Be Blessed
Notes
Transcript
Welcome
Welcome
Quarterly Meeting April 25th
Intro
Intro
Message
Message
Following Christ is Demanding!!
It calls for changed lives, but we seem to be lacking in a crucial area—joy and happiness. Let us look at what we want so badly but of which we have so little.
The Focus of Happiness
The Focus of Happiness
Defining
what happiness is not
fun
pleasure
physical gratification
security
what happiness is
state of satisfaction
attitude of life
peace with God
Sourcing
where it is not
in entertainment
in constant activity
freedom or independence
in this world
where it is
found only in God… Christ…
The Facts of Happiness
The Facts of Happiness
Joy in the journey / begins with the beginning
not reserved for future only
Happiness depends on traveler not journey
Happiness by active participation not hand sitting
Happiness is endless into eternity
Pursuit of happiness - the right way - duty
Does not come through things that cannot produce…
The Fount of Happiness
The Fount of Happiness
Accepting God’s will
Living out obedience
Christlikeness
trusting God
eyes on serving rather then self
Christian Character
Christian Character
Happiness is found not in what we have, but in what we are. This blessedness belongs to every Christ-like character. Each with its own reward!
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Not spiritually poor but those who humbly recognize their spiritual neediness...
Isa 57.15 - For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.
Happy are those who realize their need for salvation, for they will receive eternal life.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Not for the dead, nor for missing the kingdom - sin
enemies of the cross… Jesus’s glory!!
Happy are those who grieve over their sin and the sins of others, for God will forgive them and one day set the world right.
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Such was Christ such must we be
not much now… inheritance
Rev 20.6 - Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.
Dan 7.22 - until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given for the saints of the Most High, and the time came when the saints possessed the kingdom.
Happy are those who choose submission to God over selfishness, for they will be given what the world cannot offer.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
desire, longing, satisfaction… not after the world
grumbling tummy… cravings of the new man
one day awaken as He is
Isa 29.8 - As when a hungry man dreams, and behold, he is eating, and awakes with his hunger not satisfied, or as when a thirsty man dreams, and behold, he is drinking, and awakes faint, with his thirst not quenched, so shall the multitude of all the nations be that fight against Mount Zion.
Isa 55.1-2 - “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.
Happy are those who find their source of satisfaction in God, for they will experience true joy, purpose, and fulfillment.
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Mercy showed so mercy shown… Mercy upon mercy
Happy are those who’ve allowed God’s grace to so envelope their lives that they show it to others, for they will experience the true joys of forgiveness.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
heart right with God… delighting in what pleases Him… open to the light of His leading
new heart… stone / flesh
Heb 12.14 - Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
Happy are those who’ve been forgiven by the grace of Jesus Christ, for they will see God.
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Peacemaker because He has / experiencing peace
Reconciled to God… the son of the father…
Happy are those who are reconciled to God and bring that peace and hope to others, for they are His children.
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Blessed / Blessed / Rejoice
2 Cor 4.17 - For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,
Happy are those who endure persecution for the sake of the Gospel, their body may be hurt, but their soul will be untouched.
Close
Close
Are you happy?
As happy as you should be?
If not, it is almost certain two things are needful.
Some area(s) of disobedience must be cleared up.
Some areas of christ like ness must be pursued.
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