Transformative Hunger: Pursuing Righteousness in Christ
Summary
The sermon, titled "Still Hungry," explores the concept of spiritual hunger and the pursuit of righteousness, as Jesus taught in Matthew 5:1-11. The speaker emphasizes the transformative power of hungering and thirsting for righteousness, promising that such desires will be fulfilled. A personal narrative reveals the speaker's initial resistance to God's calling, influenced by their mother's involvement in women's ministries.
The divisive nature of Jesus' message is highlighted through Matthew 10:34-39, where Jesus states He came not to bring peace but a sword. The speaker explains that following Jesus may require choosing Him over family and bearing the cross, which involves carrying the weight of self-centered desires and recognizing one's guilt. The concept of being on trial before God is introduced, where evidence of one's conviction is examined.
The importance of prioritizing God above all else is stressed, with the speaker urging the audience to fully surrender to God and allow Him to be the Lord of their lives. The condition of the heart is deemed crucial, and the speaker reassures that God's love is not contingent on perfection but on the desire to be perfected in Him.
Marriage is discussed as a reflection of the relationship between God and His people, emphasizing the need to draw near to the Lord and pursue the narrow path of salvation with gratitude and hunger for God. The commitment and sacrifice required to be a disciple of Jesus are underscored.
The speaker warns against allowing others to influence one's faith negatively, especially during trials, and encourages faithfulness to God. They remind the audience that trials are opportunities for growth and that a genuine relationship with God involves aligning one's heart with Him.
The sermon also touches on the importance of God's word in our lives, the role of the Holy Spirit, and the need for self-reflection to become better followers of Christ. The speaker expresses gratitude for the worship team and the congregation's effort to come to the Lord's House.
Living a life that reflects one's conviction as a follower of Jesus is crucial, and the speaker challenges the audience to align their lives with God's word and avoid false confessions of faith. The need for genuine conviction and alignment with Jesus' teachings is emphasized.
The speaker shares a personal story of transformation, from being homeless to encountering God at a men's retreat and surrendering to Him. This experience leads to a deep hunger for more of God, and the speaker commits to continually giving their life to the Lord.
The sermon concludes with a call to action for those struggling with various issues to acknowledge their struggles and surrender their lives to God. The speaker leads a prayer of repentance and invites the prayer team to support those in need.
Key Takeaways:
- Spiritual hunger for righteousness is a transformative desire that God promises to satisfy. This hunger leads to a deeper relationship with God and a life that reflects His righteousness.
- True discipleship may require difficult choices, such as prioritizing Jesus over familial relationships. Bearing one's cross involves acknowledging and relinquishing self-centered desires in favor of a life dedicated to following Christ.
- A genuine relationship with God is characterized by a heart that is fully surrendered to Him. This relationship is not based on perfection but on the ongoing process of being perfected in Christ's love and grace.
- The purpose of marriage within the Christian faith is to mirror the relationship between God and His people. This sacred union calls for selflessness and a commitment to drawing closer to God, which in turn allows individuals to reflect His nature more clearly.
- In times of trial, it is essential to remain steadfast in faith and not be swayed by the opinions of others. Challenges should be seen as opportunities for growth, and a genuine relationship with God requires a heart that is truly aligned with His will.
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide: "Still Hungry"
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 5:1-11 - The Beatitudes, focusing on "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."
2. Matthew 10:34-39 - Jesus speaks about the divisive nature of His message and the cost of discipleship.
3. Luke 14:25-27 - The cost of being a disciple, emphasizing the need to prioritize Jesus above all else.
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus promise to those who hunger and thirst for righteousness in Matthew 5:6?
2. According to Matthew 10:34-39, what does Jesus say about the nature of His coming and its impact on familial relationships?
3. In Luke 14:25-27, what does Jesus say is required to be His disciple?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the promise of being "filled" in Matthew 5:6 relate to the concept of spiritual hunger and thirst? ([01:22:47])
2. What does it mean to "bear one's cross" as described in Matthew 10:38, and how does this relate to self-centered desires? ([01:34:04])
3. How can the requirement to "hate" one's family in Luke 14:26 be understood in the context of prioritizing Jesus above all else? ([01:45:29])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt a deep spiritual hunger. How did you seek to satisfy that hunger, and what was the outcome? ([01:30:59])
2. Jesus speaks about the divisive nature of His message in Matthew 10:34-39. Have you ever had to make a difficult choice to prioritize your faith over a relationship? How did you handle it? ([01:32:43])
3. The sermon emphasized the importance of a genuine relationship with God, not based on perfection but on the desire to be perfected in Him. What steps can you take this week to deepen your relationship with God? ([01:47:45])
4. The speaker shared a personal story of transformation and a deep hunger for God. How can you cultivate a similar hunger in your own life? ([01:29:54])
5. In times of trial, it is essential to remain steadfast in faith. Can you identify a current challenge in your life and discuss how you can view it as an opportunity for growth? ([01:38:34])
6. The sermon warned against allowing others to negatively influence one's faith. How can you protect your faith from negative influences, especially during difficult times? ([01:37:30])
7. The speaker mentioned the importance of self-reflection to become better followers of Christ. What specific area of your life do you feel needs self-reflection and improvement? ([01:48:16])
This guide is designed to help your small group engage deeply with the themes of spiritual hunger, the cost of discipleship, and the importance of a genuine relationship with God. Use these questions to foster meaningful discussion and personal growth.
