Those Who Hunger And Thirst Series

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."