The Book of Proverbs
Part 16
"A Happy Heart"
“God of the Broken”
-Video
Last week we talked about “Broken Hearts”
What heals a broken heart?
Jesus
What prevents healing?
Not fully understanding something in the Bible.
We looked at working hard at clearly seeing God work in our brokenness because that is actually why He came.
Jesus (the Light of the world) came into darkness
Jesus (perfect and unbroken) came into a broken world.
Q: What do you want out of life?
75% = “I just want to be happy.”
What about the other 25%?
Maybe it's...
Working at the right job
Being loved
Being appreciated
Feeling financially secure
Having health
Achieving certain goals in life
Fame and fortune (Some people)
Happiness is Not Circumstantial.
Most people are NOT Happy because they think that it is dependent upon external circumstances.
Beatitudes about INSIDE Things
Matthew 5:1-13
Internal/Invisible Kingdom
“Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them. He said: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, [Those who realized their own helplessness] for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Another way this could be said;
Blessed are those humble enough to know that they owe a debt that we cannot pay.
And blessed are those who believe in Jesus who paid that debt on the cross.
Grace
Humility
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
[An “Inside” thing]
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
[An “Inside” thing]
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
[An “Inside” thing]
On the passive end of things
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
[An “Inside” thing]
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven - [An Inside & Outside thing] for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
-Matthew 5:1-13
Don’t let anyone or anything prevent you from feeling happy about something.
And don’t let anyone or anything steal the happiness that you do have.
Though you may get wet from their rain, have your parade anyway.
Our Demands & Life’s Demand
We are acting like a mature person when we meet the demands of life, rather than expecting life to meet our demands.
Our “happiness” is NOT like a flag on a flagpole, totally dependent upon the outside wind that is blowing.
[See Video for visual representation]
YOU wave the flag the way that YOU want it waved.
[As long as it is not sin]
YOU control your own happiness.
Don’t let it be dependent on other people, or circumstances.
Happiness CAN COME from outside sources, but Happiness in not “Dependent” upon them.
Happiness Killers
1. Arguing with God.
Peter’s Over-confidence in his “opinions”
Knowing better than God
“You will all fall away,” … 28 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” 29 Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.” 30 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times.” 31 But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same.”
-Mark 14:27-31
[He Denied, then wept bitterly]
Happiness Killers
2. Hypocrisy
Paul wrote: “When Peter came to Antioch, I had to oppose him to his face, for what he did was very wrong. When he first arrived, he ate with the Gentile Christians, who were not circumcised. [Which was OK] But afterward, when some friends of James came, [Jewish Christians] Peter wouldn’t eat with the Gentiles anymore. He was afraid of criticism from these people who insisted on the necessity of circumcision. Judaizers As a result, other Jewish Christians followed Peter’s hypocrisy, and even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. When I saw that they were not following the truth of the gospel message, I said to Peter in front of all the others, since you, a Jew by birth, have discarded the Jewish laws and are living like a Gentile, [Which was fine] why are you now trying to make these Gentiles follow the Jewish traditions?”
-Galatians 2:11-14
God and being hypocritical eventually makes everybody around unhappy.
Ie. Even Jesus was unhappy with Peter
“He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. 32 He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”
-Mark 8:31-33
Happiness Enhancers
1.Coming to grips with outside things.
Paul learned to be content in all circumstances, whether he was in need or had plenty.
2. Confidence that God will supply
We can be filled with gratitude and happiness because God will supply all of our needs according to his riches in Jesus.
[Philippians 4:19]
Jesus tells us not to let worry get in the way of our happiness. I’ll take care of what you will eat, drink, and wear. Instead, seek first His kingdom and righteousness.
[Matthew 6:25]
Don’t Worry, Be Happy
-Bobby McFerrin
Salt and Light = Extremely valuable
“You are the salt of the earth... 14 “You are the light of the world... 16 let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
-Matthew 5:13-16
Conclusion
Be Sincere/Not Hypocritical.
Come to grips with outside things.
Have confidence that God will provide
Don’t argue with God.
Our “happiness” is NOT like a flag on a flagpole, totally dependent upon the outside wind that is blowing.
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