Devotional
Day 1: The Righteousness That Satisfies
Spiritual hunger for righteousness leads to divine fulfillment and transformation. This hunger is not a fleeting desire but a deep yearning that reshapes one's life, aligning it with God's will and purpose. It is a pursuit that promises satisfaction, as one's spiritual appetite is met with the richness of God's grace and truth. [07:40]
Matthew 5:6 - "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."
Reflection: How does your spiritual hunger manifest in your daily life, and in what ways are you seeking to satisfy it with God's righteousness?
Day 2: The Cost of Discipleship
True discipleship demands the courage to make Jesus the priority, even above family ties. Bearing the cross is a personal journey of self-denial, where one's deepest desires are surrendered for the sake of Christ. This path is marked by a conscious decision to follow Jesus, accepting the trials and transformations that come with it. [07:40]
Luke 14:26-27 - "If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple."
Reflection: What are the crosses you need to bear in your life right now, and how can you embrace them as part of your discipleship journey?
Day 3: Surrendered Hearts in God's Hands
A heart fully surrendered to God is the hallmark of a genuine relationship with Him. This surrender is not about achieving perfection but about being in the process of perfection through Christ's love and grace. It is in the daily giving of oneself to God that one finds the true essence of faith and discipleship. [07:40]
Psalm 51:17 - "My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to surrender to God, and how can you take steps to trust Him more fully with those areas?
Day 4: Marriage as Divine Reflection
Marriage within the Christian faith is a profound reflection of the relationship between God and His people. It calls for a selfless commitment and a hunger to draw nearer to God. As individuals strive to embody God's love within their marriage, they become a testament to His grace and a mirror of His divine relationship with us. [07:40]
Ephesians 5:25-27 - "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless."
Reflection: How can your marriage or your approach to relationships reflect the selfless love and commitment that Christ has for His church?
Day 5: Steadfastness in Trials
In the face of trials, steadfast faith is crucial. These moments are not to be seen as setbacks but as opportunities for spiritual growth and deeper alignment with God's will. By remaining faithful and not swayed by external influences, one's relationship with God is strengthened and refined. [07:40]
James 1:2-4 - "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
Reflection: What trials are you currently facing, and how can you use them as opportunities to grow closer to God and strengthen your faith?
Quotes
"Sometimes the Lord will allow something to happen in your life just so that that faithfulness is increased, right? Because the trials produce patience, patience produces endurance, and that's an upgrade. He's trying to grow you, but to grow you got to go." [01:38:34] (Download)
"It's okay to be in this room and be questioning your faith and be questioning who God is or whether or not God is real. That's okay. This truth is still true, and I'm gonna allow God to work on you, but I'm gonna speak the truth." [01:39:03] (Download)
"I don't want to be found where my lips are glorifying God but my heart is betraying my relationship with Him. I don't want to be found where my heart is far from Him because how can we be in Christ, and He in us, if our hearts are not united with Him?" [01:40:17] (Download)
"Could someone look at your life and look at the contents of your heart and go, 'Okay, this person is found guilty of being a follower of Jesus'?" [01:35:48] (Download)
"God just might be saying I come as Lord of your life where I don't come at all. You're either all in or maybe your heart was never in at all." [01:46:36] (Download)
"Faith in Him produces fruit and that faith in Him causes us to have a to live a transformed life. It's not about the more, it's about the quality of your heart." [01:47:11] (Download)
"It's okay to show up with your full mess, it's just me and you. I'm not trying to make you be perfect so that I'll love you, I love you enough to see you become perfect in me." [01:48:16] (Download)
"I love God because he doesn't leave us in our mess. He sees and he cares about the most intimate parts of our lives." [01:19:48] (Download)
"You're not a Christian because you wear the cross; you're a Christian because you bear the cross." [01:33:25] (Download)
"When you carry your cross, there should be things that weigh heavy on your flesh, now for some of you, you might recognize that flesh is literally our self-centered desires." [01:34:04] (Download)
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