Finding True Happiness Through Holiness and Christ
Summary
### Summary
Today, we began a new series titled "I Just Want to Be Happy." This phrase, often spoken with modesty, reflects a common human desire. However, the pursuit of happiness is more complex than it appears. We often think that happiness is contingent on our external circumstances aligning perfectly with our desires. But if that were true, we would be in constant turmoil because life rarely goes as planned.
God, who created us and knows us intimately, desires our happiness. This is not in conflict with His desire for our holiness. In fact, true and lasting happiness is intertwined with holiness and Christ-like character. Just as parents want their children to be ultimately happy, even if it means denying them immediate gratification, God wants our ultimate happiness, which often involves developing our character and holiness.
We are unique beings created in God's image, designed to experience life on a divine level. This divine design means that our deepest happiness comes from living in union with Christ. Jesus emphasized this by saying that we must stay united with Him to bear fruit and live a productive life. This union involves daily, conscious interaction with Christ, seeking His guidance, strength, and forgiveness.
Our pursuit of happiness is also influenced by our expectations. Unrealistic expectations can lead to disappointment and disillusionment. Jesus warned us that in this world, we will have trouble, but He has overcome the world. Understanding that life is a brief, developmental journey helps us adjust our expectations and focus on eternal happiness.
Finally, we have some control over our happiness. By turning away from evil, doing good, and seeking peace, we can improve our happiness quotient. God has given us the tools and the guidance to be happier, even in this imperfect world. As we leave today, let's seize the opportunity to align our lives with God's design and pursue the happiness He desires for us.
### Key Takeaways
1. Happiness and Holiness are Intertwined: True happiness is not just about external circumstances but about developing Christ-like character. God desires our ultimate happiness, which is achieved through holiness. Just as parents deny immediate gratification for their children's long-term well-being, God shapes our character for our ultimate joy. [40:38]
2. Union with Christ is Essential: We are designed to live in constant union with Christ. This means daily, conscious interaction with Him, seeking His guidance, strength, and forgiveness. Just as a fish needs water, we need Christ to be fully alive and truly happy. [55:20]
3. Adjusting Expectations: Unrealistic expectations can lead to disappointment. Jesus warned us that we will face trouble in this world. By adjusting our expectations to align with this reality, we can be happier. Understanding that life is a brief, developmental journey helps us focus on eternal happiness. [01:11:40]
4. The Impact of Evil: Evil is pervasive in our world, and it disrupts our happiness. Recognizing this helps us adjust our expectations and understand that ultimate happiness is only possible in a world free from evil, which God promises in the new heaven and new earth. [01:13:29]
5. Practical Steps to Happiness: We have some control over our happiness by turning away from evil, doing good, and seeking peace. These actions align with our divine design and improve our happiness quotient. God has given us the tools to be happier, even in this imperfect world. [01:16:07]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[39:35] - Introduction to Happiness
[40:07] - Definition of Happiness
[40:38] - Happiness vs. Holiness
[41:24] - Parental Analogy
[42:18] - Ultimate vs. Immediate Happiness
[43:22] - God's Higher Ways
[44:40] - Universal Desire for Happiness
[45:55] - Achieving Greater Happiness
[47:10] - Promise of Eternal Happiness
[48:11] - Happiness and Christ-like Character
[49:09] - Understanding Our Divine Design
[50:17] - Created in God's Image
[51:36] - Fullness of God in Christ
[52:26] - Christ's Love for Us
[54:59] - Union with Christ
[56:07] - Living with Christ Daily
[58:03] - True Followers of Christ
[59:21] - Experiencing Truth and Freedom
[01:01:13] - Awareness of Eternity
[01:03:57] - Realistic Expectations
[01:05:26] - Brevity of Life
[01:09:31] - Life as a Developmental Journey
[01:11:40] - Expecting Trouble
[01:13:29] - Impact of Evil
[01:16:07] - Practical Steps to Happiness
[01:18:48] - Divine Design and Happiness
[01:20:40] - Following Christ
[01:21:49] - Rich and Satisfying Life
[01:22:34] - Daily Union with Christ
[01:23:37] - Pursuing Happiness
[01:24:13] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Isaiah 55:8-9: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
2. John 15:5: "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."
3. 1 Peter 3:10-11: "For, 'Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Isaiah 55:8-9, how does God describe the difference between His ways and our ways?
