ࡱ> +-*@ jbjbqq "l ........~,w ...........~.~rr" E4DRrr rrA Passion for Righteousness Matt 5:6 Intro: We come once again to this Sermon on the Mount in which Jesus is teaching his followers how they are to live a life that will please and honor God. In this particular statement we are looking at another of the characteristics of the Christian man or woman. A Christian is a person marked by a hunger and thirst for righteousness. There does seem to be somewhat of a spiritual progression to these beatitudes. A man begins by realizing his spiritual poverty, he then mourns over his sinful state, he is humbled as a result of all this and then begins to hunger and thirst for righteousness. The natural man hungers and thirst but its not after righteousness. Generally speaking the natural man hungers and thirst for happiness, contentment and fulfillment, but these things elude him for the simple reason that they are the by products of righteousness and apart from righteousness they are unattainable. As it is written in Isaiah: There is no peace, says the Lord, for the wicked. I. What is Righteousness? a. A life free from the power of sin. b. A life free from the desire for sin. c. A life marked by the fruit of the Spirit. d. A life conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. e. Gods kingdom of righteousness being established. II. Hunger and thirst. This is an intense expression that refers to a state of desperation, an agonizing of soul, a passionate desire. We speak sometimes of an athlete as being hungry. Celtics vs. Lakers! This passion was expressed by the psalmist- As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? PS 42:1-2 O God, You are my God; early will I seek You; my soul thirsts for You; my flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water PS 63:1 Such language does not make sense to the modern ear. It is even too strong for some Christians. It rules out sleek, self-satisfied, halfhearted religion. It is the language of the man who is hungering and thirsting for righteousness. III. Are you hungering and thirsting for righteousness? a. Steering clear of unrighteousness? 1. Concern for righteous living among Christians is diminishing. In some circles theres more fear of sinning against the environment than sinning against the Lord! Among some you can fornicate, over indulge in alcohol and involve yourself in a myriad of questionable activities as long as you have a heart for the marginalized in society. 2. Closer to home we see people who are more concerned with expressing their so-called liberties than living holy lives. Many young people in the church today never think twice about the movies or television programs they watch or the music they listen to even when the movies and music are often filled with sexually immoral and blasphemous content. 3. We have got to steer clear of unrighteousness and that is becoming harder and harder to do these days. We have to be more disciplined in refusing to just go with the flow. b. Avoiding things that would spoil our spiritual appetites. 1. It is possible to be filled up with so many other things that our spiritual appetite is spoiled. Not bad things just things that dull us spiritually. c. Pursue righteousness- Gods word, worship, fellowship and prayer. Doing good to all as opportunities come. Acts of righteousness! d. The Promise: They shall be filled! Gods favor rest on you and you can expect more and more. Close: Christian does this bring back memories of better days? They can be yours again. Non-Christian - Listen! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance. Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; ISA 55:1-3 %+    !    = D E 6g7WZf !66CJCJ6CJCJ5CJ*%  ! G o   I E F 01ij$a$%  ! 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