Elements City Church
The Beatitudes set forth the blessings God gives to those he is working in—blessings given not as a reward for our merit, but as a gift of His grace. Here is a Christian value system and God’s kingdom ethical standard—all of which are often at odds with those of the non-Christian world in which humanity functions. Blessed are those that recognize their spiritual bankruptcy and thus their need for dependency upon Christ and his gifts of grace. They will experience the God-life and a true good life.
Matthew 5:6 CSB
Jesus’ teaching on what it means to find godly happiness and the God-lived life! And that the God-life is better than what the world tries to push as the good life!
The Sermon (Matthew ch. 5-7) is probably the best-known part of the teachings of Jesus. It is also perhaps the least understood.
It is Jesus’ own description of what he wanted his followers to be and do.
Here is a Christian value system, and God’s kingdom ethical standard—all of which are often at odds with those of the non-Christian world in which humanity functions.
The Beatitudes set forth the blessings God gives to those he is working in—blessings given not as a reward for our merit, but as a gift of His grace.
Quote:
“The Beatitudes simply cannot be ‘good news’ if they are understood as a set of ‘how-to’s’ for achieving blessedness. They would only amount to a new legalism. They would impose a new brand of Phariseeism, a new way of closing the door - — some new possibilities for the human engineering of righteousness.”
~Dallas Willard
series takeaway:
The pursuit of the good life (that this world says to seek) will ultimately let you down, but the pursuit of the God-life will lead to real joy and true blessing.
today, we’re examining the next phrase that Jesus utters in the Beatitudes that deals with hunger and thirst. have you ever been really hungry or really thirsty? think back to what was going on within you...
Matthew 5:6
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled."
Just as a person can’t live without food or water, we’ve been created with a deep longing to not live (our best life) without God. We were made to be fueled by God’s life and love.
As the author of Scripture, Jesus may have Isaiah 55:1-2 in mind: as he declared about himself…
“Is anyone thirsty?
Come and drink—
even if you have no money!
Come, take your choice of wine or milk—
it’s all free!
Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength?
Why pay for food that does you no good?
Listen to me, and you will eat what is good.
You will enjoy the finest food. -Isaiah 55:1-2
If you remember: Jesus’ public ministry didn’t begin until he was about 30 years old. We know a little about his life from the time of his birth and early childhood up until this point.
Then, finally, he stepped out onto the stage: his public ministry began at the Jordan River when he was baptized by John and confirmed by the voice of God who announced to every onlooker that Jesus’ moment was here.
So what does Jesus do? What is his first act in this unveiling Messiah moment? What does he do on his first day on the job?
He didn’t perform a miracle; he didn’t preach a sermon; Instead, he went into the wilderness and for 40 days he fasted.
40 Days Jesus emptied himself and made himself hungry & thirsty. Have you ever wondered why he chose this among all the other possibilities of things?
One of the most important questions any person asks is, “What is it that will fill my hungry heart?”
Humanity is born with an appetite and a thirst — and it’s way more than just the stomach’s cravings.
Jesus was making sure his human appetites didn’t gain control over him.
We are to master our appetites and allow our hunger and thirst for God to be first - our top priority.
"God, you are my God; I eagerly seek you. I thirst for you; my body faints for you in a land that is dry, desolate, and without water. So I gaze on you in the sanctuary to see your strength and your glory. My lips will glorify you because your faithful love is better than life. So I will bless you as long as I live; at your name, I will lift up my hands. You satisfy me as with rich food; my mouth will praise you with joyful lips." --Psalm 63:1–5
The psalmist wrote,
“As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. (Psalm 42:1–2).
Q) is God the deepest craving of your heart?
Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness experience that longing in at least 2 forms:
-The desire to be righteous - to do what’s right by God.
-The desire to see right done—to help bring about God’s will and God’s righteous ways in the world.
Q) How different will the world be because you existed?
That’s a noble question to ponder and pray into…
=You don’t have to be famous to make a difference—you just need to be faithful!
=God doesn’t need you to have perfect ability; he wants your availability!
The Apostle Paul reminds us this:
So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith. —Galatians 6:9–10 NLT
In our divisive cultural backdrop - many hunger and thirst to "be right”, over aiming to be righteous...
Matthew 5:6
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled."
We'll see you back at Elements next weekend or online as we continue our series on the Beatitudes and how Jesus said to find and pursue happiness and the blessed life!