Sunday, November 15, 2015

To Be Envied (Part 3)


Matthew 5:3-12
In Jesus' teachings known as the Beatitudes, many modern translators translate the word “blessed” with the word "happy."  If Jesus did indeed mean these teachings to be avenues to happiness, we need to know about them, understand them, and make them our own.
I. Lasting “Happiness” is “Believer Blessedness” 
II. Lasting Happiness is not found in Favorable Circumstances  Matthew 5:3
III. Lasting Happiness is not found in the Avoidance of Pain. Matthew 5:4  
Happiness is not the absence of stress or problems but the respect and joy we discover in conquering them.
If you have to make a choice between being liked and being respected, choose respect every time.
IV. Lasting Happiness is a Byproduct of Pursuing God.  Matthew 5:6; Psalms 16:11; Matthew 5:8; Matthew 6:32-33
Fragmented pursuits in life for that which can make us happy keep us caught up in anxiety and chaos.
You are getting up every day for something and if it is not defined you will wear yourself out letting life live you instead of living your life.
A vital key in being happy is to know that God loves us and is pursuing us!  Psalm 23:6
V. The Secrets of Happiness Revealed.

§  Happiness is found in purposeful living.

§  Happiness is found in being people oriented.

§  Happiness is found in a passion for God.

Characteristics of the Blessed Believer  Psalm 1:1-3
1. The Path of the Blessed Believer  v.1
·     He doesn’t Believe like the World
·     He doesn’t Behave like the World
·     He doesn’t Belong like the World
2. The Pleasure of the Blessed Believer  v.2
3. The Prosperity of the Blessed Believer  v.3 

·     His Prominencea tree planted 

·     His Positionby streams of water

·     His ProductivityBrings forth fruit

·     His PredictabilityIn his season 

·     His Permanenceleaf shall not fade

·     His ProsperityWhatsoever he doeth, it shall prosper


Find a humble person with a pure heart, a purpose for living, a love for people and a commitment to God and you will find a happy man or woman.

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