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CHRISTIANS AS BRETHREN:
PERSONAL CHARACTER AND CONDUCT
LESSON FOUR
INTRODUCTION:
1. The first three beatitudes denote an “emptiness.”
a. Poor in spirit – emptiness or destitute of own will and ready to be ruled by God.
b. Mourning over sin – emptiness of joy, emptiness of guilt and ready to be comforted
c. Meek in character – emptiness of absorbing blows without retaliation and ready for God to act, furnishing us with all that we need on earth.
2. Beginning with the fourth beatitude, we see the longing for something out of our “emptiness” and the assured promised blessing of being filled.
a. “Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled” (Matthew 5:6)
I. BLESSED ARE THEY THAT HUNGER AND THIRST… (Matthew 5:6)
A. God has placed a restless desire in our heart that continually seeks for satisfaction.
1. God has placed eternity in our heart creating restlessness because alone we cannot find out the work that God has done from the beginning to the end (Eccl. 3:11).
2. We spend our money on things that cannot satisfy our longings (Isa. 55:1-
a. “Ho, every one that thirsteth come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come buy wine and milk without money and without price…”
b. … Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? And you labor for that which satisfieth not?”
B. Jesus does not instruct us to hunger and thirst for God, but for righteousness.
1. The desire is to focus upon living life among others as God approves, not just coming before God to worship Him.
II. “…FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS”
A. Word defined: “dikaiosyne” –
1. The state of being that is acceptable to God – borne of God (who is righteous) if we do righteousness (I Jn. 2:29)
a. 2 Cor. 5:21 – We become the righteousness of God in Christ.
b. Phil. 3:9-
2. The character of doctrine that leads to right standing before God – “For therein is revealed the righteousness of God from faith unto faith: as it is written, but the righteous shall live by faith” (Rom. 1:17)
3. Living before God in the right way of thinking, feeling and acting – God loves righteousness and hates iniquity (Hebrews 1:9)
a. The wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God (Jms. 1:19-
b. fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace (Jms. 3:17-
c. When we become servants of righteousness, we should be ashamed of the fruit of living according to the flesh (Rom. 6:20-
B. The nature of “righteousness” in the sermon on the mount (Matthew 5-
1. Connected with the kingdom or rule of God in our lives which is the godly priority – God will provide our earthly needs (Matt. 6:33)
2. Persecution for righteousness sake occurs when we manifest righteousness in connection with the rule of God in our lives (Matt. 5:10).
3. A “righteousness” that exceeds the “righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees” (Matt. 5:20)
III. “THEY SHALL BE FILLED”
A. An “assertion” from God, not a “wish”
B. When we continue to hunger and thirst for righteousness – we will be filled.
1. Throughout our lives of continual hungering and thirsting for righteousness, we will be filled.
2. Abraham lived his life of seeking God’s righteousness – was blessed with being described as righteous through his obedience of faith (Rom. 4:3; Gen. 15:6; Gen. 22:1-
IV. MANIFESTATION OF RIGTEOUSNESS WHEN FILLED:
A. What exceeding the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees looks like (Matt. 5:21-
1. Thou shalt not kill…but more…not to manifest anger for enemy with contempt for their existence – seek to agree with adversary (v. 21-
2. Thou shalt not commit adultery… but more…do not look with lust upon a woman; not divorcing a wife making her an adulteress (v. 27-
3. Thou shalt not forswear thyself … but more…swear not – but let word be your bond before God (v. 33-
4. Thou shalt not seek justice with an eye or an eye… but more…not resist evil done to you, go the extra mile (v. 38-
5. Thou shalt love neighbor and hate enemy…but more…love and pray for your enemies (v. 43-
B. What righteousness looks like in Matthew 5:6:
1. Manifesting “mercy” (Matt. 5:7)
2. Being “pure in heart” (Matt. 5:8)
3. Seeking peace, being “peacemakers” (Matt. 5:9)
C. Essential to our sanctification – suitable for the master’s use (2 Timothy 2:20-
1. following after or pursuing righteousness will include:
a. faith
b. love
c. peace
d. pure heart
2. will be united with others in the same pursuit.
QUESTIONS:
1. C.S. Lewis wrote: If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.
a. Is there Scriptural proof for C.S. Lewis “experience” statement?
2. What does “righteousness” mean?
3. What are three ways in which “righteousness” is manifested in the New Testament?
4. What are three areas of our lives “righteousness” is manifested according to the sermon on the Mount?
5. Should we be hungering and thirsting for righteousness always?
6. Is God’s statement of blessing “a wish,” for your continual pursuit of righteousness?
7. What examples of “righteousness” do you see exceeding the “righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees?”
8. What is “righteousness” in the context of Matthew 5:6?
9. How will “hungering and thirsting for righteousness” make us suitable for God’s use?