The Search For Happiness

THE SEARCH FOR HAPPINESS

Warsaw Christian Church, Richard Bowman, Pastor Emeritus

Text: Matthew 5:1-12

We all enjoy a good laugh. I shared these recently in one of the daily devotionals I sent out during the height of the Coronavirus scare. In case you missed them, here they are again. I like some of the bulletin announcements that circulate. One bulletin said, “Don’t let worry kill you - - - let the church help.” Or this: “The couple was married on June 15th. So ends a friendship that began in elementary school.” Here’s one for the choir: “Next Thursday, there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get.” Here’s one for me. “The pastor will be preaching his farewell sermon on Sunday, after which the choir will sing ‘Break forth with Joy.’” One last one: “Due to the pastor’s illness, the Wednesday evening healing services will be discontinued until further notice.”

I suppose everyone wants to be happy. I have yet to find a person who says, “I want to be sad and miserable.” There are sad and miserable people, but those in that condition wish they could find a way out. They would prefer to be happy. If you were asked, “What one thing that you now lack would make you happy?” how would you answer? Some would think a ton of money would make them happy. Others might think a different spouse would make them happy. A new job (or just a job) might be what some people believe would bring happiness.

I wonder how many would think, “If I could just be poor in spirit (humble), then I would be happy.” Or would anyone think of mourning as a path to happiness? What about meekness, or persecution, or seeking righteousness? These are probably not high on your list of “Things that would make me happy.” And yet, Jesus declares that these are the very things that will make us blessed, or bring us happiness.

The Beatitudes point us to a happy life. The word “blessed” is translated as “happy” in some modern translations. While all the Beatitudes have to do with how we can find happiness, I want to focus this morning on just the first one: Blessed (happy) are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” To be poor in spirit is to recognize our spiritual bankruptcy. It is to be humble. People who are poor in spirit realize how much they need God. Humility is the door that leads to the kingdom of heaven.

The New Testament is clear that we are saved by faith in Jesus. Our text says we receive the Kingdom of Heaven through humility. Is this a contradiction? There are no contradictions in sacred Scripture. If we put our thinking caps on, we will understand that humility is a prerequisite for faith. The opposite of humility is pride. Those who feel pride in themselves will never be able to trust in Jesus. The Gospel tells us that we are sinners. Pride rebels at that idea. Humility says, “It is true. I am a sinner.” The Gospel declares that we are unable to save ourselves. Pride says, “I don’t need a Savior. I can save myself.” Humility says, “It is true. I cannot save myself. I need Jesus.” Pride says, “I have lived a good life. Surely God will be satisfied with me and welcome me into heaven.” Humility says, “I have failed God again and again. Only the forgiveness of my sins will enable me to enter heaven.” The Gospel declares that the Son of God endured the agony of the cross, shedding His blood for us, and taking into Himself the judgment we deserve. Pride says, “I cannot believe this butcher shop doctrine focused on the blood of Jesus.” Humility says, “Thank you, Jesus.”

The reason the poor in spirit receive the Kingdom of Heaven is that they can exercise faith. Pride blocks faith from being born. Listen to these Scriptures: The one who has a haughty look and a proud heart, Him I will not endure (Psalm 101:5) Though the LORD is on high, Yet He regards the lowly; But the proud He knows from afar (Psalm 138:6). Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; (Proverbs 16:5). “I will punish the world for its evil, And the wicked for their iniquity; I will halt the arrogance of the proud, And will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible (Isaiah 13:11). . I get the impression that God does not like it when we become proud. Both James and Peter express the sum of the matter: God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:5).

Pride is a significant barrier that separates us from God. Pride is a killer of faith. Live your life like a proud peacock or a strutting rooster, and you will never be able to place your faith in a crucified Savior. The poor in spirit are blessed because they are in a position to be saved by faith. They hear the Gospel message, and they can receive it.