TEXT: Acts 26:2
Introduction:
A. In our hectic world of suicide, depression, divorce, bitterness & hatred — happiness, joy & contentment are precious commodities indeed — they are constantly being sought after.
1. So many advertisements appeal to our natural desire to be happy — promising joy & contentment if we will only try their product (s).
2. But look around you, the majority of people have never found true & lasting happiness!
3. As a result, some people have become cynical about the elusive state of happiness — denying that such even exists.
a. Is there such a thing as true happiness?
b. Yes — happiness is a reality & it can be ours.
c. Not only can Christians be happy, but
B. God expects & commands that his people be happy:
Rom. 14:17: “For the kingdom of God is not meat & drink; but righteousness, & peace, & joy in the Holy Ghost.”
Phil. 3:1: “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.”
Phil. 4:4: “Rejoice in the Lord alway: & again I say, rejoice.”
I Thess. 5:16: “Rejoice evermore.”
I Peter 4:13: “But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.”
2. Paul rejoiced & was full of happiness even in less than pleasant circumstances.
II Cor. 6:10: “As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, & yet possessing all things.”
II Cor. 7:4: “Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.”
II Cor. 12:10: “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”
3. Many other passages could be cited, but these are sufficient to show that of all people, we as Christians should be joyful & happy.
C. I think we can all agree (based on these passages) that God expects His children to be happy — but the question remains: “How?”
1. Happiness is not something that we stumble on by accident.
2. Happiness cannot be bought, sold or traded (regardless of the many sales pitches to the contrary).
3. Fortunately, happiness is not a commodity afforded only the rich or affluent.
4. Happiness is a state of mind within everyone’s grasp!
5. Many books have been written; all claiming to contain the formula for happiness & contentment.
a. But the very best advice to be found on the subject was written years ago & is found in God’s Word — the Bible.
D. In the short time that we have together, I want us to notice some of God’s Rules For Happy Living.
1.CORRECTION BRINGS HAPPINESS Job:17 Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:
2.CHILDREN BRING HAPPINESS ps.127:5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.
3.CONTENTMENT BRINGS HAPPINESS ps.128:2 For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.
4.CHRIST BRINGS HAPPINESS ps.144:15 Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.
I. SHARE YOUR BLESSINGS, NOT YOUR TROUBLES:
A. Other people don’t need your troubles, they have enough of their own.
B. God has promised to bless His children abundantly.
Matt. 6:33: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, & his righteousness; & all these things shall be added unto you.”
Mal. 3:10: “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, & prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, & pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”
1. We live in the richest & greatest nation in the world.
2. Even the poorest American is rich in comparison to the rest of the world.
C. Sure you have your problems — we all do — but let’s face it, our blessings far outweigh our burdens.
1. We need to practice the words of the song: “Count Your Many Blessings.”
2. If we will count our blessings, we will be happier & more thankful to our Heavenly Father.
II. SHOW YOUR BLISSFUL (happiness in highest degree) AND NOT TRIFLING (not serious or thoughtless or foolish)
A. BE CONFIDENT We can conquer any problem or sin if we will only learn to live life one day at a time!
1. Most of our fears for tomorrow never materialize.
2. We often miss the roses around our feet, because we are looking for thorns down the path.
B. BE CALM If people would only learn to live one day at a time, there would be fewer ulcers, & fewer nervous breakdowns.
C. BE CAREFUL We have no assurance of living till tomorrow — so why not take it as it comes — one day at a time?
Jas. 4:13-15: “Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, & continue there a year, & buy & sell, & get gain: (14) Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. (15) For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, & do this, or that.”
1. If we would only learn this we would be much happier.
III. SHAPE YOUR BATTLES INTO TRIUMPHS
HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE ?
A.FILL YOUR LIFE WITH GOOD:
As God’s children we should fill our minds with good thoughts & ideas.
Phil. 4:8: Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, & if there be any praise, think on these things.” There should be no room for trashy evil thoughts in the mind of a Christian.
B.FURNISH YOUR LIFE WITH GRADITUDE
LAUGH & LEARN TO CRY:
1.It has been estimated that over 70% of all physical ills could be overcome if we could learn to laugh & cry.
2. Many think it’s terrible to laugh & joke (there are times when it is inappropriate). 1. Scriptures:
Proverbs 17:22: “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.”
Rom. 12:15: “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, & weep with them that weep.”
2. Only when we learn to laugh & cry with one another can we truly be happy & “bear one another’s burdens.”
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