To Be Blessed Or Happy Lesson 4 Series

A. SEEKING ALLUSIVE HAPPINESS

1. Answer by a Miss America candidate, “I just want to be happy.”

2. Webster (1) “Favored by luck,” (2) “Enjoying well being or contentment,” (3) “Characterized by a dazed irresponsible state,” (4) “Atmosphere of good fellowship.” Oxford, “Possession or attainment of what one considers good.”

3. World seeks happiness to temporarily forget their problems.

4. But problems are constant. “Man who is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble” (Job 14:1).

5. The Bible teaches us to be happy in spite of problems. “Blessed (ashrey happy) is the man whose strength is in You” (Ps. 84:5).

6. Happiness is found on the road to duty (to obey God). “Happy are the people who are in such a state (who obey the Lord), happy are the people whose God is the Lord” (Ps. 144:15).

7. Two words for bless. First Barak means “to bow” to get something from a king. When you are blessed, you are enriched. “For your Lord will bless (Barak) the righteous” (Ps. 5:12). Second, Ashrey means happiness, i.e., inner joy. “Happy (Ashrey) is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God” (Ps. 146:5).

B. HAPPINESS AND GODLINESS

1. The first word in Psalm happy, i.e., “Blessed.” When you are spiritual, you are happy, but not the reverse.

2. Three progressive actions to be happy/spiritual.

a. Walk not – go their direction.

b. Stand not – to identified with.

c. Sit not – to be influenced by.

3. Three progressive attachments to avoid.

a. Listen to their counsel.

b. Linger in their way.

c. Settle down in their seat.

4. Three progressively evil types of people to avoid.

a. Ungodly – not like God.

b. Sinner – break God’s laws

c. Scorner – hate God.

C. HOW TO BE HAPPY

1. You will be happy when you deal properly with your sin. “Blessed (ashrey) is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered” (Ps. 32:1).

2. You will be happy when you study the scriptures and find God’s will for your life. “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good, blessed (ashrey) is the man who trusts in Him” (Ps. 34:8).

3. You will be happy when you follow your inner urge to obey and worship God. “Blessed (ashrey) is the man You choose, and cause to approach You, that he may dwell in Your courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, of Your holy temple” (Ps. 65:4).

4. You will be happy when you attain a worthy goal (such as building a good family). “May the Lord give you increase more and more, you and your children. May you be blessed (ashrey) by the Lord” (Ps. 115:14-15).

5. You will be happy in God’s presence. “Blessed are those who dwell in Your house, they will still be praising you” (Ps. 84:4).

How close to God can you get?

1. The goal of a pilgrimage (84:5).

2. To enter His courts (84:2).

3. To make a nest like a sparrow. (84:3).

4. To be a door keeper (84:10).

5. To live in God’s presence (84:10).

6. To look in God’s face (84:9).

6. Because sin is hard and rebellion brings misery, you will be happy when you experience God’s forgiveness. “Blessed (ashrey) is he whose transgression is forgiven” (Ps. 32:1).

7. You will be happy when you do God’s will and keep His commandments. “Blessed are those who keep justice, and he who does righteousness at all times” (Ps. 106:3). “Blessed are those who keep His testimonies” (Ps. 119:2).

D. WHAT TO DO WITH THIS LESSON

1. Read the Psalms daily to be spiritual.

2. Find God’s will and do it to be happy.

3. Pray daily for God to keep you from evil.

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.

To email Dr. Towns - eltowns@liberty.edu.