Sermon Central
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7 Habits Of Highly Happy Spiritual People: Written On International Day Of Happiness
Contributed by Peter Pilt on Apr 19, 2019 (message contributor)
Summary: What are the habits of people who are 'spiritually happy'?
The United States Declaration of Independence enshrines the right of every American to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, but why is happiness so elusive? The world energetically and enthusiastically runs after happiness, but it always seems to be just beyond its grasp.
Apparently if you have a coke you ‘Open Happiness’
Will Smith starred in a Movie called the Pursuit of Happiness: which is obviously pulled from the US Declaration of Independence.
I have heard preachers talk about the difference between joy and happiness. They say joy isn’t related to circumstances whereas happiness is.
Happiness though is different than joy. We can have the joy of the Lord in any circumstances and at all times. It is our strength even when we are weak…it’s the bottom line that gives our lives meaning and makes life worth living.
Happiness is more temporary, because it is based on “happenstance” or “happenings”. Certain circumstances make us happy. So, we often lift up “joy” as the thing to truly seek after. And that may be a valid point, but don’t we want to be happy? We may not always be able to be happy, but don’t we want to be happy often? More often than most usually are? More than we have been lately? Well? If certain circumstances lead us to be happy, it would be nice to know what those circumstances are.
I preached on happiness a few years ago – here are my sermon notes.
The Bible tells us how to be happy:
Blessed – asher = HAPPY, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable.
1. Happy Is The Man Whose Sins Are Forgiven.
7 “ Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,
And whose sins are covered;
Why is he happy
Because he is free from guilt
Because that which has separated him from God has been removed.
Because his eternal destiny has changed.
2) Happy is the man who God Corrects
Job 5:17 “ Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects;
Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty.
Why?
Because it’s a sign that God Loves him.
For whom the LORD loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights.
Because God is guiding his life.
3. Happy Is The Man Who Is Delighted More In The Word than in the World.
A clear choice is presented here
Psalm 1 –
The Way of the Righteous and the End of the Ungodly
1 Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.
4 The ungodly are not so,
But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgement,
Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
Chaff or tree?
I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
4. Happy Is The Man Who Keeps God’s Commandments.
Proverbs 29:18 (Amplified Bible)
Where there is no vision [no redemptive revelation of God], the people perish; but he who keeps the law [of God, which includes that of man]–blessed (happy, fortunate, and enviable) is he.
Why?
Because if you don’t you live in a manner that is unrestrained living and that will ultimately lead to your destruction
John 13:-14-17
14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher (Master), have washed your feet, you ought [it is your duty, you are under obligation, you owe it] to wash one another’s feet.
15 For I have given you this as an example, so that you should do [in your turn] what I have done to you.
16 I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, A servant is not greater than his master, and no one who is sent is superior to the one who sent him.
17 If you know these things, blessed and happy and [a]to be envied are you if you practice them [if you act accordingly and really do them].
5) Happy is the man who conducts his spiritual walk in a mature fashion regardless of what is happening around him
Proverbs 28:14 (Amplified Bible)
14 Blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied) is the man who reverently and worship fully fears [the Lord] at all times [regardless of circumstances], but he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.
Reverence is respectful, submissive attitude of mind resulting in affection and esteem for the person to which it is directed.
