The Pursuit of Happiness
Proverbs: Living Like You Love Jesus • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 47:29
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Introduction
Introduction
E.g. Chasing the jet ski
Fell off jet ski & had to keep swimming after it as it ‘snaked’ its way up the river
By the time I caught it I was too exhausted and annoyed to keep going so I went back
For many people happiness, contentment, satisfaction in life seems like chasing the jet ski
It started off fun
The thing you’re chasing seems to keep evading you, always just out of reach
Then in the end it doesn’t seem like it was worth all the effort
E.g. Latest surveys show that percentage of Australians who consider themselves happy has decreased since 2021[1]
From a survey by Ipsos where Australia is usually among the top nations
[1] Australians are less happy than they were in 2021 | Ipsos accessed 11/01/2024
Happiness in life is one of our great pursuits
“Find a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life”
People pursue ‘work-life balance’
We want our lives to count for something
Nobody wants a joyless life, marriage or family
Sadly, the world is full of joyless lives, unhappy people
Worst part is, too many of those unhappy people are people who should be the most happy – the Redeemed
Some of us deserve the title ‘frozen chosen’
Some of us spend out whole lives pretending to be happy
Bible teaches us that God wants us to be happy – genuinely, truly happy
He teaches us how to be truly happy
Life of godly, deep happiness shows the world the glorious joy of knowing God
Happiness is worship – let’s find out how
Wisdom Makes You Happy
Wisdom Makes You Happy
The Pursuit of Happiness
The Pursuit of Happiness
What we think makes us happy
What we think makes us happy
What makes you happy?
Spouse, friends, entertaiment/hobbies (sport & music), possessions
Ipsos study referenced above says health, family & purpose are what make us happy
Those seem like good answers (probably doesn’t reveal whole truth)
What happens when those things let us down?
Health deteriorates, spouse disappoints us or we lose our job
What will make us happy
What will make us happy
Interestingly, our text deals with the things we think will bring us happiness
And also the things we don’t say but pursue for happiness
Length of days = health
Riches, honour, pleasure, peace
These are some of the things we think will bring us happiness
Solomon teaches these don’t bring happiness but are a result of happiness
Prov. 3:13 uses ‘happy’ in other places we see the word ‘blessed’
Both speak of same thing
Not just a feeling of joy or temporary high mood
Happy / blessed is a deeper state
It’s to be satisfied, inwardly content
State of joy that comes from being right with God
It’s not just whether you smile or laught
It’s not just a feeling so deep within that it doesn’t reach your face either
Its a satisfaction in my soul that effects the way I act and look (smile)
Wisdom brings happiness
When Solomon asked for wisdom God also gave more (in a unique way to Solomon)
Wisdom never comes alone - wisdom promises happiness
Jesus says it this way:
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
The Promises of Wisdom
The Promises of Wisdom
Precious (Prov. 3:14-16)
Precious (Prov. 3:14-16)
Wisdom is of immense value
What wisdom provides no amount of money can buy
Saying: “Money can’t buy happiness but it can buy the things that make us happy”
You can buy or acquire a lot of things to enjoy but they won’t make you happy
Wisdom provides what everyone of us is seeking
Wisdom is better than anything else you can desire
Nothing is more valuable to you than wisdom
Nothing else in all of this world will bring you happiness
Jesus tells of the value of wisdom like this:
44 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
It is worth selling everything you have to gain
Solomon calls it ‘wisdom’; Jesus calls it ‘the kingdom of heaven’
Remember Proverbs 1:7
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Wisdom is about being in a right relationship with God & so is your happiness
Your state of happiness is a direct result of your relationship with God
Your happiness depends on Jesus
Jesus is the way through which peace with God is attained – through which our relationship with creator God is restored
Pleasant (Prov. 3:17)
Pleasant (Prov. 3:17)
Her ways are the ways of pleasantness
The way of wisdom is beautiful, delightful, enjoyable, pleasurable
1 of the great pursuits of humanity has been to find happiness in pleasure (hedonism)
Sin tells us that our happiness is found in fulfilling our desires
This is a lie, sin isn’t pleasant, beautiful or satisfying
Sin, desire to please ourselves, only leads to destruction
31 Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, And be filled to the full with their own fancies. 32 For the turning away of the simple will slay them, And the complacency of fools will destroy them;
Ways of wisdom are pleasant because they are the ways of truth, love, hope, faith
Wisdom is the way of integrity, honesty & goodness
Wisdom is the way of self-control, patience, perseverance
Fear of the Lord, wisdom, leads to true pleasure
Peaceful (Prov. 3:17-18)
Peaceful (Prov. 3:17-18)
Wisdom brings happiness in the pleasures of mind too
That is, her paths are peace
Wisdom empowers us to overcome worry, anxiety, fear
10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.
