Isaiah 8:21-22 ESV – Distressed and hungry,… they will become enraged and… will curse their king and their God. 22 Then they will look toward the earth and see only distress and darkness and fearful gloom, and they will be thrust into utter darkness.
Isaiah 9
Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress…
The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned.
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
Matthew 1:20-21 NIV – “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
Luke 2:14ff NIV –
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.
17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
… 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
John 15:11 ESV – Jesus said, These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
John 10:10b ESV – Jesus said, I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
Understanding Happiness
4 kinds of people in the world
1) Happiness is natural— everyone should be happy.
2) Happiness is unachievable
3) People who aren’t sure if happiness is natural or unachievable
4) People who understand Biblical happiness.
Happiness is fundamental to our relationship with God, not superficial
What is joy?
Happiness is inner confidence because you are content in God.
Philippians 4:12-13 NIV – I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
John 16:22 ESV – Jesus said, So also you have sorrow now, but will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.
Luke 2:10-11 ESV – And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11For unto you is born this day inthe city of Davida Savior, who isChristthe Lord.
Unlocking Happiness– Four Keys To Happiness
What Blocks Happiness? Guilt
Romans 7:15 ESV – For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.
Romans 7:18 ESV – For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.
Romans 7:24 ESV – Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?
Romans 7:25 ESV – Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!
Isaiah 43:25 ESV – I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.
What Blocks Happiness? The Threat of Death
John 11:25 “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live.”
1 Corinthians 15:56-57 ESV – 56The sting of death is sin,… 57But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 ESV – So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,…. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
What Blocks Happiness? Meaninglessness
“If God is dead, somebody is going to have to take his place. It will be megalomania or erotomania, the drive for power or the drive for pleasure, the clenched fist or the phallus, Hitler or Hugh Hefner.” – Malcolm Muggeridge
John 10:10-11 ESV – The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11I am the good shepherd.
Luke 2:13-18 ESV – And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.
Cultivating Happiness—Pursue Jesus, not happiness
“Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither.” – C.S. Lewis
Matthew 10:39 ESV – Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
Matthew 6:33 ESV – But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you
Pursue Jesus by Investigating the Facts
Luke 2:12, 15, 16, – And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger
15When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us. 16And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger
Romans 10:17 ESV – So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
Jeremiah 15:16 NLT – When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight…
Pursue Jesus in Worship
Psalm 22:3 ESV – [God is] enthroned on the praises of Israel.
Pursue Jesus by Helping Others
Who will you pray for?
Who will you share Jesus with?
Pursue Jesus by Living with a New Attitude in Your Ordinary Life
Luke 2:20 ESV – And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
Philippians 4:4ff ESV – 4Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice….6do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
