exercise of oversight. Consider the destructive nature of a man in that position that does not deal fairly with brethren. His actions must instead be right, or just.
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