1. The Key to Happiness

2. Happiness ● Impossible to define ● Difficult to possess ● We keep searching for the key to happiness ● The Bible gives us some help in finding the joy and happiness we seek

3. We cannot be happy if we: ● WANT ● Psalm 34:10 The young lions lack and suffer hunger; But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing. ● Psalms 23:1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

4. We cannot be happy if we: ● WANT ● ARE OUT OF PLACE ● Jonah ● Lot ● Prodigal Son ● Peter ● Those afar off

5. We cannot be happy if we: ● WANT ● ARE OUT OF PLACE ● FEAR ● Luke 12:32 Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. ● Hebrews 13:6 So we may boldly say: "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"

6. We cannot be happy if we: ● WANT ● ARE OUT OF PLACE ● FEAR ● ARE ALONE ● Romans 11:2-3 2 God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel, saying, 3 "Lord, they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life"?

7. We cannot be happy if we: ● WANT ● ARE OUT OF PLACE ● FEAR ● ARE ALONE ● Matthew 28:20b lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. ● John 8:29 And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him."

8. We cannot be happy if we: ● WANT ● ARE OUT OF PLACE ● FEAR ● ARE ALONE ● HAVE NO GOAL ● 1 Corinthians 15:19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. ● 1 Thessalonians 4:13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.

9. We cannot be happy if we: ● WANT ● ARE OUT OF PLACE ● FEAR ● ARE ALONE ● HAVE NO GOAL ● Psalm 146:5 Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, Whose hope is in the Lord his God, ● Proverbs 16:2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the spirits.

10. We can be happy in: ● LIFE ● Acts 26:2 "I think myself happy, King Agrippa, because today I shall answer for myself before you concerning all the things of which I am accused by the Jews,

11. We can be happy in: ● LIFE ● James 5:11 Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord-- that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.

12. We can be happy in: ● LIFE ● 1 Peter 3:14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. "And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled."

13. We can be happy in: ● LIFE ● DEATH ● 1 Corinthians 15:19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. ● 1 Thessalonians 4:13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.

14. We can be happy in: ● LIFE ● DEATH ● ETERNITY ● Matthew 5:10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

15. We can be happy in: ● LIFE ● DEATH ● ETERNITY ● Psalm 23:5-6 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.