2. In John 15:5, what does Jesus say is necessary for us to bear much fruit and live a productive life?
3. What practical steps does 1 Peter 3:10-11 suggest for those who want to enjoy life and see good days?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding that God's ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9) help us adjust our expectations in life? [43:22]
2. What does it mean to remain in union with Christ, and how does this union impact our daily lives? [55:20]
3. How can turning away from evil and doing good, as mentioned in 1 Peter 3:10-11, influence our happiness? [01:16:07]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when your expectations did not align with reality. How did adjusting your expectations help you find peace and happiness? [01:11:40]
2. What are some practical ways you can remain in daily, conscious interaction with Christ? How can this practice help you bear fruit in your life? [55:20]
3. Identify one area in your life where you can turn away from evil and do good. What specific actions can you take this week to make this change? [01:16:07]
4. How can you seek and maintain peace in your relationships, especially in challenging situations? What steps can you take to pursue peace actively? [01:18:18]
5. Think about a recent situation where you felt unhappy. How might adjusting your expectations and focusing on eternal happiness change your perspective? [01:11:40]
6. How can you incorporate the practice of seeking God's guidance, strength, and forgiveness into your daily routine? What difference do you think this will make in your overall happiness? [56:07]
7. Reflect on the idea that true happiness is intertwined with holiness and Christ-like character. What specific character traits do you feel called to develop, and how can you start working on them this week? [40:38]
Devotional
Day 1: Happiness and Holiness are Intertwined
True happiness is not merely about having our external circumstances align perfectly with our desires. Instead, it is deeply connected to developing a Christ-like character. God, who knows us intimately, desires our ultimate happiness, which is achieved through holiness. Just as parents sometimes deny their children immediate gratification for their long-term well-being, God shapes our character for our ultimate joy. This process of becoming holy, though it may involve challenges and sacrifices, leads to a deeper, more lasting happiness that transcends temporary pleasures. [40:38]
1 Peter 1:15-16 (ESV): "But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'"
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you faced a challenge or disappointment. How might God be using this situation to develop your character and lead you to a deeper happiness?
Day 2: Union with Christ is Essential
We are designed to live in constant union with Christ, which means daily, conscious interaction with Him. This involves seeking His guidance, strength, and forgiveness in every aspect of our lives. Just as a fish needs water to survive, we need Christ to be fully alive and truly happy. Jesus emphasized that we must stay united with Him to bear fruit and live a productive life. This union with Christ is not a one-time event but a continuous, daily relationship that sustains and nourishes us. [55:20]
John 15:4-5 (ESV): "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."
Reflection: How can you incorporate a specific daily practice to strengthen your union with Christ, such as a dedicated prayer time or reading a passage of Scripture each morning?
Day 3: Adjusting Expectations
Unrealistic expectations can lead to disappointment and disillusionment. Jesus warned us that we will face trouble in this world, but He has overcome the world. By adjusting our expectations to align with this reality, we can be happier. Understanding that life is a brief, developmental journey helps us focus on eternal happiness rather than temporary setbacks. This perspective allows us to navigate life's challenges with a sense of peace and purpose, knowing that our ultimate joy is found in Christ. [01:11:40]
James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you have unrealistic expectations. How can you adjust these expectations to align more closely with the reality of life's challenges and the promise of eternal happiness?
Day 4: The Impact of Evil
Evil is pervasive in our world, and it disrupts our happiness. Recognizing this helps us adjust our expectations and understand that ultimate happiness is only possible in a world free from evil, which God promises in the new heaven and new earth. This awareness does not lead to despair but to a hopeful anticipation of God's ultimate plan for redemption and restoration. It also encourages us to seek God's strength and guidance in overcoming the evil we encounter in our daily lives. [01:13:29]
Revelation 21:4 (ESV): "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."
