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Introduction:
Life can be confusing. Almost everyone struggles with their identity and eventually joins the quest for finding purpose in life. We spend our days trying to be in charge, achieve, and belong. These struggles are all elements of the journey to discovering what life is all about. Incorrect assumptions of the purpose of life can lead to bad decisions and empty and distracted living, but finding the true purpose of life leads to focused and fulfilled living.
“Be on your guard, so that your minds are not dulled from carousing, drunkenness, and worries of life, or that day will come on you unexpectedly 35like a trap. For it will come on all who live on the face of the whole earth.” —Luke 21:34-35
This collection of talks will provide answers from the Bible to four of the most important questions people ask:
September 5th “Why Am I Here on This Earth?”
September 12th “Can I Be Happy and Fulfilled in Life?”
September 19th “How Do I Make the Most of My Life?”
September 26th “What Happens After I Leave This Earth?”
Text: Ecclesiastes 2:16-23; 6:6; Matthew 5:3-10 (Old & New Testament, CSB)
THINK WEEK #2: “Can I Be Happy and Fulfilled in Life?”
Today’s Takeaway:
Your quality of life is more important than your quantity of life.
I. SOLOMON’S
FOR HAPPINESS ON THIS EARTH
A.
“Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.” —1 Corinthians 3:18-20 (KJV)
B.
“By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; 25and chose to suffer with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26For he considered reproach for the sake of Christ to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, since he was looking ahead to the reward.” —Hebrews 11:24-26
C.
“And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ 20But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” —Luke 12:16-21 (ESV)
D.
“Trust in your money and down you go! But the godly flourish like leaves in spring.” —Proverbs 11:28 (NLT)
E.
“And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience – 3among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ – by grace you have been saved – “ —Ephesians 2:1-5 (ESV)
“Trust God for the impossible - miracles are His department…” —Pastor David Jeremiah
The Result:
None of these things made Solomon happy. (Ecc. 2:11-23)
“So I hated life.” —Ecclesiastes 2:17
II. JESUS’
FOR HAPPINESS ON THIS EARTH
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
CONCLUSION: Where are you finding your happiness?
“Seek your happiness in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desire.” —Psalms 37:4 (Good News Bible)
DEEP DIVE QUESTIONS:
Look over the list of things that Solomon found do not satisfy us. Which one(s) have you tried to find satisfaction in and why?
Read Matthew 5:3-10 (The Beatitudes). How does Jesus’ formula go against culture?
Look over Jesus’ list in Matthew 5. Which one do you need to focus on? Why?
How can you live with eternity in mind this week?