Are You Truly Happy?
Are we happy? High unemployment High prices Foreclosures Desperation Far too many are miserable!
Are we happy? What about as Christians? Phil. 4:4 Does this describe our disposition? What does the Bible say about happiness?
What Is Happiness? “feeling, showing or expressing joy; pleased…Causing joy or gladness” (Collins Dictionary) World’s concept – achieving what we want God’s concept – 1 Pet. 3:10-12
What Is Happiness? God wants us to be happy! Eccl. 3:12-13 Phil. 4:4, 1 John 1:4 John 15:11, 16:22-24
Happiness is a state of mind What Is Happiness? Happiness is a state of mind Most people are as happy as they make up their mind to be.” Abraham Lincoln It involves attitude! What makes us different? Cf. Gal. 5:22-23, Matt. 6:19-21
What Happiness is NOT Found in pleasure Eccl. 2:1-2 The problem with laughter and fun is that they are very temporary Heb. 11:25 Prov. 14:13, Eccl. 7:2-3 Laughter does not solve problems Luke 12:19
What Happiness is NOT: Found in things Eccl. 2:8-11 Do we have too much to be happy? Matt. 19:23-24, 1 Tim. 6:10
What Happiness is NOT: Found in wisdom Eccl. 2:12-17 Not all wisdom leads to happiness. Worldly wisdom – 1 Cor. 1:21, Rom. 1:20-23
Found in accomplishments What Happiness is NOT: Found in accomplishments Eccl. 2:18-23 Eccl. 5:13-17, 4:4 Hard work is good, but not always appreciated. Can alienate friends. Can be good - Eccl. 5:18-20
Found in future achievements What Happiness is NOT: Found in future achievements Eccl. 6:7-9 What happens when you reach your “goal” and it is not what you wanted?
What Happiness is NOT: While many of these attainments are not wrong within themselves, they cannot produce true happiness because they are temporal! Their Pursuit CAN be sinful!
Happiness as a Christian Fear God and obey Him Eccl. 12:13 Acts 10:34-35
Happiness as a Christian Remove sin from your life You have to repent. As long as sin is present, you will be miserable. Eccl. 12:13 Acts 10:34-35
Happiness as a Christian Get over yourself! Curb your behavior concerning others. Gossip, paranoia, etc. leads to misery Phil. 2:3-4
Happiness as a Christian Put God first Matt. 6:33, Luke 14:33 Are we struggling with this?
Happiness as a Christian Pray about it often 1 John 5:14 According to His will – Phil. 4:6-7
Happiness as a Christian Count your blessings 1 Tim. 6:7-8 Contentment
Happiness as a Christian Patiently trust God God is on our side - Heb. 13:5-6, 1 Pet. 5:6-7, Rom. 8:31-37
Are you Happy in Him?