Superior Righteousness

Our Lord Jesus Christ teachings in chapters 5 -7 of Matthew’s Gospel were intended to expose the false righteousness of the Pharisees who claimed one’s righteousness is determined by eternal acts of righteousness. Jesus taught that true righteousness must come from within and must exceed the righteousness of the Pharisees. In so doing, our Lord Jesus teaches us that we are responsible for what we do on the inside as well as on the outside.

Matthew 5:20 “For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

Remember, Jesus’ teachings did not contradict the Law, it actually corrected the wrong interpretation of the Law!

I. SUPERIOR RIGHTEOUSNESS AND MURDER, Matthew 5.21-26 “21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. 23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. 26 Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.”

One out of 35 deaths in Chicago is a murder. Every fifteen minutes someone is killed in New York City. The first ten minutes of nightly news seems to be occupied with stories about those killed in our major cities.

Jesus said, (verse 22). The word “anger” means a settled, deep-rooted anger. Anger that is held on to. Malice is another word to describe this kind of anger. Internal anger.

There is an anger against sin, Ephesians 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not:”

Yet the anger Jesus spoke of is murder, 1 John 3:15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

Unconfessed, pent-up, internal anger can lead to physical murder.

It has been said that the person who refuses to forgive his brother destroys the very bridge over which he himself must cross.

II. SUPERIOR RIGHTEOUSNESS AND ADULTERY, Mt 5:27-30 “27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.”

Jesus affirmed God’s law of purity, and then explained the intent of this law was to reveal:

A. The Sanctity of Sex, verse 27 God created sex and said it was good.

B. The Sinfulness of the Human Heart, verse 28 (Ill. of birds and thoughts)

C. The Seriousness of Sin, verses 29-30 (Spiritual Surgery)

“look” means a constant gaze, a prolonged, purposeful look.

III. SUPERIOR RIGHTEOUSNESS AND DIVORCE, Matthew 5:31-32 “31 “It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”

IV. SUPERIOR RIGHTEOUSNESS AND SWEARING, Matthew 5:33-37 “33 “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ 34 But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.”

Our conversation is to be so honest and our character so true that we do not need the “crutches” of oaths.

V. SUPERIOR RIGHTEOUSNESS AND RETALIATION, Matthew 5:38-42 “38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.”

Psychologists tell us that violence is born of weakness and not strength. It is the strong man who can love and suffer hurt; it is the weak man who thinks only of himself and hurts others to protect himself.

VI. SUPERIOR RIGHTEOUSNESS AND LOVE OF ENEMIES, Matthew 5:43-48 “43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

Jesus set the example.

1. This love is a mark of maturity, proving our sonship. V. 45

2. This love is God-like, v. 45

3. This love is a testimony to others, Matthew 5:46-47 “46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?”

“What do ye do more than others? Good question!

Verse 48 “perfect” means mature.

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