Beyond Happiness: Seeking God's True Purpose for Us
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. It's a joy to see the great things God is doing in our lives, especially with our youth camps and upcoming mission trips. Today, we continue our series "I Never Said That," focusing on the misconception that "God just wants me to be happy." This idea, though popular, is not aligned with God's true intentions for us. Believing that God’s primary goal is our happiness can lead us astray, making us question His love or existence when we face trials.
The truth is, God delights in our happiness but prioritizes our growth and deeper joy. Like a loving father who sometimes foregoes his child's immediate happiness for their long-term well-being, God sees the bigger picture. Happiness is fleeting and circumstantial, but God offers something far more enduring: blessedness. This blessedness includes fulfillment, salvation, love, and purpose, which are not dependent on our circumstances.
We explored how chasing happiness can lead to dangerous paths, such as justifying sin, broken relationships, and even addiction. Instead, we should seek God's will and trust Him, knowing that His plans for us are deeper and more fulfilling than mere happiness. Jesus emphasized seeking God's kingdom first, promising that everything else will fall into place.
In conclusion, we must ask ourselves whether we are seeking happiness or God's will. One is temporary and fleeting, while the other is eternal and fulfilling. God loves us so much that He is willing to forego our immediate happiness for our ultimate blessedness.
### Key Takeaways
1. God's Priority is Not Our Happiness: While God delights in our happiness, it is not His primary goal. Like a loving father, He sometimes foregoes our immediate happiness for our long-term well-being. This deeper love ensures that we grow and mature in ways that fleeting happiness cannot provide. [23:48]
2. Happiness is Fleeting, Blessedness is Eternal: Happiness is a temporary, circumstantial feeling that comes and goes. In contrast, blessedness is a state of fulfillment, salvation, love, and purpose that endures regardless of our circumstances. This is what God truly desires for us. [28:36]
3. Chasing Happiness Can Lead to Sin: Believing that God’s primary goal is our happiness can justify sinful behaviors. If we think that whatever makes us happy is God's will, we may end up pursuing things that are contrary to His teachings, leading to broken relationships and spiritual emptiness. [29:09]
4. Seek God's Kingdom First: Jesus taught us to seek God's kingdom and His righteousness first. When we align our hearts with God's will, everything else falls into place. This alignment brings a deeper sense of fulfillment and purpose that mere happiness cannot achieve. [30:31]
5. Trials and Suffering Have a Purpose: Contrary to the belief that God wants us to be perpetually happy, the Bible teaches that trials and suffering are part of our spiritual growth. These experiences deepen our faith and bring us closer to God, offering a joy that transcends mere happiness. [22:54]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[18:25] - Youth Camps and Mission Trips
[19:27] - Series Introduction: "I Never Said That"
[20:16] - Misconception: God Wants Me to Be Happy
[21:16] - The Danger of Misinterpreting God's Will
[22:03] - Biblical Perspective on Trials
[23:48] - God's Deeper Love and Priorities
[25:08] - Parental Analogy: Foregoing Immediate Happiness
[28:36] - Happiness vs. Blessedness
[29:09] - The Danger of Chasing Happiness
[30:31] - Seek First the Kingdom of God
[32:06] - Misguided Pursuits: Relationships and Money
[34:01] - The Fleeting Nature of Wealth
[36:21] - Generosity and God's Purpose for Wealth
[37:20] - The Illusion of Happiness in Addictions
[39:00] - The Fleeting Pleasures of Sin
[40:27] - The Original Sin: Seeking Happiness Over Obedience
[42:16] - God's Desire to Bless Us
[44:15] - Personal Testimony: Finding Blessing in Trials
[47:24] - What It Means to Be Blessed
[48:36] - Trusting God Over Seeking Happiness
[50:49] - The Deeper Joy in Following God's Will
[51:23] - Final Reflection: Seeking Happy or God's Will?
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 6:33 - "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
2. James 1:2-4 - "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
3. 1 Peter 4:12-13 - "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed."
