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Why are we on this Earth? Mankind
has been seeking Happiness for a long time.
Conventional happiness seems to
be beauty, money or fame.
A study shows, 1. family and
friends are the best anecdote for unhappiness. 2. Things don't make you happy.
3. Gratefullness for things you have. 4. Forgiveness is the greatest trait of
happiness. 5. Scandinavians are the happiest people, Americans are second.
Beatitudes: Attitudes we should
have, Attitudes that should be.
Matthew 5:3-12 NIV
[3] “Blessed are the poor in
spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. [4] Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted. [5] Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the
earth. [6] Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they
will be filled. [7] Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. [8]
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. [9] Blessed are the
peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. [10] Blessed are those
who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven. [11] “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely
say all kinds of evil against you because of me. [12] Rejoice and be glad,
because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the
prophets who were before you.
1. Happy are the nobodies.
(Blessed are the poor in spirit – verse 3.)
To be poor in spirit means to be
understanding your spiritual state before God. We are sinners.
2. Unhappy people are happy
people. (Blessed are they that mourn – verse 4.)
Understanding your position before
God. Be sorry for the sins you have done.
3. Happy are the humble. (Blessed
are the meek – verse 5.)
Recognizing I would be no where
without God.
4. Happy are the spiritually
hungry (verse 6).
A happy person desires a
righteous life. Is hungry in pursuit of it.
You are not done as a Christian.
No matter how much you love, you ought to love more.
Psalm 17:15 NIV
[15] As for me, I will be
vindicated and will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with
seeing your likeness.
Is your hunger for Christ growing
or diminishing.
A Christian is something before
he does something.
5. Happy people are merciful
people (verse 7).
You understand where you came
from and where others could be.
Matthew 6:3 NIV
[3] But when you give to the
needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
Mercy is pity plus action.
“Blessed are the merciful for
they shall receive mercy.” (Matthew 5:7)
A forgiven person should be a
forgiving person.
The queen virtue of happiness is
forgiveness. Just as Christ has forgiven you.
6. A happy person will be a holy
person (verse 8). Matthew 5:8 NIV
[8] Blessed are the pure in
heart, for they will see God.
Many songs are written about the
heart.
Proverbs 23:7 NIV
[7] for he is the kind of person
who is always thinking about the cost. “Eat and drink,” he says to you, but his
heart is not with you.
7. A happy person will be a
peacemaker (verse 9). Matthew 5:9 NIV
[9] Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Even non Christians seem to quote
Matthew 5:9
Th Bible talks about personal
peace with God.
Peacemakers are often trouble
makers.
Matthew 10:34-36 NIV
[34] “Do not suppose that I have
come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.
[35] For I have come to turn “ ‘a man against his father, a daughter against
her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law--- [36] a man’s enemies
will be the members of his own household.’
There seems to have to be trouble
before there is peace.
James 4:1-2 NIV
[1] What causes fights and
quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?
[2] You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what
you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.
8. A happy person will be
persecuted! (verses 10–12) Matthew 5:10-12 NIV
[10] Blessed are those who are
persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. [11]
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all
kinds of evil against you because of me. [12] Rejoice and be glad, because
great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the
prophets who were before you.
Living a Godly life is not a
matter of when you are persecuted, it is a matter of how much you will be.
2 Timothy 3:12 NIV
[12] In fact, everyone who wants
to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
It is for righteousness you
should be persecuted. For any other reason doesn't seem to be for your faith.
If you are mean or hateful, that is not what the Bible is speaking of as a
reason.
Persecution: to be chased, driven
away or pursued.
If you can't remember the last
time you were persecuted, you should be asking "what's wrong with
me".
God will use your persecution for
His glory.
John 3:20 NIV
[20] Everyone who does evil hates
the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be
exposed.
“Blessed are you who are
persecuted for righteousness’ sake.” (Matthew 5:10)
“Rejoice and be glad” (verse 12)
John 15:18 NIV
[18] “If the world hates you,
keep in mind that it hated me first.
1. It is a confirmation that you
are a child of God.
2. It causes you to cling to
Jesus and be reminded that this world is not your home!
If something is worth living for
then it should be worth dying for!
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