The Pursuit of Happiness Concluded

#9/9 The Pursuit of Happiness Stockwell Road MBC
November 22, 2009 MW
The “TOTAL” Package
Matthew 5:10-16
INTRODUCTION:
A. Total cereal has never been one of my favorite cereals. I prefer the ones with cartoons and high sugar but Total cereal commercials have always stuck out in my mind. You remember the ones that start out by saying Total cereal has 100% of the daily value of at least 11 vitamins and minerals in every bowl. You’ll need to eat 12 bowls of Raison Bran to get the same serving. You’ll have to eat 24 bowls of Rice Krispies and a whopping 3465 bowls of Lucky Charms to get the same amount of nutrition. The marketing slogan for Total is, “One Bowl, 100%”.

B. People who possess the Beatitude attitude can say that when they got saved and surrendered their lives they got the “TOTAL” package. Remember all of this supreme happiness that comes from the prior 7 attitudes? However, we must look at something else that comes with package…some trouble. Persecution and reviling are not something that we desire nor want to have to deal with but they are a fact of life to be expected by every person who possesses this type of spiritual maturity. Jesus told us to expect these things to happen. John 17:4, “I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” Did you catch that? We are not of this world…we are in the world but not to be of the world. Possessors of the Beatitude attitude will be living life on a different plane…above the level of mediocrity that is so rampant in our world and society even our own Church society. As a result, persecution and reviling are two things that we will have to and should have to deal with and in fact should feel privileged that we get to because they did the same thing to our Lord!

C. Why does it have to be this way? The answer is actually very simple. You love life because you love Jesus. You have peace, joy, contentment and genuine love that others do not have and have not experienced or it has been a long time since they have experienced it. Lost people and saved but full of sin people are miserable: instead of peace they have unrest, instead of joy they have sorrow, instead of contentment they are constantly wanting more. They are unhappy and think that you should be too. What is the Christian to do? How can we still be blessed as we face persecution and reviling? Notice that we have a “TOTAL” Package that makes all the difference.
BODY:
I. WE HAVE A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP
Note: The most important piece of this package is your personal relationship with Jesus Christ. A person who possesses the Beatitude attitude will enjoy his personal relationship with Jesus. You have this because of…
A. Your Salvation—bought with a price—redemption
B. Your Surrender—possessing this type of spirit

II. WE HAVE A PAINFUL REALITY
Note: This is not something you and I can dodge or get around. If we possess Beatitudes 1-7 we will have Beatitude 8. It should just be expected! II Tim. 3:12, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”
A. How?
1. persecutions—being followed after or pursued, physical violence
2. reviling—verbal assault, public slander

B. Who?
1. Lost men that are convicted and unwilling to repent
2. Saved men that are backslid and unwilling to repent
3. Ourselves—because we have not realized our forgiveness

C. Why?—Because of who you are identified with
(list the beatitudes)

III. WE HAVE A PURPOSEFUL RACE Hebrews 12:1-2
Note: This purposeful race gives our lives meaning and gives us something to do for God. Remember what He did for us…all we can do is what we can for him and running this race is one of those things!
A. It is a Privileged Race
--because of the legacy that we are continuing!

B. It is a Powerful Race
1. Salt: preserves, purifies, is precious, powerful
2. Light: dispels darkness, illuminates a path

C. It is a Prized Race v. 16—they will see my works and be saved!

CONCLUSION:
In closing notice back in v. 10-11 at the precious rewards that belong to every child of God.
A reward for today in being a part in God’s Kingdom here on this Earth and a reward for tomorrow when we see Jesus!
Let us all live this Beatitude Attitude as we pursue happiness and let us all be the salt of the Earth and the light of the world.

The Pursuit of Happiness #8

#8/9 The Pursuit of Happiness Stockwell Road MBC
November 15, 2009 MW
A WARRIOR FOR PEACE
Matthew 5:9
INTRODUCTION:
A. In 1983, President Ronald Reagan introduced the mobile M-X Missile. This missile because of its mobility and more modern guidance system would be a great deterrent to war and foreign aggression. He dubbed this military marvel, “The Peacekeeper”. If a person is going to set about keeping the peace, it is evident that he or she is going to need weapons. Sometimes the more, the better. It appears that “peacekeeping” is at best, a stopgap measure that is fraught with danger. History has shown that most peacekeeping efforts have had only mixed results and by and large have failed. In the over 3100 years of recorded world history, the world has only been at peace 8% of the time or a total of 286 years and 8000 treaties have been made and broken. It appears “peacekeeping” does not work.

B. This is why the Lord chose the word “peacemaker”. There is a big difference in being a peacekeeper and a peace maker. A peacekeeper is a person who enforces, by whatever means, by force of personality or by superior weapons, a truce. A peacemaker is one who actually discovers the origin of the conflict, and finds a way to resolve it, and helps the parties to restore a proper, loving relationship. This applies to individuals or nations. He or she actually “makes” or “constructs” peace.

C. The Bible is a book of peace. It begins and ends with peace yet in the middle of its pages is the war that has waged between man’s rebellion and God’s offer of peace. God wants to be the peacemaker in your life. God desires NOT to take away all of your heartaches and troubles, that isn’t peace anyway. Peace is not the absence of affliction but it is the presence of God. Is Jesus in your life? Is His presence felt in your heart even now? If not God wants you to have peace with Him and peace from Him so you can experience the peace of God in EVERY situation of life. When you are at peace you can be the “Warrior for Peace” the God wants you to be. Peter told us in I Peter 3:11, “Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.”

