Sermon Series: Stop Chasing Waterfalls: Protecting Our Souls from Identity Theft (4)

Pursuit of Happiness

Generational Focus

- Don’t worry be happy

- Because I’m happy!!!

HAPPINESS: Hoping for All Possible Pleasure Instantly Now Every Single Second

The diff between happiness and joy is its object.

The object of happiness is the shifting objects of what we want:

The object of Joy is the unchanging reality of God who is for us.

SERMON: CHASE JOY BY RESTING CONTENT IN JESUS

WHAT IS CONTENTMENT? an inner spirit of freedom and discipline, the ability to conquer circumstances and situations rather than be conquered by them.

WHAT IS JOY: Joy is the internal resolve to never look at life for what It is, but from the perspective of the one who controls it.

WHAT IS JOY: The internal resolve to never look at life for what It is, but from the perspective of the one who controls it.

SO JOYFUL CONTENTMENT IS: PUTTING ALL OF MY MARBLES IN THE BASKET OF JESUS

I. Joy Contentment Is Something We Have to Learn

Philippians 4:11 ESV

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.

An Exegetical Summary of Philippians 4:11

‘to come to realize’ [LN], ‘to be taught’ [LN]

“TO COME TO REALIZE; TO BE TAUGHT”

i. Joy is not an emotion, it is a mindset; a choice

WHAT IS JOY: The internal resolve to never look at life for what It is, but from the perspective of the one who controls it.

Do not be chasing the dream of the good life; Be always chasing the delight of the God life

A. It is the focused and active pursuit of Jesus as better than my current and future experiences

To be content does not mean settling for what is but choosing Jesus Regardless.

1. In Poverty: financial, or emotional or situational

James 1:2 ESV

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,

THOSE R&B LYRICAL THEOLOGIANS - FRANKIE BEVERLY AND MAZE

JOY AND PAIN - LIKE SUNSHINE AND RAIN

“Over and over you can be sure There will be sorrow but you will endure Where there’s a flower there’s the sun and the rain Oh and it’s wonderful there both one in the same”

2. In Abundance: financial, emotional, situational, relational, etc..

If Jesus is not better than my best day then the waterfall of happiness is ruling my life not joy

B. Joy is choosing God as the focus of my present and the pursuit of my future.

Being content does not mean not being active in pursuing a bright, profitable and meaningful life. It means doing everything for one reason: Christ

Philippians 3:12 ESV

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.

Paul does one thousand things ONE WAY

II. There Is A Secret of Joyful Contentment:

Paul could be content in all circumstances - Yes because Jesus is better than every circumastance BUT ALSO, in a powerfully transforming and relational REALITY:

JESUS LOVES ME

He knew, believed and rested in the fact that, JESUS LOVED HIM. IT WAS THIS - THIS SAVING AND ETERNAL LOVE OF JESUS THAT MADE TEMPORARY PAIN AND TEMPORARY PLEASURE LESS THAN JESUS

1. The secret is that in it all – God loves me. That is the secret. Not something that mysterious; not something that needs to be solved

a. The secret is this: GOD LOVES ME

i. That is not only the banner over my life

ii. I want it to be the rule of my life

A. This is what Joy teaches us:

The secret is not how to make life work; the secret is trusting the reality

1. That the Creator of my life loves me,

2. That He cares for me

3. That He has good for me

This is a secret because not everyone knows this

i. Not everyone who attends church knows this

ii. Not everyone who has a Bible knows this

iii. But those who, today, will trust God at His Word, they can and will and do know this for themselves.

B. That is the perspective of my present

1. I don’t need to play laugh

2. I don’t need to see tears as opposite of faith

C. JOY does not say

1. “don’t cry”

2. Put on a strong face

D. Joy says:

1. NOT THAT “It is all good” – Trust your circumstances

2. BUT-He is all good – Trust Jesus who loves you

III. HOW TO BECOME A JOY CHASER

A. TRUST THE LORD

B. ACKNOWLEDGE WE HAVE PURSUED OUR HAPPINESS (PSALM 51)

C. LIVE IN THE PLACE OF ETERNAL JOY – HIS PRESENCE (PS 16:11)

D. CONNECT WITH PEOPLE WHO PURSUE JESUS