THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS Pastor Dennis Clanton

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THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS Pastor Dennis Clanton Woodland Church Sunday, July 12, 2020 (John 17:13) “Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy.” (Romans 8:28-30) “We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.” 1. I CAN BE HAPPY IN A BROKEN WORLD. a. My bad things turn out for good. (Romans 8:28, YLT) “We have known that to those loving God all things do work together for good, to those who are called according to purpose.” b. The good things that I have cannot be lost. (Romans 8:29) For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. c. The best is yet to come. (Romans 8:30) And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.

2. EXPERIENCE TRUE HAPPINESS THROUGH A LIFE OF HUMILITY. “Humility isn’t thinking less of yourself, rather it’s thinking of yourself less.” -C. S. Lewis (Psalm 138:6) “Though the LORD is great, he cares for the humble, but he keeps his distance from the proud.” a. Humility treasures what God treasures. b. Humility helps others to know they are treasured. (Luke 14:11) “For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” 3. CULTIVATE HAPPINESS THROUGH A CONTENTED HEART. (Philippians 4:11-13, NIV) “Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. a. Contentment is learned. b. Cultivating contentment is fruitful. (Proverbs 8:19, NIV) My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver. I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me and making their treasuries full. c. Contentment is an internal state of the heart with external rewards. (Matthew 6:2, NIV) For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

4. KEEP MY FOCUS ON JESUS CHRIST.

(Philippians 1:21) For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.

GROWTHWORK • • • • • • •

What does “living” mean for you? What brings you happiness? Be a Passionate Follower of Christ. (Matthew 6:33) Stop worrying and start trusting God. (Matthew 6:25-27) Avoid resentment. (Mark 11:25) Don’t live in the past. (Philippians 3:13-14) Refuse self-pity and receive strength and power from Christ. (Philippians 4:11-13)