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Hunger and Thirst after Righteousness

Topical sermon outlineChristian Living

Hunger and Thirst after Righteousness

Topical Sermons

Matthew 5:6

Intro.

1. Spiritual food & drink is more necessary than bodily food - Matt. 4:4; Jno. 6:27.

2. Matt. 5:6 - Jesus challenges our real desire for goodness: "Are you so intensely & sharply pained by your need for true righteousness that you would die unless you get it? Just how badly do you want to be righteous?" (Gospel Of Matthew, Fowler, I:215).

I. WHAT IS THE RIGHTEOUSNESS WE MUST HUNGER & THIRST AFTER?

A. "The Character or Quality of Being Right or Just" (Vine, III:298).

1. Whatever conforms to the revealed will of God - Jno. 16:8, 13 (Psa. 23:3).

2. Whatever is appointed by God to be obeyed by man - Matt. 3:15.

3. Sum total of God's requirements - Matt. 6: 33 (Psa. 119:172).

B. Life of Holiness Before God - 1 Pet. 1:15-16.

1. "Integrity, virtue, purity of life, uprightness, correctness of thinking, feeling & acting" (Thayer, 149).

2. Produces fruit - Prov. 11:30; 21:21.

3. Secures eternal life - 1 Tim. 6:11-12.

II. HUNGERING & THIRSTING AFTER RIGHTEOUSNESS.

-(Present participles, expressing a continuing, constantly-felt longing.)

A. The Priority of Spiritual Things.

1. A full man feels no need to eat or drink (Lk. 6:25). Bitterly dissatisfied with self.

2. Matt. 6:33 - Of first importance to the meek person who, in poorness of spirit, mourns his sin (Matt. 5:3-5).

B. A Preoccupation with Spiritual Life.

1. 1 Pet. 2:2 - As baby instinctively searches for its mother's breast, we are to long for God's word, which sustains our spiritual life. - cf. Jno. 6:35

2. Never have an "I have arrived" attitude (Lk. 18:9-12).

C. A Strong Desire to be Right with God – Psa. 42:1-2; 63:1-6 -- Conform to truth!

III. WHY HUNGER & THIRST AFTER RIGHTEOUSNESS?

-"Shall be filled!"

A. To be Acceptable to God - Acts 10:35.

1. 1 Jno. 2:29 - Begotten of God.

2. 1 Jno. 3:7 - A faith by which God reckons us righteous - Rom. 4:5.

B. Because through Christ we have Died to Sin – 1 Pet. 2:24.

C. To Be Worthy Citizens Of God's Kingdom - Rom. 14:17 (Col. 1:13).

Conclusion

1. When we are consumed with the desire to be righteous we will pursue it in all of life's endeavors!

2. Prov. 11:18-19 - The real value of righteousness is ultimately measured in its reward: Eternal life.

3. Crave it - Long for it - Pursue it (priority, preoccupation, strong desire) - God will satisfy your soul with mercy, honor, hope & eternal life!

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