Our Pursuit of Happiness Every man whatsoever his

Our Pursuit of Happiness “Every man, whatsoever his condition, desires to be happy. ” – St. Augustine “All men seek happiness. This is without exception. ” – Blaise Pascal “There is no man upon the earth who isn’t earnestly seeking after happiness…they will twist and turn every way to make themselves happy. ” – Jonathan Edwards, 18 th Century Puritan preacher “The most essential and active desire in human nature is to happiness…There is nothing more uniform and inviolable than the natural inclination to happiness. ” - William Bates “We believe God purposefully designed us to pursue happiness. ” –John Piper

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness…”

What Does Our Longing for Happiness Reveal About Ourselves? 1. Human history is largely the story of our search for happiness 2. We anticipate greater happiness than life seems to offer. 3. There is no true, lasting happiness without a relationship with God. - Randy Alcorn, Happiness

1. What Does Our Longing for Happiness Reveal About Ourselves? Human history is largely the story of our search for happiness 2. We anticipate greater happiness than life seems to offer 3. There is no true, lasting happiness without a relationship with God. 4. Only the message of the Gospel Can Enable Us to Find True Happiness in this life and the next. - Randy Alcorn, Happiness

The Gospel and Happiness “I embraced the gospel because it so perfectly corresponded with what I longed for. I’ve studied many worldviews, but none comes close to the biblical worldview in accounting for all the facts of our existence—including our longing for happiness. ” - Randy Alcorn, Happiness, p. 13

God Desire for Our Happiness 1. Happiness is God’s Command—and a Pleasant Calling for His People – Phil. 4: 4; John 16: 24 2. Scripture confirms that God wants us to be happy – Ps 16: 10 -11 3. We need to speak more, not less, about happiness – Phil. 4: 4 - Randy Alcorn, Happiness

God Desire for Our Happiness 4. Joy & laughter should be the Church’s norm, not the exception -2 Cor 6: 10 5. Our pursuit of genuine happiness in God honors Him- Ps 100: 1 -2 6. Growing in our happiness in Christ is a process- 2 Cor 3: 18; Jas 1: 2 -4 - Randy Alcorn, Happiness

Is There a Difference Between Joy and Happiness? “May the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful. ”- Psalm 68: 3 (NIV) “We’re often taught to be careful of the difference between joy and happiness. Happiness, it is said, is an emotion that depends upon what ‘happens. ’ Joy by contrast, is supposed to be enduring, stemming from deep from within our soul and which is not affected by the circumstances surrounding us…I don’t think God had any such hairsplitting in mind. Scripture uses the terms interchangeably along with words like, delight, gladness, blessed. Happiness is not relegated to fleshly-minded sinners nor joy to heaven-bound saints. ” – Joni Eareckson Tada

Paul’s Sources of Joy In the 16 times that Paul speaks of joy/rejoice/be glad, we find the resources that gave him joy/happiness in the midst of his circumstances– the same resources that are available to us as well! TO LIVE IS CHRIST

Paul’s Sources of Joy In the 16 times that Paul speaks of joy/rejoice/be glad, we find the resources that gave him joy/happiness in the midst of his circumstances– the same resources that are available to us as well! 1. The JOY of Loving, Supportive Relationships – Phil 1: 3 -7 a; 4: 1, 10 TO LIVE IS CHRIST

“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace. . . 1 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved… 10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. ” - Philippians 1: 3 -7 a; 4: 1, 10 (ESV) TO LIVE IS CHRIST

Paul’s Sources of Joy In the 16 times that Paul speaks of joy/rejoice/be glad, we find the resources that gave him joy/happiness in the midst of his circumstances– the same resources that are available to us as well! 1. The JOY of Loving, Supportive Relationships – Phil 1: 3 -7 a; 4: 1, 10 2. The JOY of Seeing God’s Kingdom Advance as We Serve Christ and His People – Phil 1: 18 -19, 25; 2: 17 -18 TO LIVE IS CHRIST

“What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance… 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith… 17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise, you also should be glad and rejoice with me. ” - Philippians 1: 18 -19, 25; 2: 17 -18 (ESV) TO LIVE IS CHRIST

Paul’s Sources of Joy In the 16 times that Paul speaks of joy/rejoice/being glad, we find the resources that gave him joy/happiness in the midst of his circumstances– the same resources that are available to us as well! 1. The JOY of Loving, Supportive Relationships – Phil 1: 3 -7 a; 4: 1, 10 2. The JOY of Seeing God’s Kingdom Advance as We Serve Christ and His People – Phil 1: 18 -19, 25; 2: 17 -18 3. The JOY of Being a Part of a Unified, Loving Church – Phil 2: 1 -5 TO LIVE IS CHRIST

“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, - Philippians 2: 1 -5 (ESV) TO LIVE IS CHRIST

Paul’s Sources of Joy In the 16 times that Paul speaks of joy/rejoice/being glad, we find the resources that gave him joy/happiness in the midst of his circumstances– the same resources that are available to us as well! 1. The JOY of Loving, Supportive Relationships – Phil 1: 3 -7 a; 4: 1, 10 2. The JOY of Seeing God’s Kingdom Advance as We Serve Christ and His People – Phil 1: 18 -19, 25; 2: 17 -18 3. The JOY of Being a Part of a Unified, Loving Church – Phil 2: 1 -5 4. The JOY of Seeing Others Serve Well and Be Honored – Phil 2: 28 -30 TO LIVE IS CHRIST

“I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. 29 So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, 30 for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me. ” - Philippians 2: 28 -30 (ESV) TO LIVE IS CHRIST

Paul’s Sources of Joy In the 16 times that Paul speaks of joy/rejoice/being glad, we find the resources that gave him joy/happiness in the midst of his circumstances– the same resources that are available to us as well! 1. The JOY of Loving, Supportive Relationships – Phil 1: 3 -7 a; 4: 1, 10 2. The JOY of Seeing God’s Kingdom Advance as We Serve Christ and His People – Phil 1: 18 -19, 25; 2: 17 -18 3. The JOY of Being a Part of a Unified, Loving Church – Phil 2: 1 -5 4. The JOY of Seeing Others Serve Well and Be Honored – Phil 2: 28 -30 5. The JOY of Knowing Christ & All He Means to Us –Phil 1: 21; 3: 1, 10; 4: 4 TO LIVE IS CHRIST

“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” - 1: 21 “Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you…that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death. ” - 3: 1, 10 “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. ” - Phil 4: 4 TO LIVE IS CHRIST

PRACTICAL STEPS TO TAP INTO YOUR RESOURCES OF FOR JOY/HAPPINESS • Promptly confess your sin – Sin always takes away your joy in the Lord • Memorize Scripture verses that speak of the joy of knowing God thru faith in Christ – Ps. 16: 11; John 10: 10 ; John 15: 11 • Create a joyful spirit in your home – i. e. music choices; tasteful decorations, fun family activities, be discerning about media intake

PRACTICAL STEPS TO TAP INTO YOUR RESOURCES OF FOR JOY/HAPPINESS • Saturate your minds with the Scriptures and the promises God has made to us in the Gospel/Scriptures – Remember who you are ‘in Christ’. • Come to church committed to being a ‘giver’ not a ‘taker’ – “…able also to admonish one another…. . that all in the body might have a mutual care for one another” – Romans 15: 13 -14; 1 Cor. 12: 27; Galatians 6: 2

In Life’s Sweetest Moments…

…and During Our Hard & Challenging Times…

“You show me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy, in your right hand are pleasures for evermore. ” - Psalm 16: 11 “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. ” – John 15: 11 “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. ” – Philippians 4: 4