Wisdom teaches us who to trust
Wisdom teaches us how to trust
Protects us from discouragement
Fills us with hope
13 My son, eat honey because it is good, And the honeycomb which is sweet to your taste; 14 So shall the knowledge of wisdom be to your soul; If you have found it, there is a prospect, And your hope will not be cut off.
Wisdom makes the trouble of life bearable
Wisdom brings happiness by bringing us peace of soul
How To Be Happy
How To Be Happy
A Picture of a Happy Life
A Picture of a Happy Life
Contentment
Contentment
20 A faithful man will abound with blessings, But he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.
God supplies the needs of those who do the work
Happiness doesn’t come through the pursuit of riches
1 Timothy 6:9 “9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.”
Diligence
Diligence
29 Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before unknown men.
Happiness comes from doing a job well
Pursue to be the best you can
Trust
Trust
17 Do not let your heart envy sinners, But be zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day;
Trust God, don’t listen to bad advice of peers
Don’t desire what they have - not worth it
Honesty
Honesty
22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, But those who deal truthfully are His delight.
That the truth sets free rightly implies that falsehood and lies ensnare
Humility
Humility
34 Surely He scorns the scornful, But gives grace to the humble.
Pride always sends us to destruction
Pride robs of happiness while we constantly fight to protect our appearance
Perseverance (Prov. 24:16)
Perseverance (Prov. 24:16)
16 For a righteous man may fall seven times And rise again, But the wicked shall fall by calamity.
Perseverance is a hallmark characteristic of saved people
In temporal things and in our journey to heaven
Wise people persevere and find happiness in it
Perseverance leads us to our great, eternal happiness
Faithfulness
Faithfulness
Children
8 My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother; 9 For they will be a graceful ornament on your head, And chains about your neck.
Parents
6 Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.
Husbands
22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the Lord.
Wives
1 The wise woman builds her house, But the foolish pulls it down with her hands.
The Pathway to a Happy Life
The Pathway to a Happy Life
Find Wisdom
Find Wisdom
13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding;
To find wisdom is to find God
To find wisdom is to believe Jesus
Proverbs 1:23 “23 Turn at my rebuke; Surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.”
Prov. 3:18 tells us not just to find wisdom but hold fast
It’s about receiving Jesus, turning to follow Him
Not just picking what you like or thinking well of Jesus
Fear God
Fear God
14 Happy is the man who is always reverent, But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.
Natural outgrowth of finding wisdom
Happiness is found in worship
Not just singing, praise, church, etc.
Worship with your life
Follow Instruction
Follow Instruction
18 Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; But happy is he who keeps the law.
Happiness comes through obedience to God
God’s law isn’t binding but freeing
Sets the bounds in which we can find true happiness
Outside of His law is trouble, fear, danger
Holiness leads to happiness
Conclusion
Conclusion
How does wisdom make us happy?
Holding on to wisdom makes our life like a tree of life
Reminds us of Psalm 1:3
3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.
Also reminds us of Jesus’ words
5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.
Life lived with Jesus and in pursuit of the ways of Jesus is a life full of genuine happiness
Practical nature of Proverbs is God’s guide to happiness
Are you happy this morning?
If not, it’s for 1 of 2 reasons:
Both are about the fear of the Lord
Firstly, you aren’t saved - there is no happiness, satisfaction or peace without Jesus
Secondly, if you are certain that you are saved, you’re not happy because you’re not following Jesus
What do you need to do this morning to find happiness?
Believe Jesus as Saviour
Repent of your sin, turn from pursuing yourself and empty forms of happiness
Follow Jesus, obey what His Word