Happiness In An Unsettling World
Steele Creek Church, Eastfield Campus
Dr. Tom Bartlett – September 6, 2020
Matthew 5:3
OUTLINE
Matthew 5:3
“Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3 (ESV)
For most, happiness comes from things, but could it be the source of happiness is an attitude not a possession?
? Happiness is never determined by what’s happening around me, it’s determined by what’s happening in me!
? If you have to have all your problems solved before you can be happy, you will never be happy.
? Happiness depends on right attitudes.
Personal Exaltation Vs. Profound Humility
“Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Luke 18:10–15 (ESV)
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Psalm 51:17 (ESV)
HUMILITY UNLOCKS THE DOOR TO HAPPINESS
Humility: not thinking less of me, just more of you!
HUMILITY BRINGS. . .
• REDUCED STRESS
“The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men. . .”
Luke 18:11 (ESV)
Key: As the stress is reduced my happiness goes up.
• IMPROVED RELATIONSHIPS
Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice. Proverbs 13:10 (NIV)
But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ Luke 18:13 (ESV)
Self-centered people struggle with these phrases:
“I was wrong… I’m sorry... I need help…”
Key: When I’m humble, I am immune to insults and seldom offended.
• RIGHT STANDING WITH GOD
“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6 (NIV)
“I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18:14 (ESV)
Key: You will never experience God’s blessing of peace without humility
Ask yourself this: In what area this week can I practice humility?
MANUSCRIPT
We are bombarded with information like never before in history. A bomb goes off in Lebanon and we know about it in seconds. There’s a shooting in a major city and the video is on the internet before the authorities can even arrive at the scene.
Information overload, the need to know and make decisions and come to conclusions in seconds over things we used to ponder for days, weeks, or months is driving us to become REACTIONARY INSTEAD OF ACTIONARY!
On top of that, one day they say, “wear a mask”, another day the mask is not good. One day we’re all gonna die if we drink milk, the next milk is good for you. It’s no wonder people are going crazy these days.
Instead of choosing an action, we are now in response mode.
The satisfaction level in the lives of people today is at an all-time low. It seems that the faster our lives move the more impatient with life we become. The more info we have the less safe, free, and fulfilled we are.
• HOW DO WE FIND TRUE HAPPINESS IN THE MIDST OF A FAST-PACED CONSTANTLY CHANGING HIGH-TECH WORLD?
• How do we keep up with what we need and let go of what we don’t?
• How can we find peace when we’re falling to pieces?
GOD
In Matthew five we find what is considered the greatest sermon of all time, preached by the greatest preacher of all time – Jesus! In it He goes right to the point of need in the lives of people. The message that Jesus preached is just as practical today as it was when he wrote because human nature hasn’t changed.
In Jesus day, the Pharisee’s taught information without transformation, no authority, no life change.
Jesus turns this upside down and speaks words that captivate the ears of the people, words that brings life. He talks about relationships, attitudes - the stuff of life.
This sermon begins each phrase with the words “blessed.” This word actually means – happy.
PRAYER – Father bless your words to us today, may we find the true contentment that you have desired for us. Open our ears and hearts, in Jesus Name A-men.
Let’s look at verse 3.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3 (ESV)
Circle the words poor in spirit. Next to the word poor write the word – bankrupt. It means they don’t have something. What is it they don’t have? They recognize they don’t have what God has, that self-sufficiency is not enough.
One translation says it this way: “happy are those who know they need God.”
This is a truth that speaks to every fiber of who you are. I KNOW I NEED GOD. This is an inward thing, the beginning of happiness, is an understanding, it’s starts within.
For most, happiness comes from things, but could it be the source of happiness is an attitude not a possession?
Some people live on a roller coaster ride emotionally. Everything in life is dependent on something else. I’ll be happy if…. I’ll not be happy if….
This is not what Jesus is teaching. In the beatitudes, he’s teaching. . .
God says the source of happiness is not external it’s internal
True happiness cannot be based on anything external. If it is it will be fleeting, here today and gone tomorrow.
HERE’S SOME STATEMENTS TO CONSIDER:
? Happiness is never determined by what’s happening around me, it’s determined by what’s happening in me!
