Category: Righteousness
Subject: Righteousness
Sermon: the Righteousness of God
God’s righteousness is not an act of will, it is an attribute of character. Put differently, God is not righteous because He chooses to be, but because it is His nature. This truth has enormous implications for man.
From the Preacher’s Pen: “The Lord Reigns” (Psalm 97)
“The Lord reigns; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad!” (Psalm 97:1).
There is good cause for rejoicing in the realization that the Lord reigns over our world. The Psalmist expresses the greatness of that reign by writing, “His lightnings light the world; the earth sees and trembles. The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth” (4-5). We rejoice not only because of His power, but also because, “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne” (2).
God is all powerful, and wholly good. He is beneficent, and those who belong to Him will be protected. “You who love the Lord, hate evil! He preserves the souls of His saints; he delivers them out of the hand of the wicked. Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart” (10-11).
It is important to note the contrast between those who belong to Him (His saints) and the wicked. It is not possible to rightly claim to be His if our lives are characterized by sin. “Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him” (1 John 3:6).
We have the wondrous promise that God will reward the righteous. The Psalmist concludes, “Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous, and give thanks at the remembrance of His name” (12). All praise to the Almighty!
Invitation: Receive the Kingdom as a Little Child
Invitation delivered by: Armando Vera
In Luke 18:16-17, Jesus commented on the innocence of the little children, noting the importance of becoming as a child to enter the kingdom of God.
Sermon: Prove yourself a man
David’s charge to his son Solomon is examined in 1 Kings 2 as a means of encouraging manliness. Prove yourself a man:
* Take heed to your counselors
* Take heed to your goals
* Take heed to your relationships
* Take heed to your character
Sermon: Speaking the Truth Honestly
Jesus spoke the truth about Himself, His purpose in coming to the earth, and His Kingdom. He serves as a wonderful example to us. Our words should be accurate, honest and trustworthy!
From the Preacher’s Pen: “I DO”
A recent question to “Dear Abby”:
Q: My question is very simple, Abby. Who determines right or wrong in your life, your opinions, your column? This will tell me all I need to know about your wisdom or advice.
A: Actually, I think your question is anything but “simple,” and the answer is: I DO.
(Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11/12/14)
Abby’s response to the question is indicative of current views regarding ethics. It was also characteristic of an earlier age. The book of Judges describes the condition of Israel in this way, “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (17:6). The statement was made as an explanation of the practice of idolatry, a heinous and treasonous practice against their God.
The problem with me deciding what is right and wrong, is that I am not the true arbiter of morality. God is! So, if I self-determine my ethics, I am destined to make mistakes. As the wise man stated, “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12). Paul mourned the sins of Israel, saying, “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God” (Romans 10:3).
Instead, may we admit as did the prophet, “O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps” (Jeremiah 10:23).
Sermon: God’s Measure
God’s ways and thoughts are higher than our own. We can’t know His will unless He reveals it to us. It is not surprising that God’s measure of worth is often at odds with the thinking of men.
Exceeding the Righteousness of the Pharisees
The Pharisees were a sect of Jews during the time of Jesus known for a strict adherence to the Law of Moses. The name means “separatists”, and the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia notes that they were, “those who carefully kept themselves from any legal contamination, distinguishing themselves by their care in such matters from the common people, … who had fewer scruples.”
The scrupulosity of the Pharisee is acknowledged by the Lord in Matthew 23:23, when in speaking with them he said, “For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin…” Earlier in the chapter, He told his disciples “whatever they [the Pharisees] tell you to observe, that observe and do.”
Continue reading “Exceeding the Righteousness of the Pharisees”
Invitation: Demolition and Rebuilding
Invitation delivered by: Brad Gallman
In this talk, Brad noted that one must first demolish a building before a new, better building can be erected. The same is so with God’s efforts toward men. The old man is demolished, that a new man may be created by Him.
Mining the Scriptures: James 1:17-18
As James indicated in the previous verses, we deceive ourselves if we blame God for the evil that exists among us. Because of who He is, God is capable only of good. He is eminently righteous. He gives us every good and perfect gift. The designation James uses here, the “Father of lights”, is found only here. Light is often contrasted with darkness in scripture, as an illustration of good versus evil. God authors only that which is luminescent — only good. “…God is light and in Him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5).
An example of His goodness is His determination in man’s redemption. It was God’s will to bring about reconciliation with man. This is accomplished through the “word of truth.” As Paul wrote, the gospel is the “…power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek” (Romans 1:16).
The benefits of His grace make Christians “a kind of firstfruits.” As Paul wrote, “that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory” (Ephesians 1:12). God is worthy of praise alone!
From the Preacher’s Pen: God’s Justice and Mercy
The world has a skewed view of the Almighty God of heaven. Some consider Him to be a hateful, vengeful God. When they consider God’s treatment of the pagans in Canaan, of Sodom and Gomorrah, and other examples of God’s judgment, they see only His reaction, not the just causes that precipitated that judgment.
Others go to the other end of the spectrum. They see the love of God expressed in Jesus’ life and death and consider Him to be a benevolent God that will overlook sin, and allow all men a heavenly home.
Both images are partly accurate, but entirely wrong because they are incomplete. They emphasize one aspect of God, while rejecting another! God is both just and merciful. Any accurate view of the Almighty must balance these two attributes. The Psalmist, in Psalm 85, expresses that balance well.
“Mercy and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed. Truth shall spring out of the earth, And righteousness shall look down from heaven” (10-11).
The Psalmist understood the fierceness of God’s anger. Israel was guilty of sin, and so God showed them His wrath. However, upon their repentance, the Psalmist confidently called upon God to “Show us Your mercy, Lord,
And grant us Your salvation” (7). Eternal salvation is available to all who fear Him, showing God’s justice, and His mercy!
Invitation: Winning the War Against the Flesh
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
The apostle Paul, in Galatians 5 talks about the conflict that exists in every man, between the lust of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit. He also explain how to win the war against the flesh.
Invitation: The Foundation of Men
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
The invitation was based upon Proverbs 12:2-3. Men are not established by sin. Rather, the foundation is to be found with God.
Invitation: Why God’s Armor is Needed
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
Using Ephesians 6:12, Stan explains why the armor of God is needed.
In the News: Used Car Salesmen
Senator Harry Reid was quoted this past week as saying that Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney was like a used salesmen, in that he was willing to say absolutely anything to get elected. (Just like a used car salesman is stereotyped as being willing to say anything to sell a car).
I got a kick out of the appearance of a used car salesman on FOX News following the remark. The man strenuously objected to how he and his fellow used car salesmen were characterized, and suggested that their reputation far surpasses the current view the American people have about the U.S. congress.
