WEBVTT 00:00:00.260 --> 00:00:07.500 All right, children are free to go to their classes now, and please open your Bible to 00:00:07.500 --> 00:00:09.919 Matthew chapter 5. 00:00:11.980 --> 00:00:14.339 And if you do have a Bible, please open it. 00:00:14.599 --> 00:00:19.679 We're going to be bouncing all around the gospel of Matthew, and I hope you're able 00:00:19.679 --> 00:00:21.660 to see it for yourself. 00:00:23.879 --> 00:00:26.839 And forgive me if I cough a little bit as I go along. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:35.380 Matthew chapter 5, verses 1 through 12. 00:00:38.259 --> 00:00:43.380 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to 00:00:43.380 --> 00:00:43.600 him. 00:00:44.820 --> 00:00:50.679 And he opened his mouth, and he taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit, for 00:00:50.679 --> 00:00:51.920 theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 00:00:53.400 --> 00:00:56.960 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 00:00:56.960 --> 00:01:02.079 Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 00:01:03.700 --> 00:01:09.060 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 00:01:10.920 --> 00:01:13.900 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 00:01:15.799 --> 00:01:18.599 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 00:01:20.420 --> 00:01:23.500 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 00:01:23.500 --> 00:01:30.219 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 00:01:31.480 --> 00:01:37.519 Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you 00:01:37.519 --> 00:01:39.159 falsely on my account. 00:01:40.260 --> 00:01:45.980 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets 00:01:45.980 --> 00:01:46.840 who were before you. 00:01:46.840 --> 00:01:51.260 We're in the Beatitudes. 00:01:52.280 --> 00:01:55.480 And our Beatitude for this morning is verse 6. 00:01:55.659 --> 00:01:59.540 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 00:02:01.560 --> 00:02:06.140 So before we look at that, I want to say just a couple things about what we're doing here to 00:02:06.140 --> 00:02:08.500 remind us of why we're in the Beatitudes. 00:02:08.500 --> 00:02:12.319 I work at Chick-fil-A. 00:02:12.680 --> 00:02:16.159 We have a few Chick-fil-A people here as well. 00:02:16.879 --> 00:02:19.419 And at Chick-fil-A we have something called the Core Four. 00:02:20.620 --> 00:02:25.879 It's how we want every team member to engage with every guest every time. 00:02:27.479 --> 00:02:35.120 The Core Four is make eye contact, smile, speak enthusiastically, and always say my pleasure. 00:02:35.120 --> 00:02:44.879 And occasionally we'll have a team member who kind of says something like, you know, just 00:02:44.879 --> 00:02:47.420 smiling is not really who I am. 00:02:48.000 --> 00:02:52.159 I'm not much of an enthusiastic person. 00:02:54.819 --> 00:03:03.740 And the response they get is, well, if smiling is not really who you are, then you don't really 00:03:03.740 --> 00:03:04.680 want to work at Chick-fil-A. 00:03:05.120 --> 00:03:08.480 Because that's core to who we are. 00:03:09.520 --> 00:03:11.300 It's part of our Core Four. 00:03:14.319 --> 00:03:17.640 The Sermon on the Mount has a similar function. 00:03:19.080 --> 00:03:25.140 It's Jesus' kingdom manifesto where he says, this is what it looks like to be a citizen of 00:03:25.140 --> 00:03:25.740 my kingdom. 00:03:25.740 --> 00:03:32.060 This is what it looks like if you're going to call yourself a follower of mine. 00:03:32.060 --> 00:03:41.939 And if anyone says, well, you know, these things, I hear them, I kind of see what you're saying, 00:03:42.140 --> 00:03:44.759 but I'm not really interested in that. 00:03:44.840 --> 00:03:45.960 That's not really who I am. 00:03:46.020 --> 00:03:47.300 That's not who I want to be. 00:03:47.300 --> 00:03:52.200 And the truth is, then you don't really want to be a follower of Jesus. 00:03:54.660 --> 00:03:57.780 Because Jesus has told us what it means to be a citizen of his kingdom. 00:03:57.780 --> 00:04:04.580 And so as Jesus preaches this Sermon on the Mount in general, and the Beatitudes in particular, 00:04:04.800 --> 00:04:06.259 he's telling us what it looks like. 00:04:06.280 --> 00:04:11.639 And he has some hard words for us about what it means to be his followers. 00:04:11.979 --> 00:04:17.300 But he shares these hard words with us because he loves us and he wants us to be in his kingdom. 00:04:17.300 --> 00:04:24.060 So that's the first thing I want to say about the Sermon on the Mount and the Beatitudes. 00:04:24.759 --> 00:04:29.939 Second thing is, do you remember why Mike said we're looking at the Beatitudes at this time? 00:04:32.400 --> 00:04:43.460 It's explicitly because we are in a contentious and divisive and extremely close election season. 00:04:47.300 --> 00:04:56.860 And Mike said that he wants to love us well by reminding us of the Beatitudes, of who Jesus calls us to be. 00:04:59.639 --> 00:05:10.840 And there are a lot of pastors in this country who right now, either on Sunday mornings or on social media or wherever, 00:05:10.840 --> 00:05:16.780 to their churches are standing up and they're waving a Trump flag in front of their people. 00:05:16.779 --> 00:05:20.339 Or they're waving a Harris flag in front of their people. 00:05:21.000 --> 00:05:24.859 And saying, this is what it means to follow Jesus in this season. 00:05:27.199 --> 00:05:32.399 And Mike has made the choice that he's going to stand up here at this time, week after week, 00:05:32.599 --> 00:05:36.500 and he's going to wave a King Jesus flag in front of us. 00:05:39.599 --> 00:05:43.279 And there are some people who think that's the wrong choice. 00:05:46.779 --> 00:05:52.839 But woe to us, we're going to hear some woes in this sermon, woe to us here at Christ the King Church, 00:05:52.839 --> 00:05:59.359 if we see the King Jesus flag in front of us every week, and we choose to pick up a different one. 00:06:02.359 --> 00:06:04.119 The Apostle John said, 00:06:04.120 --> 00:06:07.240 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. 00:06:07.519 --> 00:06:11.800 And the currents are strong right now, almost unavoidable, 00:06:12.680 --> 00:06:17.860 pulling us to idolize political partisanship and personality and power, 00:06:18.399 --> 00:06:22.819 and to make us in the image of those idols. 00:06:22.819 --> 00:06:36.100 So let's give thanks for Pastor Mike directing us to Jesus' kingdom manifesto at this time. 00:06:40.100 --> 00:06:43.459 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 00:06:43.459 --> 00:06:52.219 The question for pretty much all of these beatitudes, as Jesus proclaims them, 00:06:53.719 --> 00:06:55.399 is, is that me? 00:06:56.539 --> 00:06:58.079 Am I blessed? 00:06:58.319 --> 00:07:00.099 Do I fit that profile? 00:07:01.859 --> 00:07:04.919 So the question for us this morning is, 00:07:05.639 --> 00:07:08.740 do I hunger and thirst for righteousness? 00:07:08.740 --> 00:07:15.579 And so to figure that out, we're going to have to answer three questions. 00:07:15.819 --> 00:07:16.759 First, what is righteousness? 00:07:18.300 --> 00:07:20.860 Second, what does it mean to hunger and thirst for it? 00:07:21.780 --> 00:07:24.420 And third, what is the satisfaction that is promised? 00:07:26.300 --> 00:07:27.740 So first of all, what is righteousness? 00:07:28.120 --> 00:07:31.780 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. 00:07:33.759 --> 00:07:37.840 The definition, all give this morning, there are a variety of ways you can think about it. 00:07:37.839 --> 00:07:39.759 That I should all give this morning is, 00:07:39.979 --> 00:07:43.619 righteousness is conformity to God's law. 00:07:45.159 --> 00:07:49.859 Or righteousness is God's will in your heart and in your life. 00:07:53.419 --> 00:07:54.199 Why do I say that? 00:07:54.239 --> 00:07:58.359 Why do I say that righteousness is conformity to God's law? 00:07:58.799 --> 00:08:01.079 Look at Matthew 17 through 20. 00:08:01.319 --> 00:08:04.120 Sorry, Matthew 5, 17 through 20, here in the Sermon on the Mount. 00:08:04.120 --> 00:08:06.139 Jesus says, 00:08:06.139 --> 00:08:09.259 Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. 00:08:09.379 --> 00:08:11.840 I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. 00:08:13.379 --> 00:08:15.540 For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, 00:08:15.620 --> 00:08:19.480 not an iota, not a dot will pass from the law until all is accomplished. 00:08:20.959 --> 00:08:23.819 Therefore, whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments 00:08:23.819 --> 00:08:26.920 and teaches others to the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. 00:08:26.920 --> 00:08:32.080 But whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 00:08:33.320 --> 00:08:38.519 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, 00:08:38.580 --> 00:08:40.399 you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 00:08:41.440 --> 00:08:44.500 So Jesus is drawing a clear connection here. 00:08:44.620 --> 00:08:47.139 He's saying the law is crucial. 