Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness
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What Is True Freedom?
What Is True Freedom?
LIFE: The Ability to live life as God intended
Identity (vs 9)
Power (vs 9)
Purpose (vs 10)
LIBERTY: The Authority to live life as God intended
Permission (11-14)
Freedom (vs. 16)
PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS: The Desire to live life as God intended
Will (vs. 11-15)
Wisdom (vs 16-17)
LIFE: The Ability to live life as God intended (vs 9-10)
Our Identity in Christ
We need to know who we are.
Chosen
Royalty
Holy
We need to know Whose we are.
God’s possession - purchased...
God’s priesthood
God’s people
God’s Power
so that…enabled to do it
not of my own strength
not of my own devices
Holy Spirit power.
If God asks us to do it, He will empower us to do it.
Holy Spirit gifts.
If God asks us to do it, He will equip us to do it.
God’s Purpose
So that we we may proclaim (vs. 9)
make widely known
the excellencies of Him who called us out of darkness.
So that because of your good deeds (vs. 12)
quality and character rather than benevolent
more about living life in the right way.
even though they slander it
goody 2 shoes.
straight laced
old fashioned
Bible thumper
as they observe them
in the end, they will glorify God
“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
So that by doing good (vs. 15)
This word is benevolent deeds.
you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.
LIBERTY: The Authority to live life as God intended (vs 11-14)
Permission
With the ability to live life as God intends, it by nature comes with authority.
Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness.
Not surprising, God gave us the mandate to take authority over His creation in the very beginning.
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
Our authority comes from a higher level.
John 19:11 (NASB95)
Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above...
Our citizenship then is in Heaven.
We need to view ourselves as aliens and strangers (vs 11)
We need to live in this world as if we are just pilgrims passing through.
Permission Comes from Submission
Submit…for the Lord’s sake…(vs 13)
Hupotasso - same word as in Ephesians.
To willingly place yourself under in an orderly fashion
dia -
because of / on account of the Lord - testimony
by the means of the Lord - strength
Submission in doing what is right (vs. 14)
Right as defined by God.
Implication is that current society is in general a moral society.
Society is ignoring, suppressing, or belittling the truth, but not yet killing the truth.
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.
Submit to EVERY authority
They did not live in a democracy.
Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.
In fact, Peter is writing this during Nero’s reign and around the beginnings of Nero’s persecution of the church.
The persecutions described throughout 1 Peter tend to be more of the discriminatory type.
Enduring all kinds of trials. (1:6)
Slandered as evildoers (2:12)
Suffer for doing what is right (right as defined by God) (3:14)
Insulted because of the name of Christ. (4:14)
In general, misunderstanding, alienation and slander due to holy living (1:13-16)
It applies whether or not we like what the government is doing.
freedom (vs. 16)
Acts as free men, but do not use your freedom as a covering for evil
not license
not legalism
but love
For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
Righteousness comes in this life by faith working through love. (sanctification)
For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.
THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS: The Desire to live life as God intended (vs. 11-15)
What Did The Founders Mean by the Pursuit of Happiness?
Pursuit
thought as going after, but rather practicing happiness.
It’s employing what one already has and doing what one can to make that possible for others.
Effecting people’s happiness, as in bringing about other’s safety and happiness.
Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
Happiness
Not an emotional response to favorable circumstances.
A spike of serotonin.
A rush of adrenaline.
A flooding of dopamine.
Biological responses to positive stimulus creating a desire to re-experience that feel good moment, that pleasurable experience.
Nor then is happiness a simple, light and momentary pleasure.
The Founding Fathers understood this as “Imaginary happiness”.
Things we think will bring us lasting happiness.
Thus we have Happy Hours and Happy Meals.
Indulging in the lusts of the flesh.
In our day and age, though, the pursuit of happiness has been relegated to the pursuit of pleasure.
2 Timothy 3:1–5 (NASB95)
But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.
