SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS #2

By David J. Riggs

Intro.
   A. The "self-righteous" are, as the Lord puts it, "those who trust
      in themselves that they are righteous, and despise others." 
      (Luke 18:9).
   B. Self-righteousness is a sore evil because it is difficult to
      detect.
      1. It is especially hard for us to notice when we are guilty of
         it ourselves.
      2. Many sinners in Jesus' time, repented of their sins.
         a. However, not many of the self-righteous repented. 
            Why didn't they repent?   They did not repent
            because they did not know they were sinners.
         b. Nevertheless, they were sinners and needed help like
            everyone else.
   C. In this lesson, hopefully, we want to give exhortation on
      overcoming and avoiding self-righteousness.

I. WE MUST FOLLOW IN THE STEPS OF JESUS.  1 Pet. 2:21
   A. Jesus loved the self-righteous as well as everyone.
      1. He came to seek and to save the lost, and that includes
         everyone.
      2. Many of His lessons were given for the specific purposes
         of helping the self-righteous.  Luke 18:9
      3. Simple, basic "love" is everywhere commanded in the
         Scriptures, but it is exceedingly difficult to develop.
         a. Love of others is the second great commandment. 
            Matt. 22:39; Rom. 13:8-10
   B. Jesus carefully taught and rebuked the self-righteous.  Matt.
      15:9-14
      1. He knew they were offended by His teaching, but He
         kept teaching them.  Matt. 21:45-46
      2. As time progressed, His rebukes became stronger and
         stronger.  Matt. 23:25-28
         a. He did all this because He loved them, and was
            trying help them.  Matt. 23:37
         b. They should have heeded His word and repented.
   C. We must first diligently seek to avoid self-righteousness in
      ourselves, but when we see self-righteousness in others, we
      must seek to help them as Jesus did.  1 Thess. 5:14; Gal. 6:1
      1. If we do not seek to help, they will not see their self-
         righteousness and will continue in it.
      2. Out of love, Jesus tried to cause the self-righteous to see
         what they were doing to themselves and to others.
         a. Out of genuine love for their souls, we must likewise
            do the same.

II. WE MUST NEVER RENDER AN OPPOSITE RESPONSE.
   A. Extremes often beget extremes.
      1. Some become lukewarm in religion in opposite response
         to the self-righteous.
      2. This is how it comes about.
         a. They see the self-righteous and they don't want to
            be like them.
         b. The self-righteous attend every service, and they
            don't want to be like them, so they become rather
            lax in attendance.
         c. The self-righteous pray every day and boast about it. 
            They don't want to be like them, so they don't pray
            every day.
      3. Thus, they feel that the proper reaction to self-
         righteousness is to be half-hearted, lukewarm Christians.
   B. It is not the zeal and dedication that makes one               
      self-righteous.
      1. It is the attitude behind the zeal and dedication that
         makes a person self-righteous.
         a. Thus, if we want to avoid self-righteousness, we
            cannot run from zeal and dedication.
         b. The Lord expects us to have zeal and dedication. 
            Rom. 12:11; Luke 13:24; 1 Cor. 9:24-15
         c. We need to develop zeal and dedication without the
            self-righteous spirit.