Reflection: Identify a specific instance of evil or injustice you have witnessed or experienced. How can you seek God's strength and guidance to respond to this situation in a way that aligns with His promise of ultimate restoration?
Day 5: Practical Steps to Happiness
We have some control over our happiness by turning away from evil, doing good, and seeking peace. These actions align with our divine design and improve our happiness quotient. God has given us the tools and the guidance to be happier, even in this imperfect world. By actively choosing to follow God's principles and seeking peace in our relationships and circumstances, we can experience a greater sense of joy and fulfillment. [01:16:07]
Psalm 34:14 (ESV): "Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it."
Reflection: What is one specific action you can take today to turn away from evil, do good, or seek peace in your life? How can this action contribute to your overall happiness and alignment with God's design?
Quotes
1. "The God that created us, the God that is here amongst us, the God that is reading the feelings, thoughts of each and every one of us, that has read every feeling, every thought, seen every tear, knows every desire, that God, regardless of who you are, where you're at in life, He absolutely wants you to be happy. He has no shame in that desire at all." [41:10] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "None of us, none of us in this room are as happy as we would like to be. If we were honest, we could all be just a little bit happier. Couldn't you? Couldn't you just be, wouldn't there be one or two things that would make you a little bit happier? I think if we were honest, we'd all say yes. None of us are ultimately and perfectly happy yet. We all want to be happier." [44:40] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "All of us can still be perfectly happy. This is the promises that we have in Christ, the creator of the universe, the one that came and visited this planet, revealed what God is really like to us. He died and he rose again. And because he rose again from the grave, he promised that he will build a world, build a kingdom that will last forever, in which everyone in that world will be perfectly, ultimately, and perfectly happy forever." [47:10] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "You can't, I can't, we can't be as happy as we really, truly, deep down inside want to be. Maybe we can't articulate it, but we can't be as happy as we want to be unless we become somebody a little different than we are, a better version of ourselves. That's a helpful way to look at it." [44:08] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We pursue happiness. We can't help it. It's wired. It's spiritual design, spiritual DNA that's inside us. So the bad news is none of us are as happy as we would like to be. There's nothing to feel bad about. It's just a bit of honesty. We could all be a little happier. Good news is this: all of us can be happier than we are now." [45:24] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace and work to maintain it. Notice peace is not going to be something that comes easy. Peace is a relational term usually, and it's something that we have to work at, and then once we have it, we have to work hard to maintain it." [01:16:07] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Each day, am I facing situations with Christ, meaning I'm living in union with Him, I'm made by Christ and for Christ? Am I living for Christ? Everything I do, I'm doing it because I want to please Him, I want to honor Him, I love Him. And am I living every day seeking to be more like Christ? This is a key to being happier. Trust me on this one. If you and I will live every day with Christ, in union with Him, and will live for Christ, to please Him and honor Him and obey Him and try to live more like Him every day, you watch my words, your happiness quotient will go up. You will be happier." [01:22:12] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "God does not see any problem with our eternal happiness and our eternal holiness because, in fact, you can't be eternally happy unless you're eternally holy. You can't be eternally happy unless you and I are finally transformed to the image of Christ, which is exactly what God promises He will do for anyone who in this life makes the decision to put their trust in Christ and become His follower." [01:03:01] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "My purpose is to give them a rich and a satisfying life. Some versions say an abundant life. In this life, I can be happier if I know God intends me to have a rich and a satisfying life, a meaningful life. But that does not mean a trouble-free life. You can have a rich and a meaningful life even in a trouble-filled life if that's the kind of the pathway that God gives to you. He gives some of us more difficulties than others, to be quite honest." [01:21:49] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "So as we leave here today, I want you, and God more importantly wants you, to be happier than what you have been. And I can, and you can, and we can be happier. 25% He puts in our hands. So as we leave here today, do you want to be happier? Because God, your Father, He really wants you to be happy. He loves you, and He knows what's best and wants what's best. He wants your ultimate and your perfect happiness, but He even wants you to be happier in this present imperfect set of circumstances we're in." [01:23:37] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?