DO YOU KNOW HIM ??  JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU      	Pastor Bob Chroninger 
Trinity C.U.  4-8-01  A.M.   			Jeremiah 23:1-6    		 
	The names of God tell us much about Who He is; What He is like; What He does; How much He 
cares for us.. and many other wonderful things.  The name of God this morning was given at a time when 
Jerusalem was under siege and would be destroyed... but the LORD made some marvelous promises of 
future restoration and blessing.. and then His name would be recognized as THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS... 
I.  THE REASON for RIGHTEOUSNESS.. 
  A. True Righteousness Is Necessary to Have Fellowship With God.. 
    1. Righteousness and Justification are from the same "root"
    2. It is only possible as we "walk in the light.."  1Jn.1:7 
    3. Who can approach God?  "he that has clean hands and a pure heart" Psa.24:3,4 
  B. True Righteousness Is Necessary to Live "Right" 
    1. Righteousness is both a "state" and an "action" 
    2. We are born "sinners"... by ourselves we can neither know God nor live for God.  1Cor.1:18-21 
  C. True Righteousness Is Necessary To Die Right.. 
    1. Look at the Pharisees...  Mt.5:20 - Their "goodness" was commendable.. separated, great religious 
	leaders and teachers.. types of the highest conformity to the Law. Faithful in attending divine 
	worship, practiced public prayer; temperate in eating and drinking; generous, supported the 
	temple; read and studied the sacred scriptures.. 
    2. Listen to Jesus.. Matt 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the 
	righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. 
	- He said there is no hope for us unless we are "better".. 
II.  THE RESOURCE of RIGHTEOUSNESS.. 
  A. True Righteousness is NOT "doing our best" 
    1. Are you comparing yourself with others?   2Cor.10:12 
    2. Are you "as good as.. Pharisees?" 
	- Even if you are... that is NOT Good Enough! 
	- In His pure eyes.. all our "best" is as "filthy rags"  Is.64:6 
	- If this is what He thinks of our "best", what of our "worst"? 
	- In fact.. we are told.. there is none righteous... Ro.3:10 
  B. True Righteousness Is In A Person..  THE LORD IS OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS 
 ** Not the observance of ceremonies (however good they may me) 
    1. Jesus Christ was perfect Righteousness.. in relation to man & God - No one could find fault with Him.. 
	Not His friends; Not His enemies (Luke 23:4,14); Not His executioner (Luke 23:47) 
    2. Jesus Christ Died in our place.. and rose again for us!! 
	- He became my substitute and Yours!  Paid our "sin debt" 
	- He Is Our Righteousness... 
    3. Jesus Christ Provided His Righteousness.. for all... (His Righteousness can become Our Righteousness!!) 
	- 2 Cor 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made 
           the righteousness of God in him. 
	- Romans 5:18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so 
	   by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. (KJV) 
	- 1 Cor 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, 
	   and sanctification, and redemption: (KJV) 
    4. Jesus Christ Makes Us "Right" With God.. 
	- Righteousness... is a "right standing with God" 
	- There is Therefore Now No Condemnation... Ro.8:1
    5. Jesus Christ Helps Us Live "Right" with Mankind.. 
	- If we walk in the light... we have fellowship... 1Jn.1:7 
	- But.. not in sin! 
		- 2 Cor 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship 
	   hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? (KJV) 
III.  THE RECIPIENTS of RIGHTEOUSNESS.. 
  A. It Is NOT Received By "Works".. 
	- Romans 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his 
	   sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. (KJV) 
	- Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his 
	   mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; (KJV) 
	- Romans 10:3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their 
	   own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. (KJV) 
	- Gal 2:21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is 
	   dead in vain. (KJV) 
  B. It Is Received By "Faith".. 
    1. Not "How Much"... but Where.. 
	- Romans 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that  justifieth the ungodly, 
	   his faith is counted for righteousness. (KJV) 
	- Romans 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession 
	   is made unto salvation. 
    2. It is By Faith in His finished Work !! 
	- Romans 3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all 
	   them that believe: for there is no difference: (KJV) 
    3. It is the ONLY Safe Way !! 
	- Phil 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that 
	   which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 

DO YOU REALIZE THAT ALL OF YOUR "RIGHTEOUSNESS" IS AS NOTHING? 
  DO YOU REALIZE THAT HE ALONE IS RIGHTEOUS? 
    DO YOU REALIZE THAT HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS BECOMES YOURS, NOT BY WORKS, BUT 
	BY FAITH IN THE FINISHED WORK OF JESUS CHRIST? 

BELIEVE HIM TODAY... RECEIVE HIM NOW!  JEHOVAH IS OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.