The Pursuit of Happiness #1

#1/9 The Pursuit of Happiness Stockwell Road MBC
September 13, 2009 MW
THE BEGINNING OF OUR PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS
Matthew 5:1-12
INTRODUCTION:
A. Botulinum toxin is a neurotoxic protein and is the most poisonous protein structure known to man today. It was discovered between 1817 and 1822 by a doctor from Germany who called a “sausage poison” or a “fatty poison”. Botulinum toxin is a toxin which causes severe food poisoning called botulism which can lead to paralysis. I want to stay as far away from that as I possibly can! But some men and women have this toxin injected in their foreheads and around their eyes in order to paralyze the communication between the nerve and the muscle which straightens out their wrinkles for 3 to 6 months. You guessed it…Botox injections. Botox is the same poison that makes people sick and paralyzes people.

B. The question to ask is not how much…it is why? The answer, the pursuit of happiness! As long as I have my looks I’ll be happy. Why do people go to the boats to gamble…the pursuit of happiness! As long as they have money they will be happy. Why do people go into debt to buy more and more stuff? The pursuit of happiness! As long as they have things they will be happy! Listen to me…joy and happiness will not be found in things from this world. Joy and happiness will not be found on the shelf at a store. Joy and happiness comes from the presence of Almighty God.

C. Pierre Teilhard De Chardin said, “Joy is the surest sign of the presence of God.” The bottom line for you and I is simply this: grimness, misery, sadness and hopelessness are not virtues of the Christian life. There are no sad saints. If God really is the center of your life and being, joy is inevitable. If we have no joy or happiness, we have missed the Good News and we will suffer the consequences. Joy and happiness is the flag that flies over the castle of our hearts announcing that the King is in residence today!

D. Are you a happy person? Even after your morning cup of coffee, can you say you are truly a happy person? Better yet, do others see that happiness in your life? Do people say of you that you are a happy person? God wants you to be a joyful and happy person so He gives us a blueprint here in His word so we can PURSUE it.
BODY:
I. WE MUST SEE THE SITUATION OF THE WORLD v. 1a, II Timothy 3:1, Matthew 24:37-39
Note: We are living in very different times. Not only different times, dangerous times! People are destroying themselves with drugs and alcohol and we ask ourselves why? The answer is that many are searching. People are searching for something to fill the void. You see people are going to pursue something. Whether it is the big thing or chasing after the NEXT big thing.
A. The Present Condition of People
1. a religious people
2. a rebellious people
3. a rejecting people

B. The Present Call to People—he went up to a mountain
1. to be separate
2. to be still

II. WE MUST BECOME DEDICATED TO GOD v. 1b-2 Psalm 51:6
Note: There is a lot of talk today about moving towards our goals! Listen we can move all we want but until we move toward the Lord we aren’t going anywhere!
A. Notice the Positions
1. Jesus in the seat of authority
2. Disciples in seat of submission

B. Notice the Passion
1. willing to come
2. willing to learn—He taught them!

III. WE MUST EXPERIENCE GOD’S EXPECTATION FOR OUR LIVES vs. 3-12
Note: It is a sad commentary upon mankind today that they have no desire live their lives according to the plan of God’s expectation for them. I’ve heard people say, “It’s my body, I’ll do what I want to with it.” What is even more disheartening is that this can be said of many saved people. They have no desire to live according to expectation for us. Notice what God expects from each of this morning. As we do, will find the secret to happiness, God’s Way!
A. God’s Expectations for the Inner Man vs. 3-6
1. To humble ourselves 2. To be broken hearted over sin
2. To be meek and in control 4. To desire godly things

B. God’s Expectations for the Outer Man vs. 7-12
1. To be forgiving 2. To live honestly 3. To be a problem-
solver not a contributor to problems 4. To rejoice in the middle of trials and tribulations