00:08:47.340 --> 00:08:48.060 It's important. 00:08:48.200 --> 00:08:49.600 The law must be fulfilled. 00:08:50.000 --> 00:08:51.180 I will fulfill it. 00:08:51.720 --> 00:08:54.000 And you better not devalue it. 00:08:54.000 --> 00:08:56.419 You need to understand it. 00:08:56.500 --> 00:08:57.399 You need to teach it. 00:08:59.580 --> 00:09:00.399 And he says, 00:09:00.720 --> 00:09:04.539 Unless your righteousness in this regard exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, 00:09:04.580 --> 00:09:05.740 you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. 00:09:06.039 --> 00:09:06.779 And what he means is, 00:09:06.919 --> 00:09:07.879 Unless your righteousness, 00:09:08.080 --> 00:09:10.840 unless your conformity to God's law exceeds the Pharisees, 00:09:10.879 --> 00:09:12.139 you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. 00:09:12.500 --> 00:09:13.559 And what he means by that, 00:09:13.620 --> 00:09:15.480 as you see in the rest of the Sermon on the Mount, 00:09:15.559 --> 00:09:19.720 is that not only do you have to follow the law outwardly, 00:09:20.620 --> 00:09:23.120 the law has to shape who you are inwardly. 00:09:23.120 --> 00:09:24.759 You have to follow the law in every, 00:09:24.960 --> 00:09:26.899 in the deepest part of who you are. 00:09:27.720 --> 00:09:31.360 That's how your righteousness has to exceed that of the scribes and the Pharisees, 00:09:31.620 --> 00:09:34.460 by conforming to God's law in every way. 00:09:38.679 --> 00:09:40.519 Look at Matthew chapter 7, 00:09:41.860 --> 00:09:43.620 verses 21 through 23. 00:09:46.940 --> 00:09:47.799 Jesus says, 00:09:48.039 --> 00:09:49.600 this is still in the Sermon on the Mount, by the way, 00:09:49.600 --> 00:09:51.100 not everyone who says to me, 00:09:51.279 --> 00:09:53.100 Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, 00:09:53.820 --> 00:09:56.259 but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 00:09:57.159 --> 00:09:58.519 On that day, many will say to me, 00:09:58.600 --> 00:10:00.680 Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, 00:10:00.720 --> 00:10:02.040 and cast out demons in your name, 00:10:02.259 --> 00:10:03.860 and do many mighty works in your name? 00:10:03.940 --> 00:10:04.899 And then I will declare to them, 00:10:04.980 --> 00:10:05.879 I never knew you. 00:10:06.279 --> 00:10:08.540 Depart from me, you workers of lawlessness. 00:10:10.040 --> 00:10:10.879 As Jesus is saying, 00:10:11.259 --> 00:10:13.920 it's not about your profession only, 00:10:14.000 --> 00:10:16.000 or the amount of good works that you do, 00:10:16.000 --> 00:10:17.779 or the amount of ministry that you do. 00:10:18.000 --> 00:10:20.480 It's whether or not you follow the law, 00:10:20.559 --> 00:10:21.960 or whether you're a worker of lawlessness. 00:10:24.580 --> 00:10:27.980 That's what defines those who are part of Jesus' kingdom. 00:10:31.940 --> 00:10:35.240 And flip way over in Matthew to chapter 23. 00:10:38.179 --> 00:10:39.919 In Matthew chapter 23, 00:10:39.919 --> 00:10:42.839 Jesus is giving some anti-beatitudes, 00:10:44.120 --> 00:10:44.679 woes. 00:10:46.019 --> 00:10:49.620 A woe is like a cross between a warning and a curse. 00:10:50.399 --> 00:10:53.439 And he's giving these woes to the scribes and the Pharisees 00:10:53.439 --> 00:10:56.099 for the ways they have failed to be 00:10:56.099 --> 00:10:59.679 the spiritual leaders and teachers of God's people. 00:11:00.519 --> 00:11:02.279 In verses 27 through 28, 00:11:02.799 --> 00:11:03.139 he says, 00:11:03.139 --> 00:11:05.799 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, 00:11:06.379 --> 00:11:08.539 for you are like whitewashed tombs, 00:11:08.539 --> 00:11:10.120 which outwardly appear beautiful, 00:11:10.459 --> 00:11:12.719 but within are full of dead people's bones 00:11:12.719 --> 00:11:13.980 and all uncleanness. 00:11:14.519 --> 00:11:15.620 So outwardly, 00:11:16.259 --> 00:11:18.039 you appear righteous to others. 00:11:18.679 --> 00:11:19.819 You appear righteous. 00:11:20.579 --> 00:11:21.539 But within, 00:11:21.719 --> 00:11:23.620 you are full of hypocrisy and what? 00:11:24.339 --> 00:11:24.779 Lawlessness. 00:11:26.179 --> 00:11:28.879 So the opposite of righteousness 00:11:28.879 --> 00:11:30.120 is lawlessness. 00:11:30.439 --> 00:11:34.579 So righteousness is a conformity to God's law. 00:11:34.579 --> 00:11:36.959 It's God's will in your heart 00:11:36.959 --> 00:11:38.379 and in your life. 00:11:38.539 --> 00:11:44.139 And righteousness has a few features to it. 00:11:44.339 --> 00:11:46.279 It's exacting and it's comprehensive, 00:11:46.639 --> 00:11:48.599 but it's also beautiful and refreshing. 00:11:50.360 --> 00:11:52.360 I say it's exacting and comprehensive. 00:11:52.879 --> 00:11:55.099 It touches every part of life 00:11:55.099 --> 00:11:56.839 and it touches every part of who we are. 00:11:57.719 --> 00:11:59.179 Going back to Matthew 5 00:11:59.179 --> 00:12:00.379 in the Sermon on the Mount again, 00:12:00.779 --> 00:12:02.279 verses 21 through 48. 00:12:03.019 --> 00:12:04.719 One way of thinking about the Sermon on the Mount 00:12:04.719 --> 00:12:07.399 is it's Jesus' sermon on what righteousness means. 00:12:07.399 --> 00:12:11.199 And in verses 21 through 48, 00:12:11.759 --> 00:12:12.939 right after he's saying, 00:12:13.079 --> 00:12:15.220 your righteousness has to exceed that of the scribes 00:12:15.220 --> 00:12:15.819 and the Pharisees, 00:12:15.899 --> 00:12:18.480 he's going on to explain exactly what that looks like. 00:12:18.679 --> 00:12:22.000 And we see how exacting and comprehensive 00:12:22.000 --> 00:12:24.360 righteousness really is. 00:12:25.120 --> 00:12:26.559 So we're going to read all of this, 00:12:26.559 --> 00:12:28.079 verse 21 through 48. 00:12:28.559 --> 00:12:29.179 Verse 21 through 48. 00:12:29.239 --> 00:12:31.579 You have heard that it was said to those of old, 00:12:31.580 --> 00:12:32.820 you shall not murder. 00:12:33.740 --> 00:12:35.900 And whoever murders will be liable to judgment. 00:12:35.940 --> 00:12:39.860 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother 00:12:39.860 --> 00:12:41.020 will be liable to judgment. 00:12:41.540 --> 00:12:43.879 Whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council. 00:12:44.280 --> 00:12:46.960 And whoever says you fool will be liable to the hell of fire. 00:12:47.520 --> 00:12:49.240 So if you're offering your gift at the altar 00:12:49.240 --> 00:12:51.360 and there remember that your brother has something against you, 00:12:51.660 --> 00:12:53.440 leave your gift there before the altar and go. 00:12:53.920 --> 00:12:55.500 First be reconciled to your brother 00:12:55.500 --> 00:12:56.960 and then come and offer your gift. 00:12:57.840 --> 00:12:59.500 Come to terms quickly with your accuser 00:12:59.500 --> 00:13:00.820 while you're going with him to court. 00:13:01.419 --> 00:13:03.220 Lest your accuser hand you over to the judge 00:13:03.220 --> 00:13:04.240 and the judge to the guard, 00:13:04.320 --> 00:13:05.039 you may put in prison. 00:13:05.659 --> 00:13:06.440 Truly I say to you, 00:13:06.480 --> 00:13:07.200 you will never get out 00:13:07.200 --> 00:13:08.480 until you have paid the last penny. 00:13:09.779 --> 00:13:10.360 So what you're saying? 00:13:11.100 --> 00:13:12.340 You haven't murdered anyone? 00:13:13.299 --> 00:13:14.919 So you think you're all right before the law? 00:13:16.379 --> 00:13:18.120 No, the law is deeper than that. 00:13:20.720 --> 00:13:21.840 You have heard that it was said 00:13:21.840 --> 00:13:22.820 you should not commit adultery. 00:13:22.899 --> 00:13:25.360 But I say that everyone who looks at a woman 00:13:25.360 --> 00:13:26.120 with lustful intent 00:13:26.120 --> 00:13:28.460 has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 00:13:28.460 --> 00:13:30.620 If your right eye causes you to sin, 00:13:30.720 --> 00:13:31.600 tear it out and throw it away. 00:13:31.700 --> 00:13:33.600 For it is better that you lose one of your members 00:13:33.600 --> 00:13:35.680 than your whole body be thrown into hell. 00:13:35.980 --> 00:13:37.580 And if your right hand causes you to sin, 00:13:37.680 --> 00:13:38.800 cut it off and throw it away. 00:13:39.120 --> 00:13:40.800 For it is better that you lose one of your members 00:13:40.800 --> 00:13:42.400 than that your whole body go into hell. 00:13:43.680 --> 00:13:46.280 So if you manage to avoid adultery, 00:13:47.280 --> 00:13:49.420 that doesn't mean you've kept the law. 00:13:51.240 --> 00:13:52.019 Where's your heart? 00:13:54.580 --> 00:13:55.220 Verse 31, 00:13:55.220 --> 00:14:08.360 You think divorce is easy, 00:14:08.540 --> 00:14:09.100 no fault, 00:14:09.320 --> 00:14:09.879 any reason, 00:14:09.980 --> 00:14:10.660 no consequences? 