1. Resurrecting
Happiness
Part 5
Overcoming the Obstacles for Happiness 2 Family Worship Center Pastor Mark Schwarzbauer Ph.D.

2. 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
Philippians 4:4-7
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

3. 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?

4. Review Part One: The Search for Happiness

5. “…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.”

6. 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.”

7. The take away is, happiness is a universal pursuit.

8. 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).

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

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

12. Review Part Two: The Resurrection of Happiness

13. Jesus Calls to Joy Vs. 9 “rejoice.”
First command of the resurrected Jesus!

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

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

16. 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.

17. 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.

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

19. Resurrecting
Happiness
Part 2
Overcoming the Obstacles for Happiness Family Worship Center Pastor Mark Schwarzbauer Ph.D.

20. We have Given the Answer for Happiness concerning…
Obstacle to happiness ~ Anxiety or fear
Obstacle to happiness ~ Unresolved relationship stresses
Obstacle to happiness ~ Physical exhaustion.
Obstacle to happiness ~ Bad Choices

21. Review Obstacle to happiness~ Discontentment Discontentment destroys happiness. Dwelling on what you don’t have instead of what you do, or comparing yourself to others, leads to a spirit of discontentment. Too many people place happiness out of their reach with “if I get that…” or “when I complete…” Violating the 10th commandment is a huge obstacle to happiness.

22. Review Obstacle to happiness~ Discontentment
1. When you entertain discontentment you open yourself up to an enemy… (Eph. 4:27, I Samuel 16).
2. Materialism, either capitalism or socialism will never satisfy the discontent.
3. John D. Rockefeller, first Billionaire, when asked how much money is enough replied “Just a little bit more.”
4. Relationships, whether marriage or kids will not make a discontent person happy. It perpetuates discontentment.
5. Materialism nor relationships are the answer.

23. Review Obstacle to happiness ~ Discontentment
Answer for Happiness ~ Learn to be content- Philippians 4:11. Learn to enjoy the journey. Learn to appreciate the moment. Don’t compare yourself to others… II Cor. 10:12.

24. Review Answer for Happiness ~ Learn to be content- Phil. 4:11
Phil. 4:11-13 LEARN to be content.
Content is from Greek αὐτάρκης (autarkēs)
Auto – is “self” and arkein is “sufficient”
You are to be entirely self-sufficient in CHRIST. Context of Vs. 13.
Self-sufficient in Jesus, not needing material things or relationships for contentment.
II Cor. 10:12 – Stop comparing yourself to others and measuring yourself by others. You are exactly who God wants you to be to fulfill your God given purpose.

25. “Comparison is the thief of joy.” Theodore Roosevelt

26. Obstacle to Happiness~ False Beliefs The false beliefs of the Past controlling the present

27. Obstacle to Happiness~ False Beliefs
Growing up in an environment where happiness was frowned on.
i.e. “Wipe that smile off your face or I’ll wipe it off for you.”
Perpetuation of unhappiness believing others don’t have the right to be happy since they aren’t happy.

28. Obstacle to Happiness~ False Beliefs
False belief you are betraying a loved one by being happy.
Living in a subculture that values somberness as sincerity (lacking the adult distinctions between foolishness, childishness and happiness).
Math teachers…

29. Obstacle to happiness ~ False Belief
Answer for Happiness ~ Be the scriptural accurate, spirit filled, mature believer who gives yourself permission to be happy and express joy.

30. Answer for Happiness ~
1. Scripturally sound “rejoice” or “joy” 16x just in Philippians. 2. Spirit filled… joy is fruit of the Spirit. 3. Mature – Put away false beliefs/childish things of anti-happiness. I Cor. 13: Give yourself grown up permission to be happy! -On mirror, in letter, official Document.

31. Answer for Happiness ~ Create a family system of a HAPPY HOME!
II Timothy 1:4-5, The perpetuation of a godly home AND a happy home!
Greek of vs. 5 ὑπόμνησιν (hypomnēsin) links to joy in vs. 4. Emotions are the greatest link for memory.
Happy Grandma Lois. Happy mom Eunice… happy son Timothy. Real faith is happy not somber.

33. Closing – We have looked at six obstacles to happiness and how to overcome them Next week, there is more to come because God wants you to have true and lasting happiness as you enjoy Him forever.