Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness
Blessed are They Which Hunger and Thirst after Righteousness: For They Shall be Filled.
Introduction:
1. A good appetite indicates several things.
2. Hunger and thirst indicate normal health.
3. Hunger and thirst satisfy one's appetite.
4. Hunger and thirst provide enjoyment.
5. Hunger and thirst indicate life.
6. In a spiritual sense we need to assess ourselves concerning the blessing of righteousness we should be receiving from God.
7. 2 Corinthians 13:5 - Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
8. What is your spiritual health? Do you have a satisfied spiritual appetite? Does your faith provide you with enjoyment? Are you spiritually alive?
9. These are the questions that Matthew 5:6 can answer.
I) They will be filled
A) Promise of God
1. 2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
2. The fact that God will provide is a foundation of our faith
a. Romans 10:13-17 - For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (14) How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? (15) And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! (16) But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? (17) So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
b. Notice the fact that God tells us that those that call upon the Lord shall be saved.
c. The fact that what God says will happen because He said it to us.
3. Where are you in your faithfulness to God?
a. Do you believe what you hear?
b. Do you rely upon God's blessings?
B) Promise is not vain
1. 1 Timothy 6:6-10 - But godliness with contentment is great gain. (7) For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. (8) And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. (9) But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. (10) For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
2. Hunger and thirst is your appetites
a. These represent your human drives and motivations.
b. These are the things that drive you to do what you want.
c. V. 10 tells us that the love of money is the root of all evil.
(i) This rebuke is based upon what desire is.
(ii) Those whose desire is for money finds themselves in evil.
3. But those driven after righteousness will be filled.
a. I want you to think about what drives you in all areas of your life.
b. Job - provide for missionaries and the church.
c. Home - a place for those around you to get to heaven.
d. Social Aspects - Reprove, Rebuke and Exhort as a means to strengthen ourselves.
4. Matthew 5:6 is a result of Matthew 5:3-5.
a. Poor in spirit depend on something other than themselves.
b. Mournful regret their situation
c. Meek are those who are willing to submit to the will of God.
II) Blessing is Righteousness
A) Not a random blessing from God.
1. God does not gamble.
2. This verse clearly states that the blessing received is righteousness
a. Notice the "I am" statements of Christ.
(i) Each of them indicate the gift of God is righteousness
(ii) Christ is the life, bread, light... etc.
b. The gift God granted to us came by His grace.
(i) Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, (12) Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; (13) Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; (14) Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
(ii) Our blessing then is the opportunity for redemption.
(iii) It is a blessing because this redemption will happen if we obey God.
B) Righteousness - DIKAIOSUNE
1. Definition - a condition of being acceptable before God.
2. Parallel between physical hunger and thirst with spiritual hunger and thirst.
a. We labor for food, raiment, relationships.
b. The fruit of that labor is the blessings of having our bodies fed, clothed, protected from the elements, friendships and families.
c. Should we, then, not labor for our spiritual food, raiment and relationships.
3. This verse demands that you desire God.
a. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. (14) For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
b. Romans 10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
III) What are You Hungry and Thirsty For?
A) Our drive is our hunger and thirst
1. If a sermon goes longer than 20-30 minutes then people get restless.
2. If a Gospel meeting goes past the allotted time people begin to complain.
3. You must desire to be righteousness, being acceptable before God, in the same manner as you do these other appetites.
a. Are you restless when you are not fed the Word of God?
b. Do you complain when the world interferes with your study of God's Word?
c. Are you willing to getup an leave if you do not receive any ways to become righteous.
B) Desires must be trained and developed
1. Fasting was a means of expressing sorrow.
2. Hebrews 5:12-13 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. (13) For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
a. He who uses the first principles alone is unskilled in righteousness
b. Notice the implication found is that we drain ourselves to allow our senses to discern good from evil.
c. 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Conclusion:
1. What do you hunger and thirst for?
2. If it is not righteousness then you have something you need to do.
3. You must repent and be baptized.
4. Of if you have done that but have fallen away then you must repent and confess.
Posted in: Righteousness, Sermon Outlines