Self-Righteousness Isaiah 65:1-7 The Sin of Based in part on a sermon outline by Joe Price (Spiritual Sword, July 2009) Preached at West Side on July 19, 2009 AM Print Slides:

The Mississippi Squirrel Revival The day the squirrel went berserk In the First Self-Righteous Church In the sleepy little town of Pascagoula It was a fight for survival that broke out in revival They were jumpin' pews and shoutin' Hallelujah! All the way down to the amen pew where sat Sister Bertha better-than-you Who'd been watchin' all the commotion with sadistic glee Ray Stevens

Isaiah 65:1-7 I was sought by those who did not ask for Me; I was found by those who did not seek Me. I said, “Here I am, here I am,” To a nation that was not called by My name. 2 I have stretched out My hands all day long to a rebellious people, Who walk in a way that is not good, According to their own thoughts; 3 A people who provoke Me to anger continually to My face; Who sacrifice in gardens, And burn incense on altars of brick; 4 Who sit among the graves, And spend the night in the tombs; Who eat swine's flesh, And the broth of abominable things is in their vessels; 5 Who say, “Keep to yourself, Do not come near me, For I am holier than you!” These are smoke in My nostrils, A fire that burns all the day. 6 Behold, it is written before Me: I will not keep silence, but will repay-Even repay into their bosom- 7 Your iniquities and the iniquities of your fathers together, Says the LORD, Who have burned incense on the mountains And blasphemed Me on the hills; Therefore I will measure their former work into their bosom.

Warning Against Self- Righteousness Trusting in Oneself for Righteousness Proverbs 30:12-13; Luke 18:9

Proverbs 30:12-13 There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes, Yet is not washed from its filthiness. 13 There is a generation-oh, how lofty are their eyes! And their eyelids are lifted up.

Luke 18:9 Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

Warning Against Self- Righteousness Trusting in Oneself for Righteousness Proverbs 30:12-13; Luke 18:9 Working to be Seen of Men Matthew 23:5; Matthew 6:1,5,16

Matthew 23:5 But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments.

Matthew 6:1,5,16 (1), Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. (5), And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. (16) Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

Warning Against Self- Righteousness Trusting in Oneself for Righteousness Proverbs 30:12-13; Luke 18:9 Working to be Seen of Men Matthew 23:5; Matthew 6:1,5,16 Hypocrisy a Common Companion Matthew 23:25-28

Matthew 23:25-28 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. 26 Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also. 27 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. 28 Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

Self-Righteousness is NOT… Obeying God’s Law 1 Timothy 4:6; Hebrews 5:8-9

1 Timothy 4:6 If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed.

Hebrews 5:8-9 Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. 9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him. Christ is our example… it is not self-righteous to seek to emulate Him.

Self-Righteousness is NOT… Obeying God’s Law 1 Timothy 4:6; Hebrews 5:8-9 Zeal and Dedication Titus 2:14

Titus 2:14 Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

Self-Righteousness is NOT… Obeying God’s Law 1 Timothy 4:6; Hebrews 5:8-9 Zeal and Dedication Titus 2:14 Reproving and Rebuking Sin 2 Timothy 4:2; Galatians 2:11-14

2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

Galatians 2:11-14 Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; 12 for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. 13 And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, “If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews?”

Self-Righteousness is NOT… Obeying God’s Law 1 Timothy 4:6; Hebrews 5:8-9 Zeal and Dedication Titus 2:14 Reproving and Rebuking Sin 2 Timothy 4:2; Galatians 2:11-14 Believing God’s Word to be Authoritative and Absolute Ephesians 3:3-5; 5:17

Ephesians 3:3-5 How that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), 5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets.

Ephesians 5:17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Conclusion Our righteousness must exceed that of the Scribes and the Pharisees… but it must be accomplished by submitting to the righteousness of God! Romans 10:3-4

Romans 10:3-4 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.