Finding Stability and Victory Through Righteousness in Christ

 

Summary

In today's sermon, we delved into the profound truth that as believers, we are not destined for failure but for victory in Christ. We are moving towards hearing the words "Well done, good and faithful servant" as we stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Our journey is one of stability, standing firm, and stepping forward with purpose.

We began by dispelling the fear that often grips the hearts of the religious—the fear of instability and the unknown. We likened our spiritual journey to navigating through an erupting volcano, where the ground shakes and debris flies through the air. In this chaos, the devil seeks to make us unstable, but God has called us to be stable, standing, and stepping even in the midst of life's most tumultuous circumstances.

We explored the concept of righteousness as our firm foundation. Righteousness is not about our works but about our faith in God's Word. When we believe in His Word, it is credited to us as righteousness, providing us with a supernatural stability that the world cannot offer. This righteousness is the mark of maturity in a believer, and it is the first anchor point in our lives.

We examined the story of Peter walking on water, highlighting that when he focused on Jesus and His Word, he was able to walk on the very thing that threatened to consume him. However, when he shifted his focus to the wind and the waves, he began to sink. This teaches us that our stability is not found in the absence of problems but in our unwavering focus on Christ and His righteousness.

We also addressed the importance of repentance and aligning ourselves with God's righteousness. When we repent and turn to God, we are immediately placed on a stable foundation, and we can begin to come out of the waters that have overwhelmed us. This is not a process that takes years; it is an immediate transformation that occurs when we embrace God's mercy and righteousness.

Key Takeaways:

1. Our stability as believers is not determined by the absence of chaos in our lives but by our focus on Christ and His righteousness. When we believe in His Word, it is credited to us as righteousness, providing us with a supernatural stability that allows us to stand firm in the face of adversity. [49:33]

2. Righteousness is the mark of maturity in a believer. It is not about our works or efforts but about our faith in God's promises. When we understand and walk in the righteousness that Christ has provided, we become like oaks of righteousness, unshakable even when the world around us is in turmoil. [42:09]

3. Repentance is a powerful act that aligns us with God's righteousness. It is not about dwelling on our past mistakes but about changing direction and embracing the righteousness that Jesus has secured for us. This act of faith instantly places us on a stable foundation. [43:57]

4. The story of Peter walking on water is a vivid illustration of the importance of keeping our eyes on Jesus. When we focus on Him and His Word, we can walk above the problems that threaten to consume us. But when we become double-minded, giving equal weight to our problems and God's promises, we begin to sink. [51:56]

5. The church must be a place where the anointed Word of God is preached, for it is through this Word that faith comes, and with faith, the stability of righteousness. Where we go to church matters because it is in the house of God that we receive the fresh, daily bread that nourishes our souls and strengthens our foundation in Him. [54:41]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 25:23 (KJV)
> "His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord."

2. Isaiah 54:13-14 (NASB)
> "All your sons will be taught of the Lord; And the well-being of your sons will be great. In righteousness you will be established; You will be far from oppression, for you will not fear; And from terror, for it will not come near you."

3. Romans 4:1-5 (NASB)
> "What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? 'Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.' Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due. But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness."

#### Observation Questions
1. What does the master say to the servant in Matthew 25:23, and what is the significance of this statement? ([21:33])
2. According to Isaiah 54:13-14, what are the benefits of being established in righteousness?
3. In Romans 4:1-5, what is credited to Abraham as righteousness, and why is this significant?
4. How does the story of Peter walking on water illustrate the importance of focusing on Jesus? ([52:08])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of righteousness as described in Romans 4:1-5 challenge the idea that our works can earn us favor with God? ([47:20])
2. What does it mean to be "established in righteousness" according to Isaiah 54:13-14, and how does this provide stability in a believer's life? ([31:05])
3. How does the story of Peter walking on water relate to the idea of maintaining stability in the midst of life's chaos? ([52:08])
4. Why is it important for believers to hear the words "Well done, good and faithful servant" from Jesus, and how does this impact our daily lives? ([21:33])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt unstable in your faith. How did focusing on Jesus help you regain stability? ([52:08])
2. In what ways can you actively seek to be established in righteousness in your daily life? Consider specific actions or habits you can adopt. ([31:05])
3. How can you ensure that your faith is credited as righteousness, similar to Abraham's, rather than relying on your works? ([47:20])
4. Think about the areas in your life where you feel overwhelmed by chaos. How can you apply the lesson from Peter walking on water to maintain your focus on Jesus? ([52:08])
5. What steps can you take to align yourself with God's righteousness through repentance, and how can this bring immediate transformation in your life? ([43:57])
6. How can you support others in your church community to stand firm and be stable in their faith, especially during tumultuous times? ([54:41])
7. Reflect on the importance of hearing an anointed word of God. How can you prioritize attending church and engaging with the sermons to strengthen your foundation in Him? ([54:41])

Devotional

Day 1: Focus on Christ for Stability
Believers often find themselves in the midst of life's chaos, where fear and uncertainty can easily take root. However, the key to stability is not the absence of turmoil but the presence of a singular focus on Christ and His righteousness. When faith in His Word becomes the cornerstone, it is counted as righteousness, and this righteousness provides a supernatural stability. Just as a lighthouse stands firm amidst the raging sea, so too can believers stand firm in adversity by keeping their eyes fixed on Jesus. This focus is not a passive stance but an active trust in the promises of God, which enables one to navigate through life's challenges with confidence and peace. [49:33]

Isaiah 26:3-4 (ESV): "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock."

