WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:17.960 Now, before we turn to our beatitude, I want to read again, actually, a passage that we read not too long ago in church from Isaiah chapter 55 and verses 1 to 7, which says, 00:00:17.960 --> 00:00:35.380 Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters. And you who have no money, come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread and your labour on what does not satisfy? 00:00:35.380 --> 00:00:54.100 Listen, listen to me and eat what is good and you will delight in the richest of fear. Give ear and come to me. Listen, that you may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David. 00:00:54.100 --> 00:01:11.180 See, I have made him a witness to the peoples, a ruler and commander of the peoples. Surely you will summon nations you know not and nations you do not know will come running to you because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with splendour. 00:01:11.180 --> 00:01:33.120 Seek the Lord while he may be found. Call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord and he will have mercy on them and to our God, for he will freely pardon. 00:01:33.120 --> 00:01:40.100 And then our beatitude for this evening in Matthew 5 and verse 6, Jesus says, 00:01:40.200 --> 00:01:47.800 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 00:01:49.420 --> 00:02:00.760 Now when we hear the question, are you hungry? And we understand that that question works on two levels. On the one hand, there's the physical aspect, but we also get that image because we hear it today. 00:02:00.760 --> 00:02:08.060 In the realm of sports, we can think of athletes and sports people who still have the hunger. 00:02:09.120 --> 00:02:15.200 In our careers, perhaps, we hear talk of being hungry for success or recognition. 00:02:16.400 --> 00:02:20.900 Bruce Springsteen famously sang that everybody has got a hungry heart. 00:02:21.719 --> 00:02:23.400 Everybody's looking for satisfaction. 00:02:23.400 --> 00:02:29.819 And the question is, where is our heart looking for satisfaction? 00:02:29.939 --> 00:02:31.840 Where do I think satisfaction is found? 00:02:33.200 --> 00:02:38.140 Do my appetite lead me towards Jesus or distract me from Jesus? 00:02:39.580 --> 00:02:41.700 Here we are in beatitude number four. 00:02:41.840 --> 00:02:43.780 And there's again a flow to the beatitudes. 00:02:43.920 --> 00:02:48.719 So the first three help us to see clearly our spiritual emptiness, 00:02:48.719 --> 00:02:53.680 our poverty, that we should be mourning over sin, 00:02:53.759 --> 00:02:56.699 that there ought to be a meekness about us. 00:02:56.759 --> 00:03:02.879 But our response as followers of Jesus is not to despair 00:03:02.879 --> 00:03:08.879 and say, here's where I lack and there's nothing I can do about it. 00:03:08.879 --> 00:03:13.079 Rather, disciples of Jesus, aware of our need, 00:03:13.699 --> 00:03:17.139 we long for greater righteousness. 00:03:17.139 --> 00:03:26.279 We sense that lack, but that lack leads us to hunger for God and for his will. 00:03:27.239 --> 00:03:29.119 Now again, we've said this every week, 00:03:29.500 --> 00:03:33.439 there is a counter-cultural challenge to the beatitudes. 00:03:33.919 --> 00:03:36.679 Here's Jesus saying, the person who is blessed, 00:03:36.779 --> 00:03:38.239 who is happy, who knows God's favour, 00:03:38.619 --> 00:03:41.459 is the one who desires to conform to God's will. 00:03:42.659 --> 00:03:44.299 Is that the message of our culture? 00:03:44.419 --> 00:03:44.839 Not really. 00:03:44.840 --> 00:03:48.840 Because by and large, we have replaced virtues, 00:03:50.159 --> 00:03:51.980 the will of God, what's right and wrong, 00:03:52.099 --> 00:03:54.620 virtues with personal values. 00:03:55.699 --> 00:03:57.960 Instead of our society being built on, 00:03:58.420 --> 00:04:01.840 here's the solid rock of what we know and have received 00:04:01.840 --> 00:04:03.960 as good and right and true, 00:04:04.800 --> 00:04:07.039 grounded in God's word, 00:04:07.640 --> 00:04:08.699 that's been replaced, 00:04:08.780 --> 00:04:10.560 that solid rock foundation has been replaced 00:04:10.560 --> 00:04:14.539 with the shifting sands of my personal beliefs and values. 00:04:14.539 --> 00:04:16.780 And those are constantly in flux, as we've seen. 00:04:17.639 --> 00:04:18.280 And the result, 00:04:19.079 --> 00:04:23.420 to borrow from the title of a book by the Christian philosopher Dallas Willard, 00:04:23.519 --> 00:04:28.879 is that we live in the age of the disappearance of moral knowledge. 00:04:30.019 --> 00:04:30.740 Simply put, 00:04:30.819 --> 00:04:33.139 we do not often know where to go 00:04:33.139 --> 00:04:37.199 to understand what is good and right and true. 00:04:38.399 --> 00:04:39.800 C.S. Lewis put it another way. 00:04:39.879 --> 00:04:40.099 He said, 00:04:40.159 --> 00:04:44.839 we're living in a time where there is the loss of moral courage. 00:04:44.839 --> 00:04:49.500 So we need to get to a place where we can see 00:04:49.500 --> 00:04:52.399 that our moral decisions matter 00:04:52.399 --> 00:04:58.199 and what we choose as our moral compass matters. 00:05:00.199 --> 00:05:01.659 And this beatitude 00:05:01.659 --> 00:05:04.239 says to us, 00:05:05.120 --> 00:05:05.839 once again, 00:05:06.259 --> 00:05:07.099 make God, 00:05:07.839 --> 00:05:09.279 make the will of God, 00:05:09.419 --> 00:05:10.799 our pole star. 00:05:10.799 --> 00:05:14.159 Make that be the thing that guides us. 00:05:15.639 --> 00:05:17.899 Some questions for us to think about. 00:05:18.079 --> 00:05:20.560 What is this righteousness 00:05:20.560 --> 00:05:23.539 we are to hunger and thirst for? 00:05:23.779 --> 00:05:25.919 And there's a number of important answers to that 00:05:25.919 --> 00:05:28.159 that we can find in the Bible. 00:05:28.399 --> 00:05:30.279 First of all, 00:05:30.879 --> 00:05:32.219 that righteousness 00:05:32.219 --> 00:05:33.879 that we hunger and thirst for 00:05:33.879 --> 00:05:36.439 is for God himself. 00:05:36.639 --> 00:05:38.799 Because he is righteous. 00:05:38.799 --> 00:05:39.519 Righteous. 00:05:39.959 --> 00:05:42.179 Psalm 145 in verse 17. 00:05:42.180 --> 00:05:45.420 The Lord is righteous in all his ways 00:05:45.420 --> 00:05:49.100 and holy in all his works. 00:05:50.340 --> 00:05:53.100 Ours is a God who is faithful to his character, 00:05:53.100 --> 00:05:55.740 who fulfills his promises, 00:05:56.500 --> 00:06:00.560 who is righteous both in judgment and in salvation. 