### Observation Questions
1. According to the sermon, what is the danger of believing that "God just wants me to be happy"? ([20:16])
2. How does the sermon describe the difference between happiness and blessedness? ([28:36])
3. What analogy does the pastor use to explain why God might forego our immediate happiness? ([25:08])
4. What does Jesus teach us to seek first, according to the sermon? ([30:31])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does the pastor argue that happiness is fleeting and cannot be the primary goal for Christians? ([28:01])
2. How does the concept of trials and suffering contribute to our spiritual growth, according to James 1:2-4 and the sermon? ([22:54])
3. What does it mean to seek God's kingdom first, and how does this align with the sermon’s message? ([30:31])
4. How does the pastor's personal testimony illustrate the difference between happiness and blessedness? ([44:15])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you prioritized your happiness over God's will. What was the outcome, and how might you approach a similar situation differently now? ([29:09])
2. How can you shift your focus from seeking happiness to seeking God's kingdom in your daily life? What practical steps can you take this week? ([30:31])
3. Think of a recent trial or challenge you faced. How did it impact your faith, and what did you learn about God's purpose for you through that experience? ([22:54])
4. In what ways can you cultivate a deeper sense of blessedness in your life, beyond just seeking temporary happiness? ([28:36])
5. How can you support others in your small group or community who might be struggling with the misconception that God’s primary goal is their happiness? ([20:16])
6. Identify one area of your life where you might be justifying sinful behavior because it makes you happy. How can you realign this area with God's will? ([29:09])
7. How can you practice seeking God's kingdom first in your relationships, work, and personal goals? Share one specific action you will take this week to prioritize God's will. ([30:31])
Devotional
Day 1: God's Deeper Love and Priorities
God's Priority is Not Our Happiness
God's love for us is profound and multifaceted. While He delights in our happiness, it is not His primary goal. Like a loving father who sometimes foregoes his child's immediate happiness for their long-term well-being, God sees the bigger picture. He prioritizes our growth, maturity, and deeper joy over fleeting happiness. This deeper love ensures that we grow and mature in ways that temporary happiness cannot provide. When we face trials and challenges, it is not a sign of God's absence or lack of love but rather His commitment to our ultimate good. [23:48]
God's intention is to cultivate in us a character that reflects His own, which often requires enduring hardships and learning through experiences. This process, though sometimes painful, leads to a more profound and lasting joy that transcends our circumstances. Understanding this can help us trust in God's plan, even when it doesn't align with our immediate desires for happiness.
Hebrews 12:10-11 (ESV): "For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you seeking immediate happiness over long-term growth? How can you trust God's deeper love and priorities for you today?
Day 2: The Enduring Nature of Blessedness
Happiness is Fleeting, Blessedness is Eternal
Happiness is a temporary, circumstantial feeling that comes and goes. It is often dependent on external factors and can be easily disrupted by life's challenges. In contrast, blessedness is a state of fulfillment, salvation, love, and purpose that endures regardless of our circumstances. This blessedness is what God truly desires for us. It is a deeper, more enduring joy that is rooted in our relationship with Him and our understanding of His eternal promises. [28:36]
When we focus on seeking blessedness rather than happiness, we align ourselves with God's will and purpose for our lives. This shift in perspective allows us to experience a joy that is not swayed by the ups and downs of life. It is a joy that comes from knowing we are loved, saved, and purposed by God, and it sustains us through all seasons.
Psalm 1:1-3 (ESV): "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers."
Reflection: How can you shift your focus from seeking temporary happiness to pursuing the enduring blessedness that God offers? What practical steps can you take today to align your heart with God's will?
