Christian Happiness

Transcript

CHRISTIAN HAPPINESS Feb. 28, 2017 LaVon Sperling
There are two things we should be discontent with: when we lack spiritual growth and with injustice and evil in the world.
The Bible tells us to be content with: our wages, our weaknesses, in whatever situation we are in, with food and clothing and with “what we have” (as opposed to what we do not have).
The Bible tells us to be happy when: we keep the law, in our activities, in the day of prosperity, when we hold fast to the tree of life, when we are gracious to the poor, when we eat the fruit of our hands and when God reproves us.
Happiness/Contentment is a sweet, quiet of the heart. 1 Peter 3: 4
The Spirit is not opposed to some things:
Acknowledging that we do feel the sadness we are experiencing. Ps. 143: 1,3,4
Making an orderly moan to God. Psalm 140: 1-3
Our seeking help from others or endeavoring to be delivered from our circumstances. Psalm 140: 4, 5, 8
The Spirit IS opposed to:
Murmuring and being discontented as the Israelites did. Ex. 17: 3
To a tumultuous spirit –when thoughts run distractingly and work in a confused manner.
To a fearful spirit – proper example is Neh 6:13, 1 Peter 3:6, Heb. 11:11
Sinking doubts and discouragements - do not allow fear and noise of evil things to take hold of my soul. James 1: 5-8, Heb. 11:6
Resorting to sinful ways to get relief and help. Going around God’s design.
Example: Saul running to the witch of Endor. 1 Sam. 28:6,7 Deut. 13: 1
Example: Jacob lying to his father, Isaac. Gen. 25:19
Rebellion – thoughts and actions that rise up against God.

A contented/happy woman has a gracious temper (a medium between extreemes) that:
Comes from within and lasts! A discontented person can be temporarily encouraged by another. As in warming a man’s clothes by a fire.
Is not merely a flash of a good mood.
Displays the fruit of the spirit. Gal. 5: 22
A happy/ content woman freely submits and takes pleasure in God’s actions:
She is one who does not need a large leap to get where she should be.
She does not move because of constraint.
She moves not out of a lack of common sense or because of stupidity but from a free response to the authority of God. 1 Peter 3: 5
True contentment/happiness is not situational.
Contentment regardless of the CHANGES of AFFLICTION
Contentment does not place time restrictions on the length of my affliction.
Contentment does not limit the variety of the affliction – rarely does one affliction come alone.
True contentment/happiness does not mean resignation. Rather it means acceptance.
Acceptance means that you accept your circumstances from God, trusting that He unerringly knows what is best for you and that in His love, He purposes only that which is best. Having then reached a state of acceptance, you can ask God to let you use your difficult circumstances to glorify Him. In this way you have moved from the attitude of a victim to an attitude of stewardship. You begin to ask, “God, how can I use my situation to serve You and glorify You?” Neh. 4: 7-23
Discussion: What is truth and what is not truth in Ex. 17: 3?
How is the fruit of the spirit communicated in my situation?
With God’s help I can change my thought target from “my situation” to “I AM a vessel of HIS mercy”. Romans 9: 1-3 and 20—23 …. (using my situation to serve and glorify God)
What have I seen God do when my life is full of contentment? Can He do that today?