Family Worship Center Pastor Mark Schwarzbauer Ph.D. Resurrecting Happiness Family Worship Center Pastor Mark Schwarzbauer Ph.D.

Matthew 28:1-10 1Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. 2And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. 3His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.

Matthew 28:1-10 4And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men. 5But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6“He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7“And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.”

Matthew 28:1-10 8So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.9And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him. 10Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.”

Only about 1/3 of Americans consider themselves “very happy Only about 1/3 of Americans consider themselves “very happy.” Would it surprise you if I told you God wants you to have real joy?

Part One: The Search for Happiness

“Ah, happiness, that elusive state “Ah, happiness, that elusive state. Philosophers, theologians, psychologists, even economists, have long sought to define it, and since the 1990s, a whole branch of psychology—positive psychology—has been dedicated to pinning it down and propagating it. More than simply positive mood, happiness is a state of well-being that encompasses living a good life—that is, with a sense of meaning and deep satisfaction.”

Life Liberty and the pursuit of happiness… The declaration of independence – “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.”

Life Liberty and the pursuit of happiness… The declaration of independence – “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.”

Life Liberty and the pursuit of happiness… The declaration of independence – “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.” Unalienable means these rights are identified as given to us by our creator, not by the government.

Life Liberty and the pursuit of happiness… The declaration of independence – “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.” I would add that not only are they given to us by our creator, they are also only found in our creator. If you want true happiness, you need Jesus, don’t expect it from the government.

The take away is, happiness is a universal pursuit.

When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down ‘happy’. They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life. (unsourced).

The mathematical solution? ~ Mo Gawdat, engineer at Google, formulated an equation for happiness from the death of his 21-year-old son.

When the Son of God died on the cross, there were many disciples who were struggling for happiness.

Part Two: The Resurrection of Happiness

Fear and Joy Note what the angel speaks in Verse 5 “Do not be afraid”. Their initial response in verse 8 is “with fear and great joy.” Fear will eventually overwhelm joy if not dealt with.

Jesus Calls to Joy Vs. 9 “rejoice.” Vs. 10 “do not be afraid.” Don’t let fear and anxiety destroy your joy.

Purpose Behind the Call For Strength~ Nehemiah 8:10b- the joy of the Lord is your strength.

Purpose Behind the Call For Health~ Proverbs 17:22 “A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.”

Purpose Behind the Call The Life of the Kingdom~ Romans 14:17 17for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Purpose Behind the Call For Hope~ Romans 15:13 13Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Purpose Behind the Call The very nature of God~ Galatians 5:22-23.

Closing… You are not here by accident Closing… You are not here by accident. God wants you to have a resurrection encounter with Joy