Happiness: What It Is and How to Have It, Part 2

Notes: Happiness: What It Is and How to Have It, Part 2
June 22, 2014
Pastor Greg Laurie
Matthew 5

What is happiness exactly: Charles Schultz wrote, happiness is a warm puppy.

Truly happy people are godly people.

The Bible says, “Happy are the people whose God is the Lord.”

If we seek holiness, we’ll find happiness.

“WHOLLYNESS”

God wants you to be happy.

If you want to be a happy person then you need to be right with God and right with people.

“He opened His mouth.”
(Matthew 5:2)

Matthew 5:2–12; 2 Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

God wants us to be blessed and happy.

Blessedness, or true happiness, is independent from circumstances.

You need to recognize that you are blessed regardless of the circumstances you are in, good or bad.

The Bible does not speak of money having anything to do with happiness, you can be reach or poor.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3)

Pastor Greg speaks of Naman the General and his leprosy. He had to admit his spiritual state before good.

The preacher Spurgeon wrote: Those who rise in the kingdom must have to first sink in themselves.

To be “poor in spirit” is to recognize one’s spiritual poverty apart from God.

Romans 14:17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Happy people are unhappy people.
(v.4)
Psalm 56:8 You number my wanderings; Put my tears into Your bottle; Are they not in Your book?

God keeps our tears in a bottle so He might wipe them away someday.

Ecclesiastes 2:1–2 I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with mirth; therefore enjoy pleasure”; but surely, this also was vanity. 2 I said of laughter—“Madness!”; and of mirth, “What does it accomplish?”

2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.

2.Matthew 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. 

If you are happy about the wrong things, then you need to stop it.

Romans 4:7 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered;

1 John 1:9  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Psalm 51:2–3 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me.

Psalm 51:4 Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight— That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge.

Psalm 51:12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.

3.A happy person will be a meek person.
(v.5)

A meek person is one who controls himself under the authority of God.

It takes more strength to hold your tongue then to speak your mind.

Last is first.
Giving is receiving.
Dying is living.
Losing is finding.
Least is greatest.
Weakness is strength.

Matthew 11:29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

4.A happy person passionately desires a righteous life.
(v.6)

Psalm 42:1 As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God.

1. You must be poor in spirit. (See yourself as you really are)

2. You must mourn for your sin. 

3. As you believe, you will have a change in attitude.

4. You have a new hunger and thirst for that which will satisfy you.

Are you happy?