Hunger for Righteousness: Embracing the Beatitudes
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound truths found in the Beatitudes, specifically focusing on the call to hunger and thirst for righteousness and to be merciful. These teachings challenge our conventional understanding of happiness and blessedness, urging us to find our identity and fulfillment in Christ rather than in material prosperity or societal status. The Beatitudes serve as a spiritual autobiography for believers, outlining the characteristics that should define our lives as followers of Jesus.
We began by reflecting on the parable of the unforgiving servant, reminding ourselves of the immense debt of sin that Christ has forgiven on our behalf. This sets the stage for understanding the Beatitudes as a call to live in a way that reflects the kingdom of God. The world often equates happiness with wealth and success, but Jesus turns this notion on its head, teaching that true blessedness comes from a life aligned with God's values and purposes.
Righteousness, as described in the Beatitudes, is not about self-righteousness or moral superiority. It is a gift we receive through faith in Christ, a transformation that changes our spiritual appetites. When we truly hunger and thirst for righteousness, it is evidence of the Spirit's work in our lives, drawing us closer to God's heart. This pursuit requires us to examine our lives, to identify and remove anything that dulls our spiritual senses, and to cultivate a deep desire for the things of God.
Mercy, another key aspect of the Beatitudes, calls us to extend compassion and forgiveness to others, even when we have the right to seek retribution. This reflects the mercy we have received from God and challenges us to live out our faith in tangible ways. The Beatitudes remind us that our actions should flow from our identity in Christ, not the other way around. As we embrace these truths, we are empowered to live lives that display the kingdom of God to the world around us.
Key Takeaways:
- The Beatitudes challenge our understanding of happiness, teaching that true blessedness is found in a life aligned with God's kingdom values, not in material wealth or societal status. [39:09]
- Righteousness is a gift received through faith in Christ, transforming our spiritual appetites and drawing us closer to God's heart. It is not about self-righteousness or moral superiority. [45:18]
- To hunger and thirst for righteousness, we must examine our lives, remove anything that dulls our spiritual senses, and cultivate a deep desire for the things of God. [49:58]
- Mercy calls us to extend compassion and forgiveness to others, reflecting the mercy we have received from God. This challenges us to live out our faith in tangible ways. [57:52]
- Our actions should flow from our identity in Christ, not the other way around. Embracing the Beatitudes empowers us to live lives that display the kingdom of God to the world. [01:03:17]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[37:11] - Opening Prayer
[39:09] - The Way of the Kingdom
[41:53] - Examining Our Lives
[43:13] - Reading Matthew 5:6-7
[45:18] - Understanding Righteousness
[47:23] - Evidence of Spiritual Hunger
[49:58] - Dulling Spiritual Appetites
[52:04] - Continuous Hunger for Righteousness
[53:57] - The Importance of Gathering
[54:49] - Gospel Truth in the Beatitudes
[57:52] - The Call to Mercy
[01:00:53] - Personal Story of Mercy
[01:03:17] - Summary of the Beatitudes
[01:05:08] - Finding Joy in Christ
[01:06:32] - Closing Prayer and Lord's Supper
[01:20:22] - Lord's Supper Reflection
[01:21:26] - Announcements and Dismissal
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Beatitudes
Bible Reading:
- Matthew 5:6-7
Observation Questions:
1. What does it mean to "hunger and thirst for righteousness" according to the sermon? How is this different from self-righteousness? [45:18]
2. How does the parable of the unforgiving servant relate to the Beatitudes, particularly the call to be merciful? [37:11]
3. What are some examples given in the sermon of things that can dull our spiritual appetites? [49:58]
4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between our identity in Christ and our actions? [54:49]
Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the Beatitudes challenge our conventional understanding of happiness and success? [39:09]
2. How does the concept of righteousness as a gift through faith in Christ change the way believers should view their spiritual journey? [45:18]
3. What does the sermon imply about the importance of mercy in the life of a believer, and how does this reflect the mercy received from God? [57:52]
4. How does the sermon suggest believers should respond to the world's view of happiness and success? [41:53]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you are seeking happiness in material wealth or societal status rather than in God's kingdom values? How can you realign your focus? [39:09]
2. Identify something in your life that dulls your spiritual appetite. What steps can you take this week to remove or minimize its influence? [49:58]
3. Think of a situation where you have the right to seek retribution. How can you choose to extend mercy instead, reflecting the mercy you have received from God? [57:52]
