From: Ritual To: Righteousness

Matthew 15:1-20 and Matthew 5:1-6

The points and questions:

1. Righteousness begins with hunger, not habit.
2. Tradition must never outdo truth.
3. God looks at the heart, not the hands.
4. What comes out reveals what’s within.
5. Righteousness is a journey, not a performance.

Questions from the sermon this week:

Is my pursuit of righteousness driven by routine—or by real hunger for God’s presence? 

What spiritual habits have become empty rituals in my life, and how can I rekindle a genuine thirst for God's truth?

Have I ever elevated tradition above truth in my walk with God?

 What customs or expectations have I accepted without testing them against Scripture?

Am I more focused on what I do for God—or on who I am before Him?

Are my outward actions a true reflection of an inward hunger for righteousness?

When I speak in moments of stress or conflict, what do my words reveal about the condition of my heart? 

Am I willing to let God transform what’s within so that what comes out reflects His righteousness?

Am I chasing righteousness to impress others—or to grow closer to God? 

How can I embrace the journey of righteousness with grace, patience, and trust in God’s timing?