It may surprise you, but God’s number one concern is not my happiness.
For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths (2 Timothy 4:3-4).
Sometimes we treat God like a vending machine.
God is not supposed to serve us; we are supposed to serve Him.
GOD DOESN’T WANT ME HAPPY WHEN …
1. When it causes me to SIN.
But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do … (1 Peter 1:15).
Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? (Romans 6:1-2).
Illustration: Cohen trying to steal the toy. If my only desire was to see my son happy, I would have allowed him to take the toy.
God never wants us to sacrifice His standards in the name of happiness.
Examples: serving, giving, marriage
2. When it’s driven by CIRCUMSTANCES.
When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other (Ecclesiastes 7:14).
God doesn’t want our happiness based on happenings.
Luke 15:11-24: Like the prodigal, in the pursuit of happiness, most people become miserable.
3. God wants me BLESSED.
“Blessed” – makarios (mak-ar’-ee-os); supremely blessed, more than happy.
[Explain context] I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength (Philippians 4:12-13).
When someone is asked, “Are you blessed?” what do people usually say? Usually they talk about material blessings.
Who is blessed? (see Matthew 5:3-10)
The person who is blessed can be happy even in bad circumstances: “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me” (Matthew 5:11).
• If you pursue happiness, you’ll miss GOD.
• If you pursue God, you’ll find BLESSINGS.
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4).
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).
The bad news: God doesn’t want you happy all the time. The good news: He wants you more than happy. He wants you blessed.
Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near (Revelation 1:3).
I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:2-4).
[I ended the sermon with a free video called “In Heaven” from Muddy River Media.]
URBAN LEGENDS
Debunking Spiritual Myths
URBAN LEGEND #2: God Wants Me Happy All the Time
For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths (2 Timothy 4:3-4).
GOD DOESN’T WANT ME HAPPY WHEN …
1. When it causes me to ____________________.
But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do… (1 Peter 1:15).
2. When it’s driven by ____________________.
When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other (Ecclesiastes 7:14).
3. God wants me ____________________.
“Blessed” – makarios (mak-ar’-ee-os); supremely blessed, more than happy.
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want (Philippians 4:12).
Who is blessed? (See Matthew 5:3-10.) The person who is blessed can be happy even in bad circumstances: “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me” (Matthew 5:11).
• If you pursue happiness, you’ll miss ____________________.
• If you pursue God, you’ll find ____________________.
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4).
The bad news: God doesn’t want you happy all the time. The good news: He wants you more than happy. He wants you blessed.
Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near (Revelation 1:3).
[God] will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:4).
