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

Big Idea:

Hunger for the Righteous One is what truly satisfies and fills us.

1. The Upside-Down Kingdom

• Our culture is upside down; Jesus invites us to live right-side-up.

• Dallas Willard’s jet fighter metaphor: We think we’re ascending, but we may be crashing.

2. What is Righteousness?

• Not just rule-following but right relationship.

• Righteousness shows up throughout Scripture (Abraham, Psalms, Jesus, Paul).

• Gerhard von Rad: Righteousness is about all relationships—with God, others, and creation.

3. Law and Relationship

• The Ten Commandments begin with a relationship: “I am the Lord your God.”

• Pharisees missed the heart by focusing on external conformity.

• Jesus calls us to go beyond rule-keeping into restored relationship.

4. Hunger and Thirst

• This beatitude speaks of desperation, not mild desire.

• In a culture of comfort, what do we hunger for?

• True hunger: justice, family restoration, salvation for loved ones.

5. A Personal Example

• Music can be a substitute for deeper hunger.

• A worship experience in a humble Mexican church revealed what truly satisfies: God’s presence.

• Worship > performance.

6. The Gospel and the Righteous One

• Romans 1:17: Righteousness is revealed by faith.

• Jesus is the Bread of Life, Living Water, the One who fills.

• John 4, 6, and 7: Only Christ satisfies.

7. What Are You Hungry For?

• Power, money, success? Even good things can become idols.

• True satisfaction comes from Jesus.

Closing Thought:

“To believe in Christ is not simply to accept a series of doctrines. It is to enter into a new reality—a new way of being—where our deepest hunger is met, not by the world’s offerings, but by the presence of Christ Himself.”

—Justo L. González

Communion Invitation:

We now come to the Lord’s Table. Come hungry for His righteousness. Come to be filled.

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