4. How can you cultivate a deeper hunger and thirst for righteousness in your daily life? What practical steps can you take to draw closer to God's heart? [52:04]
5. Consider your actions and how they reflect your identity in Christ. Are there areas where your actions are not aligned with your faith? What changes can you make to better display the kingdom of God to those around you? [54:49]
6. How can you incorporate the practice of examining your life, as suggested in the sermon, into your regular spiritual routine? What questions will you ask yourself to ensure you are living in alignment with your faith? [41:53]
7. Reflect on a recent interaction where you could have shown more mercy. How might you approach a similar situation differently in the future, based on the teachings of the Beatitudes? [57:52]
Devotional
I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:
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Day 1: True Blessedness in God's Kingdom
The Beatitudes challenge the conventional understanding of happiness by teaching that true blessedness is found in a life aligned with God's kingdom values, rather than in material wealth or societal status. This perspective invites believers to redefine what it means to be truly happy and blessed. Instead of seeking fulfillment in temporary and worldly achievements, the Beatitudes call for a deeper, spiritual alignment with God's purposes. This alignment is not about external success but about internal transformation and living out the values of the kingdom of God. By embracing this teaching, believers are encouraged to find their identity and fulfillment in Christ, which leads to a more profound and lasting sense of joy and contentment. [39:09]
"Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart." (Psalm 119:2, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you seeking happiness through worldly means, and how can you begin to align these areas with God's kingdom values today?
Day 2: Righteousness as a Gift
Righteousness, as described in the Beatitudes, is not about self-righteousness or moral superiority. It is a gift received through faith in Christ, which transforms our spiritual appetites and draws us closer to God's heart. This transformation is evidence of the Spirit's work in our lives, changing our desires and aligning them with God's will. As believers, we are called to hunger and thirst for righteousness, which means actively seeking to live in a way that reflects God's character and values. This pursuit requires a willingness to examine our lives, identify anything that dulls our spiritual senses, and cultivate a deep desire for the things of God. [45:18]
"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." (Romans 14:17, ESV)
Reflection: What specific habits or attitudes in your life are dulling your spiritual senses, and how can you begin to change them to cultivate a deeper hunger for righteousness?
Day 3: Cultivating Spiritual Hunger
To hunger and thirst for righteousness, believers must examine their lives, remove anything that dulls their spiritual senses, and cultivate a deep desire for the things of God. This process involves a conscious effort to prioritize spiritual growth and to seek God's presence in everyday life. It is about developing a continuous longing for God's righteousness and allowing that longing to shape our actions and decisions. By doing so, believers can experience a deeper connection with God and a more profound understanding of His will for their lives. [49:58]
"As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God." (Psalm 42:1-2, ESV)
Reflection: What practical steps can you take today to cultivate a deeper spiritual hunger and thirst for God's righteousness in your daily life?
Day 4: The Call to Mercy
Mercy, as highlighted in the Beatitudes, calls believers to extend compassion and forgiveness to others, reflecting the mercy they have received from God. This call challenges believers to live out their faith in tangible ways, demonstrating God's love and grace to those around them. By choosing mercy over retribution, believers can embody the values of the kingdom of God and make a positive impact on the world. This call to mercy is not just about forgiving others but also about actively seeking opportunities to show compassion and kindness in everyday interactions. [57:52]
"Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful." (Luke 6:36, ESV)
Reflection: Think of someone in your life who needs your compassion and forgiveness. How can you extend mercy to them today in a way that reflects God's love?
Day 5: Identity in Christ
The Beatitudes remind believers that their actions should flow from their identity in Christ, not the other way around. Embracing this truth empowers believers to live lives that display the kingdom of God to the world. By understanding their identity in Christ, believers can find the strength and motivation to live according to God's values and purposes. This identity shapes their actions, decisions, and interactions with others, allowing them to be a light in the world and to reflect God's love and grace in all they do. [01:03:17]
"For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God." (Colossians 3:3, ESV)
Reflection: How does your understanding of your identity in Christ influence your daily actions and decisions? What changes can you make to ensure your actions consistently reflect this identity?
