Matthew 5:6
The sermon emphasizes the importance of hungering and thirsting for righteousness, not just happiness, and how this desire can bring about change in the world.
Chuck Smith emphasizes the deep and intense hunger and thirst for righteousness that should characterize Christians. He illustrates how this longing is not merely for a small portion but for a complete fulfillment of goodness, which can transform individuals and ultimately the world. Smith argues that true happiness is found not in the pursuit of happiness itself but in the desire for righteousness, which aligns us with God's will. He highlights that if everyone sought righteousness, societal issues like war would diminish, as changed hearts lead to a changed world. The sermon concludes with the reminder that God values the desire for righteousness in our hearts, as seen in David's example.
Text
"HUNGER AND THIRST"
I. HARD FOR US TO UNDERSTAND INTENSITY.
A. Average person lived on border of starvation.
1. Wages extremely low.
2. Ate meat only once a week.
B. Land there very arid.
1. Would often walk for miles before coming to water.
C. These words usually followed by genitive case in Greek.
1. Hungry for bread, lust a slice.
2. Thirsty for water, just a cup.
3. Word righteousness in the accusative.
4. When these words followed by accusative, means hungry
for whole loaf, want the whole pitcher.
D. A hunger that cannot be satisfied by lust a snack, a thirst
that craves more than just a swallow.
E. Hunger and thirst for all, the whole of righteousness.
F. How intense is your thirst for goodness?
II. HEREIN LIES THE SOLUTION TO THE WORLD'S ILLS.
A. If all men hungered and thirsted for righteousness, we would
have no wars.
1. We make a lot of sentimental statements about peace,
love, brotherhood, and are applauded by men.
2. All the talk will never bring it.
3. The mission of the church is not to lobby for peace or
disarmament to proclaim the gospel. Changed men change
the world.
Ill. THIS IS ANOTHER CHARACTERISTIC OF THE CHRISTIAN.
A. It is in order.
1. First three are negative. This is where I start to do
something about it.
B. It points out the Christian doctrine of grace.
IV. WHAT IS RIGHTEOUSNESS?
A. Being or doing the right thing or having right attitude.
1. With God.
2. With fellowman. (To be free from sin. Power, desire.
B. Being or doing what God would have me.
C. This is the burning desire of my heart.
V. "HAPPY ARE THEY."
A. The world is seeking happiness.
1. Great motive behind all activities of man.
2. Tragedy is that it never seems to find it.
B. We are not to hunger and thirst after happiness.
1. This is what mast are doing.
C. Never wise to just trust symptoms.
1. What is the cause of unhappiness?
D. Those in church going around seeking blessings.
VI. THE HAPPINESS IS NOT NECESSARILY RESERVED FOR THE MAN
WHO HAS ATTAINED RIGHTEOUSNESS.
A. For that man that hungers and thirst for it.
1. God said to David, "you did well in that it was in your
heart to do it."
"As the heart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after
Thee O God."
Sermon Outline
- Hunger and Thirst points: - Intensity of Hunger and Thirst - Solution to the World's Ills - Characteristics of the Christian - What is Righteousness? - Blessed are They - The Happiness is Not Reserved for the Righteous
Key Quotes
“As the heart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after Thee O God.” — Chuck Smith
“The mission of the church is not to lobby for peace or disarmament to proclaim the gospel. Changed men change the world.” — Chuck Smith
“We make a lot of sentimental statements about peace, love, brotherhood, and are applauded by men. All the talk will never bring it.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- Recognize your own sin and seek God's forgiveness and guidance.
- Seek to live a life that is pleasing to God.
- Proclaim the gospel and change men, who in turn will change the world.