00:14:13.560 --> 00:14:14.960 Not according to Jesus' law. 00:14:14.960 --> 00:14:18.680 Again, you have heard that it was said to those of old, 00:14:18.740 --> 00:14:19.639 you shall not swear falsely, 00:14:19.680 --> 00:14:21.560 but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn. 00:14:21.660 --> 00:14:22.420 But I say to you, 00:14:22.519 --> 00:14:23.660 do not take an oath at all, 00:14:23.720 --> 00:14:24.340 either by heaven, 00:14:24.420 --> 00:14:25.379 for it is the throne of God, 00:14:25.519 --> 00:14:26.340 or by the earth, 00:14:26.400 --> 00:14:27.160 for it is footstool, 00:14:27.379 --> 00:14:28.139 or by Jerusalem, 00:14:28.300 --> 00:14:29.620 for it is the city of the great king. 00:14:30.060 --> 00:14:31.600 And do not take an oath by your head, 00:14:31.660 --> 00:14:33.560 for you cannot make one hair white or black. 00:14:33.920 --> 00:14:36.019 Let what you say be simply yes or no. 00:14:37.900 --> 00:14:39.720 Complete truthfulness and trustworthiness. 00:14:40.040 --> 00:14:41.560 Anything more than this comes from evil. 00:14:41.559 --> 00:14:43.559 You have heard that it was said, 00:14:43.679 --> 00:14:45.000 an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. 00:14:45.299 --> 00:14:46.039 But I say to you, 00:14:46.079 --> 00:14:47.339 do not resist one who is evil. 00:14:47.619 --> 00:14:49.179 But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, 00:14:49.259 --> 00:14:50.259 turn to him the other also. 00:14:50.539 --> 00:14:52.359 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, 00:14:52.439 --> 00:14:53.639 let him have your cloak as well. 00:14:53.959 --> 00:14:55.759 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, 00:14:55.839 --> 00:14:56.699 go with him two miles. 00:14:57.159 --> 00:14:58.559 Give to the one who begs from you, 00:14:58.619 --> 00:15:00.819 and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. 00:15:02.619 --> 00:15:03.500 You have heard that it was said, 00:15:03.559 --> 00:15:04.899 you shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. 00:15:04.979 --> 00:15:05.659 But I say to you, 00:15:05.699 --> 00:15:07.879 love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 00:15:08.259 --> 00:15:10.579 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. 00:15:10.580 --> 00:15:13.020 For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, 00:15:13.379 --> 00:15:15.300 and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 00:15:15.780 --> 00:15:17.360 For if you love those who love you, 00:15:17.460 --> 00:15:18.560 what reward do you have? 00:15:18.620 --> 00:15:20.420 Do not even the tax collectors do the same. 00:15:20.700 --> 00:15:22.300 And if you greet only your brothers, 00:15:22.400 --> 00:15:23.700 what more are you doing than others? 00:15:23.980 --> 00:15:25.840 Do not even the Gentiles do the same. 00:15:26.340 --> 00:15:28.639 You therefore must be perfect, 00:15:29.180 --> 00:15:31.360 as your heavenly Father is perfect. 00:15:31.360 --> 00:15:34.980 So over and over again, 00:15:35.039 --> 00:15:37.220 Jesus is either taking quotations from the law, 00:15:37.379 --> 00:15:40.759 or taking quotations from tradition based on the law, 00:15:41.039 --> 00:15:41.399 and he's saying, 00:15:41.560 --> 00:15:42.980 this is what you think righteousness is. 00:15:43.139 --> 00:15:44.100 It's not good enough. 00:15:44.200 --> 00:15:45.460 It's not comprehensive enough. 00:15:45.639 --> 00:15:47.379 It's not deep enough in who you are. 00:15:47.460 --> 00:15:48.600 The law is more than that. 00:15:48.740 --> 00:15:50.700 Righteousness is more than that. 00:15:50.700 --> 00:15:55.660 So righteousness is exacting and comprehensive. 00:15:56.240 --> 00:15:58.900 It goes farther than we ever thought, 00:15:59.020 --> 00:16:01.540 and it goes deeper into who we are than we ever thought. 00:16:05.660 --> 00:16:08.140 But righteousness is also beautiful and refreshing, 00:16:08.700 --> 00:16:12.480 because we don't want to make the mistake of the scribes and Pharisees, 00:16:12.480 --> 00:16:16.620 of leading our understanding of righteousness 00:16:16.620 --> 00:16:21.060 to make us judgmental, miserable, oppressive people. 00:16:24.860 --> 00:16:27.159 Chapter 7, verse 12. 00:16:28.120 --> 00:16:29.240 Here in the Sermon on the Mount, 00:16:30.360 --> 00:16:33.300 Jesus gives us a rule of thumb about what it means to follow the law. 00:16:33.759 --> 00:16:34.980 This is very familiar to us. 00:16:35.100 --> 00:16:36.980 Whatever you wish that others would do to you, 00:16:37.080 --> 00:16:38.039 do also to them, 00:16:38.440 --> 00:16:39.759 for this is the law and the prophets. 00:16:39.759 --> 00:16:45.159 You want to understand kind of a good litmus test to say, 00:16:45.299 --> 00:16:46.539 am I following the law or not? 00:16:46.600 --> 00:16:48.319 Am I being righteous in this moment or not? 00:16:48.799 --> 00:16:50.700 Would I want someone else to do this to me? 00:16:52.220 --> 00:16:54.019 If not, don't do it. 00:16:54.840 --> 00:16:56.620 If yes, do that. 00:16:57.480 --> 00:17:01.039 So the law is something that orients us towards doing good to others, 00:17:01.039 --> 00:17:03.960 because it's a beautiful and refreshing law. 00:17:03.960 --> 00:17:11.500 Really similar rule of thumb we see in Matthew 22, verses 36 through 40. 00:17:15.500 --> 00:17:16.480 Someone asked Jesus, 00:17:16.620 --> 00:17:18.640 Teacher, what is the great commandment in the law? 00:17:18.779 --> 00:17:19.460 And he said to him, 00:17:19.559 --> 00:17:22.059 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart 00:17:22.059 --> 00:17:23.900 and with all your soul and with all your mind. 00:17:24.259 --> 00:17:25.960 This is the great and first commandment. 00:17:26.920 --> 00:17:27.960 And the second is like it. 00:17:27.980 --> 00:17:29.660 You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 00:17:30.079 --> 00:17:33.840 On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets. 00:17:33.960 --> 00:17:37.960 So the law is beautiful and refreshing 00:17:37.960 --> 00:17:40.000 because the law, properly understood, 00:17:40.299 --> 00:17:43.360 always orients us towards love of God and love of others. 00:17:44.860 --> 00:17:47.799 And if we ever think that we are righteous 00:17:47.799 --> 00:17:51.579 and yet our heart is not being led towards love for God 00:17:51.579 --> 00:17:53.400 and love for others, we are not being righteous. 00:17:56.799 --> 00:17:58.960 So while the law is exacting comprehensive 00:17:58.960 --> 00:18:01.039 and while righteousness is exacting comprehensive, 00:18:01.299 --> 00:18:03.279 righteousness is also beautiful and refreshing. 00:18:03.960 --> 00:18:07.960 Jesus was the perfectly righteous one 00:18:07.960 --> 00:18:12.140 and sinners loved to be with him. 00:18:12.640 --> 00:18:15.420 Sinners who knew their need loved to be near to Jesus 00:18:15.420 --> 00:18:18.720 because his righteousness was refreshing to them. 00:18:20.960 --> 00:18:22.819 So when you think about righteousness, 00:18:23.220 --> 00:18:26.740 don't think conformity to God's law. 00:18:26.740 --> 00:18:30.900 Oh man, who wants conformity? 00:18:31.620 --> 00:18:35.440 That's a negative word in our time. 00:18:36.359 --> 00:18:36.759 Law. 00:18:36.980 --> 00:18:37.920 Who wants law? 00:18:38.019 --> 00:18:40.140 Why would I want conformity to a law? 00:18:40.420 --> 00:18:44.200 Don't think conformity to God's law as a straitjacket. 00:18:45.620 --> 00:18:47.960 Think of it as setting a broken bone. 00:18:50.019 --> 00:18:52.240 Restoring something to the way it was meant to be. 00:18:52.240 --> 00:18:57.599 No one says, oh, you think femurs should be in one piece instead of two? 00:18:57.779 --> 00:18:58.740 That's so old-fashioned. 00:19:00.920 --> 00:19:04.700 It's really kind of oppressive that you would feel like that's how everyone should be. 00:19:05.480 --> 00:19:09.880 Or like, man, you don't understand the unique beauty of a compound fracture? 00:19:09.880 --> 00:19:10.280 No. 00:19:13.080 --> 00:19:13.560 No. 00:19:14.160 --> 00:19:16.520 Righteousness is a restoring to health. 00:19:16.660 --> 00:19:18.840 It's a restoring to the way things were meant to be. 00:19:19.300 --> 00:19:22.420 It's conforming to real health. 00:19:24.560 --> 00:19:27.120 I live near the Chewauke Prairie Preserve. 00:19:27.240 --> 00:19:29.060 I don't know if you guys have been over there. 00:19:29.140 --> 00:19:29.980 It's by the lake. 00:19:31.180 --> 00:19:32.400 Really beautiful place. 00:19:32.400 --> 00:19:42.240 And every year, when we're out walking, we see volunteers out there pulling up weeds for hours. 00:19:42.880 --> 00:19:48.340 Just, you know, in the prairie, up to their shoulders, pulling out invasive species. 00:19:50.540 --> 00:19:51.840 Why do they do that? 00:19:53.280 --> 00:19:57.460 Because they're trying to conform the prairie to its true state. 00:19:58.420 --> 00:19:59.720 To its natural state. 