00:06:00.560 --> 00:06:02.240 And Jesus is saying 00:06:02.240 --> 00:06:04.280 there is blessing to be found, 00:06:04.480 --> 00:06:05.439 there is joy 00:06:05.439 --> 00:06:08.040 and favour with God to be found 00:06:08.040 --> 00:06:10.360 when we have a hunger 00:06:10.360 --> 00:06:12.840 for a right relationship with God, 00:06:13.139 --> 00:06:16.220 when that is our fundamental desire. 00:06:16.220 --> 00:06:19.160 Jesus would say it shortly 00:06:19.160 --> 00:06:20.540 in the Sermon on the Mount, 00:06:20.660 --> 00:06:21.260 Matthew 6. 00:06:21.520 --> 00:06:23.320 Seek first his kingdom 00:06:23.320 --> 00:06:25.600 and his righteousness 00:06:25.600 --> 00:06:27.840 and all these things will be added to you. 00:06:28.800 --> 00:06:30.320 We read from the Old Testament 00:06:30.320 --> 00:06:32.160 in Isaiah chapter 55, 00:06:32.900 --> 00:06:34.200 God's invitation 00:06:34.200 --> 00:06:35.960 to those who would listen 00:06:35.960 --> 00:06:38.460 towards true satisfaction. 00:06:38.459 --> 00:06:42.180 Don't settle for temporary pleasure, 00:06:43.099 --> 00:06:45.479 satisfaction that comes and goes. 00:06:46.079 --> 00:06:50.000 Rather, find satisfaction that lasts 00:06:50.000 --> 00:06:53.799 based on knowing and enjoying life with God. 00:06:54.379 --> 00:06:57.699 He calls us towards an everlasting covenant 00:06:57.699 --> 00:06:59.719 where God binds himself 00:06:59.719 --> 00:07:02.959 in loving relationship to his own people. 00:07:04.159 --> 00:07:05.439 And how does he do that? 00:07:05.439 --> 00:07:07.019 Well, according to the book of Isaiah 00:07:07.019 --> 00:07:08.600 in chapter 53, 00:07:08.600 --> 00:07:10.660 he does that by sending his own son Jesus 00:07:10.660 --> 00:07:12.180 to be the suffering servant, 00:07:13.160 --> 00:07:14.019 the one who will die 00:07:14.019 --> 00:07:16.079 in the place of unrighteous people 00:07:16.079 --> 00:07:19.040 to bring us to a righteous God 00:07:19.040 --> 00:07:21.160 and to be reconciled to him. 00:07:24.819 --> 00:07:27.680 So righteousness that we hunger for 00:07:27.680 --> 00:07:29.159 is to know God 00:07:29.159 --> 00:07:30.500 and to know more of God. 00:07:31.620 --> 00:07:33.100 It's also important to see 00:07:33.100 --> 00:07:35.300 that that righteousness we hunger for 00:07:35.300 --> 00:07:36.300 is a righteousness 00:07:36.300 --> 00:07:40.540 that is provided by the Lord Jesus. 00:07:41.980 --> 00:07:43.819 Paul in 2 Corinthians 5 00:07:43.819 --> 00:07:45.660 and verse 21 says, 00:07:46.160 --> 00:07:46.960 God made him, 00:07:47.000 --> 00:07:47.780 that is Jesus, 00:07:48.540 --> 00:07:50.439 God made him who knew no sin 00:07:50.439 --> 00:07:52.120 to be sin for us 00:07:52.120 --> 00:07:54.139 so that in him 00:07:54.139 --> 00:07:55.939 we might become 00:07:55.939 --> 00:07:57.980 the righteousness of God. 00:07:58.040 --> 00:08:00.199 So here's this great exchange 00:08:00.199 --> 00:08:02.220 that takes place at the cross. 00:08:02.220 --> 00:08:02.700 Jesus, 00:08:02.700 --> 00:08:02.720 Jesus, 00:08:02.900 --> 00:08:05.260 the one truly righteous one, 00:08:05.520 --> 00:08:07.260 he becomes sin, 00:08:07.380 --> 00:08:08.860 he bears sin 00:08:08.860 --> 00:08:10.420 for his people 00:08:10.420 --> 00:08:12.840 so that rebel sinners 00:08:12.840 --> 00:08:15.520 might be declared, 00:08:15.800 --> 00:08:17.000 reckoned to be 00:08:17.000 --> 00:08:18.460 as righteous 00:08:18.460 --> 00:08:19.620 as the Lord Jesus. 00:08:20.200 --> 00:08:21.780 He takes my sin 00:08:21.780 --> 00:08:23.600 and he gifts me 00:08:23.600 --> 00:08:24.800 his righteousness 00:08:24.800 --> 00:08:26.300 so that in God's eyes 00:08:26.300 --> 00:08:27.300 I am declared 00:08:27.300 --> 00:08:28.120 to be righteous. 00:08:30.120 --> 00:08:32.399 That's all of grace 00:08:32.399 --> 00:08:33.720 and it's not something 00:08:33.720 --> 00:08:34.560 that we earn 00:08:34.560 --> 00:08:35.220 or deserve 00:08:35.220 --> 00:08:36.240 and so it's really important 00:08:36.240 --> 00:08:36.879 to understand 00:08:36.879 --> 00:08:38.320 that when Jesus talks 00:08:38.320 --> 00:08:40.620 about pursuing righteousness 00:08:40.620 --> 00:08:42.539 he's thinking about 00:08:42.539 --> 00:08:43.799 inner transformation 00:08:43.799 --> 00:08:46.279 not an external 00:08:46.279 --> 00:08:47.779 set of laws 00:08:47.779 --> 00:08:49.360 that we keep 00:08:49.360 --> 00:08:51.320 as a tick box exercise. 00:08:52.080 --> 00:08:53.279 You can compare 00:08:53.279 --> 00:08:55.759 the teaching of Jesus 00:08:55.759 --> 00:08:56.720 with the Pharisees 00:08:56.720 --> 00:08:57.379 and how often 00:08:57.379 --> 00:08:59.360 they were in conflict 00:08:59.360 --> 00:09:01.559 because for the Pharisees 00:09:01.559 --> 00:09:02.299 their righteousness 00:09:02.299 --> 00:09:03.019 was all about 00:09:03.019 --> 00:09:03.759 the externals 00:09:03.759 --> 00:09:04.439 whereas Jesus 00:09:04.439 --> 00:09:05.759 in the Sermon on the Mount 00:09:05.759 --> 00:09:06.659 and all through his ministry 00:09:06.659 --> 00:09:07.299 is calling us 00:09:07.299 --> 00:09:08.379 to be transformed 00:09:08.379 --> 00:09:09.100 from the inside 00:09:09.100 --> 00:09:10.839 to have an inner heart 00:09:10.839 --> 00:09:11.500 and mind 00:09:11.500 --> 00:09:12.360 and motive 00:09:12.360 --> 00:09:14.939 that desires 00:09:14.939 --> 00:09:16.480 the will of God. 00:09:16.480 --> 00:09:19.159 So we are to hunger 00:09:19.159 --> 00:09:20.100 and thirst 00:09:20.100 --> 00:09:20.899 for 00:09:20.899 --> 00:09:22.659 to be satisfied 00:09:22.659 --> 00:09:23.300 by 00:09:23.300 --> 00:09:23.980 and to find 00:09:23.980 --> 00:09:24.779 our hope 00:09:24.779 --> 00:09:25.360 in 00:09:25.360 --> 00:09:27.180 the perfectly 00:09:27.180 --> 00:09:27.940 righteous one 00:09:27.940 --> 00:09:29.039 the Lord Jesus 00:09:29.039 --> 00:09:30.340 and that righteousness 00:09:30.340 --> 00:09:32.060 he gives to us 00:09:32.060 --> 00:09:33.779 and that's something 00:09:33.779 --> 00:09:34.259 that we're never 00:09:34.259 --> 00:09:35.539 to lose our appetite for. 00:09:36.600 --> 00:09:37.500 But there's also 00:09:37.500 --> 00:09:38.680 a social dimension 00:09:38.680 --> 00:09:39.779 to this righteousness 00:09:39.779 --> 00:09:40.580 that we are to hunger 00:09:40.580 --> 00:09:41.240 and thirst for. 00:09:41.480 --> 00:09:43.539 We are to hunger 00:09:43.539 --> 00:09:44.060 for 00:09:44.060 --> 00:09:45.800 living rightly 00:09:45.799 --> 00:09:46.979 for God. 00:09:48.579 --> 00:09:49.719 Where do we take 00:09:49.719 --> 00:09:50.459 our cues 00:09:50.459 --> 00:09:52.399 for moral goodness? 00:09:53.479 --> 00:09:54.539 For a Christian 00:09:54.539 --> 00:09:55.500 and for the church 00:09:55.500 --> 00:09:56.659 we are to take 00:09:56.659 --> 00:09:57.319 our cue 00:09:57.319 --> 00:09:58.219 from God 00:09:58.219 --> 00:09:59.120 and his word 00:09:59.120 --> 00:09:59.959 not 00:09:59.959 --> 00:10:02.079 the shifting values 00:10:02.079 --> 00:10:02.919 of our culture. 