This week we look at the fourth Beatitude, which could be the most heartbreaking for us as citizens of the kingdom of heaven, if we were to actually take it seriously. Are we willing to accept Christ’s implied challenge – do we truly, desperately, frantically hunger and thirst for righteousness in our lives and in the world around us?

 

Scripture Reference

Matthew 5: 6

Sermon Audio

Sermon Notes

Hunger and thirst are extraordinarily powerful forces. When we hunger, we can think of little other than food. When we thirst we become overwhelmingly desperate for a drink. Is that our approach to righteousness?

  1. The Beatitude Explained
    1. Hunger & Thirst – Powerful, desperate longing, singular focus
    2. Righteousness – Holy and upright living, in accordance with God’s standard
    3. Satisfied – This word describes eating/drinking your fill
  2. Do You Hunger for Personal Righteousness? You Will Be Satisfied.
    1. We hunger for many things as Christians – emotions, experiences, spirituality, comfort, learning, doing big things – how many of us truly hunger for personal righteousness?
      1. In addition to seeking forgiveness for our sin and shortcoming, do we desperately yearn to change those behaviors and be truly righteous like Jesus Christ?
      2. Are we willing to do anything to personally live in accordance with God’s standard?
    2. Joseph – a portrait of personal righteousness and the price we must be willing to pay if we really hunger for righteousness.
    3. If we genuinely hunger and thirst for this, we will be satisfied
      1. We will be filled with righteousness if that is what we truly seek (Matthew 6: 33)
      2. One part discipline, one part feeling, plus the work of the Holy Spirit
  3. Do You Hunger for Righteousness in the World? You Will be Satisfied.
    1. The world is full of unrighteousness – racism, oppression, crime, moral decay, poverty, lack of food or safe drinking water. As citizens of God’ s kingdom this should outrage us!
    2. There will be no long-term righteousness in the world apart from the gospel.
      1. We need to stop being surprised and indignant when sinners sin and promote sin
      2. God transforms people and culture – to correct unrighteousness, we must share the gospel
      3. If we’re passionate about righteousness, we need to be passionate about Reaching Out
    3. Do what you can to combat unrighteousness and injustice (Micah 6: 8)
      1. John Wesley’s Rule of Life
      2. If we are faithful to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God, we will be satisfied in Him, even in a fallen world