Day 3: The Danger of Justifying Sin
Chasing Happiness Can Lead to Sin
Believing that God’s primary goal is our happiness can lead us to justify sinful behaviors. If we think that whatever makes us happy is God's will, we may end up pursuing things that are contrary to His teachings. This can result in broken relationships, spiritual emptiness, and a life that is out of alignment with God's purpose for us. [29:09]
When we chase happiness at all costs, we risk compromising our values and making choices that harm ourselves and others. True fulfillment comes from living in accordance with God's will, even when it requires sacrifice and self-discipline. By seeking God's guidance and aligning our desires with His, we can avoid the pitfalls of sin and experience a deeper, more lasting joy.
James 1:14-15 (ESV): "But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death."
Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you have justified sinful behavior in the pursuit of happiness? How can you seek God's will and make choices that align with His teachings today?
Day 4: Aligning with God's Kingdom
Seek God's Kingdom First
Jesus taught us to seek God's kingdom and His righteousness first. When we align our hearts with God's will, everything else falls into place. This alignment brings a deeper sense of fulfillment and purpose that mere happiness cannot achieve. By prioritizing God's kingdom, we find that our needs are met in ways that surpass our expectations. [30:31]
Seeking God's kingdom first means putting His values, principles, and purposes above our own desires. It involves trusting that God knows what is best for us and that His plans are for our ultimate good. As we focus on living out His will, we experience a peace and joy that transcends our circumstances and brings true contentment.
Matthew 6:33-34 (ESV): "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."
Reflection: What does it mean for you to seek God's kingdom first in your daily life? How can you prioritize His will and trust that everything else will fall into place?
Day 5: Finding Purpose in Trials
Trials and Suffering Have a Purpose
Contrary to the belief that God wants us to be perpetually happy, the Bible teaches that trials and suffering are part of our spiritual growth. These experiences deepen our faith and bring us closer to God, offering a joy that transcends mere happiness. Trials are not a sign of God's absence but rather an opportunity for us to rely on His strength and grow in our relationship with Him. [22:54]
When we face difficulties, it is important to remember that God is with us and that He has a purpose for our suffering. These challenges can refine our character, strengthen our faith, and draw us closer to Him. By trusting in God's plan and seeking His presence in the midst of our trials, we can find a deeper joy and peace that goes beyond our circumstances.
1 Peter 1:6-7 (ESV): "In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."
Reflection: How have trials and suffering in your life brought you closer to God? What steps can you take to trust in His purpose and find joy in the midst of your challenges today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "The things you believe direct your life. The things that you believe, what you believe, are what guides your life. And if we're believing something, that's not really what God said. Then that's going to direct a part of our life in a way that we don't really want. So it's good to look at these things." [19:27](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "God delights in our happiness. Okay. But as our loving Father, and that's who He is. Remember, we're children, we become a child of God. He is our loving Father. But as a loving Father, that is not His priority. That's not the priority. Because that's what a loving Father will do. A, a Father who loves, He will, He will forego. Because we delight as parents. We do." [23:48](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Happiness is going to come and go. Happiness will not stay. I don't care what you do. It won't stay. You can take, you can take a pill to make you happy. Right? I mean, you can. You can take a medication. Woo! I'm happy. Woo! I feel great. I feel amazing! Right? But it won't stay. You can't. And that's the, that's where ODs happen is people are trying to stay at a place. It's impossible to stay. You cannot stay happy." [27:44](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Seek first the kingdom of God. You seek God first. Say, God. Your will is what I'm seeking first. Happy is not my goal. My goal is to please you. And to do your will. Seek first the kingdom of God. And his righteousness. And then these things will be added to you. You'll see that the things that God will place in your life. If your heart is aligned with God. You'll see how things fall further into place." [30:31](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "God seeks to make you blessed. See, Jesus came here to seek and save the lost. He was about, He came here not to give you a better mortgage payment. But He came here to seek and save the lost. He is all about your eternity. And God wants you blessed. Blessed is way deeper than happy. Blessed, it doesn't flee. It doesn't come and go. Blessed is a life." [42:16](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "If you believe that this whole thing of God just wants me to be happy. If you believe that. If that is, is the priority. You being happy is the priority for God. Then it will become yours