Happiness is rather, a state of being, a quality of life, and even a choice of the will.
Love - God loves me. I have value and purpose. Devotion
Joy - God is by my side. Satisfaction in His presence. Worship
Peace - God supplies all my needs. Contentment in His provision. Thanksgiving
Galatians 5:22 (NASB95)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace...
True happiness is in the recognition that we are blessed. (makarios)
grace, mercy, and a state of wholeness.
similar to the term shalom in the Old Testament - well being
The Greek word for happiness is eudaimonia. Although this word is not in Scripture, it is linked to a word that is.
This word is linked to arete, which is the Greek word for virtue of excellence and denotes:
in a moral sense what gives man his worth and the power to live a virtuous life.
It describes those whose moral uprightness contributes to the common welfare.
Philippians 4:8 (NASB95)
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
2 Peter 1:5–7 (NASB95)
Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.
Aristotle defined the happy man as one who lives well and does well, that is, has a good life and exhibits good action, and that good life is not equivalent to wealth, honor, or pleasure. It is also one who is able to do so regardless of the situation of one’s life.
This becomes the backbone to the understanding not just of the Pursuit of Happiness, but also of Life and Liberty.
And it has nothing to do with one’s pleasures being fulfilled.
Or feeling good.
Or personal attainment.
Government is supposed to do its best to facilitate happiness in the way we are defining it, but happiness truly can only come from God.
First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
No governmental system can give this to you. It can only create a favorable environment for this to be fostered.
Back to the Desire to live life the way God intended keeping that side journey about happiness in mind…(vs. 11-17)
The Will (11-15)
The desire to live. That comes from the Holy Spirit...
So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
diligence. That comes from us.
Abstain from fleshly lusts (vs. 11)
Keep your behavior excellent (kalos) among the Gentiles (vs. 12)
The Wisdom (vs. 16-17)
conscience
Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake.
knowledge - facts
understanding - how the facts fit together in an organized manner
discernment
how to use those facts in various situations of life.
In this case submission to governing authorities in a society less and less friendly to Christians.
When we do that we experience peace and the grace of God.
If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
you are blessed. makarios. The Pursuit of Happiness...
Suffering produces some of the greatest growth in one’s life
Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
Post Traumatic Stress should lead to Post Traumatic Growth
Happiness must be able to encompass sorrow.
We must let sorrow and suffering do its work.
For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; Weeping may last for the night, But a shout of joy comes in the morning.
Wisdom to remember that we are bondslaves of God and are to live as such.
Wisdom to Remember to Honor all people
love the brotherhood
fear God
honor the King
Practical Freedom
Practical Freedom
We are Celebrating our Independence Day this week.
We are called to remember our freedom from the Tyranny of Britain.
But I want us to also remember our freedom from sin, death, and the devil.
That is the greatest freedom and we will celebrate that reminder in a few moments.
Today We Talked About Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.
LIFE: The Ability to live life as God intended
Identity (vs 9)
Power (vs 9)
Purpose (vs 10)
LIBERTY: The Authority to live life as God intended
Permission (11-14)
Freedom (vs. 16)
PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS: The Desire to live life as God intended
Will (vs. 11-15)
Wisdom (vs 16-17)
We are called to submit to governing authorities because we are submitted to God’s authority.
And we are called to use our freedom not as a cover up for evil, but to love, serve, and set other people free.
In closing there is one particular evil I am calling your attention to this morning that I would like you to start focusing your prayers on even more.
Child trafficking.
Operation Underground Railroad
Tim Ballard and child sex trafficking
The Sound of Freedom - in theaters starting July 4th. Angel studios is helping with distribution. Watch the trailer. Starring Jim Caviezel. Based on the true story of Tim Ballard’s life and his mission Operation Underground Railroad.
South India ministry we already support. Got a chance to meet and talk with them. Tell sad story of 6 year old.
We Believe -
Come As You Are -
Communion - Where True Freedom Is Found
God So Loved