Today we conclude our freedom messages. We’ve discussed our life in Christ and our freedom in Christ. Today I want to teach about our pursuit of happiness.
What makes you happy? In a recent survey the most common themes of happiness were fame, wealth, beauty, wisdom, and power. Those surveyed felt any combination of these 5 things could bring true happiness. Let’s look at each one.
Fame--- In a recent survey of high school kids, 51% said their ultimate goal was to be famous. This is a new trend among those in high school. Experts say where you find kids who desperately want to be famous; you find a history of neglect at home. The explosion of those desiring to be famous came right along with the explosion of single parents and “broken” homes. The fact 51% desire to be famous and 51% come from broken homes is no coincidence. And sadly those who do become famous are four times more likely to commit suicide.
Wealth--- Nigeria is the most populous country in West Africa. The life expectancy is 47 years. Almost 10% of their newborns do not survive. Only 29% of their population goes beyond elementary education. 32% are illiterate. Their average income is $300 a year.
But according to a recent United Nations survey the Nigerians are happier with their lives than the people from any other country. The United States ranked 16th. China’s levels of happiness and personal satisfaction are dropping at the same rate of the explosion of their economy and increase of their incomes.
The reason wealth does not bring happiness is because we are a people of comparisons. I make about 50 thousand dollars a year. I envy the guy who makes 500 thousand dollars a year. But that guy envies the one who makes 5 million dollars a year. And on it goes. But I make almost 200 times more than the average Nigerian and they are 15 times happier than I am. By the way, you naturally don’t want as much as the next guy, you want more and always will.
Beauty--- It is a fact that being physically attractive has concrete advantages. Attractive people earn more, get better grades, have better jobs, and find more successful partners than average people. Strangers are more likely to help them in a crisis. They have wider social circles.
But they also have the same self-esteem problems that the average looking people do. Like money, attractiveness is relative and if you look better than your friends you start comparing yourself to those in the media. What you don’t realize is that their pictures have been Photo shopped to remove any blemishes or unattractive features.
Wisdom--- We call those with great wisdom at what they do “genius”. For example Cam Newton is a “genius” at being a quarterback. (Sorry all you Rodger and Romo fans!) But too many times great wisdom can lead us to being very obnoxious.
Did anyone watch “House” on TV? He was a doctor with great wisdom at solving great medical riddles. But it gave him a free pass to do drugs on the job, break hospital policy, insult his superiors, and treat patients with extreme disrespect. Although he was a fictional character sadly his portrayal can be all too real.
There is an old saying that goes “It’s hard to soar with eagles when you’re running with turkeys.” Basically wisdom can lead to you feeling superior to those around you.
Power--- We desire power so we can shake our fist at those who are more famous than us, who are wealthier than us, who are more beautiful than us, and who have greater wisdom than us so that we can declare “I’ll show them. I’ll show them all.” But power is very brief because there is someone more famous, wealthier, beautiful, and wiser waiting to take our power away.
Now, let’s study the life of the wealthiest man in the Bible. We find his biography in Ecclesiastes. It is believed by most scholars that he is King Solomon. He has it all; fame, wealth, beauty, wisdom, and power. But yet he declares 27 times that all these things are meaningless.
As for fame he wrote; “I also tried to find meaning by building huge homes for myself and by planting beautiful vineyards. I made gardens and parks, filling them with all kinds of fruit trees. I built reservoirs to collect the water to irrigate my many flourishing groves. I bought slaves, both men and women, and others were born into my household. I also owned large herds and flocks, more than any of the kings who had lived in Jerusalem before me. I collected great sums of silver and gold, the treasure of many kings and provinces. I hired wonderful singers, both men and women, and had many beautiful concubines. I had everything a man could desire!
