Righteousness: Living Out Our Faith Through Relationships
Summary
In our journey through the Gospel of Luke, we have encountered a profound truth that resonates deeply with the heart of our faith: righteousness is not merely a private affair between us and God, but it is intrinsically linked to our relationships with others. Righteousness begins with a right relationship with God, but it must be expressed in right relationships with others. This is the essence of the message we find in Luke Chapter 13, where Jesus confronts the religious leaders of His time for their failure to help those in need, despite their meticulous observance of religious rituals.
Jesus calls out the evil in ignoring the needs of others, even when we appear righteous on the outside. He illustrates this with the parable of the narrow door, warning that many who believe they are secure in their relationship with God will find themselves locked out of the kingdom because they have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness.
The kingdom of God is likened to a mustard seed and yeast, both small and seemingly insignificant, yet they grow and permeate everything they touch. Our small acts of righteousness, like these, have a profound impact on the world around us. They are the seeds of faith that grow into a sheltering tree or the yeast that leavens the whole loaf. Our actions, whether positive or negative, infiltrate every area of our lives and the lives of those around us.
We are called to see others as Jesus sees them, to recognize their value as individuals for whom Christ died. This perspective should transform how we interact with everyone, even those we find difficult or disagree with. We are to be curious, receptive, and generous, striving to understand their views and values, recognizing them as people made in the image of God.
Our church has a reputation for loving and supporting one another, and we are encouraged to continue in this good work. We are to invite others into this loving community, seeing them as individuals of great value to Jesus. As we strive to live out our righteousness in both our vertical relationship with God and our horizontal relationships with others, we must be vigilant against any evil tendencies in our hearts, always seeking to align ourselves with God's will.
Key Takeaways:
- Righteousness is not a solitary pursuit but is demonstrated through our actions towards others. When we encounter someone in need, our response should not be indifference but active compassion. This is the true measure of our relationship with God. [39:20]
- The parable of the narrow door serves as a stark reminder that our time is finite. We must not delay in aligning our lives with God's will, for the moment may come when it is too late to enter the kingdom. This urgency should propel us to live each day with purpose and intentionality. [30:26]
- Small acts of righteousness, like the mustard seed and yeast, have the power to transform. They are the tangible expressions of our faith that can nourish, protect, and influence the world around us. Let us be mindful of the seeds we sow and the impact they have on our journey and the journeys of others. [15:23]
- Seeing others through the lens of Christ's sacrifice changes our interactions. When we view every person as someone Jesus died for, it challenges us to treat them with the dignity and love they deserve, regardless of our differences. This perspective is transformative and aligns us with God's heart. [36:41]
- Striving in our relationship with God is akin to striving in any significant relationship. It requires effort, commitment, and a willingness to grow. Our salvation is not based on works, but our response to God's grace should be one of active pursuit of His will for our lives. [28:22]
Remember, the essence of our faith is not found in religious observance alone but in the love and service we extend to one another, reflecting the heart of Jesus Christ, our Savior.
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 13:22-30 - The Parable of the Narrow Door
2. Matthew 5:6 - "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."
3. Luke 13:18-21 - The Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast
#### Observation Questions
1. In Luke 13:22-30, what does Jesus mean by the "narrow door"? How does this relate to the urgency of aligning our lives with God's will? [24:12]
2. According to Matthew 5:6, what does it mean to "hunger and thirst for righteousness"? How does this hunger manifest in our daily lives? [01:44]
3. In the parables of the mustard seed and the yeast (Luke 13:18-21), what do these small items represent, and how do they illustrate the impact of our actions? [12:21]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of the "narrow door" challenge common perceptions of salvation and righteousness? What does this imply about the nature of true discipleship? [24:12]
2. Reflecting on Matthew 5:6, how can we cultivate a deeper hunger and thirst for righteousness in our lives? What practical steps can we take to pursue this? [01:44]
3. The parables of the mustard seed and the yeast suggest that small acts can have significant impacts. How can this understanding change the way we approach our daily interactions and decisions? [12:21]
#### Application Questions
1. Think about a time when you had the means to help someone but chose not to. How did that decision affect your relationship with God and others? What can you do differently next time? [06:03]
2. Jesus calls ignoring the needs of others "evil" (Luke 13:22-30). How can you be more attentive to the needs of those around you, especially within your church community? [06:40]
3. Reflect on the parable of the mustard seed. Identify a small act of kindness or righteousness you can commit to this week. How do you think this act might grow and impact others? [12:21]
4. How can you strive to see others as Jesus sees them, especially those you find difficult to love or understand? What practical steps can you take to view them through the lens of Christ's sacrifice? [36:41]
5. The sermon emphasized the importance of aligning our vertical relationship with God and our horizontal relationships with others. What specific actions can you take to improve both aspects of your righteousness? [03:35]
6. Considering the urgency of the parable of the narrow door, what changes do you need to make in your life to ensure you are living with purpose and intentionality? [24:12]
7. How can you incorporate the practice of "seeing" others, as described in the sermon, into your daily routine? What difference do you think this will make in your relationships and community? [36:04]
This guide is designed to help your small group delve deeper into the themes of righteousness, compassion, and the transformative power of small acts of faith as presented in the sermon. Use these questions to foster meaningful discussion and personal reflection.
