"THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT"
The Righteousness Of The Scribes & Pharisees (Mt 5:20)
INTRODUCTION
- As Jesus prepares to contrast the righteousness of the kingdom with
the traditional interpretation and application of the Law, He does
so with a strong warning to those who would enter the kingdom of
heaven
- Found in Mt 5:20, Jesus warned them that "unless your righteousness
exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by
no means enter the kingdom of heaven"!
[To appreciate and be able to apply what Jesus said, it might help to
define "the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees"…]
- THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES DEFINED
- THEY WERE KNOWN TO "SAY AND DO NOT" - Mt 23:1-4
- Though they were often teaching the truth, they did not often
practice what they preached!
- From them many parents got the saying "Do as I say, not as I do"
- THEY WERE KNOWN TO DO THINGS TO BE SEEN OF MEN - Mt 23:5-7
- They enjoyed wearing religious garments that separated them
from others, and delighted in having places and titles of honor
- Does this sound like any religious leaders today?
- THEY WERE KNOWN TO NEGLECT PARTS OF GOD'S LAW - Mt 23:23-24
- In their case, they would emphasize the "lighter" matters of
the law, while neglecting the "weightier" commands
- Or as we would say today, they "majored in minors and minored in
majors"
- THEY WERE LOVERS OF MONEY - Lk 16:13-15
- "Mammon" was their god, though they would be quick to deny it
and try to justify themselves before men
- Does this sound like any "prosperity" preachers we see and hear
today?
[Such was the level of "righteousness" the scribes and Pharisees had as
a group! Why must our righteousness exceed that of the scribes and
Pharisees? THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE KINGDOM DEMANDS MORE!]
- THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE KINGDOM
- WE LEARN IN THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT THAT...
- We cannot "say and do not" - Mt 7:21
- We cannot "do things to be seen of men" - Mt 6:1
- We cannot "neglect" ANY commandments of God's law - Mt 5:19
- We cannot be "lovers of money" - Mt 6:24
- THIS SHOULD SERVE AS A WARNING TO ANY WHO THINK THEY CAN BE
FAITHFUL CHRISTIANS, CITIZENS OF THE KINGDOM, "BUT"...
- DO NOT combine their profession of faith with suitable deeds
- cf. also Jm 2:14-17; 1Jn 2:4-6; 1Jn 3:18
- DO NOT keep their personal, private lives consistent with their
public appearance and profession - cf. Mk 4:22
- DO NOT make diligent effort to observe ALL that Jesus commanded
- cf. Mt 28:20; Jn 8:31-32; 2Jn 9
- DO NOT remain free from the enticement of materialism - cf.
also 1Ti 6:9-10; 1Jn 2:15-17
CONCLUSION
- Without question, then, our righteousness as citizens of the kingdom
must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees
- But how can our righteousness be consistent with that demanded by our
King? It is possible only by the GRACE of God...
- Whereby His MERCY provides forgiveness to those in Christ - 1Jn
1:9
- Whereby His STRENGTH makes it possible to live according to the
"righteousness of the kingdom of heaven"! - Php 4:13
In our next study, we will begin to notice examples Jesus gave as to
HOW our righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees...