2Pt 2:5 Preacher of righteousness Gen 6:9 Noah was a righteous man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God 22 did all commanded

I. Example of Christ

21  For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 22  "Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth"; 23  who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; (cf Isa 53)

II. Efficacy of Christ’s Death

24a  who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree
2Cor 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Isa 53:5 wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.
53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all {v11}

1Pt 3:18  For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, 1Pt 4:18  Now "If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?"

III. Effects of Christ’s Death

24b , that we, being dead  to (being from) sins,

Rm 6:2  (Continue in sin…?) Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?

Rm 6:16 Do you not know that to whom you yield yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?  18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.

Rm 6:11  Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
2Cor 6:17 Therefore "Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.

IV. Expectation of Christ

24c might live for righteousness   Ps 18  Mt 6:33 seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness
Mt 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled (attainable).  Pr 2:1-5 result in 2:20
2Tim 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Acts 10:34 Then Peter said: "God shows no partiality 35 in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him
1Pt 3:12  eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil
2Pt 2:21 better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them
2Pe 3:11 will be dissolved, what manner ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and new earth in which righteousness dwells 14 be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot & blameless;

Titus 2:12 (grace) teaching us that: denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age
Eph 5:9  (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth),
1Cor 15:34 Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.
Heb 11:33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,

1Jn 2:29  If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him. 3:7 let no one deceive
1Jn 3:10 In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.
Rm 14:17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Rm 8:4 righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit

V. Emancipation of Christ

24d  by whose stripes you were healed.    Jn 8:31-32 truth shall make you free!!!

Lk 4:18  "The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed;

Ps 41:4 I said, "LORD, be merciful to me; Heal my soul, for I have sinned against You."

Mt 13:15 the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them

Js 5:16 Confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed…prayer of a righteous man avails much.

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. Do most Christians experience the freedom from sin and righteousness that God intends? Why or why not?
2. What aspects of Christ’s example in vv 22-23 are believers least likely to follow? Why is that? How can we do better?
3. Is sin a choice? Can we be sinning and righteous at the same time? How does “positional” righteousness differ from practical?
4. Is righteousness a choice? How does a fruit of the Spirit differ from a disciplined character trait?
5. How and with whom will you pursue righteousness this week?