Quotes
"Father, that is our story. I pray that we would be men and women, boys and girls, who are in a very, very moral sense of awe and worship and amazement at the reality that happened 2,000 years ago on the cross that Christ was the substitute, the lamb of God that took away the sins of the world, was buried and picked his life back up three days later, conquering sin, Satan, and death." [00:36:26] (26 seconds)
"And Father, that our lives, that the posture of our lives would be one where we find hope and joy, meaning, purpose, forgiveness, our identity in you. As we read the word, as I preach the word, as the word is preached, may we listen with attentive, ready hearts, Holy Spirit, may you give us soft, receptive hearts." [00:37:11] (26 seconds)
"Rich people, people who have nice jobs, nice houses, they're blessed and everybody else who doesn't have that, somehow, they've experienced somehow God's wrath or punishment. And that was the audience then and oftentimes, that's the audience today as we walk through this text. This is the biography of a Christian." [00:39:28] (19 seconds)
"I don't want to be persecuted. I don't want to grieve over my own sin. I just gotta tell you, if nobody else is gonna tell you, you need to examine your life to see if you are in Christ. If you're a believer in Jesus, if you're finding yourself saying, outright rejecting it, I do not want this way." [00:40:13] (17 seconds)
"To mourn over your sin, to be humble or contrite in spirit, to thirst or hunger for righteousness, to be meek. These are not natural. These are not natural proclivities or inclinations of people. This is indicative of a person who's repented of their sins, believed upon Christ, and the Spirit of God has taken up residence in your life and you long for these things in your life because you understand, I want what Jesus wants. This is the way of the kingdom." [00:41:53] (28 seconds)
"Take a moment and discern. Where is my heart? The heart's the real you. Publicly, privately, your affections, your values, your words, your actions, your thoughts, your motives. Your heart is the real you. Take a moment and examine your life. Ponder, evaluate, and discern. Where is my life? Okay? Every time the word is preached, we have an opportunity to move closer and to live out the things. We have an opportunity to live out the things of God or to remain where we are." [00:43:53] (30 seconds)
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. I'm not gonna tell you what you need. You should do, but I know for me, and I imagine no temptation that sees you, Nate, but that which is common to men, women, and boys, and girls. So what I struggle with, I gotta imagine and believe, based upon the Scriptures, there's some solidarity in the room. I know that technology and social media and Amazon and Netflix and Hulu and Reddit, they work against you and I, hungering and thirsting for righteousness. Can I get an amen? Yes." [00:50:54] (31 seconds)
"And what it does is all these things we just scroll, scroll through social media, scroll through Netflix, scroll through Amazon Prime, and we want instantaneous gratification. And then we have a problem. Well, I've been walking with, I've been reading my Bible for three days, and I've been talking to you, how come I don't feel joy and this blessed happiness? We live in a world where you get anything you want at the click of a button, and we think Jesus is like that. You gotta develop disciplines. You gotta develop an appetite for the things of Christ. It's a new year." [00:51:56] (32 seconds)
"Jesus has changed me so that I can actually live in a way where I'm merciful and kind and gracious and seek to bring relief and kindness to people's life rather than compound it by my actions. And let me, real quickly, summarize. Let me summarize the Beatitudes, and then I want to close with a time where we want to ask you just to really lean in, and what do we need to believe and do as we ask that question every week? How do I summarize the Beatitudes? Here they are." [01:02:21] (29 seconds)
"Jesus bases happiness on a relationship with God. Self-realization about God and his ways. Blessedness, fulfillment, happiness is based upon God and his ways. It works against what the world says. The world says you need self-realization. It's about you. It's about awakening to your inner special light. And God says, no, no, it doesn't start with you. It starts with God. And Jesus says the way of happiness, the way of being blessed, the way of deep joy actually starts not with morality, not with principles, not with maxims, not with characteristics. It's actually devotion to a person." [01:04:20] (37 seconds)
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