Jehovah Tsidkenu

Jehovah Tsidkenu — The Lord Our Righteousness

“Right With God: The Gift We Could Never Earn”

Primary Text: Jeremiah 23:5–6 (ESV)

“And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The LORD is our righteousness.’”

INTRODUCTION: THE BURDEN OF TRYING TO BE GOOD ENOUGH (8 minutes)

Many believers love God — but live exhausted.

They pray.

They serve.

They repent.

Yet underneath it all is a quiet question:

“Am I really right with God?”

Some of the heaviest people in church are not rebellious sinners —

they are sincere strivers.

Trying to:

Make up for past mistakes

Prove they’ve changed

Earn God’s approval

Silence shame

Into that weight, God reveals a name that changes everything:

Jehovah Tsidkenu — The LORD Our Righteousness.

Not the Lord who demands righteousness

but the Lord who becomes it for us.

I. THE PROBLEM: HUMAN RIGHTEOUSNESS FAILS (10 minutes)

Context of Jeremiah 23

Israel had:

Kings

Priests

Sacrifices

Law

Religious structure

But their leaders were corrupt and their hearts were far from God.

God says the issue is not effort —

it’s source.

Isaiah 64:6 (ESV):

“All our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment.”

Teaching Truth

You can do right things and still not be right with God.

Righteousness based on performance always produces:

Pride when we succeed

Shame when we fail

Neither leads to peace.

Illustration: The Treadmill

Trying to earn righteousness is like running on a treadmill —

exhausting effort, no forward progress.

Religion says: Run harder.

God says: Step off and receive.

II. WHAT RIGHTEOUSNESS REALLY MEANS (10 minutes)

The Hebrew word Tsidkenu means:

Right standing

Acceptance

Legal innocence

Being in correct relationship

Righteousness is not moral perfection.

It is relational position.

Teaching Aid

Righteousness is not how you feel — it’s where you stand.

Courtroom Illustration

Imagine standing guilty before a judge.

You don’t argue your case.

You don’t defend your record.

The judge declares:

“You are justified.”

That declaration changes everything.

III. GOD PROMISES A RIGHTEOUSNESS WE CANNOT PRODUCE (Jeremiah 23:5–6) (10 minutes)

God promises a coming King — the Messiah.

Not just a ruler.

Not just a reformer.

But One whose name is righteousness.

“The LORD is our righteousness.”

Notice:

Not helps us become righteous

Not teaches righteousness

But IS our righteousness

Covenant Language

God is saying:

“I will supply what you lack.

I will stand where you cannot.”

IV. JESUS: THE GREAT EXCHANGE (15 minutes)

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.”

This is the gospel:

Christ takes our sin

We receive His righteousness

Not borrowed.

Not temporary.

Not partial.

Complete.

Romans 3:22:

“The righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe.”

Pastoral Moment (Slow Here)

Some of you are forgiven — but still living like defendants.

Saved — but still sentenced by shame.

Accepted — but still striving.

That is not humility.

That is unbelief.

Teaching Aid

If Christ paid it all, striving insults the payment.

V. WHY WE STRUGGLE TO ACCEPT GRACE (7 minutes)

Pride — we want credit

Fear — grace feels unsafe

Habit — performance feels familiar

Galatians 2:21 (ESV):

“If righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.”

Grace offends pride — but heals the soul.

VI. LIVING FROM RIGHTEOUSNESS, NOT FOR IT (5 minutes)

Holiness is the fruit, not the root.

Romans 8:1 (ESV):

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

We obey:

Not to be accepted

But because we are accepted

Teaching Aid

Identity fuels obedience; fear only fuels exhaustion.

VII. EXTENDED ALTAR CALL & PRAYER MINISTRY (15 minutes)

Invitation (Slow, Pastoral)

This altar call is for:

Those who need salvation

Those trapped in shame

Those exhausted by performance

Those unsure they are truly right with God

Jehovah Tsidkenu is calling you to rest.

Prayer Focus Areas

Salvation through faith in Christ

Release from guilt and condemnation

Freedom from striving

Assurance of forgiveness

Restoration of joy

Guided Prayer (Lead Slowly)

“Jehovah Tsidkenu,

I release my efforts.

I release my shame.

I trust in Christ alone.

I receive Your righteousness.

I rest in Your grace.”

(Allow silence, ministry teams, laying on of hands if appropriate.)

CLOSING SCRIPTURE

Philippians 3:9 (ESV):

“Not having a righteousness of my own… but that which comes through faith in Christ.”

FINAL DECLARATION

Church,

God does not love the future version of you.

He loves you in Christ — right now.

The LORD is our righteousness.