00:19:59.820 --> 00:20:01.240 To a state of real health. 00:20:01.240 --> 00:20:04.220 They're not saying, hey, we're just going to let anything happen in this prairie. 00:20:04.339 --> 00:20:05.420 Anything can grow up. 00:20:05.900 --> 00:20:08.140 Whatever seeds fall can grow. 00:20:08.339 --> 00:20:10.220 Whatever happens organically is going to be fine. 00:20:10.339 --> 00:20:14.819 They know that some conformity is required in order for true health in the prairie. 00:20:16.279 --> 00:20:20.980 And the result of conformity is beauty and life and flourishing. 00:20:21.099 --> 00:20:22.140 And it's the same for us. 00:20:22.299 --> 00:20:25.539 True righteousness is beautiful and refreshing. 00:20:25.539 --> 00:20:32.839 Righteousness is conformity to God's law. 00:20:32.940 --> 00:20:36.079 It's God's will in your heart and in your life. 00:20:37.359 --> 00:20:38.440 That's the first question. 00:20:38.519 --> 00:20:39.039 What is righteousness? 00:20:39.599 --> 00:20:40.399 Second question. 00:20:40.519 --> 00:20:42.759 What does it mean to hunger and thirst for it? 00:20:44.200 --> 00:20:47.920 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. 00:20:47.920 --> 00:20:49.860 For they shall be satisfied. 00:20:52.900 --> 00:20:59.220 Most of you have probably heard of this psychological concept called Maslow's hierarchy. 00:21:00.000 --> 00:21:01.640 It's often pictured as a pyramid. 00:21:01.800 --> 00:21:04.900 It's a hierarchy of needs that this guy came up with. 00:21:04.900 --> 00:21:09.440 And in his view, there were different levels of need. 00:21:09.580 --> 00:21:17.340 In order to be able to meet one level of need, you had to make sure the levels of need below were met first. 00:21:19.700 --> 00:21:25.040 So at the bottom, the base level of this hierarchy is physiological needs. 00:21:25.800 --> 00:21:28.780 Food, water, shelter. 00:21:29.140 --> 00:21:33.380 The kind of things you need just to keep your body alive for a little while. 00:21:33.380 --> 00:21:37.000 The next level of need after that is safety. 00:21:37.740 --> 00:21:39.340 Safety from outside attacks. 00:21:39.540 --> 00:21:40.480 Safety from sickness. 00:21:40.700 --> 00:21:42.980 Safety from financial ruin. 00:21:44.160 --> 00:21:48.980 The next level of need after that is love and belonging needs. 00:21:49.240 --> 00:21:51.000 So how are my relationships? 00:21:51.540 --> 00:21:52.740 Family, friends. 00:21:54.320 --> 00:21:58.320 The next level of need after that is esteem needs. 00:21:58.319 --> 00:22:03.399 So am I accomplishing good things in the world and receive the recognition for it? 00:22:04.079 --> 00:22:09.119 And then the top of the hierarchy of needs, as he thought of it, was what he called self-actualization. 00:22:09.799 --> 00:22:18.879 When someone has all of these needs below being met and they are free to fully live out all that they have the potential to be. 00:22:18.880 --> 00:22:29.860 Now I'm not saying that this hierarchy of needs is necessarily accurate or, you know, the best way of thinking about human psychology. 00:22:30.020 --> 00:22:32.360 We're probably a little more complicated than that. 00:22:32.440 --> 00:22:35.580 But it is going to help us understand what Jesus means when he says, 00:22:36.340 --> 00:22:38.140 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. 00:22:38.140 --> 00:22:47.860 That pair of words, hunger and thirst, in the New Testament, denote need and desperation. 00:22:48.680 --> 00:22:55.140 When you put hunger and thirst together, what the image that is brought up in your mind, if you read through the Gospels, 00:22:55.320 --> 00:23:00.860 is someone who's poor, someone who can't provide for themselves, someone who's desperate, someone who needs help. 00:23:02.320 --> 00:23:05.220 So hunger and thirst denote need and desperation. 00:23:05.220 --> 00:23:12.339 And when he uses these physical metaphors of hunger and thirst, here's what Jesus is saying. 00:23:14.160 --> 00:23:22.059 He's saying, Blessed are those who move righteousness to the bottom of their hierarchy of needs. 00:23:24.200 --> 00:23:27.220 Because what we're tempted to do is to say, You know what? 00:23:27.920 --> 00:23:28.920 I do want to be righteous. 00:23:29.120 --> 00:23:30.880 I know that's what I should be. 00:23:31.240 --> 00:23:33.339 But I need to get some other things in order first, okay? 00:23:33.339 --> 00:23:36.699 Obviously, I need to make sure that my physical needs are provided for. 00:23:37.119 --> 00:23:38.919 I need to have job security. 00:23:39.119 --> 00:23:40.759 I need to have financial security. 00:23:40.879 --> 00:23:42.819 I need to get my family under control. 00:23:42.959 --> 00:23:44.959 I need to have my friendships in order. 00:23:45.419 --> 00:23:50.179 I would really like to be, you know, working in a job that really fulfills me. 00:23:50.639 --> 00:23:55.720 And kind of like, okay, like that's when I'm going to have the time and the space to think about righteousness. 00:23:55.720 --> 00:23:56.000 Righteousness. 00:23:58.240 --> 00:24:04.100 So we naturally tend to put righteousness at the top of the hierarchy, coming last. 00:24:04.240 --> 00:24:06.880 And Jesus says it needs to sink all the way to the bottom. 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:10.200 That it's the most basic need that you have in your life. 00:24:10.519 --> 00:24:13.039 I need righteousness before I need anything else. 00:24:13.440 --> 00:24:16.759 And Jesus is not saying put it down along with food and water. 00:24:18.000 --> 00:24:21.220 He's saying put it below food and drink. 00:24:23.200 --> 00:24:24.200 Are you sure about that? 00:24:24.200 --> 00:24:24.680 Yes. 00:24:25.640 --> 00:24:29.140 Let's look at Matthew chapter 6, verse 33. 00:24:30.559 --> 00:24:31.840 Still in the Sermon on the Mount. 00:24:35.539 --> 00:24:41.960 Jesus is encouraging his kingdom citizens to not be anxious about food and drink and clothing. 00:24:41.960 --> 00:24:47.640 In verse 31 he says, 00:24:47.640 --> 00:24:54.079 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, what shall we eat or what shall we drink or what shall we wear? 00:24:54.980 --> 00:25:00.400 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 00:25:00.400 --> 00:25:06.040 But seek first before those things. 00:25:06.759 --> 00:25:10.060 The kingdom of God and his righteousness. 00:25:11.700 --> 00:25:13.620 And all these things will be added to you. 00:25:16.019 --> 00:25:16.800 Do you see that? 00:25:16.880 --> 00:25:24.880 Jesus is saying, citizens of my kingdom need to move the need for righteousness to the very bottom. 00:25:24.880 --> 00:25:32.440 The very foundation that I need righteousness more than I need anything else. 00:25:33.800 --> 00:25:37.580 I need to be conformed to God's law more than I need to eat. 00:25:38.060 --> 00:25:41.900 I need God's will in my heart and in my life more than I need to drink. 00:25:42.040 --> 00:25:49.980 I need to be righteous more than I need a stable bank account. 00:25:49.980 --> 00:25:53.599 It comes first. 00:25:54.579 --> 00:25:59.740 And just like hunger and thirst, what Jesus is getting at is that we feel the lack of it. 00:26:01.440 --> 00:26:06.180 As we go through our lives, when we recognize an area of unrighteousness, 00:26:06.240 --> 00:26:10.059 when we realize that righteousness is lacking, we feel that. 00:26:10.700 --> 00:26:12.980 When we're hungry, what do we do? 00:26:13.839 --> 00:26:15.039 We go on the hunt for food. 00:26:16.099 --> 00:26:17.279 We open the fridge. 00:26:18.160 --> 00:26:19.099 We look at the shelf. 00:26:19.980 --> 00:26:21.299 We go to the store. 00:26:22.440 --> 00:26:23.700 We go to Chick-fil-A. 00:26:25.839 --> 00:26:28.079 When we're hungry, we go on the hunt. 00:26:29.860 --> 00:26:32.000 And we feel our lack of righteousness. 00:26:32.860 --> 00:26:33.900 We feel it. 00:26:35.660 --> 00:26:37.319 We say, I need to address this. 00:26:38.200 --> 00:26:41.240 I need to get righteousness in this part of my life. 00:26:41.519 --> 00:26:44.660 And I'm not going to rest or be satisfied until I do. 00:26:44.660 --> 00:26:44.740 I do. 00:26:49.980 --> 00:26:50.980 I need to get to know. 00:26:50.980 --> 00:26:52.779 We hunger and thirst for righteousness. 00:26:53.059 --> 00:26:58.039 We make conformity to God's law essential to our life. 00:26:58.039 --> 00:27:08.279 So if you're like me, right now you're thinking, 00:27:08.960 --> 00:27:14.180 that's not a very accurate description of me. 00:27:14.180 --> 00:27:26.700 I probably cannot honestly say that right now, in general, that's the way righteousness sits in my heart. 00:27:26.700 --> 00:27:35.460 Well, that's why Jesus gave us the beatitudes to call us into his kingdom. 00:27:35.460 --> 00:27:41.900 So how do we take steps towards fitting this profile? 00:27:41.900 --> 00:27:48.519 How do we develop a hunger and a thirst for righteousness in ourselves? 