Bringing Happiness to Maidenhead
Happiness • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 3 viewsYou can bring God's peace and happiness to your neighbourhood.
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Transcript
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Introduction (2m)
Introduction (2m)
Do you think Maidenhead is a happy town?
Do you think Maidenhead is a happy town?
Rightmove’s Happy at Home Index ranks ten happiness factors: including friendliness of neighbours, quality of local amenities, sense of belonging, and the quality of nature.
Here for over a year and happy
Here for over a year and happy
Neighbourly close. Cox Green - edge of lovely countryside. Area around hall/park - lovely. Picked up concerns about the town centre.
Town is not just built environment but people - welcoming, friendly, refugees, etc.
How would you feel if you were removed from here and taken away to a town of your enemies, whilst the town behind you was destroyed?
How would you feel if you were removed from here and taken away to a town of your enemies, whilst the town behind you was destroyed?
Explanation (2m)
Explanation (2m)
That’s Where God’s People Found Themselves in 597 BC
That’s Where God’s People Found Themselves in 597 BC
King Nebuchadnezzar > from Judah to Babylon. Terrible - destroyed Jerusalem, ransacked temple, ruined economy, removed leaders, enslaved people.
Israelites - languishing in captivity, depressed at their fate, abandoned, banished, condemned, exiled.
God commands them to pray for their town
God commands them to pray for their town
And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.”
God wants his people to seek the peace and prosperity of their town
God wants his people to seek the peace and prosperity of their town
Comprehensive peace and happiness: contentment, wholeness, health, prosperity, safe, restful. Harmony. Happiness. All is right with the town.
Application (2m)
Application (2m)
Our happiness, our “blessed life” and our prosperity must always be reaching out to our community and the world around us
Our happiness, our “blessed life” and our prosperity must always be reaching out to our community and the world around us
If Christian, we are commanded to do anything/everything to further public good - others can join us
If Christian, we are commanded to do anything/everything to further public good - others can join us
Good neighbour. Picking up rubbish. Clearing snow. Planting tree, flowers. Feeding poor. Volunteering here or elsewhere. School governor. Saying hello with a smile. Driving safely. Helping people who have broken down. Embracing all people in our community with the love of Christ.
If we are Christian, then pray for the peace of our town
If we are Christian, then pray for the peace of our town
Economy including justice for poor and prosperity for everyone in town. / Safety - kept safe from harm and violence on streets. Criminals transformed by love of Christ. / Politics - grant wisdom to local authority councillors and officers. / People - Lord’s blessing on all people, neighbourhood, churches, business, schools, houses for welfare of town.
If you are not a Christian, then know Maidenhead Salvation Army is praying for your peace and prosperity
If you are not a Christian, then know Maidenhead Salvation Army is praying for your peace and prosperity