1. A HAPPY LIFE 1 Peter 3:8-12

2. 2 What is happiness? World’s definition: –Fame, fortune, glory; self-fulfillment and self-satisfaction –Must not confuse the pleasures of sin with real happiness –Sin destroys happiness, Prov. 13:15 God’s definition, 1 Pet. 3:10-12 (Matt. 5:3-12) God wants our happiness – As He defines it, Eccl. 3:12-13; 9:7-9 World’s definition: –Fame, fortune, glory; self-fulfillment and self-satisfaction –Must not confuse the pleasures of sin with real happiness –Sin destroys happiness, Prov. 13:15 God’s definition, 1 Pet. 3:10-12 (Matt. 5:3-12) God wants our happiness – As He defines it, Eccl. 3:12-13; 9:7-9

3. 3 What is happiness? State of mind; attitude of heart (Prov. 23:7) –More than emotion; decision of the mind Christian’s happiness: –Right thinking about life –Forgiveness of sins –Trust the promises of God -Jno. 14:1, 27; 16:22, 33; 2 Cor. 6:10- State of mind; attitude of heart (Prov. 23:7) –More than emotion; decision of the mind Christian’s happiness: –Right thinking about life –Forgiveness of sins –Trust the promises of God -Jno. 14:1, 27; 16:22, 33; 2 Cor. 6:10-

4. 4 What is happiness? Build a happy life by building faith in God –Set your hope on God, Heb. 13:5-6 –Learn happiness by trusting God, Phil. 4:10-13 –Count your blessings, Eph. 1:3 (Phil. 4:4) Build a happy life by building faith in God –Set your hope on God, Heb. 13:5-6 –Learn happiness by trusting God, Phil. 4:10-13 –Count your blessings, Eph. 1:3 (Phil. 4:4)

5. 5 Things of Earth do not Bring Lasting Happiness, Eccl. 1:13; 2:3 Pleasure, Eccl. 2:1-2 –Sorrow in laughter, Prov. 14:13 –Pleasure is passing, Heb. 11:25; Lk. 12:19 –Can distort one’s view of life and death, Eccl. 7:2-4 Pleasure, Eccl. 2:1-2 –Sorrow in laughter, Prov. 14:13 –Pleasure is passing, Heb. 11:25; Lk. 12:19 –Can distort one’s view of life and death, Eccl. 7:2-4

6. 6 Things of Earth do not Bring Lasting Happiness Possessions, Eccl. 2:4-11 (Lk. 12:15-21) –Tends to isolate, 4:7-8 –No satisfaction…more anxiety, Eccl. 5:10-12; 1 Tim. 6:10 –Great possessions, yet great sorrow, Matt. 19:21-22 Possessions, Eccl. 2:4-11 (Lk. 12:15-21) –Tends to isolate, 4:7-8 –No satisfaction…more anxiety, Eccl. 5:10-12; 1 Tim. 6:10 –Great possessions, yet great sorrow, Matt. 19:21-22

7. 7 Things of Earth do not Bring Lasting Happiness Wisdom, Eccl. 2:12-17 –Trusting our own wisdom is foolish, 1 Cor. 3:18 –Death still comes, 2:14 –Divine wisdom needed, 8:16-17; 1 Cor. 1:21 Wisdom, Eccl. 2:12-17 –Trusting our own wisdom is foolish, 1 Cor. 3:18 –Death still comes, 2:14 –Divine wisdom needed, 8:16-17; 1 Cor. 1:21

8. 8 Things of Earth do not Bring Lasting Happiness Labor, Eccl. 2:18-23 (24) –Whose shall it be? 2:18-19 (Lk. 12:20) –Elements of despair, 2:20; 5:13-17 –Good, but not for ultimate happiness, 1 Ths. 4:11-12 Labor, Eccl. 2:18-23 (24) –Whose shall it be? 2:18-19 (Lk. 12:20) –Elements of despair, 2:20; 5:13-17 –Good, but not for ultimate happiness, 1 Ths. 4:11-12

9. 9 Things of Earth do not Bring Lasting Happiness Success, Eccl. 4:4-6 –Often envied, 4:4 –While working to succeed we must learn to be content with what our labor provides, 1 Tim. 6:6-8 Success, Eccl. 4:4-6 –Often envied, 4:4 –While working to succeed we must learn to be content with what our labor provides, 1 Tim. 6:6-8

10. 10 Things of Earth do not Bring Lasting Happiness Fulfilling desire, Eccl. 6:7-9 –Never satisfied when desire rules –Our desires must be godly & controlled by contented faith, Phil. 4:11-13 Fulfilling desire, Eccl. 6:7-9 –Never satisfied when desire rules –Our desires must be godly & controlled by contented faith, Phil. 4:11-13

11. 11 Things Needed to be Happy in Life Fear & obey God, Eccl. 12:13 (Psa. 128:1-2) Address sin in God’s way, Acts 2:41-42; 16:27, 34 Seek first the things of God, Matt. 6:33 (1 Pet. 3:10-12) Fear & obey God, Eccl. 12:13 (Psa. 128:1-2) Address sin in God’s way, Acts 2:41-42; 16:27, 34 Seek first the things of God, Matt. 6:33 (1 Pet. 3:10-12)

12. 12 Things Needed to be Happy in Life Pray often, 1 Jno. 5:14 (Phil. 4:4-7) Count your blessings, 1 Tim. 6:7-8 Patient faith, Isa. 40:27-31 (1 Pet. 5:7; Heb. 13:5-6) Pray often, 1 Jno. 5:14 (Phil. 4:4-7) Count your blessings, 1 Tim. 6:7-8 Patient faith, Isa. 40:27-31 (1 Pet. 5:7; Heb. 13:5-6)