“Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven”

Matthew 5:20

‍

In this Sunday’s message, we’re faced with the shocking truth of Jesus’ words. A call to a righteousness so deep and real that it shakes every false hope we cling to. Pastor Josh Kelsey reminds us that Jesus isn’t talking about just trying harder or doing better. He’s calling us to a heart transformation that only He can give.

‍

The Shock of Jesus’ Words

• Jesus challenges superficial, performance-based righteousness.
• True righteousness must come from the heart, not just outward actions.
• This disrupts our comfortable assumptions about what “being good” means.
• It invites us into a deeper, transformational relationship with God.

The Crushing Standard

• When Jesus says, “Be perfect,” He’s using the Greek word τέλειος (teleios) which means complete, whole, mature, lacking nothing.
• God’s call to holiness reflects His own flawless character (Leviticus 19:2).
• Jesus raises the bar to God’s perfect love and moral beauty.
• This standard is impossible to reach on our own.
• It humbles us and reveals our need for divine help.

The Hope of Comparison: “I’m More Righteous Than Most"

• Back then, Pharisees were the gold standard. People looked to them and said, “At least I’m better than them.” But Jesus crushes that hope.
• Your standard isn’t anyone else, it’s God.
• Comparing ourselves to others is a false hope that keeps us stuck.
• Jesus dismantles the idea that others can be our measuring stick.
• Our true standard is God’s perfect holiness.
• This humbles pride and invites genuine self-examination.

The Hope of Self-Reliance: “If I Try Harder, I Can Make It”

• By setting the bar at perfection, Jesus wipes away any illusion that we can save ourselves by effort or willpower.
• No matter how hard you try, you can’t reach that standard on your own.
• Self-salvation is a common but dangerous illusion.
• Trying harder only leads to frustration and brokenness.
• Jesus removes any room for earning salvation by works.
• This points us to fully relying on Him.

How Jesus Ends Self-Salvation and Changes the Heart

• Jesus isn’t lowering the bar so we can sneak in. He’s raising it so high that we realize there’s no way we can make it except by His grace. Philippians 3:9
• Through the cross and resurrection, Jesus does three life-changing things for us:

The Root Problem Isn’t Just Bad Behavior, It’s a Self-Saving Heart

• We build our identity on ourselves, trying to be our own saviors.
• This shows up as rebellion or religious effort.
• Jesus confronts this heart issue, not just surface behavior.

Jesus Confronts the Illusion of “Good Enough”

• By setting the bar at God’s perfection, He shatters every excuse.
• We realize self-made ladders collapse before His holiness.
• This humbles us and strips away false confidence.

The Cross: Tearing Down Self-Salvation

• Jesus absorbs the full weight of guilt and shame for us.
• The dividing wall between God and us is torn down forever.
• The system of earning favor is ended once and for all.

The Resurrection: Giving Us a New Heart

• Jesus gives us a heart alive with His Spirit.
• Obedience now flows from love and gratitude, not fear.
• We live from the truth that we already belong to God.

The Confrontation

• To the proud: “Your checklist righteousness isn’t enough.”
• To the weary: “The standard is God’s own heart.”
• To everyone: “You need a righteousness you can’t produce but I can give it.”
• Stop comparing yourself to others; the only standard is God’s perfect holiness.
• Let this truth lead you to Christ and His grace, not to despair.
• Live from the inside out, rooted in God’s righteousness through Jesus.

‍Discussion Questions

• In what ways might you be relying on your own efforts to earn God’s approval rather than resting in His finished work on the cross?
• How do you react when you hear that God’s standard is perfection? Does it overwhelm or humble you? Why?
• What are some “false ladders” or excuses you’ve used to justify feeling “good enough” before God?
• How can we practically live out the truth that our righteousness is a gift from Christ, not something we earn?
• When do you find yourself comparing your spiritual progress to others? How can shifting your focus to Christ alone change that?
• How does the new heart Jesus gives change your daily walk and obedience?