III. AVOID SELF-RIGHTEOUS IN MY OWN LIFE.
   A. Everyone is self-righteous to a certain extent, and it is not
      easy to overcome.
      1. We must conquer self-righteousness in ourselves.  If we
         set a good example in this matter, it will do much in
         leading others in the right way.
   B. We suggest a few things that, hopefully, will help us.
      1. Give God the glory for every accomplishment.  1 Pet.
         4:10-11
         a. God must always receives the glory, not us.
         b. We give Him all the glory, not just with lip service,
            but from within, from the heart.
      2. Never seek our own self glory, or glory from others. 
         Matt. 6:1-4
         a. One of the basic problems of the Pharisees was their
            undue concern for what others thought of them. 
            John 5:44; John 12:42-43
      3. Recognize dependence on Christ.
         a. Were it not for Christ and His death in our behalf,
            every sin and stain would still be with us.
         b. We should never turn from the Lord when we have
            problems, but to the Lord.
         c. When we have difficulties and hardships, no matter
            what they are, we should turn to the Lord for
            wisdom, strength, and comfort.  Phil. 4:13
      4. Consider others better than ourselves.  Phil. 2:3-4;
         Rom. 12:9-10
         a. This simple instruction from God's word will help
            up to keep from looking down our noses at others.
         b. When we are genuinely concerned about the
            problems and needs of our fellow Christians, we will
            not be self-righteous.
         c. Dr. James Dobson, in his book, Hide and Seek,
            spoke of giving a lecture to students which touched
            on the need of helping others who might have
            problems. Dr. Dobson said, "Sitting in the audience
            that same day was another student with the same
            kind of problems. However, he did not write me a
            letter. He never identified himself in any way. But
            three weeks after I left, he hanged himself in the
            basement of his apartment. One of the four young
            men with whom he lived called long distance to
            inform me of the tragedy. The caller, very deeply
            shaken, said that the dead student's roommates were
            so unaware of his problems that he hanged there five
            days before he was missed!"
      5. Keep our eyes in God's mirror.  James 1:22-25
         a. The word of God has a way of showing us our
            faults, and it molds us into what we ought to be. 
            Psalm 19:7-11
         b. We must make an honest, diligent effort in applying
            His word to our lives.
      6. Learn, develop, and practice humility.
         a. One of the glaring, evident problems with the
            Pharisees was lack of humility.
            (1) In His parable against the self-righteous, Jesus
                showed the importance of humility.  Our
                standing before God depends on it.  Luke
                18:9-14
            (2) "Humility" was one of the "weightier matters"
                of the law which the Pharisees omitted.
            (3) We need to learn what humility is, and practice
                it.
      7. We must learn to humbly receive criticism.  Prov. 9:8-
         9; Eccl. 7:5; Psalm 141:5
      8. Be willing to turn the other cheek.  Matt. 5:38-42
         a. This should be applied not only when it is physical,
            but also when it is verbal.
            (1) When we feel insulted, it's easy to give insult.
            (2) When we are accused, it's easy to likewise
                accuse.
            (3) If we are kicked when we are down, it's easy
                to kick back.
      9. Don't be a meticulous fault finder myself.  Mark 7:2
         a. An old Chinese proverb says, "He who is looking for
            faults in his brethren shall surely find them."
         b. The purpose of this lesson is to help each of us as
            individuals to do better.
         c. If we see glaring "self-righteousness" in a brother or
            sister, as Jesus did, we need to try to help.
      10. Show mercy and forgiveness whenever possible. 
          Matt. 9:13
         a. We need to learn God's will so that we can know
            when to rebuke, show mercy, and forgive.
         b. We need to learn God's word so that we will make
            fair and righteous judgments.
      11. Give encouragement to those who continue to try to
          do good.  1 Thess. 1:2-3

Concl.
   A. Let us strive to avoid self-righteousness.
      1. May the Eternal God help us and bless us in this
         endeavor.

Chart: Avoiding Self-Righteousness

1. Give God the glory for every accomplishment.  1 Pet. 4:10-11

2. Never seek our own self glory, or glory from others.  Matt.
   6:1-4

3. Recognize dependence on Christ.  Phil. 4:13

4. Consider others better than ourselves.  Phil. 2:3-4; Rom. 12:9-10

5. Keep our eyes in God's mirror.  James 1:22-25

6. Learn, develop, and practice humility.  Luke 18:9-14

7. We must learn to receive criticism.  Prov. 9:8-9

8. Be willing to turn the other cheek.  Matt. 5:39

9. Don't be a meticulous fault finder myself.  Mark 7:2

10. Show mercy and forgiveness whenever possible.  Matt. 9:13

11. Give encouragement to those who continue to try to do
    good.  1 Thess. 1:2-3