1. 800 Million People In The World Suffer From Malnutrition FACT! Every 3.5 Seconds…..Someone Dies of Hunger FACT! 50% Of All Children In South Asia Are Malnourished

2. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33 But seek first ….BEFORE ANYTHING ELSE! Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matthew 5:6

3. The word “righteousness” occurs 5 times in this sermon (5:6, 10, 20; 6:1, 33). WHAT IS THIS RIGHTEOUSNESS WE ARE BEING CHALLENGED TO DESIRE? What does Jesus mean when he talks of righteousness?

4. The word ‘Righteousness’: describes the nature of God Included are the qualities or virtues of: justice, truth, mercy, and love

5. So those Jesus blesses in this beatitude, are the ones who hunger and thirst after the desire to identify themselves with the nature of God! Justice Truth Mercy Love.

6. Q: What happens when we identify ourselves with something? A: When we identify ourselves with something, we: ALIGN OURSELVES WITH IT HONOR OURSELVES WITH IT DRAW STRENGTH FROM IT WE MAKE IT PART OF OUR EXPERIENCE ADOPT IT AND MAKE IT OUR OWN

7. So the challenge of the 4 th beatitude is: “Blessed are you who strive to identify yourselves with the righteous nature of God in all you think and say and do”

8. Q: Have you ever been Q: What was the result after you satisfied: HUNGRY? THIRSTY?

9. Q: How can we be blessed when we are so far removed from the righteousness of God? for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God Romans 3:23

10. Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are the righteousness……….” “ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness”

11. We are being challenged to commit ourselves to a process, a journey, an ongoing reaching out for the righteousness of God.

12. Q: Is it natural to hunger? A: Absolutely! No Appetite = SICK or DEAD

13. A Spiritually Healthy Person Will: Hunger and Thirst If You Do NOT Hunger and Thirst, YOU ARE SPIRITUALLY SICK…OR DEAD!