“Blessed
are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be
filled (Matt. 5:6).”
I.
Introduction
a. Starvation
i.
Global hunger affects one billion
people world-wide
ii.
3.5 million people die each year of
malnutrition related sicknesses
iii.
In 2010, a child died of
malnutrition sickness every five seconds.
iv.
Someone can starve to death in
10-14 days without any artificial substitutes
v.
Others have died between 35-41 days
from starvation.
b.Dehydration
i.
Is a quicker death than starvation.
ii.
A person can die of starvation in
as little as three days vs. the weeks to die of starvation
iii.
USA Today reported that in 2012, a
Dallas woman was sentenced to 85 years in prison for the death of her son through
refusing to allow him to drink water.
1.The boy died in a
matter of days.
II.
Matthew 5:6 Introduction
a. This
verse may allude Ps. 107:5 & 6.[1]
b.It may even remind
us of the words of Isaiah.[2]
III. Hungering
a. peinao[3]
i.
from the same as 3993 (through the
idea of pinching toil; "pine"); to famish (absolutely or
comparatively); figuratively, to crave:--be an hungered.
ii.
This word brings with it the idea
of craving or seeking with eager, earnest desire or to be needy.
iii.
It is a very strong and intense
word.
IV.
Appetites
a. Everyone
possesses appetites
b.Our time reveals
our appetites
i.
Some people can try to portray
themselves in one manner, but in time it is revealed.
ii.
Your lifestyle is far from hidden
on facebook.
iii.
Your appetite reveals your character
iv.
The Christian should have an
appetite for the things of God.
1.These people long
after integrity, honesty, justice, and holiness to name the least.
v.
Appetites are never fully
satisfied.
1.Matt. 5:6 reveals
that hunger is never fully satisfied and indicates that is an on-going process.
V.
The aim of the Christian’s appetite
a. It
is to hunger after “righteousness”
i.
The Greek word “dikaiosune.”[4]
1.“from 1342; equity
(of character or act); specially (Christian) justification:--righteousness.”
2.It is the
condition acceptable to God or approved of God; integrity.”
3.Righteousness is
being right with God while living among men.
4.It is having a
clear conscience with both God and man.[5]
5.It is being free
from sin and all its forms in every manifestation.
ii.
It is seeking after personal
holiness and desiring that holiness may prevail among all people.
VI.
Thirsting
a. Dipsao[6]
i.
from a variation of 1373; to thirst
for (literally or figuratively):--(be, be a-)thirst(-y).
ii.
According to Dr. Rod Matton, it
portrays the idea of those who thirst and painfully feel their want of those
things by which the soul is refreshed, supported, strengthened.
iii.
It is the image of the dying man
who will do anything for a drink
1.Tell story of man
in desert who wants a drink of water and has to buy a tie from the brother.
VII.
Be Filled
a. The
Greek word for “they” indicates not everyone. But “they alone.”
b.It is not a
partial filling but a complete filling
i.
John 6:35 “And Jesus said unto
them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he
that believeth on me shall never thirst.”
VIII.
Hungering & Thirsting After God
a. Reading
God’s Word
i.
Ps 119:11 ¶ Thy word have I hid in
mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
ii.
Ps 119:103 ¶ How sweet are thy
words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
iii.
Ac 17:11 These were more noble than those in
Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and
searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
b.Prayer
i.
Ps 51:10 Create in me a clean
heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
ii.
Mt 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye
enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
c. Attending
Church
i.
Heb 10:23 Let us hold fast the
profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
ii.
24 And let us consider one another to provoke
unto love and to good works:
iii.
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves
together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the
more, as ye see the day approaching.
d.
Avoids things that will negatively
affect him spiritually
e. Jas
4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from
you.
f.
Will Work For God
i.
Mt 5:16 Let your light so shine
before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is
in heaven.
[1]
Ps. 107:5 “Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them. 6 Then they cried unto the LORD in their
trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.”
[2] Isa.
49:10 “They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite
them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of
water shall he guide them.”
Isa. 55:1 “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to
the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy
wine and milk without money and without price.”
Isa. 65:13 “Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold,
my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry: behold, my servants shall drink,
but ye shall be thirsty: behold, my servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be
ashamed:”
[3]
Note. The number is 3983.
[4]
Note: The number of this Greek word is 1343.
[5] Acts
24:16 “And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of
offence toward God, and toward men.”
[6]
Note: The number of this Greek word is
1372.