00:10:04.339 --> 00:10:05.319 It's a reminder 00:10:05.319 --> 00:10:06.159 that when Jesus 00:10:06.159 --> 00:10:08.099 is our saviour 00:10:08.099 --> 00:10:09.719 he is also 00:10:09.719 --> 00:10:10.620 our Lord 00:10:10.620 --> 00:10:11.919 and our King. 00:10:12.579 --> 00:10:13.599 He directs 00:10:14.759 --> 00:10:15.599 what goodness 00:10:15.600 --> 00:10:16.879 looks like 00:10:16.879 --> 00:10:17.840 and what truth 00:10:17.840 --> 00:10:19.340 sounds like. 00:10:20.040 --> 00:10:20.980 This is not 00:10:20.980 --> 00:10:22.960 the cheap grace 00:10:22.960 --> 00:10:24.800 that Bonhoeffer 00:10:24.800 --> 00:10:25.820 spoke against. 00:10:26.759 --> 00:10:27.259 This isn't 00:10:27.259 --> 00:10:28.259 Jesus gives you 00:10:28.259 --> 00:10:28.779 forgiveness 00:10:28.779 --> 00:10:29.720 as a free pass 00:10:29.720 --> 00:10:30.240 so you can do 00:10:30.240 --> 00:10:31.000 whatever you want 00:10:31.000 --> 00:10:31.779 because you'll be sure 00:10:31.779 --> 00:10:32.840 of going to heaven 00:10:32.840 --> 00:10:33.680 so long as you say 00:10:33.680 --> 00:10:34.139 a prayer. 00:10:35.420 --> 00:10:36.440 This is not 00:10:36.440 --> 00:10:37.420 some kind of 00:10:37.420 --> 00:10:38.460 get out of jail 00:10:38.460 --> 00:10:39.540 free card. 00:10:39.940 --> 00:10:40.160 No, 00:10:40.379 --> 00:10:40.840 this is 00:10:40.840 --> 00:10:41.879 the reality 00:10:41.879 --> 00:10:42.680 that when Jesus 00:10:42.680 --> 00:10:43.720 bids a person 00:10:43.720 --> 00:10:44.480 to come and follow 00:10:44.480 --> 00:10:44.700 him, 00:10:44.740 --> 00:10:45.259 he bids that 00:10:45.259 --> 00:10:45.860 person come 00:10:45.860 --> 00:10:46.279 and die, 00:10:46.379 --> 00:10:46.899 come and die 00:10:46.899 --> 00:10:47.340 to self 00:10:47.340 --> 00:10:47.800 to live 00:10:47.800 --> 00:10:48.440 for Jesus. 00:10:50.399 --> 00:10:51.420 So to hunger 00:10:51.420 --> 00:10:52.480 for that righteousness 00:10:52.480 --> 00:10:53.200 is to 00:10:53.200 --> 00:10:54.440 have a new 00:10:54.440 --> 00:10:54.980 appetite, 00:10:55.160 --> 00:10:55.600 a hunger 00:10:55.600 --> 00:10:56.820 for holiness. 00:10:58.580 --> 00:10:59.639 That we sense 00:10:59.639 --> 00:11:00.779 the gnawing 00:11:00.779 --> 00:11:01.639 pain 00:11:01.639 --> 00:11:02.740 in the pit 00:11:02.740 --> 00:11:03.560 of our stomach 00:11:03.560 --> 00:11:05.340 because of 00:11:05.340 --> 00:11:06.460 our disobedience, 00:11:07.000 --> 00:11:08.320 because of 00:11:08.320 --> 00:11:08.980 our failure, 00:11:10.240 --> 00:11:10.960 because of 00:11:10.960 --> 00:11:11.399 our lack 00:11:11.399 --> 00:11:11.799 of love 00:11:11.799 --> 00:11:12.319 for God 00:11:12.319 --> 00:11:12.639 and for 00:11:12.639 --> 00:11:12.980 others. 00:11:14.679 --> 00:11:15.459 We sense 00:11:15.459 --> 00:11:16.159 where we let 00:11:16.159 --> 00:11:16.779 God down 00:11:16.779 --> 00:11:17.639 in our words 00:11:17.639 --> 00:11:18.659 and our actions 00:11:18.659 --> 00:11:19.659 and our motivations 00:11:19.659 --> 00:11:20.799 and that pains 00:11:20.799 --> 00:11:22.059 us but it also 00:11:22.059 --> 00:11:23.379 motivates us 00:11:23.379 --> 00:11:24.500 in our desire 00:11:24.500 --> 00:11:25.139 to become 00:11:25.139 --> 00:11:26.120 more like 00:11:26.120 --> 00:11:26.480 Jesus. 00:11:28.340 --> 00:11:29.279 So we hunger 00:11:29.279 --> 00:11:29.720 and thirst 00:11:29.720 --> 00:11:30.220 for living 00:11:30.220 --> 00:11:30.699 rightly 00:11:30.699 --> 00:11:31.919 for God. 00:11:32.879 --> 00:11:33.439 And again 00:11:33.439 --> 00:11:34.279 on that social 00:11:34.279 --> 00:11:35.279 dimension, 00:11:35.460 --> 00:11:36.019 we hunger 00:11:36.019 --> 00:11:36.879 and thirst 00:11:36.879 --> 00:11:38.879 as we seek 00:11:38.879 --> 00:11:39.799 God's 00:11:39.799 --> 00:11:40.600 righteousness 00:11:40.600 --> 00:11:42.899 in God's 00:11:42.899 --> 00:11:43.439 world. 00:11:44.539 --> 00:11:45.200 Remember how 00:11:45.200 --> 00:11:45.840 Jesus taught 00:11:45.840 --> 00:11:46.419 his disciples 00:11:46.419 --> 00:11:47.019 to pray, 00:11:47.500 --> 00:11:48.139 your kingdom 00:11:48.139 --> 00:11:48.659 come, 00:11:49.559 --> 00:11:50.059 your will 00:11:50.059 --> 00:11:50.439 be done 00:11:50.439 --> 00:11:50.840 on earth 00:11:50.840 --> 00:11:51.419 as it is 00:11:51.419 --> 00:11:51.860 in heaven. 00:11:52.179 --> 00:11:53.080 So we desire 00:11:53.080 --> 00:11:53.639 to see 00:11:53.639 --> 00:11:55.039 the righteousness 00:11:55.039 --> 00:11:55.820 of God 00:11:55.820 --> 00:11:56.740 in the world 00:11:56.740 --> 00:11:57.539 that he has made. 00:11:58.700 --> 00:11:59.159 And that has 00:11:59.159 --> 00:11:59.679 implications 00:11:59.679 --> 00:12:00.480 for our 00:12:00.480 --> 00:12:01.919 personal relationships 00:12:01.919 --> 00:12:03.419 so that in 00:12:03.419 --> 00:12:04.299 our family, 00:12:04.500 --> 00:12:05.639 in our homes, 00:12:05.979 --> 00:12:06.740 in our workplace, 00:12:06.959 --> 00:12:07.740 with our colleagues, 00:12:08.139 --> 00:12:09.819 in our friendships 00:12:09.819 --> 00:12:11.240 and with 00:12:11.240 --> 00:12:12.339 fellow church 00:12:12.339 --> 00:12:13.219 members, 00:12:13.219 --> 00:12:14.519 we want to 00:12:14.519 --> 00:12:15.599 speak and 00:12:15.599 --> 00:12:16.500 act towards 00:12:16.500 --> 00:12:17.399 people in 00:12:17.399 --> 00:12:18.379 a righteous way, 00:12:19.159 --> 00:12:19.759 in a way that 00:12:19.759 --> 00:12:20.839 conforms to the 00:12:20.839 --> 00:12:21.459 pattern that 00:12:21.459 --> 00:12:22.059 Jesus said. 00:12:23.559 --> 00:12:24.199 But it's not 00:12:24.199 --> 00:12:24.579 just about 00:12:24.579 --> 00:12:25.159 relationships, 00:12:25.299 --> 00:12:26.259 it's also about 00:12:26.259 --> 00:12:27.740 a desire for 00:12:27.740 --> 00:12:29.139 justice. 