Happiness Is…

Matthew 5:2–12 NASB95

2 He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying, 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 “Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10 “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12 “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Let me read it to you from the Good News Translation:

Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor; the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them!

Happy are those who mourn; God will comfort them!

Happy are those who are humble; they will receive what God has promised!

Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires; God will satisfy them fully!

Happy are those who are merciful to others; God will be merciful to them!

Happy are the pure in heart; they will see God!

Happy are those who work for peace; God will call them his children!

Happy are those who are persecuted because they do what God requires; the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them!

Happy are you when people insult you and persecute you and tell all kinds of evil lies against you because you are my followers. (Matthew 5:3-11)

Introduction:

(5:3) Blessed (makarios): spiritual joy and satisfaction that lasts regardless of conditions; that carries one through pain, sorrow, loss, and grief.

Thought 1. “To be blessed” is what men seek. The problem is that they seek it in the things of this earth: position, money, fame, power, and sensual pleasure.

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Mt. 6:19–21).

“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty” (2 Co. 6:17–18).

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world” (1 Jn. 2:15–16).

Three things are needed for training and preparation: a place, a time, and a message. The words “He went up … and when He was set” seem to be saying that Jesus had deliberately chosen this place and time for this training. All had been planned; Jesus was personally prepared. (What a lesson too often neglected.)

Points:

What to remember regarding the Beatitudes:

Happiness is found in character not in possessions.

Every one of these Beatitudes is something internal, not external; something you are not, something you have.

God would never ask you to do or be something that is not possible.

God never makes His Word, His promises, or His challenges unattainable. God never directs us into dead-ends.

God always leaves a gap (of dependency).

You can’t practice the beatitudes without God. Which means you can’t be happy without God.

These beatitudes are not natural for us. We need God to instill them into us and direct us.

We look to God to help us. And He will. Eight times Jesus says we can be happy.

Prayer of Salvation (Decided)

John 3:3 - No man can see the Kingdom of Heaven, but by Me.

John 3:5 - …You must be born again; Don’t look for autonomy when God has given us simplicity.

A - Admit (Admitting I’m a sinner. My goodness is not good enough, I need help. I was born with a condition called sin, all of us were; all have sin and fall short of the glory of God. That’s God’s Word! And I can’t fix it with money, self medicating, good deeds, it’s only through the cross.) Something is broken on the inside. I don’t need a chance I need a second birth. I’m a mistaker in need of correction, I’m a sinner in need of a Savior.

B - Believe (Believing that God sent His Son to be my substitute. He didn’t just die for me He died instead of me. We can’t get there on our own we have to believe. He became my sin barrier.

C - Confess (Confess Him as Lord. You’re in charge of my life. Not just for 75mins of a church service but for my entire life.)

Sinners Prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus I believe You’re the Son of God, I believe that on the cross you took my sins, my shame, and my guilt and You died for it. You faced hell for me so I wouldn’t have to go. You rose from the dead for me to give me a place in Heaven, a purpose on earth, and a relationship with Your Father. Today Lord Jesus I turn from my sins to be born again.

(Shout it)

GOD IS MY FATHER

JESUS IS MY SAVIOR

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS MY HELPER

AND HEAVEN IS MY HOME!

In Jesus Name Amen!