Sermon Central
-
Happiness The Jesus Way
Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 11, 2021 (message contributor)
-
1. What Is Happiness?
Contributed on Mar 11, 2021
Both Jesus and Paul make it clear that it is more than a right to be happy, it is a duty. It is part of our commitment to Christ to overcome all that would make us unhappy.
Epictetus, the ancient philosopher said, "If a man is unhappy, this must be his own fault, for God made all men to be happy." A Christian writer, St. Bernard, said something similar. "Nothing can work me damage except myself; the harm that I sustain I carry about with me, and never ...read more
-
2. Prosperity In Poverty
Contributed on Mar 11, 2021
The poor in spirit are those who, be they rich or poor in this world's goods, are detached from them, and dependent upon God.
After his return from church one Sunday, a small boy said, "You know what mommie? I'm going to be a preacher when I grow up." "That's wonderful," said his mother. What made you decide you want to be a preacher?" The boy said thoughtfully, "Well, I'll ...read more
-
3. Happiness In Sorrow
Contributed on Mar 11, 2021
Blessed are those who mourn is just too clear, and Luke makes it even more clear when he writes, "Blessed are you who weep now for you shall laugh." This is so clear and obvious that it is hard to understand.
The soloist asked the visiting preacher what his subject was. She wanted to follow up with an appropriate message in song. When he hesitated she told him to never mind, she would listen and select something appropriate. When he concluded his sermon she sang, "Sometime, Somewhere, We'll ...read more
-
4. The Mighty Meek
Contributed on Mar 11, 2021
Meekness is that attitude of God when He said, "Come now let us reason together." All through the Bible the appeal is to be meek and gentle, for this is the only reasonable way to face life.
A dejected coach entered a telephone booth after losing out in the high school basketball tournament. When he discovered he didn't have a dime he called a passing student: "Hey! Lend me a dime so I can call a friend." The student reached into his pocket and pulled out two dimes. He ...read more
-
5. Happy Are The Merciful
Contributed on Mar 11, 2021
The merciful are willing to identify with others and their need. They are willing to get involved with people because they look upon all men as potential brothers in Christ. They are the light of the world, and the salt of the earth.
The tallest Methodist church in the world stands in the loop of Chicago. Skyscrapers of offices are around it, but stretching still steeper into the sky is the slender steeple symbolic of man's aspiration to reach God. Sometime ago bells were installed in this steeple in order to peal out a ...read more
-
6. Happiness Through Hunger
Contributed on Mar 11, 2021
Men become desperate when they hunger and thirst, and all the energy of their being is concentrated on one goal-to satisfy their need. This sounds like misery, and it is, but it is in the spiritual realm another example of the paradoxical misery that leads to happiness.
A woman leaving church said to the pastor, "Thank you for that sermon, it was so helpful." The pastor said, "I hope it was not as helpful as the last one." "Why what do you mean," she asked. "Well," he said, "that last sermon lasted you three ...read more
-
7. The Heart Of Happiness
Contributed on Mar 12, 2021
No one claims to be adequate for the task of even explaining this beatitude. Preachers apologize for their audacity in even presuming to try and preach on this text.
Two soldiers were on a transport going overseas. Standing on the deck they gazed out across the vast expanse of water. One who had never been near the ocean said, "That's the most water I've ever seen in all my life. Did you ever see so much water?" His companion responded, ...read more
-
8. Fighters For Peace
Contributed on Mar 12, 2021
The peacemaker must take the same risks as the warmaker. It costs Jesus His life to be a peacemaker, and this is the price many have paid to bring peace between God and man, as well as between men.
One of the paradoxes of life is the fact that the peacemaker must be a fighter to be effective. Edwin Markham just before his death in 1940 remarked that his fondest hope had not been realized. He had wanted to write a poem that would dispense the armies of the world. Unfortunately, peace is ...read more
-
9. The Burden Of The Cross
Contributed on Mar 12, 2021
In this last beatitude Jesus provides His disciples with a defensive weapon to penetrate the fog of persecution. He promises great reward in heaven to those who will press on in the dark, knowing the light is still shining beyond.
Florence Chadwick was the first woman ever to swim the difficult and cold 21 mile stretch of water between Catalina Island and the California coast. She failed on her first attempt because of poor vision. After 15 hours and 55 minutes of numbing cold she asked to be taken out of the water. A ...read more
-
10. . Happy New Year
Contributed on Mar 12, 2021
Jesus knew the importance of being happy, and that is why He begins His greatest sermon with a list of ways to be perfectly happy on earth for those who would follow Him and be citizens of the kingdom of heaven.
Edwin Markham in his poem The Shoes Of Happiness tells the story of a king in Istanbul who was ill. He called his wise men together to find a cure. They studied the situation and announced that only one thing could cure him, and that was for him to wear the shoes of a perfectly happy man. Off ...read more