How does the Old Testament fit
with the New Testament?
Matthew 5 (ESV)
17 “Do not think that I (Jesus) have come to abolish the
Law or the Prophets;
I (Jesus) have not come to abolish them but to
fulfill them.
Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament requirements for us.
18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass
away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.
19 Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these
commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the
kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called
great in the kingdom of heaven.
20 For I (Jesus) tell you, unless
your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees,
you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
The righteousness that is in Jesus is greater
than your best efforts.
How good does a person have to be to go to heaven?
You
have to be good as God.
There is only one way to be right with God which is by Jesus sharing His relationship with God with you.
God sent Jesus
to be a substitute for you. You take His innocence, and He takes the
blame.
We must turn from sin, and turn
to Jesus to be forgiven.
Self righteousness keeps us in
bondage. Self keeps you focused on you.
Jesus's righteousness
keeps your eyes on Him which transforms your life.
21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You
shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’
22 But I (Jesus) say to you that everyone who is angry with his
brother will be liable to judgment;
whoever insults his brother
will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable
to the hell of fire.
Jesus is teaching us that no one can earn an entrance into God's family.
Only Jesus provides true righteousness.
All of us has had problems with uncontrolled anger.
Christianity is
not an achieved religion, but a received relationship with God through
Jesus.
Self righteousness will only keep you in bondage
because you can never measure up to God's righteous standard.
What is the motive to live a righteous life?
It is not to achieve God's
favor, but Jesus in us motivates us to live for God out of gratitude.
Do you have this?
You can.
Darryl Craft, Whitesburg Baptist Church
http://www.whitesburgbaptist.org/sermons/true-righteousness/
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