Happiness Is…
Matt 5:1-12
A report in "Parade" magazine gave some
interesting information on how to find happiness. It was based on material
taken from a publication entitled "The Book of Numbers." The article read, "Citizens of various
countries hold different ideas on happiness.
The Austrians say health is the most important precondition for
happiness. The Finns say it's kindness.
The Greeks opt for honesty. The
Dutch say beauty in women and handsomeness in men make for happiness. The British claim a sense of humor is the
indispensable requisite. The Italians,
Japanese, and Americans agree that money is no guarantee of happiness--but that
it sure helps."
In the book Harry Potter an interesting scene unfolds as
young Harry finds an enchanted mirror.
In this mirror he sees his dead parents that were killed when he was a
baby. He brings a friend to see his
parents only to discover that his friend sees something totally different. Later, the head of the school finds him
staring into the mirror and tells him about it. It was a mirror that showed the heart’s deepest desire. He said, the only person who would see
themselves as they were was the person who was totally happy and content with
himself.
What would we see if we had a mirror like that today? Would we see ourselves as we are or would we
see some desire we believe would make us happy?
PRAYER
I. Who
Is A Happy Person?
A.
Jesus’ magic mirror
1.
Jesus gives us something like that mirror in the beginning of
his sermon on the mount.
2.
He says listen to these words and you can become happy if you
follow them.
B.
Happiness comes from the inside
1.
The word blessed is better translated happy or fulfilled
2.
The word implies an inner satisfaction versus depending on
outward circumstances for happiness
3.
That is a profound and radical change from a world that looks
at what you have for happiness.
C.
Americans are beginning to realize this truth
1.
An interesting phenomenon has been taking place since
September 11. More and more Americans
are focusing on home and family versus career and things.
2.
With the loss of so much life, we realized that no amount of
things can make us as happy as being with those we love most.
3.
Career women are going home and having babies.
4.
Men and women alike are arranging their lives to be at home
more.
a)
Some are working from home
b)
Others have changed lifestyle habits to live on less income so
don’t have to work all the time.
c)
Still others have found jobs that don’t demand all their time
and energy.
d)
We found money doesn’t buy happiness after all.
II. How
Can These People Be Happy?
A.
As you look at this list, you can’t help but wonder how some
of these people can be happy?
1.
Poor in spirit, those who mourn, those who are persecuted and
insulted.
2.
How can they be happy in those situations?
3.
Maybe a brief look at each situation will make this clearer.
B.
Beatitudes broken down
1.
Vs 3 - poor in spirit
a)
To be poor in spirit doesn’t mean to be beaten down as we
would think. It means to be humble
before God.
b)
Paul gives us this admonition in Rom 12:3 - (NIV)
For by the grace given me I say to every one of
you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of
yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has
given you.
c)
When we practice a humble spirit, see ourselves has we honestly
are; we can rejoice in what God has done for us.
d)
I am special not because of what I am to society, but who I am
to God.
e)
I am a citizen in his Kingdom
2.
vs 4 - mourn
a)
the Greek for mourn had 2 different meaning and both can apply
here.
b)
One meaning was to mourn over sins -
(1)
it was a mourning of
repentance, not just feeling bad about things.
c)
The other meaning of mourn is the one we normally think of in
dealing with bereavement.
d)
In both these areas a person can find true happiness in God’s
strength and comfort.
3.
vs 5 - meek
a)
this is much like the first beatitude, it deals with humility.
b)
Probably more so in humility towards our fellow man rather
than God.
4.
vs 6 - hunger and thirst after righteousness
a)
Every now and then I get to study with someone who hungers and
thirsts after righteousness.
b)
You can’t tell them enough about God and his desires for
mankind.
c)
They just soak everything up and want more.
d)
This is the person who happiness can only be found in God, and
God always promises to satisfy that kind of seeking.
5.
vs 7 - merciful
a)
life is so much more enjoyable when we have a forgiving
spirit.
b)
Rather than festering on the inside about all the slights
towards us, we just focus on loving others anyway.
c)
There is an amazing sense of peace when we can find happiness
in being merciful.
6.
vs 8 - pure in heart
a)
David said, “Create in me a clean heart, oh God.”
b)
It would be like saying, “make my heart like a child’s again.”
7.
vs 9 - peace makers
a)
there is a difference between a peacemaker and a peace keeper.
b)
A peace keeper simply finds a way to keep two parties from
fighting with each other.
c)
A peace maker finds a way to end the bitterness that causes
the fighting.
8.
vs 10-11 - persecuted and insulted
a)
No one likes to be ridiculed, but we are persecuted and
ridiculed because of a deeply held belief we don’t let it bother us as much.
b)
again Jesus stresses that happiness isn’t found in the things
of this earth, but in the kingdom of God.
III. Great Reward
A.
No matter what happens here on earth, don’t get discouraged.
1.
Life may not go at all like we hoped.
2.
Some godly people even suffer terrible loss or persecution.
3.
Don’t give up.
Happiness isn’t what is around you.
It’s what is in you.
4.
If you are right with God, the other doesn’t have the same
impact on you. You know where real
peace and happiness is found.
5.
And when you discover that great secret you can be happy no
matter what.
B.
God’s promise
1.
each of these beatitudes had a promise.
2.
The most important promise is found at the end of this text.
3.
Being a follower of God means that you have a great reward waiting
for you in heaven.
4.
I love the show “Survivor”
In this show a bunch of people have to survive their environment and
each other to win a great reward at the end of the game. Some win smaller rewards during the game,
and while they are nice, everyone wants to be that sole survivor and take home
the 1 million dollars.
5.
the great thing about God is that we can win the small rewards
here on earth and ALL of us can win the ultimate reward of life with God in
heaven if we stay faithful to him and survive the games of the world.
6.
We may get distracted from the goal from time to time, but to
win, we must stay focused.
7.
Are you still in the hunt for the great reward?