Happy People in an Unhappy World
Acts 24:1 - 27
Intro: What is the secret to true happiness? According to a USA Today article a few years back, psychologists now know what makes people happy. Marilyn Elias writes, “The happiest people surround themselves with family and friends, don’t care about keeping up with the Joneses next door, lose themselves in daily activities and, most important, forgive easily.” I would mostly agree with those things. We need family and friends who care about us and give us a sense of value and validation. And chasing after material things always leaves a person hollow and disappointed. Staying occupied with goals in mind each day is very helpful. And forgiving others – WOW! You can’t say enough about how important that is. I would just add that receiving forgiveness is every bit as important. See, there’s a reason Jesus told His followers, “You have received freely, now give freely.” We cannot give what we don’t have. 1 John 4:19 says, “We love because he first loved us.” The only way we can forgive easily is to be forgiven. The only way we can love unselfishly is to be loved unselfishly the way Jesus loves each of us.
-So, why talk about happiness today? Well, I see Paul cheerfully answering Felix, after false charges are brought against him. He says, “I gladly make my defense.” If you read the book of Philippians, you see that Paul was a happy guy. While in prison, he wrote, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say it, Rejoice!” So I think we can learn something about happiness as we look at our text today. Here is the main thought of the message:
Prop: True joy is found in giving and receiving the unconditional love of Jesus. [Happiness is not found in our circumstances, but in the unchanging love of God.]
Interrogative: So, what does the life of a happy person look like? Is everything always just peachy? Is happiness a state of perfection we somehow attain by getting everything to go our way?
TS: Let’s go ahead and look at a few realities of a happy person.
I. Happy People Experience Difficult Situations (Acts 24:1-9)
1 Five days later the high priest Ananias went down to Caesarea with some of the elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, and they brought their charges against Paul before the governor. 2 When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented his case before Felix: "We have enjoyed a long period of peace under you, and your foresight has brought about reforms in this nation. 3 Everywhere and in every way, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with profound gratitude. 4 But in order not to weary you further, I would request that you be kind enough to hear us briefly. 5 "We have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene sect 6 and even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him. 7-8 By examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him." 9 The Jews joined in the accusation, asserting that these things were true.
-This is not the first time Paul has stood before government officials and listened to false accusations against himself. It’s a song he has heard many times before. Yet, Paul’s happiness did not depend on his situation. Circumstances did not control Paul’s joy level. Paul was very likely familiar with the words of Jesus we find in Matthew 5:11-12 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
-The word “blessed” is often interpreted as “happy.” Now I know the etymology of the word happy may lean toward the idea that our joyful emotions are based on the events around us. But for our purposes, happy just means glad or joyful. The beatitudes are found in Matt. 5, and each one begins with “Blessed or happy are they….” “Happy are the poor in spirit -- ’Happy are those who mourn -- ’Happy are the meek -- ’Happy those hungering and thirsting for righteousness -- ’Happy are the kind -- ’Happy the clean in heart -- ’Happy the peacemakers -- ’Happy those persecuted for righteousness’ sake -- because theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Some of these do not sound like they would make a person very happy, except for the promises and love of God who can make our hearts glad!
-So as Paul faced this difficult situation, he did not get angry or depressed or lash back with spite or hatred. Paul knew God was in control, so he was able to gladly and calmly give his defense without losing his joy over the unfairness of the situation.
-TS: One thing that helped Paul is that he truly had nothing to hide. His life was an open book, so it was difficult for his accusers to find any substantial evidence to use against him. Let’s look at it in vv.10-16.
II. Happy People Live with a Clear Conscience (Acts 24:10-16)
10 When the governor motioned for him to speak, Paul replied: "I know that for a number of years you have been a judge over this nation; so I gladly make my defense. 11 You can easily verify that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 12 My accusers did not find me arguing with anyone at the temple, or stirring up a crowd in the synagogues or anywhere else in the city. 13 And they cannot prove to you the charges they are now making against me. 14 However, I admit that I worship the God of our fathers as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that agrees with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, 15 and I have the same hope in God as these men, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. 16 So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.
-Those who have nothing to hide are truly blessed! There is nothing like being forgiven! It has to be one of the most awesome blessings we receive from God. We know that if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to completely forgive us and cleanse us from everything bad that we’ve ever said and done. Our past can never be used against us in heaven’s court of law. We are declared “Not Guilty, by reason of the death of Jesus Christ.” Most of us know that and agree with it, but sometimes our past still haunts us. We may have nothing to hide as far as what we are doing right now, but mistakes and sins from the past keep stealing our joy and weighing us down with guilt and defeat.
-Paul had every reason to hang his head with guilt and defeat because he had killed or been responsible for killing an unknown number of believers who followed Christ. However, after Jesus confronted him about it, Paul not only found forgiveness, but he found freedom from the guilt. He was still ashamed of what he had done, but it no longer haunted him as an obstacle in his walk with Christ.
-Hebrews 10:21-22 says, “Since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience….” Not only are we forgiven because of the sacrifice of Jesus, but our guilty conscience is cleansed so that we are no longer under a load of guilt that would kill our joy! The sacrifice of Jesus was powerful enough to pay for our sin and wash away our guilt.
