Hunger and thirst for righteousness

Matthew 5: 1 -- 12

Introduction

1.      Do you ever get a craving?

2.      Jesus always had a craving to do the will of God

3.      We need to develop a craving to do what is right -- Matthew 5:6  

Discussion

1.      What is the righteousness for which we are to hunger and thirst?

a.       It is the desire to know what is right, fair or just

b.      It is the knowledge that God's word establishes an absolute right

c.       Yet is the position of one who knows that God's will needs to be observed  

2.      What are the obstacles which we must overcome?

a.       Lack of a plan

                                                            i.      Without a plan we will tend to be what others want us to be, unrighteous

                                                          ii.      A plan will force us to look at our weaknesses and takes steps to eliminate them

b.      Overcoming the obstacles that sidetrack that plan

                                                            i.      Success is not usually achieved immediately -- there is a need for persistence, trying again and again after failure

                                                          ii.      Difficulties can result in lowering our goals, and reducing our expectations, calling our failures and successes

                                                        iii.      We are easily sidetracked into trying to produce righteousness and others rather than ourselves

                                                        iv.      We become puffed up by our successes and began seeking the approval of others rather than God -- see Jesus remarks in Matthew 6:1

c.       Understanding that the biggest obstacle may be our own negative thinking

                                                            i.      "You are trying to take all the fun out of life" -- while you may miss out on some fun you will not miss out on joy

                                                          ii.      "I can't do it"  

3.      What are the rewards which we can expect?  -- "they will be filled" (satisfied)

a.       Consider some examples of rewards experienced

                                                            i.      Coming home from a day at work on the farm

                                                          ii.      Coming home late at night from a Bible study in which someone has been baptized

                                                        iii.      "What do you like most about downhill skiing?"  Answer: "finishing"

                                                        iv.      "I would like to write a book" -- translation: "I would like to have written a book"

b.       Compare those rewards with the rewards from these experiences

                                                            i.      Sleeping late

                                                          ii.      Watching TV

                                                        iii.      Spending all your money at the mall (or maxing out all your credit cards)

c.       The question: "How do you feel later?"  

Conclusion

1.       Being right with God does not guarantee a job, friends, wealth nor health

2.      Being right with God will always bring satisfaction, fulfillment, a sense of peace and security

3.      Titus 2:11 – 14

4.      Baptism is the place to begin that quest for righteousness