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Message Notes:
ANNIVERSARY:
NEXT 5 Years:
- Our heart is for the lost…we are focused on reaching those who need Jesus…We call them Bradenton Brad and Sarasota Sally
- Our heart is for Foster Care…We want to make an even greater impact
- Our heart is to reach more people…Soon we will have to add a third service
- Our heart is for the Next Generation…More resources for our Youth and Kids
- Our heart is for spiritual growth and healthy community – More small group options
- Our heart is for missions – reaching beyond these walls
5 things Jesus did NOT say
Anniversary Sunday
John 10:27 - My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. NIV
TODAY:
Part 5:
As long as you are happy
MAIN IDEA:
Jesus doesn’t say to pursue happiness, he says to pursue righteousness.
Happiness comes and goes…but God’s joy and peace will be a constant.
Jesus…
*Matt 5:6;10 - 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled…10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. NIV
*
THE PROBLEM:
Committing to a lifestyle of pursuing personal pleasure will constantly hurt those around you and eventually lead to your own suffering and loneliness.
MAIN IDEA:
Jesus doesn’t say to pursue happiness, he says to pursue righteousness.
Happiness comes and goes…but God’s joy and peace will be a constant.
What would Jesus say about my happiness
1. True happiness comes by losing your life, not saving it.
Matthew 16:21-26 - 21 From that time [a]Jesus began to [b]point out to His disciples that it was necessary for Him to go to Jerusalem and to suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and to be killed, and to be raised up on the third day. 22 And yet Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “[c]God forbid it, Lord! This shall never [d]happen to You!” 23 But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on [e]God’s purposes, but men’s.” 24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whoever wants to save his [f]life will lose it; but whoever loses his [g]life for My sake will find it. 26 For what good will it do a person if he gains the whole world, but [h]forfeits his soul? NASB
2. We are not promised to always have happiness…but we are promised to always have joy and peace in our storms.
John 16:19-33 - 19 Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, “Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me’? 20 Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. 21 A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. 22 So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy…V. 33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” NIV
3. Happiness is temporary, heaven is eternal
Luke 12:15-21 - “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one is affluent does his life consist of his possessions.” 16 And He told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man was very productive. 17 And he began thinking to himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and I will store all my grain and my goods there. 19 And I will say to [c]myself, “You have many goods stored up for many years to come; relax, eat, drink, and enjoy yourself!”’ 20 But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night [d]your soul is demanded of you; and as for all that you have prepared, who will own it now?’ 21 Such is the one who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich in relation to God.” NASB
Turn your eyes
Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in his wonderful face.
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim. In the light of his glory and grace
MAIN IDEA:
Jesus doesn’t say to pursue happiness, he says to pursue righteousness.
Happiness comes and goes…but God’s joy and peace will be a constant.
TAKE AWAY:
The point of this message is NOT to say happiness is bad and if you serve God, you will never be happy again. In fact, my happiest moments have been because of the Lord.
The point IS that the emotion of happiness is not a good goal to pursue. The feeling of happiness comes and goes. Living like Christ and walking in His joy and peace is a much more noble goal to strive for.
Matt. 6:31-33 - 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. NIV
**2 Tips:
1. If your choice comes down to perceived happiness or doing the right thing…always do the right thing. *
2. If you are doing the right thing and the happiness hasn’t kicked in yet, know that it will come in time. But for now, expect God’s joy and peace.*
- Matt 5:10 - God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. NLT
CHALLENGE QUESTIONS:
Jesus doesn’t say to pursue happiness, he says to pursue righteousness.
What area of your life have you stopped doing the right thing in pursuit of perceived happiness? What would Jesus say to you about that if He were here now?
If you prayed the prayer to start fresh with God today text “startagain” (one word) to 97000 so we can connect with you and help you take the next steps in this amazing decision.
My Notes:
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