00:27:48.519 --> 00:27:52.519 A few quick thoughts. 00:27:53.980 --> 00:27:55.759 The first thing we need is a new heart. 00:27:58.839 --> 00:28:05.180 You will never hunger and thirst for righteousness without a new heart given through faith in Jesus. 00:28:05.299 --> 00:28:09.599 That is one of the chief promises of the new covenant that Jesus brought, 00:28:09.859 --> 00:28:11.519 is that we would have a new heart. 00:28:11.519 --> 00:28:17.220 Jeremiah 31, 33, looking forward to this new covenant that we have in Jesus, says, 00:28:17.220 --> 00:28:19.460 For this is the covenant, this is God talking, 00:28:19.779 --> 00:28:23.000 that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord. 00:28:23.319 --> 00:28:28.920 I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts, 00:28:29.279 --> 00:28:32.259 and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 00:28:34.400 --> 00:28:40.559 A hunger for righteousness can only exist in a new heart given through faith in Jesus. 00:28:40.559 --> 00:28:43.380 So if your faith is not in Jesus, 00:28:43.380 --> 00:28:47.320 that's your first step. 00:28:47.420 --> 00:28:48.520 You need to realize, 00:28:48.760 --> 00:28:50.620 I need salvation. 00:28:52.360 --> 00:28:54.140 I am unrighteous, 00:28:54.240 --> 00:28:58.340 and I need the perfectly righteous one to save me and give me a new heart. 00:29:01.780 --> 00:29:04.720 Only a new heart can hunger and thirst for righteousness. 00:29:04.720 --> 00:29:10.860 Second way we can cultivate a hunger and thirst for righteousness is by studying God's law. 00:29:11.579 --> 00:29:13.740 The Old Testament and the New Testament, 00:29:14.100 --> 00:29:14.900 looking at them, 00:29:14.980 --> 00:29:17.039 you can't hunger for what you don't know. 00:29:18.039 --> 00:29:20.660 You can't recognize a lack of righteousness 00:29:20.660 --> 00:29:23.900 if you don't know what righteousness actually looks like. 00:29:24.960 --> 00:29:28.519 So we have to spend time in God's word, 00:29:29.100 --> 00:29:31.539 hearing God's will expressed to us, 00:29:31.539 --> 00:29:32.799 understanding his law, 00:29:32.980 --> 00:29:34.139 understanding his character, 00:29:34.619 --> 00:29:36.960 understanding what he's calling his people to, 00:29:38.500 --> 00:29:41.440 so that then we have the framework to say, 00:29:42.279 --> 00:29:43.960 okay, this is what righteousness looks like, 00:29:44.319 --> 00:29:46.240 and this is what unrighteousness looks like, 00:29:46.299 --> 00:29:49.139 because sometimes we can be deceived, 00:29:49.720 --> 00:29:51.259 even with a new heart. 00:29:52.619 --> 00:29:55.039 So if we are not studying God's law, 00:29:55.119 --> 00:29:58.480 we can't expect that we can hunger to conform to it. 00:29:58.480 --> 00:30:02.259 Number three, we need space for reflection. 00:30:03.660 --> 00:30:06.819 We need time to reflect on God's law 00:30:06.819 --> 00:30:10.559 and time to reflect on our own hearts and lives. 00:30:11.160 --> 00:30:15.039 And I don't know that we're busier now than people have ever been, 00:30:15.160 --> 00:30:20.259 but I do know 100% that it's a lot more possible 00:30:20.259 --> 00:30:23.240 to fill every little crack of time and attention 00:30:23.240 --> 00:30:24.579 than it ever has been before. 00:30:24.579 --> 00:30:27.240 And you can go from the moment you wake up 00:30:27.240 --> 00:30:29.359 when you grab your phone off your nightstand 00:30:29.359 --> 00:30:30.960 to the moment you go to bed 00:30:30.960 --> 00:30:32.740 when you put it back on your nightstand 00:30:32.740 --> 00:30:36.960 and literally not have a single moment of quiet reflection. 00:30:38.659 --> 00:30:40.720 Because if you are not working 00:30:40.720 --> 00:30:43.919 or talking to friends or family, 00:30:44.099 --> 00:30:45.460 you are looking at your phone 00:30:45.460 --> 00:30:47.980 or you are listening to music or a podcast 00:30:47.980 --> 00:30:50.579 or you are watching a show or something like that, 00:30:50.579 --> 00:30:54.839 and in 24 hours you might not have a single moment 00:30:54.839 --> 00:30:57.379 of meditation or reflection. 00:31:02.059 --> 00:31:04.879 Do you remember the beatitude from Psalm 1? 00:31:09.359 --> 00:31:10.579 Blessed is the man 00:31:10.579 --> 00:31:14.819 who does what? 00:31:15.699 --> 00:31:17.399 Walks not in the way of sinners 00:31:17.400 --> 00:31:20.060 nor walks not in the way of... 00:31:20.060 --> 00:31:22.820 I probably should make sure I get this right. 00:31:23.440 --> 00:31:27.400 Walks not in the way of... 00:31:27.400 --> 00:31:28.759 In the counsel of the wicked 00:31:28.759 --> 00:31:29.800 nor stands in the way of sinners 00:31:29.800 --> 00:31:31.440 nor sits in the seat of scoffers, 00:31:31.620 --> 00:31:32.160 but what? 00:31:32.540 --> 00:31:35.100 His delight is in the law of the Lord, 00:31:35.620 --> 00:31:37.800 and on his law he meditates day and night. 00:31:38.940 --> 00:31:39.840 Blessed is that man 00:31:39.840 --> 00:31:42.000 who meditates on God's law day and night. 00:31:43.560 --> 00:31:44.620 The Psalm 1 beatitude. 00:31:44.619 --> 00:31:46.639 So we need space for reflection. 00:31:47.759 --> 00:31:48.259 And then lastly, 00:31:48.339 --> 00:31:49.139 we just need to do it. 00:31:50.019 --> 00:31:50.199 Right? 00:31:51.139 --> 00:31:52.959 When we see what righteousness looks like, 00:31:53.019 --> 00:31:54.579 when we see what God's law calls us to, 00:31:54.639 --> 00:31:55.759 we just need to act on it. 00:31:55.799 --> 00:31:57.199 Look at Matthew chapter 7, 00:31:57.479 --> 00:31:59.059 verses 24 through 27. 00:31:59.219 --> 00:32:00.239 This is the very end 00:32:00.239 --> 00:32:01.599 of the Sermon on the Mount. 00:32:02.059 --> 00:32:03.879 After everything that Jesus has said 00:32:03.879 --> 00:32:04.879 in this sermon, 00:32:04.979 --> 00:32:06.159 this is how he finishes it off. 00:32:06.599 --> 00:32:08.739 Everyone then who hears these words of mine 00:32:08.739 --> 00:32:09.319 and does them 00:32:09.319 --> 00:32:10.439 will be like a wise man 00:32:10.439 --> 00:32:12.139 who built his house on the rock. 00:32:12.140 --> 00:32:13.780 And the rain fell, 00:32:13.860 --> 00:32:14.600 and the floods came, 00:32:14.660 --> 00:32:15.280 and the winds blew, 00:32:15.380 --> 00:32:16.300 and beat on that house, 00:32:16.480 --> 00:32:17.620 but it did not fall 00:32:17.620 --> 00:32:19.020 because it had been founded on the rock. 00:32:19.720 --> 00:32:21.140 And everyone who hears these words of mine 00:32:21.140 --> 00:32:22.060 and does not do them 00:32:22.060 --> 00:32:23.160 will be like a foolish man 00:32:23.160 --> 00:32:24.420 who built his house on the sand. 00:32:25.220 --> 00:32:26.160 And the rain fell, 00:32:26.240 --> 00:32:26.920 and the floods came, 00:32:26.980 --> 00:32:27.620 and the winds blew, 00:32:27.900 --> 00:32:28.940 and beat against that house, 00:32:29.000 --> 00:32:29.680 and it fell, 00:32:30.020 --> 00:32:31.480 and great was the fall of it. 00:32:35.080 --> 00:32:36.340 Sometimes we just have to obey. 00:32:36.339 --> 00:32:38.859 And in the obedience, 00:32:39.119 --> 00:32:41.299 we will find our joy 00:32:41.299 --> 00:32:43.079 in righteousness increases. 00:32:46.819 --> 00:32:48.059 So what is righteousness? 00:32:48.279 --> 00:32:49.500 It's conformity to God's law. 00:32:49.599 --> 00:32:51.159 It's God's will in your heart 00:32:51.159 --> 00:32:51.839 and in your life. 00:32:52.159 --> 00:32:53.539 What does it mean to hunger and thirst for it? 00:32:53.579 --> 00:32:55.899 It means that conformity to God's will 00:32:55.899 --> 00:32:57.399 is essential to your life. 00:32:58.000 --> 00:32:59.519 It's the need that comes before 00:32:59.519 --> 00:33:00.779 all other needs. 00:33:03.919 --> 00:33:04.639 Last question, 00:33:04.740 --> 00:33:05.439 what is the satisfaction 00:33:05.440 --> 00:33:06.240 that is promised? 00:33:09.340 --> 00:33:10.380 Blessed are those who hunger 00:33:10.380 --> 00:33:11.220 and thirst for righteousness, 00:33:11.460 --> 00:33:13.200 for they shall be satisfied. 00:33:16.460 --> 00:33:18.660 So the danger for this beatitude, 00:33:19.519 --> 00:33:20.920 and really for all the beatitudes, 00:33:21.200 --> 00:33:22.880 is that we hear them, 00:33:22.880 --> 00:33:25.640 and we wonder if it's worth it. 00:33:28.799 --> 00:33:29.900 What's the point 00:33:29.900 --> 00:33:32.820 of fitting this profile 00:33:32.820 --> 00:33:34.880 to be poor in spirit, 00:33:34.880 --> 00:33:35.680 to mourn, 00:33:35.680 --> 00:33:36.220 to meek, 00:33:36.300 --> 00:33:36.980 to hunger and thirst 00:33:36.980 --> 00:33:37.520 for righteousness, 00:33:37.720 --> 00:33:38.240 to be merciful, 00:33:38.420 --> 00:33:39.080 to be pure in heart, 00:33:39.280 --> 00:33:40.260 to be peacemakers, 00:33:40.460 --> 00:33:41.480 to be persecuted? 