In Pursuit...of Righteousness
In Pursuit • Sermon • Submitted
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· 21 viewsRighteousness doesn't just happen on our own. We have to intentionally pursue righteousness. This message looks at the example of Abram, whom believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness.
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INTRO
INTRO
If we want to see not be caught up in the world, then we must pursue the things of God. We will either pursue God or pursue the world…there is no middle ground. We cannot be neutral. We’re either moving forward in the Lord or we’re losing ground and sliding backwards.
11 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.
31 Terah took Abram his son and Lot the son of Haran, his grandson, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Abram’s wife, and they went forth together from Ur of the Chaldeans to go into the land of Canaan, but when they came to Haran, they settled there. 32 The days of Terah were 205 years, and Terah died in Haran. 1 Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” 4 So Abram went, as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. 5 And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother’s son, and all their possessions that they had gathered, and the people that they had acquired in Haran, and they set out to go to the land of Canaan. When they came to the land of Canaan,
1 After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” 2 But Abram said, “O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 And Abram said, “Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir.” 4 And behold, the word of the Lord came to him: “This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir.” 5 And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 6 And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.
What is righteousness?
What is righteousness?
Living in a right relationship with God through God’s standards.
3 Necessities for Pursuing Righteousness:
3 Necessities for Pursuing Righteousness:
1) LISTEN TO GOD (vs. 12:1,4)
1) LISTEN TO GOD (vs. 12:1,4)
There are many voices fighting for our attention.
We must choose to focus on the voice of God in our lives.
We must intentionally choose to hear what God is saying to us.
God will speak to us through these ways:
His Holy Word
His Holy People
His Providential Circumstances
All three must be pursued with Passionate Prayer
2) DON’T SETTLE (vs. 11:31-12:1)
2) DON’T SETTLE (vs. 11:31-12:1)
Abram’s family started for Canaan but stopped in Haran
Haran was a major trading stop and was known for lavish living and was also a center of worship for a moon goddess named - Sin.
Too many people fail to pursue righteousness because they settle for lavish worldly living and end up worshipping sin.
The things of God are much more precious than anything this world has to offer. This world, wrecked by sin and brokenness, is nothing more than a cheap substitute for God’s divine blessings.
3) TRUST AND BELIEVE GOD (vs. 4-5, 15:1-6)
3) TRUST AND BELIEVE GOD (vs. 4-5, 15:1-6)
Even when things don’t look promising, we can still trust the promises of God.
A promise is only as good as the one who makes it. God will never fail. He always has a broader and bigger plan.
Trust and belief are not just acknowledging that God can…it’s knowing that despite present circumstances…God will!
When we believe that God will, then we can move forward in hope and be encouraged rather than distraught.
Pursue righteousness knowing that God will be glorified…that God will store up for you eternal treasure in heaven...and that God will take care of the needs of your life.
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
CLOSING
CLOSING
Flee the false and empty promises of this world and pursue the rich and abundant promises of God.
Flee worldly things and pursue righteousness!