The righteous will live by faith.

A. Scriptures for this study:

1. I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes:

first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed,

a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written:

"The righteous will live by faith." Romans 1:16-17

2. Ro.14:16-17--> Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil.

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

3. 2 Tim.2:22--> 2:22 Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace,

along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

4. 2 Pet 3:13--> But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.

B. Living the life of the righteous!

1. The steps of becoming a righteous! Romans 10:13-17, Acts 2:21-38.

Preaching the words--> hearing--> faith--> repent--> calling on the name of the Lord in baptism--> sins forgiven -->

receive the gift of the Holy Spirit--> living the life of the righteous.

2. Growing up in salvation in the church! Ac.2:47, 1 Peter 2:1-2

a. The Lord added the saved to the church. Acts 2:47

b. Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.

c. Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace,

along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2 Tim.2:22

d. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. 2 Pet 3:13

3. Each individual is to increase measure of these virtues! 2 Peter 1:5-8

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith courage; and to courage knowledge;

and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;

and to godliness, love for brothers; and to love for brothers, love for all people. '

For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective

and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

C. This is what the churches of Christ is all about! Romans 14:16-19

1. Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil. 14:16

2. For the church of Christ is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 14:17

3. Because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men. 14:18

4. Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. 14:19

5. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8

D. This is not a laughing matter! James 2:20-26

1. You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 2:20

2. Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?

You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 2:21-22

3. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,"

and he was called God's friend. 2:23

4. You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone. 2:24

5. As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. 2:26

6. And now these 3 remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Cor.13:13

7. And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. …

(This is the life of the righteous!)

May the Lord bless you and keep you always! Preaching this on April 8, 2012.

Video: English Cantonese – Recorded 4/15/12