GROUP FELLOWSHIP SPRING 2002

February 5/7th

THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT’

‘WALKING THE WALK’ – and not merely talking the talk

(2) Matt 5. 17-36 : WALKING IN RIGHTEOUSNESS

INTRODUCTION: ‘’Righteousness’ may not be a word on the lips of 21st century people (except perhaps in the phrase ‘self-righteous’!), but it is a word and concept at the very heart of the Bible and central to the nature and character of God himself and to the Christian’s character and work. Jesus has already mentioned its great importance (5.5). It is about complete moral integrity and goodness of heart and life. God is wholly righteous, demands righteousness, looks for it, will judge it and in Jesus bestows it on us and makes it possible for us. The whole of this next big section of the Sermon (5.17-48) is about it.

• THE PURSUIT OF PERSONAL RIGHTEOUSNESS; 5.17-21

(The Christian will be concerned for social righteousness, but here Jesus speaks of ‘your righteousness’(5.20) and it is personal. In 5.5 he has spoken of hungering and thirsting for this personal goodness of life.)

• How does the righteousness Jesus expects of us as his disciples compare to that demanded by the OT moral Law? (And does this surprise you?)
• In what esteem did Jesus hold the OT moral laws? And what big difference did his coming make to them?
• 5.20. Why would the things Jesus said in this verse have amazed his hearers?

• THE PRACTICE OF PERSONAL RIGHTEOUSNESS 5.21-37

• 5.21-26: Righteousness in personal relationships
• In what ways does Jesus’ teaching about this go deeper and how is it more demanding than the OT Law?
• What do these verses have to tell us about wrong attitudes to others affecting our relationship with God?
• In what ways do these verses bring home the great seriousness of right and good living in theses areas of our relationships? (How seriously do we Christians take Jesus’ words?)
• Talk together about any questions Jesus’ words raise in your minds or any practical issues that arise from it.
• 5.27-32: Righteousness in sexual and marital relationships
• In what way does Jesus again heighten the standards and deepen the idea of righteous living in these areas? (Over those of the OT Law? Over those of the secular world?)
• What is the point Jesus is making so graphically in verses 29 –30?
• Do you understand and agree with the need for such ‘ruthlessness’ and self–discipline?

(What sort of things might we have to "cut out" of our lives to avoid falling into temptation?)

• 5.30-31: How does Jesus again go beyond the OT Law in the principles he sets over marriage and divorce?
• What (from these verses) is our Lord’s attitude to divorce? And to re-marriage?
• 5.33-37: Righteousness in our verbal assertions
• What does Jesus have to teach about oaths?
• What exactly was ‘an oath’?
• Why are oaths of any sort between two private individuals totally unnecessary for disciples of Jesus? (Does this apply to oaths taken in court??)
• How important is total and continual truth-filled living? Why? How big a priority for the Christian?

- Is it possible?

• Is it an unbreakable standard for you?

QUESTION: HOW PASSIONATE AM I ABOUT RIGHTEOUSNESS?

Jesus said: ‘Blessed are they who hunger for righteousness’