So I became greater than all who had lived in Jerusalem before me, and my wisdom never failed me. Anything I wanted, I would take. I denied myself no pleasure. I even found great pleasure in hard work, a reward for all my labors. But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless—like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere.” (Ecc 2:4-11)
As for wealth he wrote; “Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness! The more you have, the more people come to help you spend it. So what good is wealth—except perhaps to watch it slip through your fingers! People who work hard sleep well, whether they eat little or much. But the rich seldom get a good night’s sleep.” (Ecclesiastes 5:10-12)
As for beauty he wrote; “Young people, it’s wonderful to be young! Enjoy every minute of it. Do everything you want to do; take it all in. But remember that you must give an account to God for everything you do. So refuse to worry, and keep your body healthy. But remember that youth, with a whole life before you, is meaningless.” (Ecclesiastes 11:9-10)
As for wisdom he wrote; “I said to myself, “Look, I am wiser than any of the kings who ruled in Jerusalem before me. I have greater wisdom and knowledge than any of them.” So I set out to learn everything from wisdom to madness and folly. But I learned firsthand that pursuing all this is like chasing the wind. The greater my wisdom, the greater my grief. To increase knowledge only increases sorrow.” (Ecclesiastes 1:16-18)
As for power he wrote; “It is better to be a poor but wise youth than an old and foolish king who refuses all advice. Such a youth could rise from poverty and succeed. He might even become king, though he has been in prison. But then everyone rushes to the side of yet another youth who replaces him. Endless crowds stand around him, but then another generation grows up and rejects him, too. So it is all meaningless—like chasing the wind.” (Ecclesiastes 4:13-16)
So how do we find true happiness? What is the secret? God said to the Prophet Jeremiah “In that day,” says the Lord, “I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they will be my people.” (Jeremiah 31:1) “ In that day” speaks of a future time when the God’s people would be in righteous fellowship with him. God said “The day is coming,” says the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah.” (Jeremiah 31:31) Notice He is talking to the people of Israel and Judah. But remember, we have been grafted in to the vine and now receive the same promise extended to these people because of the new covenant. God said in Jeremiah 31: 24 “Townspeople and farmers and shepherds alike will live together in peace and happiness. For I have given rest to the weary and joy to the sorrowing.” We read here the promise that all people of all social status will live together in peace and happiness. The two go hand in hand. When you have peace you will have happiness. When you have happiness you will have peace.
Our shepherd Jesus said “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” (John 14:27)
Jesus promised us a gift of peace that would lead to true happiness. What does this true happiness look like? It’s not a material happiness like what the world offers but rather a spiritual happiness.
Matthew 5:3-12 is often referred to as “the beatitudes” The word comes from a Latin variation meaning “blessedness.” We will read the phrase “God blesses” several times. The phrase meant a current state of “happiness and well being.” To the Jews it carried a meaning of “divine joy and perfect happiness.” Jesus was saying God makes happy those who have a certain inward quality, a spiritual well being. So now I want to lead you in the pursuit of true happiness.
1) “God (makes happy) those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.” (Matt 5:3) To find happiness you must realize you are spiritually poor. Jesus sent this message to the church in Laodicea “You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.” (Rev 3:17) True happiness comes from our realization that we need Jesus everyday with every step. And when we acknowledge the Kingship of our Lord we receive the benefits of citizenship in the Kingdom of Heaven.
2) “God (makes happy) those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” (Matt 5:4) To find happiness you must have deep sorrow over sin, a sorrow so deep that it leads to repentance. King David in Psalm 51 painted a portrait of this sorrow after he was caught in sin with Bathsheba.
“You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one. You do not want a burnt offering. The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.” (Psalm 51:16-17) Jesus promises us that we will not be condemned but rather comforted.
3) “God (makes happy) those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth.” (Matt 5:5) What does it mean to be humble? The dictionary defines the word humble as “not proud or arrogant.” Are we guilty of being arrogant Christians sometimes? It’s nothing new. James and John had a problem with arrogance. They are traveling with Jesus toward Jerusalem when an altercation took place. “But the people of the village did not welcome Jesus because he was on his way to Jerusalem. When James and John saw this, they said to Jesus, “Lord, should we call down fire from heaven to burn them up?” But Jesus turned and rebuked them. (Luke 9:53-55) Have you been guilty of pride and arrogance toward a non-believer? Paul gives us this advice; “Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.”(Romans 12:3) When Jesus says we will inherit the earth He means He will gives us the souls of those who are lost to win them for him.
4) God (makes happy) those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied. (Matt 5:6) Hunger and thirst are mechanisms our bodies use to inform of our need to eat and drink. Our spirit should have this same desire to seek justice for those less fortunate than us. But don’t confuse vengeance with justice. God said “I will take revenge; I will pay them back.
In due time their feet will slip. Their day of disaster will arrive,
and their destiny will overtake them.’ (Deuteronomy 32:35)
James wrote “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.” (James 1:27) Caring for the down-trodden and not being influenced by the opinions of men is justice. And your soul will feel a satisfaction down deep knowing that you have met God’s approval.
