Counter-Culture Series Pt3: What Righteousness Really Looks Like
Full Sermon Video At The Bottom Of The Page
March 3, 2024
In the third installment of our "Counter-Culture" journey, we're diving into the heart of what it means to live a life marked by kingdom-culture righteousness—a concept vastly different from the world's standards. As we've explored, the path to true life is not through the wide gate of cultural conformity but through the narrow gate of Christ-centered living.
The Foundation: Choosing the Right Road
Matthew 7:13-14 continues to guide us, reminding us of the choice we face between the path that leads to destruction and the narrow gate that leads to life. It's a choice that defines not just our destination but our journey—every step taken in the light of Christ's teachings.
The Beatitudes: The Blueprint for Righteousness
In Matthew 5:3-12, Jesus outlines the attitudes and actions that characterize those who embrace the kingdom of heaven. These Beatitudes aren't mere suggestions; they're the blueprint for how we're to navigate our lives in a counter-cultural manner, embodying the virtues of the kingdom in a world that often values the opposite.
Hungering and Thirsting for Righteousness
Our focus sharpens on the call to hunger and thirst for righteousness. It's a profound craving for living in a way that aligns with God's will, a desire that surpasses all others. This hunger leads us to Jesus, the only one who can truly satisfy our deepest longings with His goodness and grace. To “Hunger and Thirst”, may be uncomfortable, but we should never be comfortable while others are not being treated rightly.
Jeremiah 22:3—A Call to Action
Jeremiah 22:3 provides us with a vivid picture of what righteousness looks like in action: standing up for the weak, delivering the oppressed, and treating everyone with the dignity and honor they deserve. It's a reminder that righteousness is not about adhering to a set of personal standards but about aligning our actions with God's heart for justice and mercy.
Living Righteously in a World of Differences
In a world quick to draw lines and label the "other," righteousness calls us to see everyone through the lens of God's love. It challenges us to extend help without waiting for people to become "worthy" of our assistance, reflecting God's unconditional love for us.
The Essence of True Righteousness
Righteousness, then, is not about achieving a moral high ground but about embodying God's love and grace in our interactions with others. It's about being Christ's hands and feet, caring for those in need, and making a tangible difference in their lives and when they ask why you would go so far for them, you can let them know, because that’s what Jesus does.
An Invitation to Righteous Living
As we continue our counter-cultural walk, let's be intentional about pursuing righteousness in every area of our lives. Let's hunger and thirst for a deeper relationship with God, allowing His righteousness to flow through us and impact the world around us.
Closing Thoughts: Becoming Ambassadors of Christ's Righteousness
Our journey through "Counter-Culture" is more than a series of teachings; it's a call to transformation. By living out the principles of the Beatitudes, we step into our roles as ambassadors of Christ, bringing the hope and healing of the kingdom to a world in desperate need of both.
Let us embrace this call with open hearts, ready to be changed and to bring change, all for the glory of the One who calls us His own. If we are going to be hungry and thirsty for anything, let it be for Him and His ways, over our own.