Seeking True Righteousness in a World of False Idols

Introduction

Review Understanding of Righteousness

Define Idolatry

What is Modern Idolatry

Ways to seek True Righteousness

Review Understanding of Righteous

Romans 3:10 ESV

as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one;

Romans 3:22 ESV

the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction:

2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Idolatry is the worship of anything other than God

Idolatry is anything which causes us to think less of God

Show Slides of Idols

What is Modern Idolatry

Philippians 3:7–9 ESV

But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—

Do I love or treasure anything or anyone more than God?

Do I prioritize anything or anyone before God?

Does anything bring me more pleasure than the things of God?

Do I place my identity in anything over my status as a child of God?

Do I look to anything or anyone to meet my needs instead of God?

Do I seek fulfillment or satisfaction from anything outside of God?

Do I seek comfort outside of God?

Money Fame

Power Friends

Children Jobs

Nice things Significant other

Hobbies Our identity

We begin to value something above God, when we expect that thing to provide us with ultimate satisfaction (even if that expectation is not voiced)

We then begin the conscious or unconsciousness mental process of making it into an idol.

Explain how friends become and idol

Need to belong to a community

The ultimate sense of belonging can only be found in Christ

2 Corinthians 6:14–15 ESV

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?

2 Corinthians 6:17 ESV

Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you,

Every Christian has to decide if he or she is influencing the world or if the world is influencing him or her and then make choices accordingly.

Jesus was not being “inclusive” when eating with sinners. He was not affirming their individuality.

He was seeking to transform them

Practical Applications for Seeking True Righteousness

Prioritize your time in prayer and reading the Scriptures

Take a break from social media or other distractions that may be leading you astray

Seeking fellowship with other believers

Live a life of service and sacrifice