00:33:42.060 --> 00:33:43.500 None of those things 00:33:43.500 --> 00:33:45.160 are valued 00:33:45.160 --> 00:33:46.700 by the world around us. 00:33:46.760 --> 00:33:47.900 Not one of them. 00:33:48.240 --> 00:33:49.080 None of those things 00:33:49.080 --> 00:33:49.860 are encouraged 00:33:49.860 --> 00:33:51.360 by the world around us. 00:33:54.460 --> 00:33:56.680 So what's the point 00:33:56.680 --> 00:33:57.800 of conforming ourselves 00:33:57.800 --> 00:33:59.100 to that kind of profile? 00:33:59.099 --> 00:34:03.059 What's the payoff? 00:34:03.699 --> 00:34:05.000 Especially when we take into account 00:34:05.000 --> 00:34:05.339 that like, 00:34:05.459 --> 00:34:05.899 okay, well, 00:34:06.199 --> 00:34:07.339 even when I do hunger 00:34:07.339 --> 00:34:08.099 and thirst for righteousness, 00:34:08.259 --> 00:34:09.619 I can't seem to accomplish it fully. 00:34:11.619 --> 00:34:12.920 So am I just struggling 00:34:12.920 --> 00:34:13.579 and hungering 00:34:13.579 --> 00:34:14.139 and thirsting 00:34:14.139 --> 00:34:14.699 and striving 00:34:14.699 --> 00:34:15.759 and missing out 00:34:15.759 --> 00:34:16.839 on a lot of things 00:34:16.839 --> 00:34:18.819 for nothing? 00:34:18.820 --> 00:34:20.860 And what about 00:34:20.860 --> 00:34:21.980 everyone else 00:34:21.980 --> 00:34:23.200 who is not righteous 00:34:23.200 --> 00:34:23.600 at all? 00:34:24.700 --> 00:34:25.960 What about those 00:34:25.960 --> 00:34:27.280 who oppress others 00:34:27.280 --> 00:34:28.420 and lie 00:34:28.420 --> 00:34:29.180 and cheat 00:34:29.180 --> 00:34:30.039 and hurt 00:34:30.039 --> 00:34:30.980 and kill? 00:34:31.780 --> 00:34:32.539 What about them 00:34:32.539 --> 00:34:33.559 because oftentimes 00:34:33.559 --> 00:34:34.960 their unrighteousness 00:34:34.960 --> 00:34:35.960 seems to be working out 00:34:35.960 --> 00:34:37.900 just fine for them? 00:34:37.900 --> 00:34:41.700 I hope it's not 00:34:41.700 --> 00:34:42.619 too offensive 00:34:42.619 --> 00:34:43.700 to point out 00:34:43.700 --> 00:34:45.079 that our two major 00:34:45.079 --> 00:34:45.820 candidates 00:34:45.820 --> 00:34:46.639 for president 00:34:46.639 --> 00:34:47.320 have lives 00:34:47.320 --> 00:34:47.900 and policies 00:34:47.900 --> 00:34:48.480 that are deeply 00:34:48.480 --> 00:34:49.880 marked by unrighteousness. 00:34:54.320 --> 00:34:55.340 What's the point? 00:34:59.519 --> 00:35:00.519 Jesus promises, 00:35:00.780 --> 00:35:01.360 blessed are those 00:35:01.360 --> 00:35:01.700 who hunger 00:35:01.700 --> 00:35:02.059 and thirst 00:35:02.059 --> 00:35:02.700 for righteousness 00:35:02.700 --> 00:35:04.260 for they shall be 00:35:04.260 --> 00:35:04.960 satisfied. 00:35:04.960 --> 00:35:05.099 satisfied. 00:35:07.019 --> 00:35:07.980 Jesus promises 00:35:07.980 --> 00:35:08.599 that you 00:35:08.599 --> 00:35:10.159 will 00:35:10.159 --> 00:35:11.720 be satisfied, 00:35:12.280 --> 00:35:13.440 that you will 00:35:13.440 --> 00:35:14.159 see the point, 00:35:14.280 --> 00:35:15.059 that you will 00:35:15.059 --> 00:35:16.460 have a payoff 00:35:16.460 --> 00:35:17.360 if your life 00:35:17.360 --> 00:35:18.059 is characterized 00:35:18.059 --> 00:35:19.400 by righteousness. 00:35:20.760 --> 00:35:21.280 And there are 00:35:21.280 --> 00:35:22.019 three ways 00:35:22.019 --> 00:35:22.619 that we can think 00:35:22.619 --> 00:35:23.900 about our hunger 00:35:23.900 --> 00:35:24.320 and thirst 00:35:24.320 --> 00:35:24.800 for righteousness 00:35:24.800 --> 00:35:25.659 being satisfied. 00:35:26.500 --> 00:35:27.360 The first one 00:35:27.360 --> 00:35:28.260 is the righteousness 00:35:28.260 --> 00:35:29.099 being accomplished 00:35:29.099 --> 00:35:30.079 by Jesus. 00:35:31.039 --> 00:35:31.420 Remember 00:35:31.420 --> 00:35:32.659 Matthew chapter 5 00:35:32.659 --> 00:35:33.740 verse 17, 00:35:33.880 --> 00:35:34.300 do not think 00:35:34.300 --> 00:35:34.800 that I have come 00:35:34.800 --> 00:35:35.220 to abolish 00:35:35.220 --> 00:35:35.460 the law 00:35:35.460 --> 00:35:35.960 of the prophets. 00:35:36.460 --> 00:35:37.019 I have not 00:35:37.019 --> 00:35:37.660 come to abolish 00:35:37.660 --> 00:35:38.039 them but to 00:35:38.039 --> 00:35:38.539 fulfill them. 00:35:39.800 --> 00:35:40.260 Jesus says, 00:35:40.640 --> 00:35:41.300 I got this. 00:35:42.519 --> 00:35:43.100 My mission 00:35:43.100 --> 00:35:44.080 is to fulfill 00:35:44.080 --> 00:35:45.740 God's law 00:35:45.740 --> 00:35:46.380 perfectly 00:35:46.380 --> 00:35:47.820 and he did it. 00:35:47.940 --> 00:35:48.539 Righteousness, 00:35:48.720 --> 00:35:49.400 full righteousness, 00:35:49.920 --> 00:35:50.900 as comprehensive 00:35:50.900 --> 00:35:51.960 and exacting 00:35:51.960 --> 00:35:52.740 and as deep 00:35:52.740 --> 00:35:53.640 as it is 00:35:53.640 --> 00:35:54.519 was accomplished 00:35:54.519 --> 00:35:56.180 by Jesus. 00:35:57.500 --> 00:35:58.580 So when we 00:35:58.580 --> 00:35:59.260 are wondering 00:35:59.260 --> 00:35:59.920 if our desire 00:35:59.920 --> 00:36:00.440 for righteousness 00:36:00.440 --> 00:36:01.440 will ever be fulfilled, 00:36:01.700 --> 00:36:02.640 we can have peace 00:36:02.640 --> 00:36:03.320 knowing that Jesus 00:36:03.320 --> 00:36:04.360 has already 00:36:04.360 --> 00:36:04.880 accomplished 00:36:04.880 --> 00:36:05.559 that righteousness. 00:36:06.080 --> 00:36:06.860 Look at Matthew 00:36:06.860 --> 00:36:08.180 chapter 11 00:36:08.180 --> 00:36:10.059 verses 28 00:36:10.059 --> 00:36:10.480 through 30. 00:36:15.039 --> 00:36:15.940 Jesus says, 00:36:16.080 --> 00:36:16.519 Come to me 00:36:16.519 --> 00:36:17.240 all who labor 00:36:17.240 --> 00:36:18.200 and are heavy laden 00:36:18.200 --> 00:36:19.360 and I will give you 00:36:19.360 --> 00:36:20.120 rest. 00:36:21.039 --> 00:36:21.860 Take my yoke 00:36:21.860 --> 00:36:22.519 upon you 00:36:22.519 --> 00:36:23.440 and learn from me 00:36:23.440 --> 00:36:24.240 for I am gentle 00:36:24.240 --> 00:36:25.340 and lowly in heart 00:36:25.340 --> 00:36:26.380 and you will find 00:36:26.380 --> 00:36:27.600 rest for your souls 00:36:27.600 --> 00:36:28.500 for my yoke 00:36:28.500 --> 00:36:29.280 is easy 00:36:29.280 --> 00:36:30.340 and my burden 00:36:30.340 --> 00:36:31.059 is light. 00:36:31.059 --> 00:36:33.960 It's like, 00:36:34.019 --> 00:36:34.279 well Jesus, 00:36:34.400 --> 00:36:35.039 you already preached 00:36:35.039 --> 00:36:35.440 the sermon 00:36:35.440 --> 00:36:36.039 on the mount. 00:36:36.820 --> 00:36:37.500 How can you call 00:36:37.500 --> 00:36:38.099 that easy 00:36:38.099 --> 00:36:38.619 and light? 00:36:41.539 --> 00:36:42.199 Jesus' burden 00:36:42.199 --> 00:36:42.779 is light 00:36:42.779 --> 00:36:43.480 because he 00:36:43.480 --> 00:36:44.199 carried it 00:36:44.199 --> 00:36:44.860 for us 00:36:44.860 --> 00:36:45.400 and we're 00:36:45.400 --> 00:36:46.519 joining with him 00:36:46.519 --> 00:36:47.119 in that. 00:36:48.139 --> 00:36:49.159 So full righteousness 00:36:49.159 --> 00:36:49.880 has been accomplished 00:36:49.880 --> 00:36:50.420 by Jesus 00:36:50.420 --> 00:36:51.259 so we have peace. 00:36:51.539 --> 00:36:52.259 So even when we 00:36:52.259 --> 00:36:53.000 hunger and thirst 00:36:53.000 --> 00:36:53.920 and we fall short, 00:36:54.179 --> 00:36:54.860 we have peace 00:36:54.860 --> 00:36:55.440 with God 00:36:55.440 --> 00:36:56.539 because of what 00:36:56.539 --> 00:36:57.259 Jesus has done. 00:36:58.880 --> 00:36:59.559 So our hunger 00:36:59.559 --> 00:37:00.219 and thirst for righteousness 00:37:00.219 --> 00:37:00.860 is satisfied 00:37:00.860 --> 00:37:01.420 in that way. 00:37:01.759 --> 00:37:02.099 Secondly, 00:37:02.239 --> 00:37:02.619 our hunger 00:37:02.619 --> 00:37:03.400 and thirst for righteousness 00:37:03.400 --> 00:37:04.259 can be satisfied 00:37:04.259 --> 00:37:05.519 because righteousness 00:37:05.519 --> 00:37:06.579 is now possible 00:37:06.579 --> 00:37:07.360 in us. 00:37:08.360 --> 00:37:08.980 Remember Jeremiah 00:37:08.980 --> 00:37:09.920 31, 33, 00:37:10.360 --> 00:37:11.679 we have a new heart. 00:37:11.820 --> 00:37:12.320 God's law 00:37:12.320 --> 00:37:13.320 is written on our hearts 00:37:13.320 --> 00:37:14.340 and where previously 00:37:14.340 --> 00:37:16.199 we had no power, 00:37:16.440 --> 00:37:17.199 no ability 00:37:17.199 --> 00:37:17.920 to be righteous 00:37:17.920 --> 00:37:18.679 in any way, 00:37:19.659 --> 00:37:20.659 we have a new heart 00:37:20.659 --> 00:37:21.239 and we have 00:37:21.239 --> 00:37:22.799 the life of Jesus 00:37:22.799 --> 00:37:23.519 in us 00:37:23.519 --> 00:37:24.679 enabling us 00:37:24.679 --> 00:37:25.900 to grow in righteousness 00:37:25.900 --> 00:37:26.579 more and more. 00:37:26.719 --> 00:37:27.820 So our hunger 00:37:27.820 --> 00:37:28.719 and thirst for righteousness 00:37:28.719 --> 00:37:29.639 will be satisfied 00:37:29.639 --> 00:37:30.899 because as we hunger 00:37:30.899 --> 00:37:31.539 and thirst for it, 00:37:31.559 --> 00:37:32.699 we will see our righteousness 00:37:32.699 --> 00:37:33.779 grow and increase. 00:37:33.879 --> 00:37:35.039 It's not futile. 