too. It will become your priority. If you think God's priority is you being happy. Then it becomes your priority. Because in your mind. And this is America. Right? Whatever makes me happy must be God's will. If he wants me to be happy. Then whatever makes me happy is God's will. Whatever it is. Even if it's sin. Because whatever it is. If it makes me happy. God just wants me to be happy. Then, you know, I'm going to. It's going to be good. And that's where it leads to." [29:09](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "I remember this day when I just came to my breaking point. I was just, I was done right. I mean God you've pushed me I just can't go anymore I'm done and so I remember because Mitchell wanted to go uh this guy invited him to go to this party and he's like I just really want to go just everybody this grave is gonna be there and all that and I just was tired of fighting the battle I just said okay go ahead fine go ahead you're good it's okay and I remember I walked out the back door and I sat on the driveway I just sat on the driveway and I just dealt with God I'm like God I can't believe all this happened and I can't even tell him I can't even bring joy my family I am just I'm just I was just broken I was just I was just so broken uh on the driveway and I remember at that moment I looked over and Mitchell was sitting next to me and oh shoot let me a second you know y'all talk amongst yourselves um and he sat down next to me he said dad I'm in this with you and if you don't want me to go I don't need to go because I want you to be proud of me and at that moment I was not happy but I was blessed that was that moment what God did with my son in a moment yeah I was not happy but I was so blessed and if you ask me me any moment which one of them I would have taken at that second I would every day every day blessed that's what God wants he wants something way deeper than we're chasing a happy you know" [44:15](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "While I was at camp, we had this night. It's probably about, my days are running together coming from this. But I was with the 11th grade guys. And I remember one night, it was so, I don't know, it was overwhelming. Because they were just all just, for their friends who they loved, and they cared for, they were broken for their loss, for their salvation. And they were just broken that they're not experiencing God's joy and God's love. And they were just broken. And they found that they were just in the floor, just, they were weeping. Just wanting this, just this love that was so powerful. They were wanting this for others. And I joined them. I sat there with them. And those guys in their moments of weeping, they were not happy. They But they were so. So blessed. They were so blessed. And that is what God ultimately wants for us. He wants, when we follow Him, seek His plan." [50:02](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Blessed includes fulfillment having see you're just maybe not but you are fulfilled right you're like I'm just I'm just fulfilled and salvation that's the thing he came for I it's it's the life it's not just now it's eternal it's forever and ever this is the reason Jesus died on the cross this is it and so for salvation and and you're full of love and you have a purpose that's blessed and that's what he keeps saying he wants for us but if we're seeking happiness above God then we all will it just falls apart so I know I know you you may have heard some of these these teachings that yes he just that's what he wants and he does delight in it but it's not his priority his priority is your eternity and he wants to bless you wants to give you a blessed life his way and over that I like to i would say now that you've got fucking faith right it means a lot of time what you don't have right now is that we've got to have a blessing and we've got to keep on moments all over that over time one fatefulasz πεki some of the times you think that binding will let you down so now there's time and it looks like you have a blessing and very this time hopefully something about the day person who lives like that today so I'm going to listen and do it for a moment you in that moment in your life this in your life right now how are you doing this is the way that – master u o" [47:24](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "In the Lord, right? You're not trusting your finances. It's like, well, I just want to get enough money so I don't have to depend on God for anything. No, you trust in the Lord. Who's trust in the Lord? He is like a tree planted by the water. And you see, the vision that he's giving you there is a tree planted by the water. Its roots are going down in that stream. That's where its roots are. And the environment around it is not going to change it, right? It can go through a drought and all of these other plants who just had these surface roots, right? They all die. They all fall away. They never make it. But this tree is like, no, I'm rooted in the living water. And my environment doesn't change me. I'm rooted in something that brings life. I'm rooted in something that's going to be way, way deeper than that. And so the environment can change. But me rooted in the living water, that's going to carry me. You see? You see, this is God. God wants way deeper than that. And so you have to trust him and follow him. And he will show you that." [49:16](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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