This message is an edited version of a sermon given at Loving God Fellowship. Copyright © 2007 Loving God Fellowship, Inc. http://www.LovingGodFellowship.org . You are encouraged to share this message with those you know that are hungry for God’s Word.
Those who Hunger and Thirst
The Greatest Sermon Ever Preached Series
By Greg Johnson
Matthew 5:6
In training for and running marathons, I have found out the importance of proper nutrition and hydration. Proper nutrition and hydration will determine how one finishes the race. During a marathon, which is 26.2 miles, I burn over 4,000 calories. That is two days of calorie intake for me. To successfully finish the 26.2 miles, I need carbohydrates and water to fuel my muscles, I need potassium to keep me from cramping and I need protein for strength. My pre-marathon breakfast consists of a bagel for the carbohydrates, peanut butter for the protein, a banana and glass of orange juice for the potassium and a couple of ounces of dark chocolate and a couple of cups of coffee for the energy. During the marathon and long training runs, I hydrate with water and sports drink every two miles. The sports drink adds carbohydrates and electrolytes back into my system as fuel. At miles 6, 10, 14, 18 and 22 I take an energy gel that consists of more carbohydrates and electrolytes to keep me pressing toward the finish line. Without this proper nutrition and hydration, I would never cross the finish line. In fact, I would end up in the hospital with some very serious problems.
Life is a marathon. As we press toward the finish line, proper nutrition and hydration are necessary not only for our physical well being, but also for our spiritual well being.
In the qualities of character of a citizen of the Kingdom of God that Jesus gives us in Matthew chapter five, we see a progression. First one realizes they are poor in spirit. Second, they mourn over their spiritual poverty. Out of spiritual poverty and mournfulness flows meekness as one realizes they are no better than anyone else. This all leads to hungering and thirsting after righteousness.
Jesus said (Matthew 5:6 NIV) "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."
Hunger and thirst for righteousness is one of the eight qualities of character of a citizen of the Kingdom of God that Jesus declares in the greatest sermon ever preached, the Sermon on the Mount. Those who hunger and thirst will be filled both now and for all eternity.
THOSE WHO HUNGER AND THIRST
The citizen of the Kingdom of God hungers and thirsts for righteousness. Righteousness points us to Jesus Christ because we have none. God’s Word says (Isaiah 64:6 NIV) "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away." That’s our condition. It’s depressive. And it’s when we finally realize our condition and our depressed state of being that we seek the proper help.
Our help comes from Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is our righteousness. God’s Word says:
(Romans 3:22 NIV) "This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference,"
(Romans 5:17 NIV) "For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ."
(Romans 5:21 NIV) "so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
(Romans 8:10 NIV) "But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness."
(Romans 10:4 NIV) "Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes."
(1 Corinthians 1:30 NIV) “It is because of him (God) that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God--that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.”
(Philippians 1:11 NIV) Be "filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ--to the glory and praise of God."
Listen to these words written by the Apostle Paul. (Philippians 3:8-9 NIV) "What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ {9} and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ--the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith."
You see, citizens of the Kingdom of God hunger and thirst for Jesus.
THE BLESSING FOR THOSE WHO HUNGER AND THIRST
The blessing for those who hunger and thirst is that they will be filled. They realize that Jesus is their substance. Jesus is their reason for being. They pray as Jesus taught them in the model prayer. They pray for God to give them their daily measure of bread recognizing that the Bread they need is Jesus Christ. Jesus said (John 6:35 NIV) "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty."
Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are continually being filled with Jesus. They will become full and stay full around the throne of God for all eternity. John the Revelator was given a vision of the finish line in the marathon called life. (Revelation 7:9-17 NIV) "After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. {10} And they cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb." {11} All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, {12} saying: "Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!" {13} Then one of the elders asked me, "These in white robes--who are they, and where did they come from?" {14} I answered, "Sir, you know." And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. {15} Therefore, "they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. {16} Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. {17} For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.""
For those not yet following Christ, please know that citizenship in God’s Kingdom requires a new birth. Jesus said (John 3:3 NIV) "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." If you are not yet a citizenship of the Kingdom of God, fall at the foot of the cross today and submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. He died for your sins. Recognize and admit your spiritual poverty. Grieve and mourn over your sin as you repent and run away from it into the hands of a Holy God. He will save you completely and begin filling you with Jesus Christ. He will quench your spiritual hunger and thirst.
Know that you are loved,
Greg Johnson
Founding Pastor
Loving God Fellowship
www.GAJohnson.org
Loving God Fellowship is an interdenominational Christ following fellowship with a revolutionary new church plant in Salem, Oregon, and a worldwide Internet church community @ http://www.LGFinternetChurch.org .