D. This morning, notice 3 basics concerning peacemaking.
BODY:
I. THE PERSONS OF PEACEMAKING
Isaiah 9:6, Luke 2:14, Matthew 10:34-37
Note: Jesus introduced through the old testament scriptures as the Prince of Peace and the angels proclaimed that peace and good will had come to the Earth when He was born. However, listen to the words of Jesus in Matthew 10…He doesn’t sound much like a peacemaker does He?
A. The Priority of Jesus Christ—Truth
B. The Principle of Jesus Christ—Terms
C. The Power of Jesus Christ
1. brings peace to our doubts
2. brings peace to our despair
3. brings peace to our disgust of others

II. THE PLAN OF PEACEMAKING
Note: Before you set out to build something you need a set of plans. In order to be a peacemaker like Jesus, we need to follow His plan!
A. For Peacemaking with Inward Struggles
--we are all familiar with what to do if we ever are caught on fire…STOP DROP and ROLL. Notice how this works for our inner struggles!
1. Stop—whatever you are doing
2. Drop—to your knees in prayer
3. Roll—with God’s Will
Psalms 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

B. For Peacemaking with Outward Struggles
1. Be a mediator---don’t pick sides! You are on the Lord’s Side!
2. Point Others to Jesus—know the Bible!

III. THE PURPOSE OF PEACEMAKING
A. For Harmony

B. For Identity—they shall be called!

CONCLUSION:
Do you need peace with God this morning? God wants to be the peacemaker of your heart this morning. God also wants you and I to be peacemakers, in fact He wants us to be a warrior for peace.

Consider this morning the story of Telemachus the Monk. 4th century monk…went to Rome…saw gladiator contest…jumped the rail…3x “In the name of Christ forbear…ended all of the gladiator contest by his action.

31 Days of Wisdom

This brings to conclusion a look at the nuggets of wisdom known as the Proverbs. It has been my prayer that as you have clicked on this blog through the month of October that you have grown a little wiser in God's Word and in your life for Him. Here is Proverbs 31...


Proverbs 31:1-31

The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him. (2) What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows? (3) Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings. (4) It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: (5) Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. (6) Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. (7) Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. (8) Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. (9) Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy. (10) Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. (11) The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. (12) She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. (13) She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. (14) She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. (15) She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. (16) She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. (17) She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. (18) She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. (19) She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. (20) She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. (21) She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. (22) She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. (23) Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. (24) She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. (25) Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. (26) She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. (27) She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. (28) Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. (29) Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. (30) Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. (31) Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

31 Days of Wisdom

Proverbs 30:1-33

The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, even the prophecy: the man spake unto Ithiel, even unto Ithiel and Ucal, (2) Surely I am more brutish than any man, and have not the understanding of a man. (3) I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the holy. (4) Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell? (5) Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. (6) Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. (7) Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die: (8) Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: (9) Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain. (10) Accuse not a servant unto his master, lest he curse thee, and thou be found guilty. (11) There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother. (12) There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness. (13) There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up. (14) There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men. (15) The horseleach hath two daughters, crying, Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied, yea, four things say not, It is enough: (16) The grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that saith not, It is enough. (17) The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it. (18) There be three things which are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not: (19) The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maid. (20) Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness. (21) For three things the earth is disquieted, and for four which it cannot bear: (22) For a servant when he reigneth; and a fool when he is filled with meat; (23) For an odious woman when she is married; and an handmaid that is heir to her mistress. (24) There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise: (25) The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer; (26) The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks; (27) The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands; (28) The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings' palaces. (29) There be three things which go well, yea, four are comely in going: (30) A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any; (31) A greyhound; an he goat also; and a king, against whom there is no rising up. (32) If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth. (33) Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.

31 Days of Wisdom

Proverbs 29:2-27

When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. (3) Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance. (4) The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it. (5) A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet. (6) In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice. (7) The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it. (8) Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath. (9) If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest. (10) The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul. (11) A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards. (12) If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked. (13) The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD lighteneth both their eyes. (14) The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever. (15) The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame. (16) When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall. (17) Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul. (18) Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. (19) A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer. (20) Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him. (21) He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become his son at the length. (22) An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression. (23) A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit. (24) Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not. (25) The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe. (26) Many seek the ruler's favour; but every man's judgment cometh from the LORD. (27) An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.

31 Days of Wisdom

Proverbs 28:1-28

The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion. (2) For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged. (3) A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food. (4) They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them. (5) Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things. (6) Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich. (7) Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father. (8) He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor. (9) He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination. (10) Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession. (11) The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out. (12) When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden. (13) He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. (14) Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief. (15) As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people. (16) The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days. (17) A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him. (18) Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once. (19) He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough. (20) A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent. (21) To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress. (22) He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him. (23) He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue. (24) Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer. (25) He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat. (26) He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered. (27) He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse. (28) When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.

31 Days of Wisdom

Proverbs 27:1-27

Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. (2) Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips. (3) A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool's wrath is heavier than them both. (4) Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy? (5) Open rebuke is better than secret love. (6) Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. (7) The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet. (8) As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so is a man that wandereth from his place. (9) Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel. (10) Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother's house in the day of thy calamity: for better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off. (11) My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that reproacheth me. (12) A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished. (13) Take his garment that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge of him for a strange woman. (14) He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him. (15) A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike. (16) Whosoever hideth her hideth the wind, and the ointment of his right hand, which bewrayeth itself. (17) Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. (18) Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured. (19) As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man. (20) Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied. (21) As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise. (22) Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him. (23) Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds. (24) For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation? (25) The hay appeareth, and the tender grass sheweth itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered. (26) The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of the field. (27) And thou shalt have goats' milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens.