Joyful are Those Who Desire God and His Ways

Joyful Are:
Those Who Desire God and His Ways
Matthew 5:1-6
Page # 960

I. God moves us to desire Him and His ways.
     1. We are humbled.  
Isaiah 57:12 – "I will expose your righteousness and your deeds…they will not profit you.”
     2. We have Godly sorrow.
Isaiah 65:24 – "It will come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear.”
     3. We become gentle in spirit.  
Isaiah 66:2 – "…on this one will I look: on him who is humble and contrite of spirit, who trembles at My word."
     4. We hunger for God and His ways.    
Isaiah 6:8 – “I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?’ Then I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’”

II. The results of desiring Him and His ways.
     1. Overflowing with mercy.
     2. Walking in purity.
     3. Being a peacemaker.
     4. Joyfully persecuted for Christ.

III. Staying hungry for God and His ways.

Matthew 6:5-35    
     1. Praying  
     2. Fasting    

Matthew 6:16-24  

Fasting is deliberately denying myself from something or someone for a period of time, so my flesh can be subject to my spirit in order to feast on the Lord’s presence and be ready for ministry.

Psalm 34:8 – “Taste and see that the Lord is good…take refuge in him!”

Isaiah 58:6 – "…this is the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice…to set the oppressed free and break every bondage.”

     3. Seeking  

Matthew 6:25-34

Exodus 33:18 – …"Please, show me Your glory."

Psalm 103:5 – “He satisfies you with goodness; your youth is renewed like the eagle.”

Psalm 23:1 – "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want."

Isaiah 26:9 – “At night my soul longs for You, indeed, my spirit within me seeks You diligently…”

Psalm 90:14 – “Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.”

Psalm 105:4 – “Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always.”

Psalm 119:97 – “O how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day.”

Faith Sheet

December Transformation Verse: My soul will rejoice in the LORD and delight in His salvation. Psalm 35:9

Main Themes:
~ Those who truly love the Lord Jesus are hungry for more of Him and to
    know His ways.
~ The results of knowing the Lord and His righteousness can be clearly seen
    in our transformation and our desire for others to be at peace with God.

 #1- Reviewing this Past Sunday       
Joyful Are: “Those Who Desire God and His Ways”
Matthew 5:1-6

1. Read Matthew 5:1-6, and discuss Sunday’s message with someone.
2. How does one constantly stay hungry and thirsty for God?
3. Read John 7:37-29 and Psalm 34:10.  Are these promises true right now
    in your life? What keeps them from being true to the fullest in your life?
4. “Fasting is deliberately denying myself from something or someone for a
    period of   time, so my flesh can be subject to my spirit in order to feast on
    the Lord’s presence and be ready for ministry.” Discuss this definition with
    someone.
5. Meditate on these truths and use them as prayers. (Psalm 105:4, 63:1,
    34:8, 90:14)
6. Pray for one another to stay hungry for God and His ways.

 # 2- Preparing for Next Sunday 
Joyful are: “The Merciful”
Matthew 5:1-7

1. Read Matthew 5:1-7.
2. Define mercy and discuss why it is needed daily.
3. What can the merciful expect? (verse 7)
4. What are some motivations for us to be merciful?  (Luke 6:36; Titus 3:1-5;
    Ephesians 2:1-5; Luke 6:36; 2 Timothy 1:9)
5. Read Luke 10:30-37. Discuss what mercy and compassion might look like
    in your daily life with others.
6. Pray for someone who needs God’s grace and mercy.