5) God (makes happy) those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy. (Matt 5:7) What is mercy; Compassionate treatment. It’s treating people better than they deserve to be treated. But when you are merciful, you receive mercy. Paul wrote to the Galatians “Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant.” And James wrote “There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you.” James 2:13 You must show mercy to others to receive mercy.
6) God (makes happy) those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God. (Matt 5:8) A pure heart can only be seen by God and the person whose heart is being exposed. We know how pure or tainted our own heart is. James asked the question “What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you?”(James 4:1) And the writer of Hebrews warns us “Be at peace with all men. Live a holy life. No one will see the Lord without having that kind of life.” (Hebrews 12:14) If you want to see God active in your life you must purge your heart from the evil desires within you and have a pure heart.
7) God (makes happy) those who work for peace,
for they will be called the children of God. (Matt 5:9) You have peace with God through Jesus. Paul wrote “Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.”Colossians 1:22 But God desires for us to share this message of peace.
“For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” (2 Corinthians 5:19-20) This simple chore of sharing the gospel shows that we are truly God’s children.
8) God (makes happy) those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. (Matt 5:10) Jesus said “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.” (John 15:18-19) Do you want to know how you know that you are doing right? How do co-workers treat you? Do they take little funny pot-shots at you because of your beliefs? Do you have family members who believe you are just going through a stage? Are people uncomfortable when you talk about Jesus? Have you been excluded? God finishes where he began; promising you the Kingdom.
So, do you want to be happy? Then confess your need for Jesus. Be truly sorry for your sins. Bury your pride and arrogance. Hunger for God to use you to find justice for someone in need. Show compassion to those who do not deserve mercy. Purify your heart so evil deeds can not take root. Tell others about Jesus and rejoice when they accept him. And rejoice when they mock you.
God promises to comfort you in your needs. God promises to give you a mission field to be at work for him. God promises to give you satisfaction in your endeavors. God promises to make himself known to you. God promises to treat you as one of his children. God promises you the Kingdom of Heaven.
“What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?” (Romans 8:31)
Today we conclude our freedom messages. We’ve discussed our life in Christ and our freedom in Christ. Today I want to teach about our pursuit of happiness.
What makes you happy? In a recent survey the most common themes of happiness were fame, wealth, beauty, wisdom, and power. Those surveyed felt any combination of these 5 things could bring true happiness. Let’s look at each one.
Fame--- In a recent survey of high school kids, 51% said their ultimate goal was to be famous. This is a new trend among those in high school. Experts say where you find kids who desperately want to be famous; you find a history of neglect at home. The explosion of those desiring to be famous came right along with the explosion of single parents and “broken” homes. The fact 51% desire to be famous and 51% come from broken homes is no coincidence. And sadly those who do become famous are four times more likely to commit suicide.
Wealth--- Nigeria is the most populous country in West Africa. The life expectancy is 47 years. Almost 10% of their newborns do not survive. Only 29% of their population goes beyond elementary education. 32% are illiterate. Their average income is $300 a year.
But according to a recent United Nations survey the Nigerians are happier with their lives than the people from any other country. The United States ranked 16th. China’s levels of happiness and personal satisfaction are dropping at the same rate of the explosion of their economy and increase of their incomes.
The reason wealth does not bring happiness is because we are a people of comparisons. I make about 50 thousand dollars a year. I envy the guy who makes 500 thousand dollars a year. But that guy envies the one who makes 5 million dollars a year. And on it goes. But I make almost 200 times more than the average Nigerian and they are 15 times happier than I am. By the way, you naturally don’t want as much as the next guy, you want more and always will.
Beauty--- It is a fact that being physically attractive has concrete advantages. Attractive people earn more, get better grades, have better jobs, and find more successful partners than average people. Strangers are more likely to help them in a crisis. They have wider social circles.
But they also have the same self-esteem problems that the average looking people do. Like money, attractiveness is relative and if you look better than your friends you start comparing yourself to those in the media. What you don’t realize is that their pictures have been Photo shopped to remove any blemishes or unattractive features.
Wisdom--- We call those with great wisdom at what they do “genius”. For example Cam Newton is a “genius” at being a quarterback. (Sorry all you Rodger and Romo fans!) But too many times great wisdom can lead us to being very obnoxious.
