Sermon Outlines

By Frederick F. Schwindt, Evangelist

EVANGELICAL RIGHTEOUSNESS

1. It is important to know that our Lord's sermon on the mount:
   1. Is the Christian code of spiritual law - Matt. 5:1-48
   2. It draws a clear distinction between the letter and the spirit of the law - 2 Cor. 3:6-18; Rom. 7:14
2. The righteousness of the scribes and the Pharisees was unacceptable to God:
   1. It left the heart unchanged - Matt. 23:25-28
   2. It was their own righteousness, which is before God as filthy rags - Isa. 64:6; Rom. 10:3

1. The gospel of Jesus Christ of this righteousness:
   1. Christ is that righteousness -
      1. "The Lord our righteousness" - Jer. 23:6; 1 Cor. 1:30, 31
      2. We obtain this righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ - Rom. 3:22
   2. It is the free gift of God as truly as the grace of God - Rom. 5:18
2. God's method of bestowal of this heavenly gift:
   1. It is imputed - we are credited with the life of the Son of God - 2 Cor. 5:21; Rom. 4:6
   2. It is implanted by the operation of the Holy Spirit.
   3. The implantation of God's righteousness takes place when He writes His law into our hearts - Heb. 10:15, 16
   4. Ezekiel describes the implantation of the law of God into the hearts of the believers - Ezek. 36:26-28

1. The righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees:
   1. Is unacceptable to God because it makes no provision for sin -- it cannot.
   2. It leaves man a sinner, and therefore under condemnation - Rom. 3:9-18
   3. It rejects the righteousness acceptable in God's sight.
2. Evangelical righteousness on the other hand:
   1. Has no confidence in the flesh - Phil. 3:3
   2. This fact has been learned by bitter experience - Rom. 7:9- 26
   3. Acts in the name of Jesus Christ only - Gal. 2:20
3. Effect of Evangelical righteousness:
   1. Brings about the transformation of our sinful nature - John 3:3-9; 2 Cor. 3:18
   2. Implants God's law into our heart - Ezek. 36:26-28; Heb. 10:15, 16
   3. Embraces the whole will of God - 2 Tim. 3:15-17
4. Beware of a counterfeit righteousness:
   1. The theory of holiness without obedience - 1 John 2:4-7; Isa. 30:8, 9
   2. There will be bitter disillusionment in the last days - Matt. 7:21-26; Luke 13:22-28
5. The difference between the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees and Evangelical righteousness:
   1. Their righteousness was Christless - that means hopeless.
   2. The righteousness of the gospel is centered in Christ, and that righteousness is accepted with God - Isa. 42:21