Anchored to the Righteous One
Pastor Clark Pfaff

Key Point: God is the Righteous One

23 This is what the Lord says: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, 24 but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 9:23-24, NIV)

Key Point: Humanity Righteousness Struggle

10 As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; 11 there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. 12 All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.” 13 “Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.”  “The poison of vipers is on their lips.” 14 “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.” (Romans 3:10-14, NIV)

a. Deeds of Unrighteousness

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. (Romans 1:18, NIV)

b. Attitudes of Self-Righteousness

Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else… (Luke 18:9, NIV) 

 10 “…One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! 12 I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’ 13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ 14 I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”(Luke 18:10-14, NIV)

Key Point: Jesus Offers His Righteousness to All
 

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.(2 Corinthians 5:21, NIV) 

7 I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. 8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ 9 and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. (Philippians 3:7-9, NLT)

Our Response

…Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 2:1-2, NIV)

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.(1 John 1:9, NIV)

19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. (James 1:19-21, NIV)

Unison Prayer of Confession

Most Merciful God, 
we confess that we have sinned against you 
in our thoughts, words, and deeds,
by what we have done,
and by what we have left undone. 
We have not loved you with our whole heart.
We have failed to be an obedient church.
We have not done your will,
we have broken your law,
we have rebelled against your love,
we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves,
and we have not heard the cry of the needy.
We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
Forgive us, we pray.
Free us for joyful obedience,
That we may delight in your will
and walk in your ways,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.