The Pursuit of Happiness, Part 2

In the current day age of the selfie, Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5 runs contrary to the values of the world. The world says, “Blessed are those who believe in themselves,” but Jesus says, “Blessed are those who are poor in spirit.” Jesus says that the poor in spirit are blessed because theirs is the kingdom of heaven. The place they find ultimate value is not in the temporal things of the world that are passing away but in the Kingdom of God.

Nothing But the Blood
Andy Cherry

Orphan
Andy Cherry

This is the Kingdom
Elevation Worship

The Heart of Worship
Seacoast Music

Matthew 5:3
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

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The “Happy” Life Alternatives
1. An Alternative Posture – “poor in spirit” vs. “rich in pride”

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Luke 18:9-14
He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed[a] thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

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Tim Keller
“You are more sinful than you could ever dare imagine and you are more loved and accepted than you could ever dare hope.”

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Tell-Tale Signs of Pride
– Not wanting to talk with someone or spend time with someone because they don’t quite measure up.
– Thinking: “They should have asked me. I would have done it better.”
– Waiting to turn the conversation so it highlights something you’ve done.
– Hearing a good report about someone else’s life threatens your sense of worth.
– For men: feeling particularly defensive about something pointed out to you by a woman.
– For women: feeling particularly defensive about something pointed out to you by a man.
– Hearing about another person’s problems and feeling better about yourself because it didn’t happen to you.
– Hearing someone tell a story and waiting for your name to be mentioned or included in the story.
– Trying to serve God without prayer.
– Thinking that pride is not really a problem for you.
– Not confessing sin until you are backed into a corner and confronted on it.

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The “Happy” Life Alternatives
2. An Alternative Possession – “kingdom of heaven” vs. “kingdoms of earth”

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1 John 2:17
The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.

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Hebrews 12:28
Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe.

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Luke 17:21
“The kingdom of God is in the midst of you.”

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The “Happy” Life Alternatives
3. An Alternative Person – “Jesus is King” vs. “Self is King”

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2 Corinthians 8:9
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.

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C.S. Lewis
“God gives where He finds empty hands. A man whose hands are full of parcels can’t receive a gift. Perhaps these parcels are not always sins or earthly cares, but sometimes our own fussy attempts to worship Him in OUR way.”