The Pursuit of Happiness
Luke 12
Introduction–
I came across this quote from one John Piper’s prayers in his devotional, Life is a Vapor: “Give us eyes to see the utter unlikeliness of being loved by Christ. Take away the feeling that we deserve happiness. Cause us to be amazed at the wonder of grace. May grumbling and murmuring depart from our lips, O Lord, and make us tender toward sinners.”
Is happiness a moving target as much in your life as it is in mine? Oh, that the pursuit of happiness were as simple as Lucy makes it! (Lucy Slide””“Happiness is a Warm Puppy”)
When I talk about happiness, I’m talking about the stuff of “the American dream” and also possessions/positions/relationships that we really long to have. For me, “happiness” would be a job that enabled me to make enough money to not have to think about “normal” extras and to have a nice car/truck and to save for the future, perfect health for everyone I know and love, and so on. “Happiness”, as most Americans think about it””me and you included, usually relates to, and is defined by, “what we have” (or don”™t have)””be that money, possessions, relationships, position, etc.
And, if we”™re honest, we find ourselves running in never-ending circles trying to catch happiness by the tail, always failing to really feel like we”™ve got a firm hold on it, right?
Truth be told, “the pursuit of happiness” (though it and the stuff that makes it up are not wrong in and of themselves) never gives what it promises. So that, for many people, “the pursuit of happiness” is exactly why they miss true happiness!
Real and lasting happiness for the Christ-follower can be a steady reality!
HOW can you and I enjoy such happiness?
Luke 12 gives us 4 action steps that will lead to real happiness:
1. BELIEVE that happiness is NOT in what you have, but Who has you. (15, NLT)
*What You Have can Disappear Overnight (16-20, NLT)
–My Retired Friend: Lost $275K within last year
*Happiness is about WHO has You (21)
–A “rich relationship with God” involves trusting Jesus as your Savior and enjoying the forgiveness of sin, the huge grace/love of God as your Father and having the hope of being with your Father forever in heaven.
–Quick Gospel Overview: John 3:16, Romans
Believe that happiness is NOT in what you have but WHO has you!
2. REFUSE to worry about everyday life, knowing that your Father holds your life in His hands.
(22-23, NLT)
*Your Father takes care of birds and flowers (24-29)
*Your Father knows your needs and will take care of them
(30-31)
Therefore,
Refuse to worry about everyday life, knowing that your Father holds your life in His hands!
3. RECEIVE/ENJOY real life/happiness that God gladly gives in a relationship with Him. (32)
*Most of us are afraid to leave our happiness to God. Most of us feel like that if we don”™t pursue happiness with all our energy (as we understand it and the world defines it), then we”™ll never attain it.
Can you trust God as your Father? Is He trustworthy?
Romans 8:32””“He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?”
We CAN trust God to give us real life/happiness! Jesus said His Father is glad to give us real life/happiness in His kingdom! And the gift that will give us real and everlasting happiness has already been given””God has given us a relationship with Himself through faith in Jesus!
John 17:3””“And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”
Receive/enjoy real life/happiness that God gladly gives in a relationship with Him!
4. INVEST in real happiness/life by growing in relationship to God by giving to others in need.
(33-34, NLT)
*Giving to others is an eternal investment and imitates God, Who gave His own Son for a world of needy sinners like you/me!
The highest happiness, REAL happiness comes when we love like God loves. When our lives are spent on the passions of God”™s heart””namely, loving Him and loving others””THEN we will know happiness!
*These investments are untouchable/indestructible! There aren”™t many of those left in our world today!
Whose definition of happiness will you choose to shape your life by””the world”™s (and your own mind”™s), or God”™s? Wherever your treasure is””ie, wherever you invest your energy and time and resources””will reveal which definition you”™re living by! Look at your life to see your heart!
Invest in real happiness by growing in relationship to God by giving to others in need!
Conclusion””
“Happiness”, as the world defines it, hasn’t been attainable in my life in a long time–and probably won’t come back in the foreseeable future . I realize that often I’m more depressed than I need to be (though I’ll still probably be depressed–just human, after all) because I’m looking for happiness–in fact, feel entitled to it–and feel disappointed when it doesn’t come. The truth is that even if our life”™s landscape is harsh and rugged and rocky, darkened by the clouds and made miserable by the chilling cold accompanying our circumstances, still we stand on the ground of His grace. And standing by the grace of Jesus is far better than sinking in the desperation of our self-effort and sin, pursuing a happiness that is, in the end, only a mirage anyway!
The words of a simple children”™s song that I used to sing in Sunday School at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Cartersville, GA sums it all up:
Happiness is to know the Savior,
Living a life within His favor,
Having a change in my behavior,
Happiness is the Lord.
Happiness is a new creation,
Jesus and me in close relation,
Having a part in His salvation,
Happiness is the Lord.
Real joy is mine, no matter if teardrops start;
I’ve found the secret, it’s Jesus in my heart!
Happiness is to be forgiven,
Living a life that’s worth the living,
Taking a trip that leads to Heaven,
Happiness is the Lord,
Happiness is the Lord,
Happiness is the Lord!
BELIEVE that happiness is NOT in what you have, but Who has you.
REFUSE to worry about everyday life, knowing that your Father holds your life in His hands.
RECEIVE/ENJOY real life/happiness that God gladly gives in a relationship with Him.
INVEST in real happiness/life by growing in relationship to God by giving to others in need.