How to Be Truly Happy

New members meeting on the 13th; baptism on 20th

New series 4.5 months, 19 weeks - follow Jesus

Sub-contractor working on sheetrock - “Preacher, it’s gonna look so good, you wouldn’t be able to tell a difference if the ‘Man Upstairs’ did it.”

Don’t like that title, but God did come downstairs and showed us how to do it; this sermon was the rallying call for his path to discipleship

The content of the Sermon on the Mount is to be the Kingdom standard in a confused culture.

We planned this series after election because we wanted to make sure that we are following the countercultural guide for Kingdom living

DISAGREEING VIEWS - can this sermon be applied perfectly?

Jesus' words are the standard to which disciples should ultimately strive.

Give title - How to Be Truly Happy, Beatitudes (Latin phrase for “blessed are”)

Read

Who would start an international movement like this? “Blessed are the poor?”

The poor in spirit receive the kingdom of heaven.

5:3 - Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Different than being wealthy in spirit - thinks that you deserve it - different than other religions

You don't have to have it all together to be accepted by God.

You don’t have to be put together to be a part of this church; you just need to admit that you don’t have it all together

Matt. 21:31 - Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you.

Those who mourn shall be comforted.

5:4 - Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

This isn’t emotionalism; this is mourning things that deserve to be mourned

You have every right to admit that things are not the way they ought to be - in your life and in this world.

Mourn over things that Jesus mourns over - Luke 19:41 - weeps over Jerusalem - they didn’t accept Jesus for who he truly was

2020 revealed something about all of our spiritual conditions; and the world

The meek shall inherit the earth.

5:5 - Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

Meek - modest, faithful, patient, humble; typically those who inherit the earth are those who take it over; not with the Kingdom of Jesus

You don't have to prove yourself to anyone in this world.

You are loved by God so much that he would send his son to die on a cross for you - what other validation do you honestly need in this life?

Jacob wrestled with God and then stopped wrestling with others - people in the Kingdom don’t walk with a swagger but a limp

Those hungering and thirsting for righteousness will be satisfied.

5:6 - Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

You know you aren’t where you should be yet and you refuse to stay that way

You shouldn't quit if you aren't spiritually where you thought you would be by now.

Spiritual disciplines; holiness pursuits; gospel opportunities

I get more slack the more time I have

Tonight at Equip - give you a way to make a personal plan for spiritual growth in 2021

The merciful will receive mercy.

5:7 - Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

Mercy is contagious - when you realize you didn’t get what you deserve, you should be less like to want to give others what they deserve

You will be free to extend mercy when you appreciate how much of it you have personally received.

1 Cor. 13:5 - love keeps no record of wrongs; Ps. 103:12 - removes our sin as far as the east is from the west; Isa. 30:18 - longs to be gracious; Jer. 31:34 - remember their sin no more

The pure in heart will see God.

5:8 - Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

You don't have to settle for external religious activity when pure devotion prepares you to experience God.

You can behold God better if you remove the impurities you've learned to accept.

The peacemakers are children of God.

5:9 - Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

You don't have to promote or permit bitterness in relationships.

The persecuted can find joy and await a reward.

5:10-12 - Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

If you are persecuted on earth, you will be rewarded in heaven.

You don't have to be ashamed of a faith that everyone else doesn't accept.

If we were to describe the happy life, guaranteed we would describe it differently

Blessed are the wealthy in spirit; don’t have anything to be sad about; confident; those who are content in their righteousness; merciless; pure in actions; peace-takers; those who are in the safe majority

Most of our unhappiness can be traced to preferring the world's ways over Jesus' path.

Plan for series - COVID - substitute vs. supplemental; resources, Equip, website

Fanatic vs. Normal; applying this sermon in college - I think what we call fanatical Christianity is actually normal

I have a confession to make - it’s getting worse

If you want to experience the most blessed life possible, you must live it according to the One who gave it to you.