Sermon Tone Analysis

It looks like we all survived Thanksgiving.

Is anyone still hungry?

I am pretty sure that what I did to the steaks, Cornish Hens, and Ham were a sin.

I spent the last few days repenting.

Now we are going into Christmas, how many of you already have your decorations up?

In our family we exchange gifts at Christmas, like so many other families do.

It is always interesting to observe people opening gifts.

Some, myself included, like to find the taped points and start unwrapping from there, almost meticulously removing the paper.

If it has a bow on it, I will untie the bow or slide it off the end of the package.

Any one else unwrap a gift like that?

I have observed others who go all in and tear into the package as if it has hurt them.

Where are you?

Those who attack the wrapping paper?

The most interesting people to watch are always the children.

Especially the young children between the ages 3-8.

They will tear into a package scream about it, almost toss it over their shoulder and grab the next one.

When they get to the last one that’s where it is really funny to me, they tear it open, toss it and ask where is the next one?

Any more?

Children are a reflection of adults in so many ways.

We adults show more restraint.

But there is in all of us a desire to get more or add to what we already have.

We have a problem with the pursuit of more.

We all want to have a good life, but we have been sold this idea that we will be happy or happier if we have more.

Especially in our capitalist materialistic culture, but it’s not an American thing.

It’s world wide.

It’s humanity.

So what makes for us having a good life?

What will really make us satisfied?

Where can we find happiness?

More! Problems with our Pursuit

Years ago I read an article about building wealth for retirement.

The focus of the article was about how much wealth do you need to have a happy retirement.

Is there a point in wealth building that people say okay that is enough now I can retire.

A researcher interviewed people in all strata of our economy.

Some were living paycheck to paycheck, others were wealthy and could conceivably go ahead and retire.

One of the questions ask was “how much more do you feel like you need for your life to be where you would content?”

Across the board the response on average was about 20-25% more than the income or wealth the person had now.

So no matter what the person had they felt they would be happier or satisfied if they could just get to 20-25% more.

It’s a lie that has been given to us from the beginning of time.

The Bible starts out with such a story.

Adam and Eve in paradise.

They are in paradise, but because of the pursuit of what they did not have.

It cost them all of it.

We pursue things with the thought that it will make our life better, will end in happiness or contentment with life and end up losing, end up suffering, end up with shame, end up in bondage of sin, end up being alienated from the ones we love and a God who loves us.

It’s paradise lost again.

The Romans and Greeks were hedonist - hedonism says the pursuit of pleasure will bring joy.

But it doesn’t bring joy, it brings shame.

Researches call the pursuit made by the writer of Ecclesiastes - Hedonic Adaptation - when a person get’s something they have wanted, but then quickly begin to think about the next thing they want.

My Truck - upgrade Shelley’s vehicle.

Or I wish my truck had....

Research has shown that when we get some material good.

Even before we get it home the luster has worn off and we are looking for the next thing.

Why?

Because things do not bring us happiness or joy.

In 1950 the average home size was 980 square feet with 3 people living there.

In 2009 the average home size had grown to 2,700 square feet with 2.5 people living there.

The size of the home doubled while the family shrunk by almost 17 percent.

In 2015 research on the average American family found that:

The majority carried $15,675 in credit card debt on average.

Had $28,000 in car loans.

Had $48,600 in student loan debt.

The mortgage was $172,043

All on a yearly income of $75,600

Another way to put it is that everyone has been sold this idea that if I use money I don’t have yet I can buy happiness.

Suntrust Bank did a study and found that the number one stress in marriages had to do with money.

We try to buy our way into happiness and joy, but end up with stress and debt.

The Bible examples

Jesus in the parable of the sower - Seed sown among the thorns is one who hears but the cares (distractions) of world and deceitfulness (lust) of riches choke the word.

David and Bathsheba - David had wives and concubines but he desired what he did not have.

Amnon and Tamar - Loved her, desired to have her so much that he raped her.

Once he had raped her.

Thought that he wanted her, but he really didn’t.

Judas - He thought he wanted the 30 pieces of silver.

But he threw it away and hung himself.

Gehazi - Nammon offered gifts to Elisha for healing.

Elisha refused, but Gehazi his servant desired them.

That was a lot of money: buy clothing, olive groves, vineyards, sheep and oxen, get some servants.

Was it worth it?

Judged with leprosy.

We spend a lot of time on the obvious sins of desire, sinful pleasures, pornography, adultery, fornication (sexual sin), the love of money.

Biblical Answer

Godliness - holiness, we shall be content (satisfied, be enough).

Reality is that the flesh is never satisfied.

Kingdom of God

The kingdom of God and His righteousness.

That is what we should make a priority in what we seek in this life.

Things of the Spirit

Relationships

Happiness index done by the U.N. seeks to understand what is making people happy.

Relationships are constantly in the top 3.

Relationship with Jesus Christ.

God’s people - Life Groups

Experiences

Baptism of the Holy Spirit - Time in worship, God’s presence.

Ending

True happiness, joy, peace is not found in the gaining more of what this world offers.

It is found in the God who created this world, the people who surround you, and the experiences of God.