{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"FA Church","title":"Heart Level Righteousness - Ben Johnson | First Assembly Church","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":1834,"description":"This past Sunday, our Lead Pastor, Ben Johnson, preached a message entitled “Heart Level Righteousness.” Pastor Ben reminded us that true righteousness goes beyond outward behaviour and begins in the heart, because “above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Proverbs 4:23). Walking through Matthew 5, he showed how Jesus calls us deeper — addressing anger, lust, dishonesty, retaliation, and even how we treat our enemies — revealing that God is after inward transformation, not just external obedience. Pastor Ben encouraged us to live with integrity, purity, and love. Reflecting the character of our heavenly Father. Ultimately, this kind of righteousness is only possible through Jesus, as we receive His righteousness by faith and loving on others because He first loved us.✍️ Notes Proverbs 4:23 (NIV) “Above all else, guard your heart for everything you do flows from it.”Matthew 5:20 (NIV) For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Phariseesand the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.Matthew 5:21-22 (NIV) “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. Matthew 5:27-30 (NIV) “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/2rS6CncygjSrU4_eAytDXGn13c_aC8wKWWeu0LjCRnQ/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS81OTgy/MDQxMzg5MTZiY2M3/MzMxYjY2OWU4N2U0/ZTA0Ni5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}