Jan. 19, 2022

“HOW TO BE HAPPY ACCORDING TO JESUS”

“HAPPY ARE THOSE WHO ARE HUNGRY”

MATTHEW 5:6

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

The esteemed missionary Hudson Taylor wrote, “I saw Him, and I sought Him, and I had Him, and I wanted Him.”

Psalm 27:4 “One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple.”

This describes David relationship with God. The desire to know God was at the center of David’s life.

Psalm 42:1 “As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God.”

Psalm 63:1-2 “O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You;
My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water. 2So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory.”

Throughout Psalm 119 you can find illustrations of that desire.

Psalm 119:34 “Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law;
Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart.”

We should want the Word of God in our hearts.

Psalm 119:40 “Behold, I long for Your precepts; Revive me in Your righteousness.”

Are you longing after God’s truth.

Psalm 119:58 “I entreated Your favor with my whole heart; Be merciful to me according to Your word.”

Psalm 119:145 “I cry out with my whole heart; Hear me, O Lord!
I will keep Your statutes.”

1.   Spiritual Hunger Is The Reality Of Your Faith

2 Peter 3:18 “but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.”

2.   Spiritual Hunger Is The Requirement For Your Growth

A rich young ruler once came to Jesus in search of eternal life.

Early in His ministry, Jesus was being followed by great crowds of people. They wanted the miracles and the ministry of Jesus, but not the commitment He demanded:

Luke 9:23 “Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” 

If you want to grow in Christ, you must have spiritual hunger.

3.   The Lack Of Spiritual Hunger Is The Reason For Spiritual Failure.

One of the secrets to success and achievement is desire.

4.   How Do I Know If I’M Hungry For God?

*Are You Satisfied With Yourself? 

5.   What Do I Do If I Don’t Have A Hunger For God?

*Are You Hungry For God?

Do you have as much of Him as you really want? Are you satisfied with where you are with God? Or do you want more?

John 7:37-38 “On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” 

Isaiah 55:1-2 ““Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters;
And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk Without money and without price. 2Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,
And let your soul delight itself in abundance.”