-Hebrews 9:14 says, “The blood of Christ will cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!” Can you grasp this? Can you get this truth in your heart? You can have a clear conscience, not because you are perfect, but because Jesus can heal the pain that is in your heart because of past sins! Just like forgiveness, we need to receive His healing of our conscience.
-Happy people are not perfect people. They simply trust that Jesus can and will be the source of their joy, and that He is great enough to put a stop to the condemnation that the enemy brings against us. Jesus is great enough to stop the condemnation that we sometimes bring against ourselves because of past failures.
-TS: Well, we can live with a clean conscience, and that will give us freedom to experience God’s lasting joy in our lives. Along with that, living an obedient life from here on out can help us live in the joy of the Lord. Those who are forgiven and obedient to God are innocent before Him.
III. Happy People Know that Innocence Is Their Best Defense (Acts 24:17-21)
17 "After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor and to present offerings. 18 I was ceremonially clean when they found me in the temple courts doing this. There was no crowd with me, nor was I involved in any disturbance. 19 But there are some Jews from the province of Asia, who ought to be here before you and bring charges if they have anything against me. 20 Or these who are here should state what crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin-- 21 unless it was this one thing I shouted as I stood in their presence: ’It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.’"
-We’ve already talked about how Paul lived a blameless life before God. In Phil. 3:6 Paul said he was faultless in relation to the Law of Moses. Now don’t confuse this with perfection. I think Paul still made a few mistakes. Perhaps one of them was in Acts 23:3, where Paul called the high priest a white-washed wall. He might have lost his cool a little bit and said more than he should have. However, he was quick to apologize and admit that he was wrong.
-In court cases, a common tactic used against defendants and against witnesses is to destroy their credibility. They dig something up from their past showing that their word cannot be trusted.
-Now, we can do nothing about slander and mud that some would try to smear us with, but we can do something about how we live. With God’s help we can live a holy and obedient life, so that there will be nothing substantial for our enemy to use against us. Again, we’re not talking about perfection here. Perhaps the best word to use is humility. Being humble before God helps us be obedient to Him. However, when we do slip up, being humble also helps us repent quickly and ask God to change our hearts so that we will not sin against Him.
-So innocence is not a state of perfection, but a state of humility where stubbornness and rebellion against God find no place in our hearts. This will provide a good defense against our accusers, and it will add to the joy that God places in our hearts.
-TS: Finally, let’s take a look at an unhappy person, who felt the conviction of the Holy Spirit, but refused to do anything about it. The truth can set you free, but only if you receive it.
IV. Happy People Receive the Truth, Even if It Hurts! (Acts 24:22-27)
22 Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings. "When Lysias the commander comes," he said, "I will decide your case." 23 He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard but to give him some freedom and permit his friends to take care of his needs. 24 Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. 25 As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, "That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you." 26 At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him. 27 When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.
-Felix had heard all about Jesus, and he had heard the truth about what would happen to those who refused to call on the Lord and make things right. However, he was not willing to let go of his pride, or his power, or his way of doing things. Felix was a wicked man, who had every reason to fear God’s judgment. He knew he was guilty before God. He had stolen another king’s wife, Drusilla, and was known for being a corrupt and unjust ruler.
-Paul was given an opportunity to speak to him about his faith in Jesus. I’m sure Paul talked about God’s love and kindness. But Paul’s message about righteousness, self-control, and the final judgment shook Felix up. He became fearful, but instead of turning to God and repenting, he shut up the voice of truth.
-Happy people are those who listen and receive the truth. The truth may make them uncomfortable and afraid, but if they act on the truth, then they will find peace and joy as a result. Jesus said, “The truth will make you free,” but only for those who receive it and continue in it.
Conclusion: As we wrap up our time together, are you living a happy life? Do you know the joy of the Lord first hand? It is not based on our circumstances. Paul’s life shows us that. Happy People Experience Difficult Times, but they don’t lose their joy over it. Why was Paul able to be happy and trust the Lord? At least one reason was because he lived with a Clear Conscience. He also understood that Innocence was his Best Defense, as he humbly walked with the Lord. Finally, the only way we can really find lasting happiness is to receive the truth about Jesus and ourselves. The truth is we need someone to help us. The Bible says that all have sinned and fall short of God’s goodness. Our sin must be dealt with, and Jesus provided a way for that to happen. His death by crucifixion was God’s way of paying the price for our sins, but only if we will turn away from those sins and ask God to forgive us and lead our lives.
-If you have already done that, then we are back to the question, “Are you living a happy life?” Have you learned to be content regardless of your circumstances, or do you allow your circumstances to dictate your joy factor? Are you living a Godly life with a clear conscience, or does your conduct create a negative drain on the joy you have in Christ? If you continue in God’s word, you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free, bringing the joy of the Lord to your heart and mind.
-Now maybe you’ve never made things right with God, asking for His forgiveness and leadership. Or maybe you did sometime in the past, but you need to make things right again. If you will just talk to Him from your heart, He will hear you & help you today. He can give you the happiness He created you for- the joy that comes from being right w/ Him.
