#274 – I PRESS ON TO TAKE HOLD (28/1/21)

This week, we are considering the fourth Beatitude,

'Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.' (Matthew 5:6)

God’s word always expects a response of faith from us. The people were enabled to leave Egypt by God’s power, but they had to paint the blood over their doors. The walls of Jericho fell, but they had to march around the walls. The sick are healed, but we are to pray…

Likewise, our growth in righteousness is a gift from God, but it’s a gift that we are to take hold of by taking appropriate actions that reflect our faith. Paul wrote of the kind of attitude we are to have,

‘Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.’ (1 Corinthians 9:24-25)

'Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.' (1 Timothy 4:7-8)

A very helpful text that speaks of the ‘dependent striving’ that is required is from Philippians 3

‘Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.’ (Philippians 3:12)

What has he not yet obtained?

What does Paul do in light of his lack?

Paradoxically, who is He depending on for the achieving of his goal?

FINALLY

On Sunday, Nev challenged us to get into training for spiritual growth. What actions do you need to take, or do you need to change anything in your routines?

The goal for which we have been taken hold of is to be perfectly righteous - perfectly like Christ! Is your use of time reflecting the athlete’s focus?

COMMUNITY GROUP STUDY - BLESSED ARE THE SPIRITUALLY HUNGRY

Notices

It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.

Suggested opener/Ice-breaker

If you were really hungry, what would you most like to eat?

Introduction - please share in your group

This week in our discipleship series, we are considering the forth of the Beatitudes,

'"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." (Matthew 5:6)

This is not about the righteousness that is ours through faith in Christ; this is about our hungering and thirsting to live a righteous life.

Throughout God's Word, as here in The Sermon on the Mount, we learn what the righteous life looks like. A true Christian will have a desire for God's character to be made evident in their lives.

They will be filled

Those who have such a hunger are promised satisfaction: "They will be filled".

This means that they will enjoy God's presence in their lives; they will have the satisfaction of having a good conscience toward God; most importantly, they will be satisfied with eternal life in eternal glory with God.

Discussion questions

1. Is there anything that God spoke to you about from Sunday's message that you'd like to share?

2. How will hungering and thirsting for righteousness be evident in one's life?

3. What are the things that we can 'snack' on that reduce our appetite for important spiritual practices?

2. How does devotion to scripture and teaching help us in our pursuit for righteousness?

3. Nev encouraged us to think about getting into 'running partners' to help us in this. Is this something that you would like to get involved in?

Here is a link that gives details on running partners: https://www.communitychurchputney.com/post/running-partners

Investing and inviting

1) Who has God put into your life that we could pray for together?

2) How are you planning to 'invest and invite'?