00:37:36.039 --> 00:37:37.239 We have the power 00:37:37.239 --> 00:37:40.059 to increase 00:37:40.059 --> 00:37:41.039 in our conformity 00:37:41.039 --> 00:37:41.679 to God's law, 00:37:41.739 --> 00:37:42.579 to see God's will 00:37:42.579 --> 00:37:43.059 in our heart 00:37:43.059 --> 00:37:43.559 and our lives 00:37:43.559 --> 00:37:44.739 more and more and more. 00:37:46.639 --> 00:37:47.659 And then lastly 00:37:47.659 --> 00:37:48.419 and perhaps 00:37:48.419 --> 00:37:49.779 most importantly 00:37:49.779 --> 00:37:51.199 here in the Beatitudes, 00:37:52.179 --> 00:37:52.639 our hunger 00:37:52.639 --> 00:37:53.079 and thirst 00:37:53.079 --> 00:37:53.699 for righteousness 00:37:53.699 --> 00:37:54.759 will be satisfied 00:37:54.759 --> 00:37:55.619 fully 00:37:55.619 --> 00:37:56.880 and finally 00:37:56.880 --> 00:37:58.139 in Jesus' 00:37:58.139 --> 00:38:00.139 final kingdom. 00:38:00.859 --> 00:38:01.500 Righteousness 00:38:01.500 --> 00:38:02.699 will be perfected 00:38:02.699 --> 00:38:03.119 in Jesus' 00:38:03.319 --> 00:38:04.799 final kingdom. 00:38:05.139 --> 00:38:05.719 Righteousness 00:38:05.719 --> 00:38:06.539 in us 00:38:06.539 --> 00:38:07.420 and righteousness 00:38:07.420 --> 00:38:08.119 in the world 00:38:08.119 --> 00:38:08.779 around us 00:38:08.779 --> 00:38:09.359 and so we 00:38:09.359 --> 00:38:10.279 hope for that 00:38:10.279 --> 00:38:10.739 knowing that 00:38:10.739 --> 00:38:11.779 full satisfaction 00:38:11.779 --> 00:38:12.779 is coming. 00:38:15.219 --> 00:38:16.199 Now one thing 00:38:16.199 --> 00:38:18.039 that I wish 00:38:18.039 --> 00:38:19.579 we had more time 00:38:19.579 --> 00:38:20.319 to talk about 00:38:20.320 --> 00:38:22.920 is that righteousness 00:38:22.920 --> 00:38:24.160 is not just 00:38:24.160 --> 00:38:24.720 personal. 00:38:26.180 --> 00:38:27.280 It's not just 00:38:27.280 --> 00:38:28.340 in your own heart 00:38:28.340 --> 00:38:29.240 and in your own life. 00:38:29.440 --> 00:38:30.100 Righteousness 00:38:30.100 --> 00:38:31.240 is also something 00:38:31.240 --> 00:38:32.380 that God wants 00:38:32.380 --> 00:38:33.059 to characterize 00:38:33.059 --> 00:38:34.300 families 00:38:34.300 --> 00:38:36.160 and communities 00:38:36.160 --> 00:38:37.940 and towns 00:38:37.940 --> 00:38:39.559 and nations 00:38:39.559 --> 00:38:40.920 and businesses. 00:38:45.720 --> 00:38:46.820 And we should 00:38:46.820 --> 00:38:48.200 hunger and thirst 00:38:48.200 --> 00:38:49.080 for righteousness 00:38:49.079 --> 00:38:49.940 to be accomplished 00:38:49.940 --> 00:38:50.880 in all of those 00:38:50.880 --> 00:38:51.940 areas as well. 00:38:55.259 --> 00:38:56.259 And if we 00:38:56.259 --> 00:38:57.619 understand 00:38:57.619 --> 00:38:58.319 what righteousness 00:38:58.319 --> 00:38:59.219 really is 00:38:59.219 --> 00:39:00.679 and we look around 00:39:00.679 --> 00:39:01.199 at the world 00:39:01.199 --> 00:39:01.819 around us 00:39:01.819 --> 00:39:02.819 all of the 00:39:02.819 --> 00:39:03.619 systems and 00:39:03.619 --> 00:39:04.159 organizations 00:39:04.159 --> 00:39:04.980 and groups 00:39:04.980 --> 00:39:07.239 we're going to 00:39:07.239 --> 00:39:08.000 find a lot 00:39:08.000 --> 00:39:08.940 of unrighteousness. 00:39:09.980 --> 00:39:10.480 And if we are 00:39:10.480 --> 00:39:11.420 kingdom citizens 00:39:11.420 --> 00:39:12.920 we can let go 00:39:12.920 --> 00:39:13.599 of the need 00:39:13.599 --> 00:39:15.179 to be apologists 00:39:15.179 --> 00:39:16.279 for the 00:39:16.279 --> 00:39:17.219 Republican Party 00:39:17.219 --> 00:39:18.059 or apologists 00:39:18.059 --> 00:39:18.340 for the 00:39:18.340 --> 00:39:19.320 Democratic Party 00:39:19.320 --> 00:39:20.320 or for 00:39:20.320 --> 00:39:21.160 any other 00:39:21.160 --> 00:39:22.059 system or 00:39:22.059 --> 00:39:22.420 group 00:39:22.420 --> 00:39:23.100 and we don't 00:39:23.100 --> 00:39:23.680 have to be 00:39:23.680 --> 00:39:24.320 people who say 00:39:24.320 --> 00:39:24.860 hey no 00:39:24.860 --> 00:39:25.500 we're all good 00:39:25.500 --> 00:39:26.200 here the problem 00:39:26.200 --> 00:39:26.600 is with the 00:39:26.600 --> 00:39:27.220 other guys. 00:39:28.220 --> 00:39:29.120 If we're true 00:39:29.120 --> 00:39:29.800 kingdom citizens 00:39:29.800 --> 00:39:30.420 who are hungering 00:39:30.420 --> 00:39:30.880 and thirsting 00:39:30.880 --> 00:39:31.380 for righteousness 00:39:31.380 --> 00:39:32.559 we can look 00:39:32.559 --> 00:39:33.640 at any group 00:39:33.640 --> 00:39:34.980 including group 00:39:34.980 --> 00:39:35.539 that we might 00:39:35.539 --> 00:39:36.200 call our own 00:39:36.200 --> 00:39:36.480 and say 00:39:36.480 --> 00:39:37.579 there's unrighteousness 00:39:37.579 --> 00:39:40.119 here and I'm 00:39:40.119 --> 00:39:40.799 not okay with 00:39:40.799 --> 00:39:43.500 it and I'm 00:39:43.500 --> 00:39:44.039 not going to 00:39:44.039 --> 00:39:45.039 cover it over 00:39:45.039 --> 00:39:46.139 because of the 00:39:46.139 --> 00:39:46.940 unrighteousness in 00:39:46.940 --> 00:39:47.679 some other group. 00:39:51.099 --> 00:39:51.880 And one of the 00:39:51.880 --> 00:39:52.539 promises of 00:39:52.539 --> 00:39:53.139 Jesus' kingdom 00:39:53.139 --> 00:39:54.059 is that righteousness 00:39:54.059 --> 00:39:55.239 will not just be 00:39:55.239 --> 00:39:57.079 personal it'll be 00:39:57.079 --> 00:39:57.940 societal 00:39:57.940 --> 00:40:01.759 in his full and 00:40:01.759 --> 00:40:02.400 final kingdom. 00:40:02.400 --> 00:40:04.980 And Jesus 00:40:04.980 --> 00:40:05.780 talks about that 00:40:05.780 --> 00:40:06.119 in Matthew 00:40:06.119 --> 00:40:06.880 chapter 13. 00:40:09.059 --> 00:40:10.000 So this is your 00:40:10.000 --> 00:40:11.200 last page turn. 00:40:12.039 --> 00:40:12.920 Turn to Matthew 00:40:12.920 --> 00:40:13.680 chapter 13. 00:40:15.420 --> 00:40:16.340 Jesus tells a 00:40:16.340 --> 00:40:16.760 parable 00:40:16.760 --> 00:40:18.059 talking about 00:40:18.059 --> 00:40:18.380 what 00:40:18.380 --> 00:40:19.480 his kingdom 00:40:19.480 --> 00:40:19.960 is like 00:40:19.960 --> 00:40:21.059 his coming 00:40:21.059 --> 00:40:21.420 kingdom. 00:40:22.920 --> 00:40:23.480 First 00:40:23.480 --> 00:40:24.360 in verses 24 00:40:24.360 --> 00:40:25.000 through 30 00:40:25.000 --> 00:40:26.360 he tells 00:40:26.360 --> 00:40:26.860 the parable. 00:40:28.860 --> 00:40:29.559 He put another 00:40:29.559 --> 00:40:30.360 parable before them 00:40:30.360 --> 00:40:30.680 saying, 00:40:31.620 --> 00:40:31.920 the kingdom 00:40:31.920 --> 00:40:32.480 of heaven 00:40:32.480 --> 00:40:33.240 may be compared 00:40:33.240 --> 00:40:33.860 to a man 00:40:33.860 --> 00:40:34.360 who sowed 00:40:34.360 --> 00:40:34.900 good seed 00:40:34.900 --> 00:40:35.539 in his field. 00:40:36.440 --> 00:40:36.960 But while his 00:40:36.960 --> 00:40:37.760 men were sleeping 00:40:37.760 --> 00:40:38.920 his enemy came 00:40:38.920 --> 00:40:39.680 and sowed weeds 00:40:39.680 --> 00:40:40.360 among the wheat 00:40:40.360 --> 00:40:41.019 and went away. 00:40:42.200 --> 00:40:42.599 So when the 00:40:42.599 --> 00:40:43.280 plants came up 00:40:43.280 --> 00:40:43.900 and bore grain 00:40:43.900 --> 00:40:44.460 then the weeds 00:40:44.460 --> 00:40:45.120 appeared also. 00:40:46.160 --> 00:40:46.740 And the servants 00:40:46.740 --> 00:40:47.220 of the master 00:40:47.220 --> 00:40:47.620 of the house 00:40:47.620 --> 00:40:48.019 came and said 00:40:48.019 --> 00:40:48.220 to him, 00:40:48.480 --> 00:40:49.039 Master did you 00:40:49.039 --> 00:40:49.480 not sow 00:40:49.480 --> 00:40:50.079 good seed 00:40:50.079 --> 00:40:50.599 in your field? 00:40:50.720 --> 00:40:51.160 How then 00:40:51.160 --> 00:40:51.559 does it have 00:40:51.559 --> 00:40:51.960 weeds? 00:40:53.180 --> 00:40:53.880 He said to them 00:40:53.880 --> 00:40:54.360 an enemy has 00:40:54.360 --> 00:40:54.820 done this. 00:40:55.980 --> 00:40:56.599 So the servants 00:40:56.599 --> 00:40:57.140 said to him 00:40:57.140 --> 00:40:58.079 then do you 00:40:58.079 --> 00:40:58.579 want us to go 00:40:58.579 --> 00:40:59.460 and gather them? 00:41:00.360 --> 00:41:00.980 But he said 00:41:00.980 --> 00:41:01.240 no, 00:41:01.340 --> 00:41:01.960 less than gathering 00:41:01.960 --> 00:41:02.480 the weeds 00:41:02.480 --> 00:41:02.980 you root up 00:41:02.980 --> 00:41:03.320 the wheat 00:41:03.320 --> 00:41:04.140 along with them. 00:41:05.140 --> 00:41:05.840 Let both 00:41:05.840 --> 00:41:06.599 grow together 00:41:06.599 --> 00:41:07.559 until the harvest. 00:41:08.780 --> 00:41:09.360 And at harvest 00:41:09.360 --> 00:41:10.079 time I will 00:41:10.079 --> 00:41:10.680 tell the wheat 00:41:10.680 --> 00:41:11.059 reapers 00:41:11.059 --> 00:41:12.260 gather the weeds 00:41:12.260 --> 00:41:13.059 first and buy 00:41:13.059 --> 00:41:13.640 them in bundles 00:41:13.640 --> 00:41:14.180 to be burned 00:41:14.180 --> 00:41:14.780 but gather the 00:41:14.780 --> 00:41:15.240 wheat into 00:41:15.240 --> 00:41:15.780 my barn. 00:41:17.380 --> 00:41:18.059 So that's 00:41:18.059 --> 00:41:18.820 Jesus' parable 00:41:18.820 --> 00:41:19.780 about his 00:41:19.780 --> 00:41:20.360 coming kingdom. 00:41:21.140 --> 00:41:21.440 And in verses 00:41:21.440 --> 00:41:22.519 36 through 43 00:41:22.519 --> 00:41:23.380 he explains it. 00:41:23.380 --> 00:41:26.559 Then he left 00:41:26.559 --> 00:41:27.039 the crowds 00:41:27.039 --> 00:41:27.340 and went 00:41:27.340 --> 00:41:27.900 into the house 00:41:27.900 --> 00:41:28.140 and his 00:41:28.140 --> 00:41:28.460 disciples 00:41:28.460 --> 00:41:28.960 came to him 00:41:28.960 --> 00:41:29.260 saying, 00:41:29.920 --> 00:41:30.640 Explain to us 00:41:30.640 --> 00:41:31.160 the parable 00:41:31.160 --> 00:41:31.619 of the weeds 00:41:31.619 --> 00:41:32.140 of the field. 00:41:33.480 --> 00:41:33.700 And he 00:41:33.700 --> 00:41:33.880 answered, 00:41:33.960 --> 00:41:34.340 The one who 00:41:34.340 --> 00:41:34.880 sows the good 00:41:34.880 --> 00:41:35.420 seed is the 00:41:35.420 --> 00:41:35.860 son of man. 00:41:36.720 --> 00:41:37.480 The field 00:41:37.480 --> 00:41:38.180 is the world 00:41:38.180 --> 00:41:39.720 and the good 00:41:39.720 --> 00:41:40.340 seed is the 00:41:40.340 --> 00:41:40.760 sons of the 00:41:40.760 --> 00:41:41.039 kingdom, 00:41:41.820 --> 00:41:42.500 kingdom citizens. 00:41:43.860 --> 00:41:44.599 The weeds 00:41:44.599 --> 00:41:45.320 are the sons 00:41:45.320 --> 00:41:45.960 of the evil 00:41:45.960 --> 00:41:46.280 one. 00:41:48.700 --> 00:41:49.440 And the enemy 00:41:49.440 --> 00:41:49.920 who sowed 00:41:49.920 --> 00:41:50.440 them is the 00:41:50.440 --> 00:41:50.740 devil. 00:41:50.739 --> 00:41:52.559 The harvest 00:41:52.559 --> 00:41:53.059 is the 00:41:53.059 --> 00:41:53.639 close of 00:41:53.639 --> 00:41:54.099 the age 00:41:54.099 --> 00:41:54.439 and the 00:41:54.439 --> 00:41:54.699 reapers 00:41:54.699 --> 00:41:55.279 are angels. 00:41:56.959 --> 00:41:57.619 Just as 00:41:57.619 --> 00:41:58.079 the weeds 00:41:58.079 --> 00:41:58.659 are gathered 00:41:58.659 --> 00:41:59.039 and burned 00:41:59.039 --> 00:41:59.539 with fire 00:41:59.539 --> 00:42:00.179 so will 00:42:00.179 --> 00:42:00.519 it be 00:42:00.519 --> 00:42:00.779 at the 00:42:00.779 --> 00:42:01.159 close of 00:42:01.159 --> 00:42:01.659 the age. 00:42:02.859 --> 00:42:03.259 The son 00:42:03.259 --> 00:42:03.559 of man 00:42:03.559 --> 00:42:04.059 will send 00:42:04.059 --> 00:42:04.619 his angels 00:42:04.619 --> 00:42:04.939 and they 00:42:04.939 --> 00:42:05.539 will gather 00:42:05.539 --> 00:42:06.619 out of 00:42:06.619 --> 00:42:07.399 his kingdom 00:42:07.399 --> 00:42:08.779 all causes 00:42:08.779 --> 00:42:09.319 of sin 00:42:09.319 --> 00:42:10.319 and all 00:42:10.319 --> 00:42:11.279 lawbreakers 00:42:11.279 --> 00:42:12.019 and throw 00:42:12.019 --> 00:42:12.419 them into 00:42:12.419 --> 00:42:12.899 the fiery 00:42:12.899 --> 00:42:13.299 furnace. 00:42:13.479 --> 00:42:13.759 In that 00:42:13.759 --> 00:42:14.259 place there 00:42:14.259 --> 00:42:14.519 will be 00:42:14.519 --> 00:42:14.919 weeping 00:42:14.919 --> 00:42:15.479 and gnashing 00:42:15.479 --> 00:42:16.039 of teeth. 00:42:16.899 --> 00:42:17.739 Then the 00:42:17.739 --> 00:42:18.299 righteous 00:42:18.299 --> 00:42:20.559 will shine 00:42:20.559 --> 00:42:21.139 like the 00:42:21.139 --> 00:42:22.299 son in 00:42:22.299 --> 00:42:22.739 the kingdom 00:42:22.739 --> 00:42:23.139 of their 00:42:23.139 --> 00:42:23.599 father. 00:42:25.420 --> 00:42:26.059 He who 00:42:26.059 --> 00:42:26.820 has ears 00:42:26.820 --> 00:42:27.440 let him 00:42:27.440 --> 00:42:27.860 hear. 00:42:31.000 --> 00:42:31.559 You see 00:42:31.559 --> 00:42:31.960 what Jesus 00:42:31.960 --> 00:42:32.719 is promising 00:42:32.719 --> 00:42:33.079 there? 00:42:33.799 --> 00:42:34.099 He's saying 00:42:34.099 --> 00:42:34.519 the same 00:42:34.519 --> 00:42:35.000 thing that 00:42:35.000 --> 00:42:35.400 he said 00:42:35.400 --> 00:42:35.840 in Matthew 00:42:35.840 --> 00:42:36.599 5, 6 00:42:36.599 --> 00:42:37.019 blessed are 00:42:37.019 --> 00:42:37.279 those who 00:42:37.279 --> 00:42:37.579 hunger and 00:42:37.579 --> 00:42:37.860 thirst for 00:42:37.860 --> 00:42:38.159 righteousness 00:42:38.159 --> 00:42:38.799 for they 00:42:38.799 --> 00:42:39.119 shall be 00:42:39.119 --> 00:42:39.539 satisfied. 00:42:39.940 --> 00:42:40.619 He's saying 00:42:40.619 --> 00:42:41.199 there's a 00:42:41.199 --> 00:42:41.900 payoff coming. 00:42:43.299 --> 00:42:43.840 There's a 00:42:43.840 --> 00:42:44.579 moment coming 00:42:44.579 --> 00:42:45.320 when full 00:42:45.320 --> 00:42:45.900 righteousness 00:42:45.900 --> 00:42:46.719 is going to 00:42:46.719 --> 00:42:47.340 be accomplished 00:42:47.340 --> 00:42:48.539 and those 00:42:48.539 --> 00:42:49.739 who are 00:42:49.739 --> 00:42:50.099 right, 00:42:50.099 --> 00:42:50.460 first of 00:42:50.460 --> 00:42:50.579 all 00:42:50.579 --> 00:42:51.460 cause of 00:42:51.460 --> 00:42:51.759 sin and 00:42:51.759 --> 00:42:52.559 law breaking 00:42:52.559 --> 00:42:53.000 will be 00:42:53.000 --> 00:42:53.920 taken out 00:42:53.920 --> 00:42:54.139 of the 00:42:54.139 --> 00:42:54.420 kingdom 00:42:54.420 --> 00:42:56.299 so there 00:42:56.299 --> 00:42:56.719 is no 00:42:56.719 --> 00:42:57.039 more 00:42:57.039 --> 00:42:57.739 oppression 00:42:57.739 --> 00:42:58.559 and pain 00:42:58.559 --> 00:43:00.659 and then 00:43:00.659 --> 00:43:00.940 the 00:43:00.940 --> 00:43:01.440 righteous 00:43:01.440 --> 00:43:03.159 those who 00:43:03.159 --> 00:43:03.460 have spent 00:43:03.460 --> 00:43:04.039 their lives 00:43:04.039 --> 00:43:04.779 hungering and 00:43:04.779 --> 00:43:05.480 thirsting for 00:43:05.480 --> 00:43:05.940 righteousness 00:43:05.940 --> 00:43:07.519 then the 00:43:07.519 --> 00:43:08.319 righteous will 00:43:08.319 --> 00:43:09.259 shine like 00:43:09.259 --> 00:43:10.059 the sun in 00:43:10.059 --> 00:43:10.420 the kingdom 00:43:10.420 --> 00:43:10.779 of their 00:43:10.779 --> 00:43:11.179 father 00:43:11.179 --> 00:43:14.339 for they 00:43:14.339 --> 00:43:14.940 shall be 00:43:14.940 --> 00:43:15.960 satisfied. 00:43:18.400 --> 00:43:18.940 Let's 00:43:18.940 --> 00:43:19.139 pray. 00:43:20.099 --> 00:43:24.839 father we 00:43:24.839 --> 00:43:26.799 feel our 00:43:26.799 --> 00:43:27.599 lack of 00:43:27.599 --> 00:43:28.139 righteousness 00:43:28.139 --> 00:43:30.259 and we 00:43:30.259 --> 00:43:30.920 ask that you 00:43:30.920 --> 00:43:31.299 would help 00:43:31.299 --> 00:43:32.019 us to feel 00:43:32.019 --> 00:43:32.799 it more. 00:43:35.059 --> 00:43:36.119 Help us to 00:43:36.119 --> 00:43:36.839 hunger and 00:43:36.839 --> 00:43:37.719 thirst for 00:43:37.719 --> 00:43:38.159 righteousness 00:43:38.159 --> 00:43:42.199 and may we 00:43:42.199 --> 00:43:42.960 be kingdom 00:43:42.960 --> 00:43:43.980 citizens who 00:43:43.980 --> 00:43:45.420 display the 00:43:45.420 --> 00:43:46.779 beauty and 00:43:46.779 --> 00:43:47.779 refreshing nature 00:43:47.780 --> 00:43:48.540 what righteousness 00:43:48.540 --> 00:43:49.940 is to the 00:43:49.940 --> 00:43:50.440 world around 00:43:50.440 --> 00:43:50.780 us. 00:43:53.720 --> 00:43:55.200 We can 00:43:55.200 --> 00:43:56.019 only come to 00:43:56.019 --> 00:43:56.840 you and 00:43:56.840 --> 00:43:57.840 pray these 00:43:57.840 --> 00:43:58.320 things and 00:43:58.320 --> 00:43:58.880 ask these 00:43:58.880 --> 00:43:59.860 things because 00:43:59.860 --> 00:44:03.120 Jesus is our 00:44:03.120 --> 00:44:05.360 king and he 00:44:05.360 --> 00:44:06.180 died for us 00:44:06.180 --> 00:44:07.519 and he rose 00:44:07.519 --> 00:44:09.300 for us and 00:44:09.300 --> 00:44:09.820 he is going to 00:44:09.820 --> 00:44:11.800 return to 00:44:11.800 --> 00:44:12.460 establish his 00:44:12.460 --> 00:44:13.000 full kingdom. 00:44:14.200 --> 00:44:14.460 Amen. 00:44:14.460 --> 00:44:14.560 Amen. 00:44:14.560 --> 00:44:14.600 Amen. 00:44:14.600 --> 00:44:14.620 Amen. 00:44:14.620 --> 00:44:14.640 Amen. 00:44:14.640 --> 00:44:14.660 Amen. 00:44:14.660 --> 00:44:14.720 Amen. 00:44:14.720 --> 00:44:14.740 Amen. 00:44:14.740 --> 00:44:14.760 Amen. 00:44:14.760 --> 00:44:16.640 Amen. 00:44:16.639 --> 00:44:18.159 Amen. 00:44:19.379 --> 00:44:19.639 Amen. 00:44:19.639 --> 00:44:21.480 Amen. 00:44:22.000 --> 00:44:22.639 Amen. 00:44:23.639 --> 00:44:24.019 Amen. 00:44:36.199 --> 00:44:36.259 Amen. 00:44:36.259 --> 00:44:36.319 Amen. 00:44:36.519 --> 00:44:37.819 Amen. 00:44:37.819 --> 00:44:37.879 Amen. 00:44:37.879 --> 00:44:40.039 Amen. 00:44:40.039 --> 00:44:40.500 Amen. 00:44:40.500 --> 00:44:40.559 Amen. 00:44:40.719 --> 00:44:40.920 Amen. 00:44:40.920 --> 00:44:41.000 Amen. 00:44:41.000 --> 00:44:41.460 Amen. 00:44:41.460 --> 00:44:41.599 Amen. 00:44:41.599 --> 00:44:41.859 Amen. 00:44:41.859 --> 00:44:42.099 Amen. 00:44:42.299 --> 00:44:44.440 Amen. 00:44:44.440 --> 00:44:46.199 Amen.