00:12:30.079 --> 00:12:30.679 You read the 00:12:30.679 --> 00:12:31.199 Old Testament 00:12:31.200 --> 00:12:32.060 prophets and 00:12:32.060 --> 00:12:32.980 so often 00:12:32.980 --> 00:12:33.780 Israel is 00:12:33.780 --> 00:12:34.600 being condemned 00:12:34.600 --> 00:12:35.440 because of 00:12:35.440 --> 00:12:36.140 injustice, 00:12:36.800 --> 00:12:37.560 oppression of 00:12:37.560 --> 00:12:38.020 the poor, 00:12:38.660 --> 00:12:39.300 stealing the 00:12:39.300 --> 00:12:40.220 homes of 00:12:40.220 --> 00:12:40.900 widows, 00:12:41.920 --> 00:12:42.660 justice in 00:12:42.660 --> 00:12:43.100 the courts 00:12:43.100 --> 00:12:43.540 that could be 00:12:43.540 --> 00:12:44.140 bought and 00:12:44.140 --> 00:12:44.540 sold. 00:12:46.320 --> 00:12:46.940 Martin Luther 00:12:46.940 --> 00:12:47.379 King, 00:12:48.180 --> 00:12:48.820 as he saw 00:12:48.820 --> 00:12:49.560 the social 00:12:49.560 --> 00:12:50.400 injustice of 00:12:50.400 --> 00:12:50.860 racism, 00:12:51.500 --> 00:12:51.900 used the 00:12:51.900 --> 00:12:52.300 words of 00:12:52.300 --> 00:12:52.820 an Old 00:12:52.820 --> 00:12:53.220 Testament 00:12:53.220 --> 00:12:53.920 prophet, 00:12:54.480 --> 00:12:55.080 Amos, 00:12:55.879 --> 00:12:56.879 quoting Amos 00:12:56.879 --> 00:12:57.300 5, 00:12:57.400 --> 00:12:58.060 24, 00:12:58.660 --> 00:12:59.240 on a number 00:12:59.240 --> 00:12:59.900 of occasions, 00:13:00.300 --> 00:13:01.060 let justice 00:13:01.059 --> 00:13:02.439 roll on like 00:13:02.439 --> 00:13:02.899 a river, 00:13:03.500 --> 00:13:04.239 righteousness, 00:13:05.079 --> 00:13:06.319 like a 00:13:06.319 --> 00:13:07.000 never failing 00:13:07.000 --> 00:13:07.539 stream. 00:13:09.079 --> 00:13:09.559 So we 00:13:09.559 --> 00:13:10.399 pursue justice 00:13:10.399 --> 00:13:11.039 looking at a 00:13:11.039 --> 00:13:12.199 high level, 00:13:12.299 --> 00:13:13.619 but also we 00:13:13.619 --> 00:13:14.839 pursue justice, 00:13:15.519 --> 00:13:16.059 for example, 00:13:16.179 --> 00:13:16.419 when we 00:13:16.419 --> 00:13:17.179 defend a 00:13:17.179 --> 00:13:18.699 co-worker from 00:13:18.699 --> 00:13:19.279 gossip or 00:13:19.279 --> 00:13:19.759 slander. 00:13:21.500 --> 00:13:22.159 So it's about 00:13:22.159 --> 00:13:22.779 relationships, 00:13:22.979 --> 00:13:23.239 it's about 00:13:23.239 --> 00:13:23.659 justice, 00:13:23.779 --> 00:13:24.059 it's about 00:13:24.059 --> 00:13:25.259 moral integrity, 00:13:25.979 --> 00:13:27.319 that we hunger 00:13:27.319 --> 00:13:28.159 and thirst to be 00:13:28.159 --> 00:13:29.519 known as a 00:13:29.519 --> 00:13:29.980 people who 00:13:29.980 --> 00:13:30.439 tell the 00:13:30.439 --> 00:13:30.779 truth, 00:13:31.519 --> 00:13:32.539 who work 00:13:32.539 --> 00:13:33.740 with honesty, 00:13:34.460 --> 00:13:36.159 even when 00:13:36.159 --> 00:13:36.899 that hurts, 00:13:37.620 --> 00:13:38.059 who are 00:13:38.059 --> 00:13:38.980 known for 00:13:38.980 --> 00:13:39.960 fairness, 00:13:41.399 --> 00:13:43.039 who are 00:13:43.039 --> 00:13:43.679 careful 00:13:43.679 --> 00:13:45.159 against 00:13:45.159 --> 00:13:46.340 using our 00:13:46.340 --> 00:13:47.779 words in 00:13:47.779 --> 00:13:48.439 person or 00:13:48.439 --> 00:13:49.319 online to 00:13:49.319 --> 00:13:50.840 tear others 00:13:50.840 --> 00:13:51.500 down. 00:13:51.500 --> 00:13:51.639 them. 00:13:52.840 --> 00:13:53.500 So the 00:13:53.500 --> 00:13:54.100 righteousness 00:13:54.100 --> 00:13:54.740 that Jesus 00:13:54.740 --> 00:13:55.340 calls us 00:13:55.340 --> 00:13:56.039 to long 00:13:56.039 --> 00:13:58.159 for is 00:13:58.159 --> 00:13:58.440 that we 00:13:58.440 --> 00:13:59.000 would live 00:13:59.000 --> 00:14:00.179 in relationship 00:14:00.179 --> 00:14:01.019 with God 00:14:01.019 --> 00:14:02.799 and want 00:14:02.799 --> 00:14:03.480 more of 00:14:03.480 --> 00:14:03.860 that, 00:14:04.399 --> 00:14:05.399 and to 00:14:05.399 --> 00:14:06.139 live rightly 00:14:06.139 --> 00:14:07.139 before God 00:14:07.139 --> 00:14:08.460 and for 00:14:08.460 --> 00:14:09.740 God in 00:14:09.740 --> 00:14:10.919 his world. 00:14:10.919 --> 00:14:15.139 next question 00:14:15.139 --> 00:14:15.559 for us to 00:14:15.559 --> 00:14:16.059 think about 00:14:16.059 --> 00:14:16.559 is this, 00:14:16.919 --> 00:14:17.419 what can 00:14:17.419 --> 00:14:18.379 we say 00:14:18.379 --> 00:14:19.599 about 00:14:19.599 --> 00:14:20.379 hungering 00:14:20.379 --> 00:14:21.959 and thirsting? 00:14:22.000 --> 00:14:22.299 What's it 00:14:22.299 --> 00:14:22.860 look like? 00:14:24.019 --> 00:14:24.439 And again, 00:14:24.519 --> 00:14:24.919 this is an 00:14:24.919 --> 00:14:25.479 image that's 00:14:25.479 --> 00:14:26.159 helpful on 00:14:26.159 --> 00:14:27.259 various levels, 00:14:27.339 --> 00:14:27.679 you think about 00:14:27.679 --> 00:14:27.899 hunger, 00:14:27.979 --> 00:14:28.379 you think about 00:14:28.379 --> 00:14:28.779 thirst, 00:14:29.019 --> 00:14:29.679 we recognise 00:14:29.679 --> 00:14:30.259 these are 00:14:30.259 --> 00:14:31.039 fundamental, 00:14:31.839 --> 00:14:33.079 basic needs. 00:14:33.439 --> 00:14:33.959 Jesus is 00:14:33.959 --> 00:14:34.899 saying at 00:14:34.899 --> 00:14:35.719 our core 00:14:35.719 --> 00:14:37.099 as Christians 00:14:37.099 --> 00:14:38.860 is to 00:14:38.860 --> 00:14:39.899 long for 00:14:39.899 --> 00:14:41.639 God and 00:14:41.639 --> 00:14:42.340 to long 00:14:42.340 --> 00:14:43.179 for his 00:14:43.179 --> 00:14:43.539 will, 00:14:44.799 --> 00:14:46.019 to desire 00:14:46.019 --> 00:14:46.759 to be 00:14:46.759 --> 00:14:47.720 more like 00:14:47.720 --> 00:14:47.959 him, 00:14:48.079 --> 00:14:48.720 to live 00:14:48.720 --> 00:14:49.559 in faith 00:14:49.559 --> 00:14:50.439 and obedience, 00:14:50.559 --> 00:14:51.220 that should 00:14:51.220 --> 00:14:51.819 be the 00:14:51.819 --> 00:14:52.919 appetite above 00:14:52.919 --> 00:14:54.240 all that 00:14:54.240 --> 00:14:54.919 drives us. 00:14:55.559 --> 00:14:56.079 We see this 00:14:56.079 --> 00:14:56.579 in David's 00:14:56.579 --> 00:14:56.980 life in the 00:14:56.980 --> 00:14:57.240 psalm, 00:14:57.299 --> 00:14:58.419 psalm 42, 00:14:59.240 --> 00:14:59.860 he uses that 00:14:59.860 --> 00:15:00.399 picture of 00:15:00.399 --> 00:15:02.059 the dehydrated 00:15:02.059 --> 00:15:02.519 deer, 00:15:03.159 --> 00:15:04.139 desperate for 00:15:04.139 --> 00:15:05.299 streams of 00:15:05.299 --> 00:15:05.720 water, 00:15:06.600 --> 00:15:06.879 and David 00:15:06.879 --> 00:15:07.199 said that 00:15:07.199 --> 00:15:07.899 reflects my 00:15:07.899 --> 00:15:08.579 longing for 00:15:08.579 --> 00:15:08.919 God. 00:15:09.899 --> 00:15:10.899 Psalm 63 00:15:10.899 --> 00:15:11.360 which we'll 00:15:11.360 --> 00:15:12.340 sing at 00:15:12.340 --> 00:15:12.860 the end, 00:15:13.259 --> 00:15:13.579 David says 00:15:13.579 --> 00:15:14.139 I thirst 00:15:14.139 --> 00:15:14.500 for you, 00:15:14.539 --> 00:15:14.840 my whole 00:15:14.840 --> 00:15:15.759 being longs 00:15:15.759 --> 00:15:16.179 for you, 00:15:17.299 --> 00:15:17.720 I'll be 00:15:17.720 --> 00:15:18.639 satisfied as 00:15:18.639 --> 00:15:19.079 with the 00:15:19.079 --> 00:15:19.740 richest of 00:15:19.740 --> 00:15:20.600 foods when 00:15:20.600 --> 00:15:21.159 I come to 00:15:21.159 --> 00:15:21.699 know and 00:15:21.699 --> 00:15:22.860 enjoy that 00:15:22.860 --> 00:15:23.360 sense of 00:15:23.360 --> 00:15:24.840 intimacy with 00:15:24.840 --> 00:15:25.959 my God. 00:15:27.039 --> 00:15:27.500 And if 00:15:27.500 --> 00:15:28.000 David gives 00:15:28.000 --> 00:15:28.379 us a good 00:15:28.379 --> 00:15:28.779 example, 00:15:28.939 --> 00:15:29.480 Jesus gives 00:15:29.480 --> 00:15:29.759 us the 00:15:29.759 --> 00:15:30.759 perfect example 00:15:30.759 --> 00:15:31.679 in John 00:15:31.679 --> 00:15:32.539 chapter 4, 00:15:33.419 --> 00:15:33.919 he says 00:15:33.919 --> 00:15:35.679 my food is 00:15:35.679 --> 00:15:36.539 to do the 00:15:36.539 --> 00:15:37.220 will of 00:15:37.220 --> 00:15:37.820 him who 00:15:37.820 --> 00:15:38.560 sent me 00:15:38.560 --> 00:15:39.779 and to 00:15:39.779 --> 00:15:40.759 finish his 00:15:40.759 --> 00:15:41.120 work. 00:15:41.660 --> 00:15:42.340 Just as 00:15:42.340 --> 00:15:42.920 he said 00:15:42.920 --> 00:15:44.040 in Matthew 00:15:44.040 --> 00:15:45.000 chapter 4, 00:15:45.660 --> 00:15:46.100 man does 00:15:46.100 --> 00:15:46.680 not live by 00:15:46.680 --> 00:15:47.360 bread alone 00:15:47.360 --> 00:15:47.639 but on 00:15:47.639 --> 00:15:48.139 every word 00:15:48.139 --> 00:15:48.620 that comes 00:15:48.620 --> 00:15:48.980 from the 00:15:48.980 --> 00:15:49.759 mouth of 00:15:49.759 --> 00:15:50.360 God. 00:15:51.540 --> 00:15:52.060 Jesus' 00:15:52.740 --> 00:15:54.320 will was 00:15:54.320 --> 00:15:54.580 that he 00:15:54.580 --> 00:15:55.080 did the 00:15:55.080 --> 00:15:55.620 Father's 00:15:55.620 --> 00:15:55.879 will. 00:15:56.480 --> 00:15:57.639 Jesus loved 00:15:57.639 --> 00:15:58.920 to hear 00:15:58.920 --> 00:15:59.320 and to 00:15:59.320 --> 00:16:00.340 obey the 00:16:00.340 --> 00:16:00.960 Father's 00:16:00.960 --> 00:16:01.440 word. 00:16:01.440 --> 00:16:03.180 Jesus lived 00:16:03.180 --> 00:16:04.340 to pursue 00:16:04.340 --> 00:16:05.380 and complete 00:16:05.380 --> 00:16:06.880 his Father's 00:16:06.880 --> 00:16:08.140 work for 00:16:08.140 --> 00:16:08.580 him. 00:16:10.020 --> 00:16:10.840 That was 00:16:10.840 --> 00:16:11.820 fundamental 00:16:11.820 --> 00:16:13.600 to his 00:16:13.600 --> 00:16:14.180 life. 00:16:15.880 --> 00:16:16.800 Perhaps in 00:16:16.800 --> 00:16:17.520 response, 00:16:18.780 --> 00:16:19.360 we need to 00:16:19.360 --> 00:16:20.000 take time to 00:16:20.000 --> 00:16:20.480 talk to 00:16:20.480 --> 00:16:22.160 God, to 00:16:22.160 --> 00:16:22.620 think about 00:16:22.620 --> 00:16:23.840 how is my 00:16:23.840 --> 00:16:25.100 appetite for 00:16:25.100 --> 00:16:25.880 God and for 00:16:25.880 --> 00:16:27.340 holiness and 00:16:27.340 --> 00:16:28.660 to ask that 00:16:28.660 --> 00:16:29.380 God by his 00:16:29.380 --> 00:16:29.940 Spirit would 00:16:29.940 --> 00:16:30.880 increase, 00:16:30.879 --> 00:16:32.860 our desire. 00:16:35.519 --> 00:16:36.299 Another thing 00:16:36.299 --> 00:16:36.740 that we can 00:16:36.740 --> 00:16:37.700 recognise about 00:16:37.700 --> 00:16:38.419 hungering and 00:16:38.419 --> 00:16:39.240 thirsting is 00:16:39.240 --> 00:16:39.759 that these 00:16:39.759 --> 00:16:40.620 are needs 00:16:40.620 --> 00:16:42.379 that must be 00:16:42.379 --> 00:16:42.679 met. 00:16:42.759 --> 00:16:43.240 We know that 00:16:43.240 --> 00:16:43.580 they can be 00:16:43.580 --> 00:16:44.240 really painful 00:16:44.240 --> 00:16:45.139 experiences, 00:16:45.360 --> 00:16:45.799 hunger and 00:16:45.799 --> 00:16:46.879 thirst, if 00:16:46.879 --> 00:16:47.259 you've ever 00:16:47.259 --> 00:16:48.460 had a 00:16:48.460 --> 00:16:49.379 dehydration 00:16:49.379 --> 00:16:51.179 sickness or 00:16:51.179 --> 00:16:51.980 simply that 00:16:51.980 --> 00:16:53.419 rumbling and 00:16:53.419 --> 00:16:53.899 crumbling in 00:16:53.899 --> 00:16:54.519 the pit of 00:16:54.519 --> 00:16:55.000 your stomach 00:16:55.000 --> 00:16:55.299 because you 00:16:55.299 --> 00:16:55.840 haven't eaten 00:16:55.840 --> 00:16:56.539 for a day. 00:16:57.000 --> 00:16:57.500 You know 00:16:57.500 --> 00:16:57.840 that it's 00:16:57.840 --> 00:16:58.360 painful. 00:16:59.679 --> 00:17:00.740 So as a 00:17:00.740 --> 00:17:01.060 common 00:17:01.060 --> 00:17:02.600 practice, we 00:17:02.600 --> 00:17:03.820 naturally plan 00:17:03.820 --> 00:17:04.180 for our 00:17:04.180 --> 00:17:05.700 meals so 00:17:05.700 --> 00:17:06.079 that hunger 00:17:06.079 --> 00:17:06.400 and thirst 00:17:06.400 --> 00:17:06.660 can be 00:17:06.660 --> 00:17:07.099 satisfied. 00:17:07.240 --> 00:17:07.539 Here's the 00:17:07.539 --> 00:17:08.200 question for 00:17:08.200 --> 00:17:09.900 us as 00:17:09.900 --> 00:17:10.620 followers of 00:17:10.620 --> 00:17:10.880 Jesus. 00:17:11.099 --> 00:17:11.680 Do we 00:17:11.680 --> 00:17:13.859 plan for 00:17:13.859 --> 00:17:14.519 righteousness 00:17:14.519 --> 00:17:15.880 and for 00:17:15.880 --> 00:17:16.480 character? 00:17:18.160 --> 00:17:18.819 Do we 00:17:18.819 --> 00:17:19.640 plan for 00:17:19.640 --> 00:17:20.620 those longings 00:17:20.620 --> 00:17:21.019 to be 00:17:21.019 --> 00:17:21.960 satisfied so 00:17:21.960 --> 00:17:22.240 that we 00:17:22.240 --> 00:17:23.039 would grow 00:17:23.039 --> 00:17:25.000 in our 00:17:25.000 --> 00:17:26.160 fellowship with 00:17:26.160 --> 00:17:26.819 God and 00:17:26.819 --> 00:17:27.380 our obedience 00:17:27.380 --> 00:17:28.039 to him? 00:17:28.039 --> 00:17:29.779 God's 00:17:29.779 --> 00:17:29.799 need to 00:17:29.799 --> 00:17:30.039 think about 00:17:30.039 --> 00:17:30.460 our 00:17:30.460 --> 00:17:31.039 needs. 00:17:31.039 --> 00:17:31.319 How can 00:17:31.319 --> 00:17:31.899 we plan 00:17:31.899 --> 00:17:32.960 to meet 00:17:32.960 --> 00:17:34.399 those needs? 00:17:36.759 --> 00:17:37.359 Maybe we 00:17:37.359 --> 00:17:37.619 need to 00:17:37.619 --> 00:17:38.059 think about 00:17:38.059 --> 00:17:39.619 our bedtime. 00:17:40.980 --> 00:17:41.539 Maybe we 00:17:41.539 --> 00:17:41.839 need to 00:17:41.839 --> 00:17:42.740 make use of 00:17:42.740 --> 00:17:43.200 our alarm 00:17:43.200 --> 00:17:44.180 clock, that 00:17:44.180 --> 00:17:44.680 we would go 00:17:44.680 --> 00:17:45.119 to bed 00:17:45.119 --> 00:17:45.980 early and 00:17:45.980 --> 00:17:46.240 we would 00:17:46.240 --> 00:17:46.799 get up 00:17:46.799 --> 00:17:48.019 early to 00:17:48.019 --> 00:17:48.759 give ourselves 00:17:48.759 --> 00:17:49.859 more time, 00:17:50.279 --> 00:17:50.759 time when 00:17:50.759 --> 00:17:51.700 we're awake, 00:17:51.759 --> 00:17:52.139 not half 00:17:52.139 --> 00:17:53.599 asleep, for 00:17:53.599 --> 00:17:54.799 reading God's 00:17:54.799 --> 00:17:55.500 word, for 00:17:55.500 --> 00:17:56.359 reflecting on 00:17:56.359 --> 00:17:56.779 it and for 00:17:56.779 --> 00:17:57.279 praying to 00:17:57.279 --> 00:17:57.619 him, to 00:17:57.619 --> 00:17:59.199 build a 00:17:59.199 --> 00:18:00.039 relationship, to 00:18:00.039 --> 00:18:00.819 confess our 00:18:00.819 --> 00:18:01.219 sin, to 00:18:01.219 --> 00:18:02.039 worship him, to 00:18:02.039 --> 00:18:02.719 ask for our 00:18:02.719 --> 00:18:03.299 needs at the 00:18:03.299 --> 00:18:03.819 start of the 00:18:03.819 --> 00:18:04.019 day. 00:18:06.919 --> 00:18:07.559 It will 00:18:07.559 --> 00:18:08.659 involve us 00:18:08.659 --> 00:18:09.919 in time 00:18:09.919 --> 00:18:10.679 management. 