Seven Ways to Be Happy

Mike Cornwell

 

FILING INFORMATION:

2000066

Subject: happiness/encouragement

Preached Originally: 12/10/2000 – Rapid City, SD

 

INTRODUCTION

A.          Often people make their own lives miserable and other people help them find misery.

1.     Abraham Lincoln once said .. "most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be." 

2.     That pretty well sums up the whole of the issue. 

B.          The Bible has some insight on people being happy ... let's look at some.

 

I.               Trust in God:

A.    The person who puts faith in God has a source of strength and delight that a non-believer cannot understand.  (Prov 3:5) (Prov 16:20)

B.    If we fuss and stew about everything ... it show a lack of trust.

C.   Jesus told Martha she was "troubled about many things."

II.              Relish the Scriptures:  (Psa 1:1-2)  (Psa 119:103).

A.    The scriptures always are on the mark.

B.    Tax laws change .. the weather changes .. politics are forever changing .. God's word never changes  (2 Tim 3:16-17).

C.   The scriptures give us hope .. comfort .. gladness to those who love the truth.

III.            Live Righteously:

A.     I do not mean self righteously .. or right in your own eyes (Psa 32:10-11)  (Psa 64:10).

1.     Titus 2:12 shows that clean living contributes to deep rooted joy and contentment.

2.     People may mock you and blame off on you and deride you .. but you possess something they do not have.

IV.           Worship God Regularly.

A.    In Acts 20:6-7 .. the brethren "tarried" so they could worship with other Christians.

B.    In Acts 2 .. it describes the disciples as having common among them "great joy" and "praising God."  (Psa 122:1)  (Psa 95:1)  (Psa 96:9-11)

C.   Worship is for the Glory of God and the happiness of man.

 

V.             Keep a Clean Conscience.   (Acts 24:16)  (1 Tim 1:19)  (2 Tim 1:3)

A.    There can be no true happiness when one violates his conscience.

B.    (Gen 42:21) .. Joseph's brothers consciences made them miserable.

 

VI.           Learn Contentment.

A.    The grass is not always greener on the other side.

B.    Some people continually fret and complain about the cost of living .. their job .. wife .. husband .. weather .. politics.

1.      Christians grumble .. Phil 4:11 .. says a contented person is a happy individual.

2.      Without contentment .. joy is only superficial.

 

VII.          Stay Busy & Constructive.

A.     Idleness breeds displeasure .. restlessness .. despondency .. mischief.

1.      Happiness comes to him who works persistently .. consistently and diligently (Rom 12:11).

B.    Effort expended and accomplished materialized bring inward fulfillment.

C.   Beneficial work keeps the mind away from thoughts that are negative and inwardly destructive.

1.      1 Corinthians 15:58 says .. "Abound in the work of the Lord."

CONCLUSION:

A.       Things that will not guarantee happiness are:  Wealth .. Fulfillment of every goal in life .. a mansion .. revenge .. alcohol .. a second wife or husband .. a new car.

B.       How did Paul find joy?  Paul found joy in seeing and hearing about other Christians doing good

C.      Read Phillippians chapters 1 - 3 and count the times you read the words .. "rejoice or joy".

THESE ARE THE SEVEN WAYS TO BE HAPPY