Big Idea: Jesus calls us to a deeper righteousness, not just external obedience, but a radical righteousness of the heart. Jesus Calls Us To A Radical Righteousness 1. Jesus Came To Fulfill The Law "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:17-20 (NIV) You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life. John 5:39-40 (NIV) But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3:21-24 (NIV) 2. Jesus Calls Us To A Righteousness of the Heart ✔ A Heart Of Reconciliation "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. "Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny. Matthew 5:21-26 (NIV) ✔ A Heart of Purity "You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell. "It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery. Matthew 5:27-32 (NIV) ✔ A Heart Of Integrity "Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.’ But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your 'Yes' be ‘Yes,’ and your 'No,' ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. Matthew 5:33-37 (NIV) 3. Jesus Calls Us To Love Radically "You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. "You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:38-48 (NIV) Are you willing to examine your heart and motives? I Will examine: My personal purity and make safe guards for the future My integrity and keep my promises My heart and show grace and mercy Accept Jesus as my Lord & Savior . [This is only a guide – select the points you want to discuss.] Big Idea: Jesus calls us to a deeper righteousness, not just external obedience, but a radical righteousness of the heart. Icebreaker: Have you ever followed a rule just because you had to, but your heart wasn’t really in it? Share an example (like speed limits, school rules, etc.). How does that compare to following God’s commandments? Open with Prayer. Jesus Calls Us To A Radical Righteousness 1. Jesus Came To Fulfill The Law Read Matthew 5:17-20 What do you think Jesus meant when He said He fulfilled the Law? Why do you think Jesus called for a greater righteousness than the Pharisees had? How does trusting in Jesus for righteousness free us from a legalistic mindset? Read Romans 3:21-24 What did you learn about the righteousness God wants for you? 🛠 Application: This week, spend a few extra minutes in prayer each day asking God to align your heart with His will—not just your actions. 2. Jesus Calls Us To A Righteousness of the Heart Read Matthew 5:21-37 Jesus moves beyond external obedience to reveal how sin begins in the heart—with anger, lust, and dishonesty. Why do you think Jesus equates anger with murder and lust with adultery? How does this shift our understanding of sin? What are some ways we can be more mindful of our inner thoughts and attitudes? How do our thoughts and emotions affect our ability to live righteously? Analogy: Sin is like a tree’s root system—if we only cut off the visible branches but don’t remove the roots, the sin will keep growing back. 🛠 Application: Choose one negative habit or thought pattern this week (like anger, jealousy, or dishonesty). Pray daily for God to help you uproot it and replace it with righteousness. 3. Jesus Teaches Us to Love Radically Read Matthew 5:38-48 What does “turning the other cheek” mean in real-life situations? Why is loving our enemies so difficult? What makes it possible? Can you share a time when you saw someone demonstrate radical love and forgiveness? How did it impact others? Reflection: Loving our enemies doesn’t excuse their wrongs, but it frees us from hatred and allows God to work through us. 🛠 Application: Identify someone you struggle to love (a coworker, neighbor, family member). Pray for them this week and choose one act of kindness toward them. Which of Jesus’ teachings in Matthew 5:17-48 stood out to you the most today? What’s one step you can take this week to live out radical righteousness? Challenge: This week, focus on one area of your heart that needs transformation—whether in your thoughts, words, or relationships. Ask God to change you from the inside out. Swindoll's Living Insights New Testament Commentary - Matthew 1-15. However, Jesus’ statements must be understood in their overall context. Nowhere in Scripture are we instructed to be submissive victims to physical, verbal, or sexual abuse, rape, terrorism, murder, or other threats of true harm. It’s noble to bite your tongue when some guy insults you in the checkout lane, or to refuse to lean on the horn when an aggressive driver cuts you off in traffic, or to take a step back when an upset mother slaps you for scolding her out-of-control child. But it’s deplorable to sit back passively as a bully injures a defenseless victim, or to refuse to defend your children if a kidnapper tries to drag them off, or to raise the flag of surrender if an army of terrorists rolls across your nation’s border. John Stott puts Jesus’ words into perspective: “Christ’s illustrations are not to be taken as the charter for any unscrupulous tyrant, ruffian, beggar or thug. His purpose was to forbid revenge, not to encourage injustice, dishonesty or vice. . . . True love, caring for both the individual and society, takes action to deter evil and to promote good