00:18:11.159 --> 00:18:11.939 Who doesn't 00:18:11.939 --> 00:18:13.059 struggle with 00:18:13.059 --> 00:18:13.639 time management? 00:18:13.759 --> 00:18:14.099 So many 00:18:14.099 --> 00:18:15.579 things to do 00:18:15.579 --> 00:18:16.219 in the course 00:18:16.219 --> 00:18:17.459 of a day, but 00:18:17.459 --> 00:18:18.419 we all need 00:18:18.419 --> 00:18:19.199 to learn to 00:18:19.199 --> 00:18:20.459 either create 00:18:20.459 --> 00:18:22.119 time or 00:18:22.119 --> 00:18:23.379 protect time 00:18:23.379 --> 00:18:25.099 for God and 00:18:25.099 --> 00:18:25.740 for the people 00:18:25.740 --> 00:18:26.240 of God. 00:18:28.559 --> 00:18:29.220 That we 00:18:29.220 --> 00:18:29.960 cannot be 00:18:29.960 --> 00:18:31.160 satisfied, we 00:18:31.160 --> 00:18:32.539 cannot grow as 00:18:32.539 --> 00:18:33.579 a Christian as 00:18:33.579 --> 00:18:34.339 we should unless 00:18:34.339 --> 00:18:35.000 we are making 00:18:35.000 --> 00:18:36.120 time for God 00:18:36.120 --> 00:18:37.480 and his word 00:18:37.480 --> 00:18:38.660 and worship 00:18:38.660 --> 00:18:39.920 and spending 00:18:39.920 --> 00:18:40.960 time with the 00:18:40.960 --> 00:18:41.759 family of God, 00:18:41.859 --> 00:18:43.039 our spiritual 00:18:43.039 --> 00:18:43.900 family. 00:18:45.019 --> 00:18:45.740 So we need 00:18:45.740 --> 00:18:46.740 to be around 00:18:46.740 --> 00:18:48.519 hungry people. 00:18:49.339 --> 00:18:49.819 Who do you 00:18:49.819 --> 00:18:50.559 know who loves 00:18:50.559 --> 00:18:51.200 digging into 00:18:51.200 --> 00:18:51.599 the Bible? 00:18:51.920 --> 00:18:52.299 Who do you 00:18:52.299 --> 00:18:52.839 know who has 00:18:52.839 --> 00:18:53.599 an active 00:18:53.599 --> 00:18:54.940 prayer life where 00:18:54.940 --> 00:18:55.500 you sense 00:18:55.500 --> 00:18:55.960 here is 00:18:55.960 --> 00:18:56.420 someone who 00:18:56.420 --> 00:18:57.779 knows friendship 00:18:57.779 --> 00:18:58.099 with God. 00:18:58.319 --> 00:18:58.599 Here is 00:18:58.599 --> 00:18:59.039 someone who's 00:18:59.039 --> 00:18:59.900 working on 00:18:59.900 --> 00:19:00.539 their character. 00:19:00.680 --> 00:19:00.839 Here is 00:19:00.839 --> 00:19:01.220 someone who's 00:19:01.220 --> 00:19:02.000 honest about 00:19:02.000 --> 00:19:02.240 sin. 00:19:03.460 --> 00:19:03.859 Let's get 00:19:03.859 --> 00:19:04.640 around those 00:19:04.640 --> 00:19:05.000 people. 00:19:05.680 --> 00:19:06.440 Watch them. 00:19:07.359 --> 00:19:07.980 Learn from 00:19:07.980 --> 00:19:08.299 them. 00:19:08.759 --> 00:19:09.279 Talk to 00:19:09.279 --> 00:19:09.440 them. 00:19:09.720 --> 00:19:10.240 Have your 00:19:10.240 --> 00:19:11.680 appetite stirred 00:19:11.680 --> 00:19:12.440 as you see 00:19:12.440 --> 00:19:13.819 theirs in 00:19:13.819 --> 00:19:14.279 action. 00:19:16.339 --> 00:19:17.079 And also it's 00:19:17.079 --> 00:19:17.640 a call to us 00:19:17.640 --> 00:19:18.339 as Christians to 00:19:18.339 --> 00:19:19.319 be who we 00:19:19.319 --> 00:19:20.539 truly are. 00:19:20.539 --> 00:19:20.599 are. 00:19:22.000 --> 00:19:22.480 We need 00:19:22.480 --> 00:19:23.200 always to be 00:19:23.200 --> 00:19:23.879 talking to 00:19:23.879 --> 00:19:25.000 ourselves about 00:19:25.000 --> 00:19:25.700 the reality 00:19:25.700 --> 00:19:26.339 that in 00:19:26.339 --> 00:19:27.759 Christ we 00:19:27.759 --> 00:19:28.180 are a new 00:19:28.180 --> 00:19:28.720 creation. 00:19:29.460 --> 00:19:30.559 In Christ we 00:19:30.559 --> 00:19:31.220 are adopted 00:19:31.220 --> 00:19:32.680 into the 00:19:32.680 --> 00:19:33.339 family of 00:19:33.339 --> 00:19:34.440 God and as 00:19:34.440 --> 00:19:35.039 such we need 00:19:35.039 --> 00:19:35.839 to put on 00:19:35.839 --> 00:19:37.139 the qualities 00:19:37.139 --> 00:19:38.440 of our 00:19:38.440 --> 00:19:39.000 father in 00:19:39.000 --> 00:19:39.339 heaven. 00:19:40.180 --> 00:19:40.700 We have a 00:19:40.700 --> 00:19:41.279 new set of 00:19:41.279 --> 00:19:42.079 family values 00:19:42.079 --> 00:19:42.659 to live by 00:19:42.659 --> 00:19:43.599 so we put 00:19:43.599 --> 00:19:44.680 off the 00:19:44.680 --> 00:19:45.319 old self 00:19:45.319 --> 00:19:46.039 like an 00:19:46.039 --> 00:19:46.619 old set of 00:19:46.619 --> 00:19:47.200 clothes. 00:19:47.200 --> 00:19:48.539 as Paul 00:19:48.539 --> 00:19:48.960 wrote so 00:19:48.960 --> 00:19:49.319 often in 00:19:49.319 --> 00:19:49.759 his lecture. 00:19:49.880 --> 00:19:50.100 So we 00:19:50.100 --> 00:19:50.500 are to be 00:19:50.500 --> 00:19:51.620 hating sin, 00:19:51.960 --> 00:19:52.860 killing sin, 00:19:53.279 --> 00:19:54.120 staying far 00:19:54.120 --> 00:19:54.580 away from 00:19:54.580 --> 00:19:55.440 temptation when 00:19:55.440 --> 00:19:56.000 we can. 00:19:56.080 --> 00:19:56.519 So we put 00:19:56.519 --> 00:19:56.960 off the old 00:19:56.960 --> 00:19:57.600 and we are 00:19:57.600 --> 00:19:58.580 to put on 00:19:58.580 --> 00:19:59.580 the new 00:19:59.580 --> 00:20:00.819 like a new 00:20:00.819 --> 00:20:01.299 set of 00:20:01.299 --> 00:20:03.019 clothing as 00:20:03.019 --> 00:20:03.519 the people 00:20:03.519 --> 00:20:04.140 of God 00:20:04.140 --> 00:20:05.960 by his 00:20:05.960 --> 00:20:07.200 grace with 00:20:07.200 --> 00:20:07.680 the help 00:20:07.680 --> 00:20:08.080 of his 00:20:08.080 --> 00:20:08.500 spirit 00:20:08.500 --> 00:20:10.559 seeking to 00:20:10.559 --> 00:20:11.720 grow in 00:20:11.720 --> 00:20:12.420 obedience. 00:20:14.580 --> 00:20:15.220 Again 00:20:15.220 --> 00:20:15.819 thinking about 00:20:15.819 --> 00:20:16.539 these needs 00:20:16.539 --> 00:20:17.659 of hunger 00:20:17.659 --> 00:20:18.500 and thirst. 