Did anyone watch “House” on TV? He was a doctor with great wisdom at solving great medical riddles. But it gave him a free pass to do drugs on the job, break hospital policy, insult his superiors, and treat patients with extreme disrespect. Although he was a fictional character sadly his portrayal can be all too real.
There is an old saying that goes “It’s hard to soar with eagles when you’re running with turkeys.” Basically wisdom can lead to you feeling superior to those around you.
Power--- We desire power so we can shake our fist at those who are more famous than us, who are wealthier than us, who are more beautiful than us, and who have greater wisdom than us so that we can declare “I’ll show them. I’ll show them all.” But power is very brief because there is someone more famous, wealthier, beautiful, and wiser waiting to take our power away.
Now, let’s study the life of the wealthiest man in the Bible. We find his biography in Ecclesiastes. It is believed by most scholars that he is King Solomon. He has it all; fame, wealth, beauty, wisdom, and power. But yet he declares 27 times that all these things are meaningless.
As for fame he wrote; “I also tried to find meaning by building huge homes for myself and by planting beautiful vineyards. I made gardens and parks, filling them with all kinds of fruit trees. I built reservoirs to collect the water to irrigate my many flourishing groves. I bought slaves, both men and women, and others were born into my household. I also owned large herds and flocks, more than any of the kings who had lived in Jerusalem before me. I collected great sums of silver and gold, the treasure of many kings and provinces. I hired wonderful singers, both men and women, and had many beautiful concubines. I had everything a man could desire!
So I became greater than all who had lived in Jerusalem before me, and my wisdom never failed me. Anything I wanted, I would take. I denied myself no pleasure. I even found great pleasure in hard work, a reward for all my labors. But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless—like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere.” (Ecc 2:4-11)
As for wealth he wrote; “Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness! The more you have, the more people come to help you spend it. So what good is wealth—except perhaps to watch it slip through your fingers! People who work hard sleep well, whether they eat little or much. But the rich seldom get a good night’s sleep.” (Ecclesiastes 5:10-12)
As for beauty he wrote; “Young people, it’s wonderful to be young! Enjoy every minute of it. Do everything you want to do; take it all in. But remember that you must give an account to God for everything you do. So refuse to worry, and keep your body healthy. But remember that youth, with a whole life before you, is meaningless.” (Ecclesiastes 11:9-10)
As for wisdom he wrote; “I said to myself, “Look, I am wiser than any of the kings who ruled in Jerusalem before me. I have greater wisdom and knowledge than any of them.” So I set out to learn everything from wisdom to madness and folly. But I learned firsthand that pursuing all this is like chasing the wind. The greater my wisdom, the greater my grief. To increase knowledge only increases sorrow.” (Ecclesiastes 1:16-18)
As for power he wrote; “It is better to be a poor but wise youth than an old and foolish king who refuses all advice. Such a youth could rise from poverty and succeed. He might even become king, though he has been in prison. But then everyone rushes to the side of yet another youth who replaces him. Endless crowds stand around him, but then another generation grows up and rejects him, too. So it is all meaningless—like chasing the wind.” (Ecclesiastes 4:13-16)
So how do we find true happiness? What is the secret? God said to the Prophet Jeremiah “In that day,” says the Lord, “I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they will be my people.” (Jeremiah 31:1) “ In that day” speaks of a future time when the God’s people would be in righteous fellowship with him. God said “The day is coming,” says the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah.” (Jeremiah 31:31) Notice He is talking to the people of Israel and Judah. But remember, we have been grafted in to the vine and now receive the same promise extended to these people because of the new covenant. God said in Jeremiah 31: 24 “Townspeople and farmers and shepherds alike will live together in peace and happiness. For I have given rest to the weary and joy to the sorrowing.” We read here the promise that all people of all social status will live together in peace and happiness. The two go hand in hand. When you have peace you will have happiness. When you have happiness you will have peace.
Our shepherd Jesus said “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” (John 14:27)
Jesus promised us a gift of peace that would lead to true happiness. What does this true happiness look like? It’s not a material happiness like what the world offers but rather a spiritual happiness.
