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Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Blessed Are Those Who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness (Matt. 5:6)

                                                                Visit fbcpierz.org/sermons to listen to this sermon.
Outline: Matthew 5:6
  1. The meaning of hungering and thirsting for righteousness
  2. The promise of being satisfied 
Summary: Jesus again invites us to experience deep joy in the Father by telling us about another character quality that attracts the Father's blessing and favor: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." Jesus draws our attention to the common experience of physical hunger and thirst in order to point us to the less common experience of spiritual hunger and thirst.  Spiritual hunger cannot be appeased by food nor can spiritual thirst be quenched by drink.  Rather, Jesus speaks of experiencing intense longings, strong spiritual cravings for righteousness, that is, for God's will to be obeyed and honored.  The blessed person is one who deeply desires the King's way to hold sway in their lives and in the lives of others.  Jesus promises that such a King-sized appetite will be eternally satisfied.  

Discussion Questions:
  • Review: Define "blessed." Beatitudes are invitations, invitations to what? 
  • What is implied in this beatitude that can be a source of freedom for the child of God?
  • What does Jesus mean by hunger and thirst?
    • What can we learn about spiritual hunger and thirst from our experience of physical hunger and thirst? Reflect on a time you've been exceptionally hungry or thirsty.
    • How strong are these cravings of spiritual hunger and thirst that Jesus is speaking of?
    • What does Jesus mean by "righteousness" (cf. 5:10, 20; 6:1; 6:33)?
    • How do acts of righteousness and imputed righteousness relate to one another?
  • What does it mean to be satisfied?
    • What is the relationship between desiring the King's righteousness and being satisfied?
    • What hinders us from being satisfied in Christ? [Hint: fruit snack analogy]
Application Questions:
  • On a scale of 1-10 (1 being never 10 being always) how often to you have these holy cravings?
    • What might this say about your current spiritual state?
    • In what ways do you tend to spoil your appetite for spiritual things?
  • What changes need to be made in your life in order to 1) help you avoid spoiling your appetite for spiritual things and 2) help you increase your desire for the things of God?

Prayer Points:
  • Confess to God ways you have filled yourself with worldly things, thus spoiling your appetite for spiritual things.
  • Thank God for sending us Jesus, Heavenly Bread and Living Water that can truly and eternally satisfy us.
  • Praise God for the promise of full and complete satisfaction that awaits us.
  • Pray that God would help you to avoid things that will spoil your appetite.
  • Pray that God would help you pursue things that will increase your appetite for righteousness.