Matthew 5
The sermon emphasizes the importance of hungering and thirsting for righteousness in order to be filled with God's righteousness and to manifest the Fruit of the Spirit.
Chuck Smith emphasizes the necessity of spiritual thirst for righteousness as a fundamental aspect of the Christian life. He explains that true hunger and thirst for righteousness leads to being filled with God's grace, and that understanding the nature of righteousness is crucial for salvation. Smith challenges believers to reflect on their spiritual state, asking if they exhibit the fruits of the Spirit and if they truly desire to be conformed to Christ's image. He warns against passivity in the pursuit of righteousness and encourages active engagement in prayer and the Word of God. Ultimately, he asserts that once one experiences the righteousness of God, they will desire nothing else.
Text
"SPIRITUAL THIRST"
Intro: 1st 3 beatitudes showed to us our need. 4th brings us the answer.
Unless you hunger and thirst you will never be filled. First conscious of
need.
I. TEST OF CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE.
A. Deals with two most common objections to Christian doctrine of
salvation.
1. Too easy - grace - faith - hunger and thirst.
2. Too hard - what is meant by righteousness.
a. To be just like Christ.
b. Conformed to His image.
3. Whose who truly understand what righteousness means
never object to it being too easy.
a. Realize apart from grace could never be saved.
II. PRACTICAL TEST OF CHRISTIAN LIFE.
A. Hunger and thirst for righteousness (shall be filled..
1. Not hoping to be filled.
2. Filled with His righteousness - purifieth.
B. "Am I fiIIed?" "Fruit of Spirit in my life?"
1. Am I filled with love, joy and peace.
2. Do I manifest long-suffering, gentleness, kindness,
meekness, faith and temperance.
3. If a Christian should be able to say yes.
4. If not you must not truly be hungry and thirsting, for
Jesus said you shall be filled.
C. How can I know if I am truly hungering and thirsting?
1. Heb. 11 - Bible characters.
2. Church history, Whitefield, Knox, Luther, Wesley.
3. Do I see through my own false righteousness?
a. I lam still trusting in self.
b. Looking to my own effort.
c. Wanting to put my self on back or defend self.
4. Must have deep awareness of need for Savior,
helplessness apart from Him.
5. Do I long to be like Moses, Daniel, Paul?
a. Possible to desire in wrong way.
1. Have blessing and power but not like
them.
2. Balaam, "Let me die the death of the
righteous."
3. What about living?
D. Cannot be entirely passive.
1. Just waiting for something to happen.
2. So many encourage this attitude.
a. Make yourselves available.
b. If God wants to, I will consent.
3. Words hunger and thirst.
a. Avoid anything opposed to this righteousness.
b. Avoid things that would dull appetite.
1. Things that are proper and right of
themselves yet dull appetite.
c. Put yourself in place where apt to receive.
1. Blind Bartimeaus.
2. "I am so hungry for God."
d. Study about it in the Word. Do I spend as much
time with the Word as I do TV?
e. Time in prayer.
Consequence of not having this righteousness. Should you once get a taste,
desire nothing else.
Sermon Outline
- Test of Christian Doctrine points: - Deals with two most common objections to Christian doctrine of salvation - Too easy - grace - faith - hunger and thirst - Too hard - what is meant by righteousness - To be just like Christ - Conformed to His image
- Practical Test of Christian Life points: - Hunger and thirst for righteousness (shall be filled..) - Not hoping to be filled - Filled with His righteousness - purifieth
- Am I filled with love, joy and peace points: - Am I filled? - Do I manifest long-suffering, gentleness, kindness, meekness, faith and temperance
- Heb. 11 - Bible characters points: - How can I know if I am truly hungering and thirsting? - Church history, Whitefield, Knox, Luther, Wesley
- Just waiting for something to happen points: - Cannot be entirely passive - Avoid things that would dull appetite
Key Quotes
“Unless you hunger and thirst you will never be filled.” — Chuck Smith
“If a Christian should be able to say yes.” — Chuck Smith
“If not you must not truly be hungry and thirsting, for Jesus said you shall be filled.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- You must have a deep awareness of your need for a Savior and be willing to be conformed to His image.
- You must avoid things that would dull your appetite for righteousness and put yourself in places where you are apt to receive.
- You must cultivate a deeper hunger and thirst for righteousness by spending time in the Word and in prayer.