INVERSION : Study Series on Beatitude

Blessed are the Hungry (empty stomach vs. full stomach)

Matthew 5: 6

 

    1When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down 2and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:   3"You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.  4"You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you. 5"You're blessed when you're content with just who you are--no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.

    6"You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.

    7"You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being "carefull,' you find yourselves cared for.  8"You're blessed when you get your inside world--your mind and heart--put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.  9"You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family. 10"You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom. 11"Not only that--count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. 12You can be glad when that happens--give a cheer, even!-for though they don't like it, I do!

 

Few reflections/Review about the Beatitude

a. Qualities and the descriptions of Kingdom peopleŠ

b. Not 8 different type of people but ratherŠ.

c. Negative connotations of those who qualify for the KingdomŠ

 

What can we learn about the Kingdom people in verse 6?

 

I.               Blessed are the hungry and thirsty?

 

The nature of Œhunger¹ and Œthirst¹

 

Hunger or thirst is the body¹s most powerful DRIVE

 

 

 

II.              The object of the hunger and thirst is RIGHTNESS & APPROVAL

 

What does Œrighteousness¹ mean?

 

e.g.  Œloving the addicted¹Š

 

Grammatical structure of the word Œrighteousness¹ in verse 6 :

 

Genitive form vs. Accusative form

 

The difference between Christians, Moralists and ReligiousŠ

 

³If the essence of sin is a man substituting himself for God, the essence of Salvation is God substituting himself for man.²  John Stott

 

What does it mean to be blessed?  And be hungry/thirsty for righteousness?