Reflection: How can you actively focus on Christ today to maintain peace and stability in the midst of your current challenges?

Day 2: Righteousness as Maturity
The journey of faith is marked by a progression towards maturity, and at the heart of this maturity is the understanding of righteousness. Righteousness in the kingdom of God is not about tallying good deeds but is a gift received through faith in the promises of God. It is this righteousness that sets believers apart, making them like oaks of righteousness that stand unshaken despite the chaos of the world. Embracing this truth leads to a life that is deeply rooted in the character of Christ, reflecting His love and grace in every action. This maturity is not an overnight transformation but a daily walk in the assurance of God's Word and the righteousness it bestows. [42:09]

Jeremiah 17:7-8 (ESV): "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit."

Reflection: In what ways can you deepen your understanding of God's righteousness to grow in spiritual maturity?

Day 3: The Power of Repentance
Repentance is often misunderstood as a focus on past failures, but it is truly about realignment and transformation. When one turns to God in repentance, there is an immediate shift onto a stable foundation—God's righteousness. This act of turning away from sin and embracing the righteousness of Christ is powerful and instantaneous, offering a fresh start and a clear path forward. It is a declaration of dependence on God's mercy rather than one's own strength. Through repentance, the overwhelming waters of life recede, and one can stand firm on the solid ground of God's grace and love. [43:57]

Acts 3:19-20 (ESV): "Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus."

Reflection: What is one area in your life where you need to practice repentance, and how can you take a step towards realignment with God's righteousness today?

Day 4: Walking Above Problems
The account of Peter walking on water is a powerful illustration of the believer's ability to rise above life's problems by keeping a steadfast gaze on Jesus. When Peter's focus was on Christ, he did the impossible; but when he looked at the wind and the waves, he began to sink. This story serves as a reminder that believers are called to walk by faith, not by sight, and to trust in God's Word over the intimidating circumstances that surround them. The call is to be single-minded in faith, giving full weight to God's promises and not to the problems at hand. This focus enables one to walk on the very things that threaten to consume them. [51:56]

Hebrews 12:2 (ESV): "Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

Reflection: What 'waves' in your life are you giving too much attention to, and how can you shift your focus back to Jesus and His promises?

Day 5: Nourished by the Anointed Word
The church is not just a gathering place but a spiritual greenhouse where the anointed Word of God is preached, and faith is nurtured. It is within the church that believers receive the sustenance of the daily bread of God's Word, which strengthens their foundation in Him. The importance of being part of a community where the Word is alive and active cannot be overstated, for it is through this Word that faith comes. As faith grows, so does the stability of righteousness in a believer's life, enabling them to flourish and bear fruit for the kingdom of God. [54:41]

Colossians 3:16 (ESV): "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."

Reflection: How can you more actively engage with the preaching and teaching of God's Word in your church community to strengthen your faith and foundation in Christ?

Quotes

"Imagine trying to run when the ground is shaking beneath your feet; you don't have a stable foundation. But with God, you have a ground that nobody else sees, providing you with stability even when the world shakes around you." [43:57] (Download | )

"Righteousness is not about our works but about our faith in God's Word. When we believe in His Word, it is credited to us as righteousness, providing us with a supernatural stability that the world cannot offer." [47:59] (Download | )

"Faith in the word of God makes me stable. Believing what He said credits you as righteous, that credits you as stable, it puts you on a firm foundation." [50:00] (Download | )

"Peter walked on water because he believed in the word and it credited him as righteous, making a shaky foundation stable. But when he became double-minded, he lost that foundation because he stopped believing in the word." [01:04:04] (Download | )

"Righteousness is literally the mark of maturity in a believer. The revelation of righteousness is the mark of maturity, and the church has been as shaky as can be because they have no revelation of righteousness." [32:53] (Download | )

"In righteousness, you will be established. You will be stable and far from oppression, for you will not fear. From terror, it will not come near you. This is the promise of living in righteousness." [34:49] (Download | )

"Righteousness will make you like an oak of righteousness, known for its strength. Walking in your righteousness, you'll be stable, standing firm, and stepping forward with purpose." [38:31] (Download | )

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Transcript
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