? If you have to have all your problems solved before you can be happy, you will never be happy.
? Happiness depends on right attitudes.
The option to what Jesus is saying is for you to try as hard as you can to make life perfect.
• To foresee every possible situation, (as if you could) and
• handle it perfectly every time.
• Now I know this seems ridiculous, but people do it all the time but putting up false pretenses about life.
Look at these two guys.
Personal Exaltation Vs. Profound Humility
“Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18:10–15 (ESV)
Now, when you see the contrast in these two men, which one do you honestly see yourself as more like?
Are you putting up a pretense trying to fool God to thinking you’re really, really good? If so, you’re only fooling yourself.
OR are you like the guy who recognized his need for God and humbled himself before God.
DAVID SAID THIS:
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Psalm 51:17 (ESV)
HUMILITY UNLOCKS THE DOOR TO HAPPINESS
You’re a one of a kind master-piece. You never have to humiliate yourself, or put yourself down. God made you just like you are and humility is not walking around talking about what a piece of garbage you are. STOP THAT “STINKING-THINKING”!
That’s not humility, it’s actually a ploy for someone to recognize you, and it may actually be pride in disguise!
It speaks more of your wrong view of who you are in Christ and of a lack of understanding of your true value and identity in Christ..
Humility: not thinking less of me, just more of you!
So if Jesus says humility brings a blessing, what is it that I can expect from humility?
HUMILITY BRINGS. . .
• REDUCED STRESS
An honest assessment of who you are will relieve a lot of stress. When you no longer have to know it all, be it all and keep up all the pretenses – it’s like the weight of the world is lifted.
BY THE WAY – People’s respect for you goes up too! They can see when you’re acting out of pride.
Look at this self-righteous Pharisee and see how obvious his pride is because it’s very similar to the way we are, we just can’t see it - but others can!
“The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men. . .” Luke 18:11 (ESV)
Paraphrase - (Msg v. 11) “…The Pharisee posed and prayed…”
Are you living as if on a stage with the world watching or on a stage with God watching? The answer to that will make all the difference in the world.
If you’re living for the audience of the rest of the world, everything’s a “pose” a set up for their eyes. If for God, you know you can’t hide anything so you just get real with who you are!
Key: As the stress is reduced my happiness goes up.
• IMPROVED RELATIONSHIPS
Most arguments, fights and relational problems happen because of pride. I can’t tell you how many times I have had to apologize to my wife or others because of my pride. I wouldn’t let go of something because I didn’t want to be proven wrong.
If you have to right all the time, you have a serious pride issue that will destroy relationships.
Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice. Proverbs 13:10 (NIV)
Self-centered people struggle with these phrases:
“I was wrong… I’m sorry... I need help…”
Can you say these words? Truly? Evaluate yourself against those words and if you want real input, ask family members.
Key: When I’m humble, I am immune to insults and seldom offended.
How well do you receive criticism?
Now maybe the greatest benefit to humility is this:
• RIGHT STANDING WITH GOD
Let’s face it, life is tough. We need the power of God, but until we recognize that we need it, we don’t get it. In fact, our pride actually puts us against God.
“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
James 4:6 (NIV)
Now, I’m not sure about you, but I’d much rather
be on God’s side.
Let’s back at those two guys, what happened to the one who humbled himself? Jesus says:
“I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, [in right standing with God] rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18:14 (ESV)
Key: You will never experience God’s blessing of peace without humility
Ask yourself this: In what area this week can I practice humility?
TIME OF COMMITMENT
Prayer of salvation – “God in heaven, I realize that I have tried to live without you. I’ve been full of selfish pride. Today I’m humbling myself to you. I accept your payment of Jesus on the cross for my sins, I thank you that when he died he went into the grave and rose again. I ask you to forgive me and save me. My life is yours to direct. In Jesus name – A-men.
Prayer of recommitment – Dear God, forgive me of my prideful ways. I’ve lived trying to impress others and it’s made my life miserable. Today I release the burden of having to be it all and know it all. I humble myself to you. Help me say the words, “I’m sorry, please forgive me and I was wrong” to others when I need to. Give me your spirit’s power to do this. In Jesus name A-men.