00:20:19.159 --> 00:20:19.519 We need to 00:20:19.519 --> 00:20:20.039 understand that 00:20:20.039 --> 00:20:20.619 these needs 00:20:20.619 --> 00:20:21.220 will be 00:20:21.220 --> 00:20:22.740 life long. 00:20:24.019 --> 00:20:24.740 When Jesus 00:20:24.740 --> 00:20:25.559 calls us to 00:20:25.559 --> 00:20:26.420 hunger and 00:20:26.420 --> 00:20:27.379 thirst after 00:20:27.379 --> 00:20:28.240 righteousness he's 00:20:28.240 --> 00:20:28.799 not saying to 00:20:28.799 --> 00:20:29.220 his first 00:20:29.220 --> 00:20:30.299 followers well do 00:20:30.299 --> 00:20:30.779 that for so 00:20:30.779 --> 00:20:31.180 long as the 00:20:31.180 --> 00:20:31.599 Sermon on the 00:20:31.599 --> 00:20:31.899 Mount is 00:20:31.899 --> 00:20:33.940 happening and 00:20:33.940 --> 00:20:34.259 then you can 00:20:34.259 --> 00:20:34.639 live however 00:20:34.639 --> 00:20:35.059 you want. 00:20:35.920 --> 00:20:36.579 This is not 00:20:36.579 --> 00:20:37.180 some kind of 00:20:37.180 --> 00:20:38.059 fad diet. 00:20:38.200 --> 00:20:38.639 This isn't 00:20:38.639 --> 00:20:40.119 30 days towards 00:20:40.119 --> 00:20:41.039 a better you. 00:20:42.000 --> 00:20:42.680 No this is an 00:20:42.680 --> 00:20:43.559 entirely new 00:20:43.559 --> 00:20:44.019 appetite. 00:20:44.220 --> 00:20:44.460 This is an 00:20:44.460 --> 00:20:45.480 entirely new 00:20:45.480 --> 00:20:45.799 diet. 00:20:45.799 --> 00:20:46.259 This is a 00:20:46.259 --> 00:20:46.980 deep change 00:20:46.980 --> 00:20:47.559 at the 00:20:47.559 --> 00:20:48.019 level of 00:20:48.019 --> 00:20:48.839 desires and 00:20:48.839 --> 00:20:49.059 at the 00:20:49.059 --> 00:20:49.659 level of 00:20:49.659 --> 00:20:50.200 heart. 00:20:51.259 --> 00:20:51.639 And that 00:20:51.639 --> 00:20:53.220 desire for 00:20:53.220 --> 00:20:54.159 God and 00:20:54.159 --> 00:20:54.779 for his 00:20:54.779 --> 00:20:55.899 will needs 00:20:55.899 --> 00:20:57.859 constantly to 00:20:57.859 --> 00:20:58.419 be fed. 00:20:59.859 --> 00:21:00.839 Just as we 00:21:00.839 --> 00:21:01.319 wouldn't 00:21:01.319 --> 00:21:02.200 willingly and 00:21:02.200 --> 00:21:02.819 we shouldn't 00:21:02.819 --> 00:21:04.480 willingly starve 00:21:04.480 --> 00:21:06.139 ourselves or 00:21:06.139 --> 00:21:07.359 cause ourselves to 00:21:07.359 --> 00:21:08.799 become dehydrated, 00:21:09.419 --> 00:21:10.180 neither should 00:21:10.180 --> 00:21:10.819 that be the 00:21:10.819 --> 00:21:12.579 case spiritually. 00:21:12.579 --> 00:21:15.359 we make progress 00:21:15.359 --> 00:21:16.059 in the Christian 00:21:16.059 --> 00:21:17.119 life and in 00:21:17.119 --> 00:21:18.000 Christian maturity 00:21:18.000 --> 00:21:19.139 when we have a 00:21:19.139 --> 00:21:20.480 God-directed 00:21:20.480 --> 00:21:20.899 hunger. 00:21:21.159 --> 00:21:21.619 Here's what I 00:21:21.619 --> 00:21:22.539 want most of 00:21:22.539 --> 00:21:24.339 all, it's 00:21:24.339 --> 00:21:25.039 more of God. 00:21:26.500 --> 00:21:27.279 So I'm going to 00:21:27.279 --> 00:21:27.939 come to him. 00:21:28.500 --> 00:21:29.099 I'm going to 00:21:29.099 --> 00:21:30.019 come to Jesus 00:21:30.019 --> 00:21:31.019 to find 00:21:31.019 --> 00:21:31.740 satisfaction. 00:21:31.819 --> 00:21:32.339 I never want 00:21:32.339 --> 00:21:33.500 to say I've 00:21:33.500 --> 00:21:34.039 had enough, 00:21:34.599 --> 00:21:35.500 I've had my 00:21:35.500 --> 00:21:35.799 fill. 00:21:35.799 --> 00:21:39.000 Japanese 00:21:39.000 --> 00:21:39.659 culture 00:21:39.659 --> 00:21:42.119 talks about 00:21:42.119 --> 00:21:43.619 learning to 00:21:43.619 --> 00:21:44.159 stop when 00:21:44.159 --> 00:21:44.639 your stomach 00:21:44.639 --> 00:21:45.639 is 70% 00:21:45.639 --> 00:21:45.980 full. 00:21:46.799 --> 00:21:47.200 That's not 00:21:47.200 --> 00:21:47.559 what we want 00:21:47.559 --> 00:21:47.899 to do as 00:21:47.899 --> 00:21:48.119 Christians. 00:21:48.259 --> 00:21:48.379 It makes 00:21:48.379 --> 00:21:48.859 for probably 00:21:48.859 --> 00:21:49.720 really healthy 00:21:49.720 --> 00:21:50.019 lifestyle. 00:21:50.339 --> 00:21:51.159 Not spiritually 00:21:51.159 --> 00:21:51.460 though. 00:21:52.159 --> 00:21:52.720 We want to 00:21:52.720 --> 00:21:53.319 be completely 00:21:53.319 --> 00:21:54.159 filled and 00:21:54.159 --> 00:21:55.180 satisfied by 00:21:55.180 --> 00:21:55.700 God, his 00:21:55.700 --> 00:21:56.259 word, his 00:21:56.259 --> 00:21:56.619 will. 00:21:59.159 --> 00:21:59.899 Which takes 00:21:59.899 --> 00:22:00.259 us to our 00:22:00.259 --> 00:22:01.000 last question. 00:22:01.379 --> 00:22:02.099 How is our 00:22:02.099 --> 00:22:03.240 hunger and 00:22:03.240 --> 00:22:04.859 thirst to be 00:22:04.859 --> 00:22:05.440 satisfied? 00:22:05.799 --> 00:22:07.319 So I 00:22:07.319 --> 00:22:08.599 remember as 00:22:08.599 --> 00:22:09.240 a student 00:22:09.240 --> 00:22:10.680 suffering a 00:22:10.680 --> 00:22:11.419 bout of 00:22:11.419 --> 00:22:12.960 food poisoning. 00:22:13.460 --> 00:22:13.839 Not from 00:22:13.839 --> 00:22:14.139 my own 00:22:14.139 --> 00:22:14.419 cooking, 00:22:14.700 --> 00:22:15.779 mercifully, 00:22:16.419 --> 00:22:17.359 from dodgy 00:22:17.359 --> 00:22:17.799 mushrooms. 00:22:19.339 --> 00:22:19.599 But I 00:22:19.599 --> 00:22:19.859 remember 00:22:19.859 --> 00:22:20.799 days of 00:22:20.799 --> 00:22:22.519 pain and 00:22:22.519 --> 00:22:22.819 that sort 00:22:22.819 --> 00:22:23.759 of gnawing 00:22:23.759 --> 00:22:25.299 hunger during 00:22:25.299 --> 00:22:26.139 that enforced 00:22:26.139 --> 00:22:26.639 fast. 00:22:26.740 --> 00:22:27.500 Well, after 00:22:27.500 --> 00:22:28.259 two or three 00:22:28.259 --> 00:22:28.819 days, I 00:22:28.819 --> 00:22:29.319 planned. 00:22:29.440 --> 00:22:30.220 When I 00:22:30.220 --> 00:22:30.839 feel better, 00:22:30.899 --> 00:22:31.619 my reward 00:22:31.619 --> 00:22:32.419 will be a 00:22:32.419 --> 00:22:32.779 feast. 00:22:34.079 --> 00:22:34.759 And so we 00:22:34.759 --> 00:22:35.359 went off to 00:22:35.359 --> 00:22:35.979 pizza. 00:22:36.240 --> 00:22:36.500 And my 00:22:36.500 --> 00:22:36.719 goodness, 00:22:36.839 --> 00:22:37.119 although it's 00:22:37.119 --> 00:22:37.719 average pizza 00:22:37.719 --> 00:22:38.479 tasted so 00:22:38.479 --> 00:22:40.059 good, because 00:22:40.059 --> 00:22:40.719 I'm starving. 00:22:42.000 --> 00:22:44.000 Jesus says 00:22:44.000 --> 00:22:44.699 the blessed 00:22:44.699 --> 00:22:46.219 person, the 00:22:46.219 --> 00:22:46.899 truly happy 00:22:46.899 --> 00:22:47.379 person, the 00:22:47.379 --> 00:22:47.759 person who's 00:22:47.759 --> 00:22:48.279 found favour 00:22:48.279 --> 00:22:48.779 with God, is 00:22:48.779 --> 00:22:49.199 someone who 00:22:49.199 --> 00:22:51.159 recognises I 00:22:51.159 --> 00:22:51.819 have a God 00:22:51.819 --> 00:22:52.779 shaped hole in 00:22:52.779 --> 00:22:53.240 my life. 00:22:55.199 --> 00:22:55.799 And we're not 00:22:55.799 --> 00:22:56.639 trying to fill 00:22:56.639 --> 00:22:57.599 the hole in 00:22:57.599 --> 00:22:58.059 our lives with 00:22:58.059 --> 00:22:59.079 small things that 00:22:59.079 --> 00:23:00.279 cannot ultimately 00:23:00.279 --> 00:23:00.979 satisfy. 