Happiness Through - Satisfaction (Beatitudes) Series

Happiness In An Unsettling World

Steele Creek Church, Eastfield Campus

Dr. Tom Bartlett – October 11, 2020

Matthew 5:6

Satisfaction

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Satisfaction

“When something seems to be missing in life”

“. . . No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied. No matter how much we hear, we are not content.” Ecclesiastes 1:8b (NLT)

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” (Vs. 6)

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires. . .” 1 John 2:15–17 (ESV)

The Passing Promises of the World

“. . . all that is in the world. . . is passing away. . .” (Vs. 16-17)

• Pleasure will satisfy you – “desires of the flesh”

• Possessions will fulfill you – “lust of the eyes”

• Performance will immortalize you – “pride of life”

The Secret to Personal Satisfaction

“And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” 1 John 2:18 (ESV)

Stop taking direction from a passing world

“Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live. . .” Isaiah 55:1-3 (ESV)

Follow hard after God and His forever kingdom

“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way,

and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” Isaiah 55:6–7 (ESV)

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33 (ESV)

“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 (ESV)

Ask yourself:

• Is my focus on today only?

• Will my current path lead me to be more like Christ?

• Is what I’m currently doing pleasing to God?

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” Matthew 5:6 (ESV)

MANUSCRIPT

“When something seems to be missing in life”

Good morning and welcome to Steele Creek Church, my name is Tom Bartlett and I’m the campus pastor here at the Eastfield campus.

I’d like to invite you to open up the church center app (English or Spanish), and follow along with me by clicking on sermon notes.

Now, I’ve been alive long enough to notice a few things.

• A piece of pound cake doesn’t way a pound, but a single piece can add two pounds to anyone who eats it!

• Fasting goes very slowly.

• There’s no such thing as a genuine imitation anything

• There are no unbiased opinions, AND

• You can eat one potato chip, as long as you consider the entire 64-ounce bag, “one”!

I’ve noticed that people die of all ages. CHADWICK BOSEMAN Black Panther actor died at age 43.

We live in a world that is looking for total and lasting satisfaction in life, yet it seems nowhere to be found. Solomon wrote about this dilemma in Ecclesiastes. . .

“. . . No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied. No matter how much we hear, we are not content.” Ecclesiastes 1:8b (NLT)

Ever feel that way? Restless, not content, needing a change or wanting to try something different?

• The average marriage in the US lasts only 8 years

• The average worker stays in their current job less than 10 years. The younger you are the more you change.

• The average length of time people stay in a home is 8-9 years depending on where you live.

Could it be we’re all searching for something that is not there? Or are we simply looking for satisfaction in life in all the wrong places? Now, I know that there are items that say they truly satisfying, such as a snickers bar or a cup of coffee, but is that real satisfaction?

The only person I’m aware of that offers a surefire recipe for personal satisfaction is Jesus Christ.