Introduction

Good morning, church family! Today, we reflect on a powerful message from Matthew 5:6, where Jesus says, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” This sermon challenges us to examine our deepest desires and align them with God’s will. Let’s dive into the essence of this teaching and explore how we can apply it to our lives.

What Do You Truly Want?

Reflecting on Our Desires

Imagine you could have one wish granted. What would it be? A million dollars? A new car? A better house? Perhaps something for your family or even world peace? These desires reveal much about our priorities. But how do they align with Jesus’ call to hunger and thirst for righteousness?

Understanding Hunger and Thirst

In the context of Matthew 5:6, hunger means a grave need for food, akin to starving to death. Thirst, similarly, is a painful longing for satisfying drink. These terms illustrate a deep, almost desperate desire. Jesus uses these powerful metaphors to describe the intensity with which we should seek righteousness.

Defining Righteousness

What is Righteousness?

Righteousness is being acceptable to and approved by God in our behavior, integrity, virtue, purity of life, and correctness of thinking, feeling, and acting. None of us can claim to be completely righteous, but Jesus calls us to hunger and thirst for it.

Prioritized Desire Over Practice

Jesus emphasizes that it’s not about being righteous but about desiring righteousness. This beatitude is about our internal longing and pursuit of God’s will, rather than our external behavior.

Jesus as Our Example

Jesus’ Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness

In John 6:38, Jesus says, “For I have come down from heaven not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me.” Similarly, in John 4, He states, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.” Jesus exemplifies a life driven by the desire to fulfill God’s will.

The Challenge of Application

Understanding this beatitude is straightforward, but applying it is challenging. It requires us to evaluate our desires and make intentional choices that align with God’s righteousness.

Four Questions for Self-Reflection

1. Does Your Greatest Desire Make You More or Less Like Jesus?

Reflect on your deepest desires. Do they lead you closer to Jesus or away from Him? This question helps us identify whether our pursuits align with our faith.

2. How Often Are You Intentionally Pursuing Righteousness?

Consider your daily routine. Do you wake up with the intention to be more like Jesus? How often do you prioritize righteousness in your schedule?

3. Are You Allowing Anything in Your Life That Causes Unrighteousness?

Identify relationships, habits, or activities that lead you away from righteousness. This includes unfiltered access to the internet, which can be a source of temptation and distraction.

4. When Was the Last Time You Made a Life Choice Motivated by a Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness?

Think about the last time you made a decision specifically to pursue righteousness. Why is it difficult to recall such moments? This question challenges us to make righteousness a more frequent and intentional pursuit.

Life Application

Living Out the Beatitude

To truly live out this beatitude, we must make righteousness a priority in our lives. This week, challenge yourself to:

1. **Evaluate Your Desires**: Reflect on what you truly want and how it aligns with God’s will.

2. **Pursue Righteousness Intentionally**: Make a conscious effort to seek righteousness in your daily activities.

3. **Eliminate Unrighteous Influences**: Identify and remove anything in your life that leads you away from God.

4. **Make Righteous Choices**: Actively make decisions that reflect a hunger and thirst for righteousness.

Questions for Reflection

– Does your greatest desire make you more or less like Jesus?

– How often are you intentionally pursuing righteousness in your life?

– Are you continually allowing anything in your life that is causing unrighteousness?

– When was the last time you intentionally made a life choice where hunger and thirst for righteousness was the motivating factor?

Conclusion

Hungering and thirsting for righteousness is a profound call to align our deepest desires with God’s will. As we strive to live out this beatitude, we will find true satisfaction in the presence and guidance of Jesus. Let’s commit to making righteousness a priority in our lives and experience the fulfillment that comes from walking closely with our Savior.