Devotional
Day 1: Compassion Reflects True Righteousness
True righteousness extends beyond personal piety to include compassionate action towards those in need. It is not enough to maintain a facade of religious observance; one must also engage in the practical care and support of others. This is a reflection of a heart that is in tune with God's own heart for humanity. When encountering someone in need, the response should not be one of indifference but rather one of active compassion. This is the true measure of a relationship with God, as it mirrors His love and concern for all His creation.
"Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered." - Proverbs 21:13 ESV
Reflection: Who is someone in your life that is in need, and how can you offer them practical support this week? [39:20]
Day 2: The Urgency of God's Kingdom
The parable of the narrow door serves as a stark reminder that the opportunity to align one's life with God's will is not indefinite. Time is finite, and there may come a moment when it is too late to enter the kingdom. This urgency should propel believers to live each day with purpose and intentionality, ensuring that their lives reflect God's will and that they are not caught unprepared when the time comes to stand before the narrow door.
"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." - Ephesians 5:15-16 ESV
Reflection: What is one way you can live more intentionally today to align your life with God's will? [30:26]
Day 3: Transformative Power of Small Acts
Small acts of righteousness can have a profound impact on the world, much like the mustard seed and yeast in Jesus' parables. These acts are the tangible expressions of faith that can nourish, protect, and influence the world around us. Believers are encouraged to be mindful of the seeds they sow through their actions, as they have the potential to grow into something much larger than themselves, affecting not only their own journey but also the journeys of others.
"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." - Galatians 6:9 ESV
Reflection: What is one small act of kindness you can perform today that might have a larger impact than you realize? [15:23]
Day 4: Seeing Others Through Christ's Sacrifice
Viewing others through the lens of Christ's sacrifice transforms interactions and challenges believers to treat everyone with the dignity and love they deserve. Recognizing each person as someone for whom Jesus died fosters a sense of shared value and encourages the extension of grace and understanding, even towards those with whom one might disagree. This perspective is transformative and aligns one's heart with God's heart.
"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience." - Colossians 3:12 ESV
Reflection: How can you show kindness and understanding to someone you disagree with this week? [36:41]
Day 5: Active Pursuit of God's Will
Striving in a relationship with God requires effort, commitment, and a willingness to grow. While salvation is not based on works, the response to God's grace should be one of active pursuit of His will for one's life. This pursuit is akin to striving in any significant relationship and is a testament to the believer's desire to live in accordance with God's plan and purpose.
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." - James 1:22 ESV
Reflection: What is one area of your spiritual life where you can put more effort into seeking and doing God's will? [28:22]
Quotes
1) "Righteousness is married to your relationship with God and is expressed in your relationship with others. Jesus calls it evil when you have the means and the ability to help somebody and you don't." [06:03](Download | Download)
2) "An evil person can look right on the outside but be very wicked in their heart. Jesus witnessed this evil and purposefully calls it evil because that's what Jesus calls it." [06:40](Download | Download)
3) "The small choices direct your lifelong journey. Small choices, like yeast, permeate every aspect of your life and aren't easily eradicated." [22:14](Download | Download)
4) "Mustard seeds, small acts of righteousness, express a life of faith. Years from now, you're growing and developing, and because God is growing you, other people are being nourished and protected." [15:23](Download | Download)
5) "When you have the means and the ability to help somebody and you don't, Jesus doesn't say it's a mistake. He calls it evil." [07:23](Download | Download)
6) "The kingdom of God is like yeast a woman used in baking bread. Even though she only put in a little yeast, it permeated every part of the dough." [17:07](Download | Download)
7) "If you see someone with the value that the Lord was willing to die for them, can you suffer along with them for a moment or two? Can you walk with them?" [38:02](Download | Download)
8) "Being righteous with God is exceedingly important, but being righteous with God is expressed in right relationship with others. It is evil to say that you have a right relationship with God and then be unwilling to help someone else who has a need." [38:39](Download | Download)
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