00:23:00.980 --> 00:23:01.120 love. 00:23:02.120 --> 00:23:02.700 But we've 00:23:02.700 --> 00:23:03.059 come to 00:23:03.059 --> 00:23:03.819 understand that 00:23:03.819 --> 00:23:05.180 knowing God, 00:23:05.779 --> 00:23:06.799 enjoying God, 00:23:06.880 --> 00:23:08.279 is the appetite 00:23:08.279 --> 00:23:09.099 to satisfy. 00:23:09.519 --> 00:23:10.299 And not just 00:23:10.299 --> 00:23:10.880 do we see, 00:23:11.299 --> 00:23:11.880 here's where our 00:23:11.880 --> 00:23:12.599 hunger is, we 00:23:12.599 --> 00:23:14.099 come to Jesus 00:23:14.099 --> 00:23:15.519 for satisfaction. 00:23:15.519 --> 00:23:16.440 Because Jesus is 00:23:16.440 --> 00:23:17.559 the one who, in 00:23:17.559 --> 00:23:18.460 John chapter 4, 00:23:19.099 --> 00:23:19.880 said to the 00:23:19.880 --> 00:23:20.860 Samaritan woman who 00:23:20.860 --> 00:23:22.220 is searching for 00:23:22.220 --> 00:23:23.460 love and security, 00:23:23.860 --> 00:23:25.079 in any number of 00:23:25.079 --> 00:23:26.180 relationships with 00:23:26.180 --> 00:23:27.559 men, I am the 00:23:27.559 --> 00:23:28.620 water of life. 00:23:28.619 --> 00:23:29.539 I am the one 00:23:29.539 --> 00:23:30.399 who can truly 00:23:30.399 --> 00:23:31.379 satisfy. 00:23:31.579 --> 00:23:32.459 I am the end 00:23:32.459 --> 00:23:33.219 of your searching 00:23:33.219 --> 00:23:33.899 for love and 00:23:33.899 --> 00:23:34.439 security. 00:23:35.859 --> 00:23:36.619 Because in me, 00:23:36.699 --> 00:23:37.399 you find God. 00:23:37.559 --> 00:23:38.099 In me, you find 00:23:38.099 --> 00:23:38.539 eternal. 00:23:39.159 --> 00:23:40.039 And Jesus is the 00:23:40.039 --> 00:23:40.979 one in John 00:23:40.979 --> 00:23:41.799 chapter 6, as we 00:23:41.799 --> 00:23:43.259 thought about in 00:23:43.259 --> 00:23:44.019 church not that 00:23:44.019 --> 00:23:44.979 long ago, who is 00:23:44.979 --> 00:23:46.500 the bread of life. 00:23:47.119 --> 00:23:48.379 He is the gift of 00:23:48.379 --> 00:23:49.119 God that comes 00:23:49.119 --> 00:23:50.119 down and gives 00:23:50.119 --> 00:23:50.779 life. 00:23:51.239 --> 00:23:52.219 And he invites 00:23:52.219 --> 00:23:54.439 us to come. 00:23:56.719 --> 00:23:58.059 To turn from 00:23:58.059 --> 00:23:59.359 sin, to turn from 00:23:59.359 --> 00:24:01.379 unrighteousness, to 00:24:01.379 --> 00:24:03.220 look to him and 00:24:03.220 --> 00:24:04.460 be satisfied. 00:24:05.879 --> 00:24:07.720 Isaiah 55, turn to 00:24:07.720 --> 00:24:08.960 the Lord so that he 00:24:08.960 --> 00:24:11.679 might have mercy, that 00:24:11.679 --> 00:24:12.659 we might find his 00:24:12.659 --> 00:24:13.659 pardon, we might 00:24:13.659 --> 00:24:14.980 find his satisfaction 00:24:14.980 --> 00:24:16.480 in knowing him. 00:24:17.460 --> 00:24:18.700 The wonderful truth 00:24:18.700 --> 00:24:20.779 is that as 00:24:20.779 --> 00:24:23.179 Christians, we can 00:24:23.179 --> 00:24:25.319 taste joy now. 00:24:25.319 --> 00:24:28.500 we can know God 00:24:28.500 --> 00:24:30.519 deeply today. 00:24:31.039 --> 00:24:33.139 We can do God's 00:24:33.139 --> 00:24:34.700 will today. 00:24:36.639 --> 00:24:37.720 And that's great 00:24:37.720 --> 00:24:38.259 news. 00:24:39.240 --> 00:24:39.960 And that's something 00:24:39.960 --> 00:24:41.220 that should cause our 00:24:41.220 --> 00:24:42.700 desire to increase, but 00:24:42.700 --> 00:24:43.500 still, when we're 00:24:43.500 --> 00:24:46.000 honest, we also know 00:24:46.000 --> 00:24:46.740 there are times of 00:24:46.740 --> 00:24:47.220 emptiness. 00:24:48.379 --> 00:24:49.299 When we are 00:24:49.299 --> 00:24:50.259 distracted from 00:24:50.259 --> 00:24:52.359 Jesus, when we seek 00:24:52.359 --> 00:24:54.259 our satisfaction in 00:24:54.259 --> 00:24:56.980 other places, there 00:24:56.980 --> 00:24:58.039 are times of 00:24:58.039 --> 00:25:00.839 frustration where 00:25:00.839 --> 00:25:01.799 we feel our 00:25:01.799 --> 00:25:03.640 weakness, our 00:25:03.640 --> 00:25:04.480 sin, our 00:25:04.480 --> 00:25:05.379 failure, our 00:25:05.379 --> 00:25:07.299 rebellion, our 00:25:07.299 --> 00:25:08.420 lack of desire, 00:25:09.640 --> 00:25:10.579 our falling into 00:25:10.579 --> 00:25:11.579 the same sinful 00:25:11.579 --> 00:25:13.640 habits time and 00:25:13.640 --> 00:25:15.059 time again. 00:25:16.539 --> 00:25:17.480 So our hope 00:25:17.480 --> 00:25:19.099 isn't ultimately 00:25:19.099 --> 00:25:20.140 for now, 00:25:20.140 --> 00:25:20.300 good. 00:25:21.740 --> 00:25:22.820 It's for the 00:25:22.820 --> 00:25:23.400 future. 00:25:23.580 --> 00:25:24.340 Our ultimate 00:25:24.340 --> 00:25:25.120 hope is for the 00:25:25.120 --> 00:25:26.860 return of Jesus 00:25:26.860 --> 00:25:28.360 because then we'll 00:25:28.360 --> 00:25:29.280 take our place at 00:25:29.280 --> 00:25:30.040 God's feast. 00:25:30.960 --> 00:25:31.440 Isn't it wonderful 00:25:31.440 --> 00:25:32.280 how often the new 00:25:32.280 --> 00:25:33.100 heavens and the new 00:25:33.100 --> 00:25:33.820 earth are described 00:25:33.820 --> 00:25:35.259 as a feast, as a 00:25:35.259 --> 00:25:35.720 banquet? 00:25:36.540 --> 00:25:37.660 And then our 00:25:37.660 --> 00:25:38.640 desire for 00:25:38.640 --> 00:25:39.440 righteousness will be 00:25:39.440 --> 00:25:40.640 satisfied because we 00:25:40.640 --> 00:25:41.620 will be with 00:25:41.620 --> 00:25:44.400 Jesus and we will 00:25:44.400 --> 00:25:46.300 see him face to 00:25:46.300 --> 00:25:46.780 face. 00:25:47.420 --> 00:25:48.420 Our desire for 00:25:48.420 --> 00:25:50.100 God will be fully 00:25:50.100 --> 00:25:52.560 satisfied and our 00:25:52.560 --> 00:25:53.340 desire for 00:25:53.340 --> 00:25:54.600 righteous living will 00:25:54.600 --> 00:25:55.600 be satisfied because 00:25:55.600 --> 00:25:56.440 we will be made 00:25:56.440 --> 00:25:57.360 like him, we will be 00:25:57.360 --> 00:25:58.519 made perfect, that 00:25:58.519 --> 00:25:59.500 sin will be gone 00:25:59.500 --> 00:26:00.380 forever. 00:26:04.279 --> 00:26:05.720 So friends, let's 00:26:05.720 --> 00:26:07.279 let that hunger 00:26:07.279 --> 00:26:10.019 drive us to 00:26:10.019 --> 00:26:10.460 Jesus. 00:26:11.600 --> 00:26:12.740 Drive us to 00:26:12.740 --> 00:26:13.960 God and his 00:26:13.960 --> 00:26:15.560 word to 00:26:15.560 --> 00:26:16.160 recognise 00:26:16.160 --> 00:26:17.440 realise it's in 00:26:17.440 --> 00:26:19.060 him and his 00:26:19.060 --> 00:26:21.000 will that we 00:26:21.000 --> 00:26:22.320 can find that 00:26:22.320 --> 00:26:23.279 true and lasting 00:26:23.279 --> 00:26:24.460 satisfaction. 00:26:24.460 --> 00:26:24.799 pursuant.