“What’s On The Menu?” Matthew 5:6 Beatitudes - #4
Intro: (T-giving meal - Eat, eat, eat and get hungry again - Fills us temporarily)
Mt. 5:6 says, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”
In this context, to “hunger and thirst” means to have a starving spirit. It is having a desperate
hunger and a parched, dying thirst for the things of God. It means a deep hunger and
thirst for all of righteousness, for all of what Christ has to offer - not just little tidbits.
What is Righteousness? It’s not what most of may think initially. When we think of it, we
think of doing good things and of helping others around us. As we go through life, we
are faced with appeal after appeal for help. Many times we do help which brings a sense
of satisfaction to us. We feel that our “good deeds” somehow make us more acceptable
and righteous before God. It’s good to help others, but this is not “true righteousness.”
In the Bible, “Righteousness” simply means to BE RIGHT and to DO RIGHT. To BE GOOD
and to DO GOOD. From this, however, a problem arises. Scripture reminds that, “There is
no one righteous, not even one...” (Ro. 3:10) Also, it states, “For all have sinned and fall
short of the glory of God.” (Ro. 3:23) HOW CAN WE FIGURE THIS OUT?
What is being said here is that God alone is righteous and is perfectly good. You and I
are not righteous and all of our efforts will fall short. How is it then that we can become
“perfectly righteous?” This answer is found in our Beatitude today, “Blessed are those who
hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”
What happens here is this: God takes a person’s “hunger and thirst” for righteousness and
He COUNTS IT AS RIGHTEOUSNESS. He credits our account with it. This is a picture of
God’s great love for us. We are not righteous, but God intercedes and counts us as such.
Illus. - When I’m in the backyard pitching a ball to my boys, I know it’s impossible for them
to hit it every time. Many times their efforts “fall short” and are not successful. If I see them
wanting to give up too soon, I encourage them by assuring them that “no one hits the ball
every time” - keep trying. In the end, if I sense that they’ve really tried hard, even though
they’ve missed more balls than they hit, I still credit them with a “job well done.”
Likewise, God intercedes for us and counts us as righteous because of our hunger, thirst
and desire for Him. All we must do is have the FAITH and trust that He is able to do this for us.
If we hunger and thirst after HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, we will be “Blessed.” This means we will
obtain a deep joy and satisfaction that is not affected by the external conditions around us.
Unlike our Thanksgiving dinner, we will experience a feeling of BEING FILLED permanently
with HIS ATTRIBUTES.
Scripture assures us that the TRUE BELIEVER will filled. We will be:
1. “...full of goodness and complete in knowledge.” (Ro. 15:14)
2. “...filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Eph. 3:19)
3. “...filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Eph. 5:18)
4. “...filled with the fruit of righteousness. (Ph. 1:11)
5. “...filled with the knowledge of God’s will.” (Col. 1:9)
Conclusion: This morning, in your life, “What’s On The Menu?” What do you ask for? --
What do you order each day from the ONE who waiting on you and wanting to serve you?
What do you hunger for? What do you thirst for?
Do you hunger to be noticed by others? Do you thirst for your paycheck?
Do you hunger for people’s attention? Do you thirst for God’s affection?
Is your spirit “starving” to know more of HIM? Is there room in your life for HIM to fill?
The “special” today is a plate of Righteousness - All-You-Can-Eat. It will fill and satisfy your
innermost hunger. It’s free today, paid for in full by the ONE who serves you. All you must
do is believe that HIS payment is for you.
Illus. - When one of my boys gets a snack, you can be sure that his brothers want the
same thing that he has. It looks appetizing and immediately they “hunger and thirst”
for it. As adults, I wonder if the same could be said about us. Spiritually, are the items on
your menu appealing and appetizing? Do others want what you have? Is what you have
so irresistible, that others can’t wait to taste it as well?
At Thanksgiving time, we eat a meal and place the “leftovers” out on the table. We make
them readily accessible to satisfy our hunger and fill us throughout the day at any time.
We must also do the same with the RIGHTEOUS things of Christ and with the
RIGHTEOUSNESS He offers to us. We must always be ready to partake and be filled with it.
Have you allowed yourself to be so filled with the RIGHTEOUSNESS OF CHRIST that
others can’t help but experience its overflow in your life?
Prayer