Matthew 5:3-12 is often referred to as “the beatitudes” The word comes from a Latin variation meaning “blessedness.” We will read the phrase “God blesses” several times. The phrase meant a current state of “happiness and well being.” To the Jews it carried a meaning of “divine joy and perfect happiness.” Jesus was saying God makes happy those who have a certain inward quality, a spiritual well being. So now I want to lead you in the pursuit of true happiness.
1) “God (makes happy) those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.” (Matt 5:3) To find happiness you must realize you are spiritually poor. Jesus sent this message to the church in Laodicea “You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.” (Rev 3:17) True happiness comes from our realization that we need Jesus everyday with every step. And when we acknowledge the Kingship of our Lord we receive the benefits of citizenship in the Kingdom of Heaven.
2) “God (makes happy) those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” (Matt 5:4) To find happiness you must have deep sorrow over sin, a sorrow so deep that it leads to repentance. King David in Psalm 51 painted a portrait of this sorrow after he was caught in sin with Bathsheba.
“You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one. You do not want a burnt offering. The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.” (Psalm 51:16-17) Jesus promises us that we will not be condemned but rather comforted.
3) “God (makes happy) those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth.” (Matt 5:5) What does it mean to be humble? The dictionary defines the word humble as “not proud or arrogant.” Are we guilty of being arrogant Christians sometimes? It’s nothing new. James and John had a problem with arrogance. They are traveling with Jesus toward Jerusalem when an altercation took place. “But the people of the village did not welcome Jesus because he was on his way to Jerusalem. When James and John saw this, they said to Jesus, “Lord, should we call down fire from heaven to burn them up?” But Jesus turned and rebuked them. (Luke 9:53-55) Have you been guilty of pride and arrogance toward a non-believer? Paul gives us this advice; “Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.”(Romans 12:3) When Jesus says we will inherit the earth He means He will gives us the souls of those who are lost to win them for him.
4) God (makes happy) those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied. (Matt 5:6) Hunger and thirst are mechanisms our bodies use to inform of our need to eat and drink. Our spirit should have this same desire to seek justice for those less fortunate than us. But don’t confuse vengeance with justice. God said “I will take revenge; I will pay them back.
In due time their feet will slip. Their day of disaster will arrive,
and their destiny will overtake them.’ (Deuteronomy 32:35)
James wrote “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.” (James 1:27) Caring for the down-trodden and not being influenced by the opinions of men is justice. And your soul will feel a satisfaction down deep knowing that you have met God’s approval.
5) God (makes happy) those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy. (Matt 5:7) What is mercy; Compassionate treatment. It’s treating people better than they deserve to be treated. But when you are merciful, you receive mercy. Paul wrote to the Galatians “Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant.” And James wrote “There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you.” James 2:13 You must show mercy to others to receive mercy.
6) God (makes happy) those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God. (Matt 5:8) A pure heart can only be seen by God and the person whose heart is being exposed. We know how pure or tainted our own heart is. James asked the question “What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you?”(James 4:1) And the writer of Hebrews warns us “Be at peace with all men. Live a holy life. No one will see the Lord without having that kind of life.” (Hebrews 12:14) If you want to see God active in your life you must purge your heart from the evil desires within you and have a pure heart.
7) God (makes happy) those who work for peace,
for they will be called the children of God. (Matt 5:9) You have peace with God through Jesus. Paul wrote “Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.”Colossians 1:22 But God desires for us to share this message of peace.
“For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” (2 Corinthians 5:19-20) This simple chore of sharing the gospel shows that we are truly God’s children.
8) God (makes happy) those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. (Matt 5:10) Jesus said “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.” (John 15:18-19) Do you want to know how you know that you are doing right? How do co-workers treat you? Do they take little funny pot-shots at you because of your beliefs? Do you have family members who believe you are just going through a stage? Are people uncomfortable when you talk about Jesus? Have you been excluded? God finishes where he began; promising you the Kingdom.
So, do you want to be happy? Then confess your need for Jesus. Be truly sorry for your sins. Bury your pride and arrogance. Hunger for God to use you to find justice for someone in need. Show compassion to those who do not deserve mercy. Purify your heart so evil deeds can not take root. Tell others about Jesus and rejoice when they accept him. And rejoice when they mock you.
God promises to comfort you in your needs. God promises to give you a mission field to be at work for him. God promises to give you satisfaction in your endeavors. God promises to make himself known to you. God promises to treat you as one of his children. God promises you the Kingdom of Heaven.
“What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?” (Romans 8:31)
