The Pathway to Freedom Part 2

"Understanding Righteousness"

By Lead Servant Pastor Phreddie Minnifield, May 17, 2020

2 Corinthians 5:21 (NKJV)

What is Righteousness?

  1. A simple definition of righteousness is, “right standing with God.”

    a. This can only happen through total dependence on Jesus Christ

Romans 11:6 (NKJV)

  1. Righteousness is a gift to those who accept what Jesus has done for them

Romans 5:17-18 (NKJV)

What Hinders Righteousness?

  1. The confusion about how we become right in the sight of God.

    a. Our actions are not the origin of our righteousness.

    b. YES, There is a relationship between our actions and our right standing with God,

  2. A right relationship with God produces right actions, not the other way around

    a. we are not made righteous by our works

Understanding Righteousness is the only way to get real results in our lives

  1. The gift of salvation produces a changed heart. That changed heart, in turn, changes our actions.

  2. It's our heart that God looks at

1 Samuel 16:7 (NKJV)

Matthew 23:25-26 (NKJV)

  1. Religion puts the emphasis on actions instead of your heart.

    a. Jesus was all about changing the hearts of people by teaching and preaching the Gospel Truth.

Pursue Righteousness

  1. When we pursue His Righteousness we get His benefits

Isaiah 53:6, Romans 3:23, Romans. 3:10

  1. God relates to us by our spirit

  2. Righteousness is for those who put their faith in Jesus and what He did for them

    a. Religion teaches people to trust in their own goodness instead of God's.

    b. Our righteousness is as filthy rags compared to God's righteousness

Isaiah 64:6 (NKJV)

  1. God's righteousness

    a. God’s righteousness exceeds anything we could ever produce in our own efforts.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (NKJV), 1 Peter 2:24 (NKJV)

Resting in His Righteousness

  1. Put my trust and faith in Jesus

Matthew 8:23-26 (NKJV)

a. Don’t stop following Him in the storm

  1. Standing on my own efforts forfeits the Grace of God

Galatians 5:4 (AMP)

Colossians 2:6 (NKJV)

  1. Knowing your identity

    a. You are a new creation 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)

    b. Loss of Identity cuts off our access, If we lose our identity our “bank card” we won’t have access to our account

2 Peter 1:3 (NKJV)

How do I walk in Freedom?

  1. Receive what I’ve been given

Romans 5:18 (NKJV)

  1. Walk in the Spirit Galatians 5:13-16 (NKJV)

  2. Sport the new you Ephesians 4:24 (NKJV)

  3. Don’t depend on your own righteousness

(Rom. 3:10 NKJV)

  1. Throw out Self-Esteem Galatians 2:20 (NKJV)

  2. Keep Looking to Jesus Hebrews 12:2 (NKJV)

  3. Renew your Mind Romans.12:2 (NKJV)