Christian Hedonism

The Ultimate Motive behind everything we do is our own pleasure (delight / happiness / satisfaction)

“All men seek happiness. This is without exception. Whatever different means they employ, they all tend to this end. The cause of some going to war, and of others avoiding it, is the same desire in both, attended with different views. The will never takes the least step but to this object. This is the motive of every action of every man, even of those who hang themselves.” - Blaise Pascal

https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/10994.Blaise_Pascal

Desiring God -John Piper

Pleasures Forever More -Sam Storm

Christian Hedonism says Real lasting pleasure (joy / satisfaction) can only be found in God Himself

Psalm 16:11 ESV

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Only God can provide: path of life, fullness of joy, pleasures forevermore

Psalm 43:4 ESV

Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God.

God is the exceeding joy of the psalmist

Matthew 13:44 ESV

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

In his joy he goes. The motive behind those who seek the kingdom is joy! Ultimate lasting joy.

Romans 14:17 ESV

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

The motive of pursuing the kingdom is joy. What do we find in the kingdom? Joy, peace and righteousness.

Joy Unspeakable - https://hymnary.org/text/i_have_found_his_grace_is_all_complete

Philippians 3:7–8 ESV

But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ

Whatever was gained before has been surpassed by Christ Himself. All of the loss is worth it in the end.

The Bible actually commands us to delight ourselves in God and pursue the pleasure (joy / delight / satisfaction) that can only be found in His presence

Psalm 34:8 ESV

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

Psalm 37:4 ESV

Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Psalm 5:11 ESV

But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you.

Rejoice, Sing for Joy, Exult in You (express their happiness).

Psalm 32:11 ESV

Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!

1 Chronicles 16:10 ESV

Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!

Philippians 3:1 ESV

Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.

Philippians 4:4 ESV

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.

1 Peter 4:13 ESV

But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

Revelation 19:7 ESV

Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready;

God is more glorified by a heart that seeks Him than hands that merely do their duty

Psalm 50:1 ESV

The Mighty One, God the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting.

A new heart:

Jeremiah 24:7 ESV

I will give them a heart to know that I am the Lord, and they shall be my people and I will be their God, for they shall return to me with their whole heart.

Jeremiah 32:39 ESV

I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for their own good and the good of their children after them.

Ezekiel 18:31 ESV

Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel?

Ezekiel 36:26 ESV

And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

We have to do right because we delight in God

Philippians 2:12–13 ESV

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Next Week:

How do these truths tie in with Conversion

How do these truths tie in with Sanctification