A Greater Righteousness

For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:20 (NIV)).

 

Youth Service Sermon

Date: 10/02/2019

Preacher: Rev. Julia Mwangi (rtd)

Jesus says that we must have a righteousness that is greater than that of the Pharisees for us to enter the kingdom of Heaven. The first question we ask is; how was the righteousness of the Pharisees?

The righteousness of the pharisees

1. They were concerned with appearances/reputation

The pharisees wanted to have a good reputation and did everything to protect their reputation rather than to please God. They did everything to please themeselves. Ask yourself; what am I concerned with? Who am I pleasing? You should be concerned with God; work towards pleasing God and not self.

2. They did things to be seen

They offered in a way that everyone would see. They wanted everyone to see that they observed the laws, among other things. As a Christian you should do things to be seen by God and not man.

3. They had set their own religious rules

The pharisees came up with their own rules that they followed to show their 'righteousness'. To them anyone who did not follow those rules was unrighteous. However, that was not God's righteousness.

4. They were obsessed with observing the legal implications of the law

The pharisees were not concerned with keeping the law as a way of living according to God's commands, their focus was on ensuring that the legal implications of the law are observed. They would order stoning of people who broke sections of the law. The law was way above the Pharisees.

Way Forward?

We should abandon the righteousness and standards of the Pharisees. Whose standards of holiness are you following?

-Follow God's Standards

-Observe high moral standards

-Be holy, don't just appear holy

-Live differently

-Live a life of [positive] influence, that people will taste God's presence through you.