1. Righteousness in God’s Kingdom Does being righteous make me better
than the unrighteous?
Matthew 5:20-26
Pastor Tom Schafer

2. Righteousness in God’s Kingdom Matthew 5:20-26
In the Kingdom of Heaven…
Your Heart is Transformed.
“For I tell you unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of Heaven.” Matthew 5:20
The Pharisees were the moral leaders of Israel and were utterly committed to keeping the Law. However, they were not in the kingdom of God, whose King is the Lawgiver. They exceled in external righteousness but not in internal righteousness.

3. Righteousness in God’s Kingdom Matthew 5:20-26
In the Kingdom of Heaven…
Relationships are Transformed.
Lovelessness is as murder in the kingdom.
Three examples:
Treat a fellow believer as “Raca”…a nobody, a non-person
Call a fellow believer a fool
Angry with a fellow believer…continuous resentment
Illustration: “I am chief of sinners” (Apostle Paul)

4. Righteousness in God’s Kingdom Matthew 5:20-26
Jesus’ Point:
The Difference between Me and a Murderer is one of Quantity and not Quality.

5. Righteousness in God’s Kingdom Matthew 5:20-26
I Cannot Keep Commandment Number 6!
“The moment you say ‘I am a murderer,’ you begin to move away from it. Until then you remain a captive to it.”