"RIGHTEOUSNESS THAT EXCEEDS..."
Intro: Effect of these words on hearers.
I. WHO WERE THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES?
A. Scribes were men who read and interpreted the scripture to the people.
1. Ezra was a scribe.
B. Pharisees were a religious sect.
1. They attempted to strictly observe and keep the law.
II. WHAT WAS THE NATURE OF THEIR RIGHTEOUSNESS?
A. An external observance of the law.
1. Outside they were clean.
B. A partial observance of the law.
1. They paid tithes of their spice gardens, yet omitted weightier matters of
judgment, mercy and faith.
C. Wrong motives.
1. To be seen and known of men.
Ill. WHAT KIND OF RIGHTEOUSNESS IS NECESSARY TO ENTER KINGDOM?
A. "Not having my own righteousness which is of the law..."
B. The imputed righteousness (Abraham..
C. Christ is the standard of righteousness.
1. "When the Holy Spirit is come will testify of sin, righteousness and
judgment."
D. Not external wrought by law and works.
1. Internal wrought by work of Spirit.
IV. HOW DO I OBTAIN THIS RIGHTEOUSNESS?
A. Believing and trusting in Jesus.
1. Romans 4:5, "But to him worketh not but believeth on Him that justifieth
the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness."
2. Romans 5: 3, 4.
V. HOW IS THIS RIGHTEOUSNESS MANIFESTED?
A. By the fruit it bears in my life.
1. The kind of love that creates.
a. Peace, joy, long-suffering...
VI. HOW MUST I INTERPRET THIS VERSE?
A. No way can I by law or work be deserving a place in kingdom.
1. Ii shuts me up to the grace of God.
2. As far as any righteous standing before God, I must rest where God is
resting.
3. I must cast myself in faith totally upon Jesus Christ.
B. I should accept God's provision.
1. I should rejoice in God's provision.
VII. AN ATTITUDE TOWARD KINGDOM.
A. Desire it.
B. Pray for it.
C. Plan for it.
D. Live in it.
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Chuck Smith (1927 - 2013)
Pastor Chuck was used in the Jesus People revival where he was used along with others to minister to the hippy young people. They saw a work of the Spirit where many were added to the church and discipled. He has raised up many pastors who are a part of the Calvary Chapel movement now and where he pastors the large Costa Mesa church in California.The Calvary Chapel movement is based of simple principles that Chuck Smith taught over the years such as: The priority of agape love, Simple fellowship amongst the saints, the breaking of bread, the teaching of God's word chapter by chapter and verse by verse. And lastly and most importantly the principle not by might nor by power but by my spirit saith the Lord.