4. Kingdom Righteousness Part 2

Introduction

How many of you want to be part of the kingdom of heaven?

So, Matt 5:20 is a pretty challenging and scary verse.

Matthew 5:17-20 is the thesis statement of the Sermon on the Mount, the longest single teaching of Jesus recorded in the NT.

Subject: What kind of righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, and how can I have it? What kind of holiness is greater than the scribes and Pharisees, and how can I be holy like that?

Quality over quantity

Wholeness over performance

Part 1: Kingdom righteousness is a righteousness of quality over quantity: heart transformation over behavior management.

Greg and the 10-yr-old Folgers…

Three More Examples from Jesus

Taking Oaths (Matt 5:33-37)

Have you ever known someone that said something that technically wasn’t lie, but also wasn’t really true?

My dad asked if I took a shower…

People tended to quibble over the exact meaning of their promises… But, you shouldn’t have to call on God to witness your oath.

Mean what you say, say what you mean, and be who you are: a child of God.

Seeking Justice (Matt 5:38-42)

Jesus is not contradicting the OT. The law of “eye for eye, tooth for tooth,” found in Exod 21; Lev 24; and Deut 19, was put in place to establish justice.

Jesus is not saying you can’t defend yourself or your family.

What is Jesus saying, then?

Two wrongs don’t make a right.

“Do not be a vengeful, vigilante, self-justified distributor of justice. There is a righteousness greater and more beautiful than self-justice—letting God be the judge and righteousness maker.” ~ Dr. Jonathan Pennington

If you really want to be an agent of God’s justice, Jesus shows us how in Matt 5:42… Live generously toward those in need. Bring justice to those who don’t have it.

1 Peter 2:21–24 NLT

21 For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. 22 He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. 23 He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. 24 He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.

If we are going to advocate for pro-life legislation, we need to be willing to step up and help at-risk women.

Loving Your Enemies

Matt 5:43… The OT never says to hate your enemies. That was added by the religious leaders. This is the law of the world: Love those who are like you, hate those who are different. Build your tribe and conquer or destroy the rest.

But Jesus overthrows the world’s way — Matt 5:44… Why? Matt 5:45-47… bearing a family resemblance to God.

This is exactly what God did for us.

Romans 5:6–11 NLT

6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. 7 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. 8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 9 And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. 10 For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. 11 So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.

LVK Song: Jo

Part 2: Kingdom righteousness is a righteousness of wholeness over performance: being completely devoted to Christ over neurotically following the rules.

Exposition — Matt 5:48

When you hear the word “perfect,” what do you think of? Performance (like a test at school). But Jesus isn’t talking about performance in this context.

He uses the Greek word teleios, which has a much broader meaning than the English word “perfect.” Teleios means complete, mature, or fully developed, like a CD or a bond that has matured and reached its full value, like when a puppy is fully developed into a full-grown dog, or a puzzle if completed by putting the last piece in place.

Teleios, translated “perfect,” does not mean here “perfect moral performance,” but wholeness, completeness, a heart that is fully developed, being purely, wholeheartedly, singularly devoted to Christ—“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.” In this context holiness means wholeness.

“To say that disciples must be teleios as God is teleios is to say that they must be whole or virtuous—singular in who they are—not one person on the outside and a different person on the inside. The call to teleios-ity throughout the Sermon on the Mount is the same call to holiness that we see throughout the Bible—not moral perfection but having wholehearted orientation toward God.” ~ Dr. Jonathan Pennington

See also Hosea 6:6 “6 For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.”

Conclusion: Invitation

The world says the only one who really matters is yourself. Do whatever you have to to get ahead. Don’t make any commitment that might cost you or require you to sacrifice what you want. Do whatever you want to do, and take whatever you need to take in order to get whatever you want to have. Marriage is meaningless. When you fall out of love, walk away and find someone else who makes you happy. The strong dominate the weak, show no mercy or you’ll get eaten. Keep your word when it benefits you, walk it back when it doesn’t. Take credit when things go right, point fingers when things go wrong. Jump on the bandwagon of social justice if it gets you more followers and likes, and be quick get revenge against anyone who crosses you. Love those who agree with you, hate and destroy and threaten and set on fire the buildings of those who disagree with you. You must justify your own existence. Prove you’re worthy to be accepted. Prove your life has value. Prove you’re someone worth loving. If you can’t perform, you won’t be accepted.

Jesus invites all who would follow Him to a life of quality over quantity and wholeness over performance, a life of commitment and true friendship, a life of true justice and compassion for those who are oppressed and at risk, a life of mercy and forgiveness, a life of integrity and honor, a life of joy and freedom, a life of security and peace in which we have been loved and accepted by God. In short, Jesus offers us an everlasting life of love with our heavenly Father.

Aren’t you tired of grinding out life the world’s way?

Matthew 11:28–30 NLT

28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”