1. Yahweh Our Righteousness December 16

2. What do you think? What or who do you think sets the standards for right or wrong in our society? What do you think gives God the right to set the real standards for right and wrong, for righteousness? Today we study how God reveals His righteousness – How He makes us righteous also

3. Listen for attributes of the King that God would raise up Jeremiah 23:5-6 (NIV) "The days are coming," declares the Lord, "when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. [6] In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The Lord Our Righteousness.

4. God Promises Righteousness What characteristics do you see listed of the King God promised to send? Both Judah and Israel had suffered under poor leadership. How would these kinds of promises make people feel? What do you think the phrase “Our Righteousness” communicates to people both then and now?

5. God Promises Righteousness What is our role in this coming to pass – our being righteous? How does our celebration of Christmas fit with this promise?

6. Listen for what this passage says about righteousness. Romans 3:21-26 (NIV) But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. [22] This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, [23] for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, [24] and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption

7. Listen for what this passage says about righteousness. that came by Christ Jesus. [25] God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished-- [26] he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

8. God Reveals Righteousness What are some phrases in this passages that speak about righteousness? What do you think are some ways that Paul (who wrote the letter to the Romans) would have recognized that “God’s righteousness has been revealed”? How does the average person respond to the statement in verse 23, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”?

9. God Reveals Righteousness On the other side of the issue, why do some people object to the idea that God has offered forgiveness to every person, even the worst sinners? What is justification? According to this passage, how do we become justified?

10. God Reveals Righteousness What do you see in this passage as to why God offered forgiveness this way – free? How should my boasting and bragging about my relationship to God be different when I realize it is by faith alone?

11. Listen for how Paul wanted to see the zeal of the Jews be changed. Romans 10:1-4 (NIV) Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. [2] For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. [3] Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness.

12. Listen for how Paul wanted to see the zeal of the Jews be changed. [4] Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes. … [9] That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. [10] For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

13. We Receive Righteousness What was good, what was bad about the zeal of the Israelites? How can a person in today’s world have great zeal for God or religious activities and yet be misguided? Good Aspects of ZealBad Aspects of Zeal

14. We Receive Righteousness Agree or disagree? Why do you think both are necessary? Confessing “Jesus is Lord” is more important than believing in Jesus’ resurrection

15. Application Both for the Israelites and for us … even in bleak times, the Lord works to fulfill His plan and purpose – God promised a “righteous Branch of David,” a King of Righteousness – He has provided deliverance and safety for His people – This Christmas season, celebrate the coming of Jesus, the fulfillment of God’s promise

16. Application God’s righteousness has been fully revealed and demonstrated in Jesus Christ – Those who believe in Jesus are justified, redeemed, reconciled to God – This week, do a word study on what these terms mean – See if you can describe their meanings so that a 5 th grader could understand

17. Application All attempts to establish our own standards of righteousness will fail. They are inadequate and incomplete. – Know that you must submit to God’s righteousness … to His accomplishment of it in our lives – When you don’t feel righteous, know that God declares you so … when you put your faith in what He has done.

18. Yahweh Our Righteousness December 16