• Paradox definition – a seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well founded or true.
• Sermon on the Mount – Jesus is speaking to His disciples and the crowds early in His ministry. He is challenging their expectations of who gets into His Kingdom and what His Kingdom is like
• Beatitudes: “Blessed” – The word beatitude comes from the Latin word “beatus” (bee-ā-toos) which means blessed, happy or prosperous. (“Good for you!”)

Matt 5:1-5 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, ² and he began to teach them. He said: ³ “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
⁴ Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. ⁵ Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. NIV

TODAY

Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled. NIV

1. Hunger and Thirst

• To crave, to suffer want, to be needy, to eagerly desire or long for
• A daily occurrence, designed by God, a daily dependence
• When we go without, we can experience pain and suffering

2. His Righteousness

• Integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking feeling, and acting
• As things ought to be – acceptable to God – right living

Matthew 6:33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. NLT

• As I live for His will, not my own (Lk 22:42) – He promises to provide (to fulfill)

Not my version of righteousness

• Philippians 3:9 – I am not good enough. I can’t earn His favor and approval and satisfaction on my own
• Isaiah 64:6 – even my best is filthy before His perfect Righteousness (Rom 6:23)

Do I hunger and thirst for His way of living?

• Who or What competes for His will in my life?

3. Competing options for satisfaction:
4. Our World system/what the world values (apart from God)

1 Jn 2:15-17 ¹⁵ Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. ¹⁶ For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. ¹⁷ And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever. NLT

What do I crave instead of God?

• Success, money, stuff/possessions, relationships, comfort, peace, rest?
• Acceptance from others – being honored and held up by others?
• Being right; Being the smartest person; Getting my will to be done – my preferences?

2. Our Sinful / natural desires (apart from God) – Galatians 5:16-17

• We need to deny our selfish, sinful and evil desires and replace them with God’s version of right living and righteousness (Gal 5:22-23; Eph 4:17-32)

3. Our Enemy – Ephesians 6:12 – He twists our God given desires to be about self (Gen 3)

4. Paradox: Blessed and Satisfied

• Blessed – good, happy, fortunate are you – hunger & thirst for His will (not self-will)
• Satisfied – filled – abundantly full (Matt 14:20)

A 4th Invitation – one from God to come to Him

Isaiah 55:1-2,5-6 “Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink— even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk— it’s all free! ² 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.

⁶ Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. ⁷ Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously. NLT

• John 4:13-14 (Woman at the well); Matt 4:4/Deut 8:3 (not bread alone but God’s Word)
• John 6:26-29, 35-37 (Bread of Life); John 7:37-39 (Living Water)
• True life – Mark 8:34-37; Luke 9:25 // Psalm 42:1-2 and 63:1-5

5. Application: How do I grow in my desire for living for God’s kingdom? (Psalm 63)

• Pray and ask for help – be honest (poor in spirit, mourning, meek) – Jam 1:5
• Repent – acknowledge you need His help – His version of Right Living
• Be around the His people – 1 Cor 15:33; Prov 13:20
• Be in His Word so you can know what His will is so you can obey [trust and obey]
  • 5 Spheres: In your home life, at work, with Christians, how you relate to Him, etc
• Choose obedience over feelings and my understanding (Prov 3:5-6; Is 55:8-9)
  • Be a part of His mission (Matt 4:19; 2 Cor 5:19-21)

For Small Group Discussion

Opening Question: 

Main Point:  The world teaches that our spiritual and emotional needs can be satisfied with temporary solutions such as physical comfort, wealth, or success.  This often leads to feeling weary and a need for constant replenishment.  Jesus teaches true satisfaction and blessing comes from earnestly seeking a right relationship with God, which provides eternal and unending satisfaction. 

Main Scripture:  Matthew 5:6, John 4:4-26

Head Questions

• What is righteousness or righteous living?
• Think of a time when Jesus’ disciples were spiritually filled up or satisfied no matter their circumstances.  How did they practically live out being those who hunger and thirst for righteousness?
• What does Jesus mean by “living water” in John 4:13-14?  How does this concept relate to the overall message in Matthew 5:6?

Heart Questions

• Reflect on a time when you felt a deep spiritual thirst.  How did you try to satisfy it?
• How does the promise of never thirsting again resonate with your personal journey with Jesus?  What doubts or struggles have you faced in that journey?
• What areas of your life reveal a reliance on temporary worldly solutions for fulfillment?

Hands Questions

• This week, what is one habit or behavior you can change to rely less on temporary, worldly sources of fulfillment and more on your “hunger and thirst” in relationship with Jesus?
• Think about someone in your life who might be experiencing a spiritual thirst.  What can you do to practically love them or be an example to them of someone who is blessed and satisfied because of Jesus?