Happiness Is . . .

Matthew 5:3 – 12
3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

5 "Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.

6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

7 "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

10 "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 "Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.

12 "Rejoice and be glad, for
 

When a comparison was made between happiness and unhappiness these were the results.

• Unhappy people wait for something to make them happy – happy people feel happy now, they enjoy their life

• Unhappy people envy those who are successful – happy people admire great achievers and learn from them

• Unhappy people envy what others have – happy people enjoy what they have

• Unhappy people feel undervalued, under-rewarded, and frustrated – happy people tend to be self-confident, kind, and friendly

• Unhappy people tend to be self-focused, socially withdrawn, and antagonistic – happy people tend to be compassionate, loving, and sociable

• Unhappy people tend to be brooding and vengeful – happy people tend to be understanding and forgiving

• "For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Ok, but what does this have to do with the Sermon on the Mount? Well tonight we are going to take a closer look at the word “Blessed.”

The ancient island of Cyprus was given the Greek name He Makaria (mak-ar-ee-o). It was called “The Blessed Island” because it was self-contained. The climate was perfect, the soil was fertile, and natural resources were so abundant that those who lived on the island needed never to look elsewhere for provisions. The Beatitudes paint the picture of the self-contained individual. Our Lord’s use of the word “blessed” (makarias - mak-ar'-ee-os) is the most complete definition of true happiness. Happiness is what “happens in us” instead of what “happens to us.” The Beatitudes describe happiness that is not caused or touched by outward circumstances.

I. An Unhappy World.

It is said that some of the world’s unhappiest people are Christians. Many Christians have just enough religion to make them miserable but not enough to make them happy! Peter Marshall described many modern saints when he said, “Some Christians are too Christian to enjoy sinning and too sinful to enjoy Christianity.” 

Some Christians have enough religion to keep them out of a tavern on Saturday night but not enough to keep them away from on Sunday morning. Some Christians have enough religion to recognize their need for prayer but not enough religion to take them to their church’s weekly prayer meeting. 

Some Christians have enough religion to keep them from reading obscene literature but not enough to read their Bibles daily. In presenting this sermon, Christ Jesus called for a change in the thinking of the people about the kingdom of God. He’s still in the changing business.

II. Why So Many Unhappy People?

They do not know the meaning of real happiness. The English word happiness comes from the root hap, which means “chance.” To many people, true happiness depends on the chances of life. As far as they are concerned, the circumstances of their lives give and take away happiness. Contentment, satisfaction, fun, pleasure, delight, fortune, and luck are their synonyms for happiness. 

To many happiness is totally dependent on outward circumstances which no one ever has control over no matter what they tell themselves. The sad thing is many fail to realize that God intends for them to be happy. The Greek philosopher Epictetus (Epic-TEE-tus) said, “God made all men to be happy.” 

It is noteworthy that in the first words of the Sermon on the Mount our Lord congratulates Christians on their attainment of true happiness. God intends for everyone to be happy, or “blessed.” Christ Jesus came not only to purchase blessings for us, but to pour out and pronounce blessings on us; and here he does it as one having authority. Christ Jesus can command the blessing, even life for evermore, and that is the blessing here again and again promised to those who have invited Him to be their Saviour. Those whom Christ Jesus blesses, are blessed indeed. 

But again most people even some Christians are seeking happiness in “things.” Real happiness is not found in a newer pick-up, a larger bank account, a fast boat, a new house, or any other material thing. Don’t get me wrong those are some nice things, but real happiness is found in Christ Jesus and Christ Jesus alone.

III. God’s formula for happiness.

Congratulations Christian! You have found the secret of happiness in realizing your spiritual helplessness. Like the beggar who depends on others for their needs, you have realized that all your needs are met in Christ Jesus: you are “poor in spirit.”

Congratulations Christian! You are sincerely sorry for your sins. You cannot sin and enjoy it. You are among those who “mourn.” 

Congratulations Christian! You are God-controlled. Like a wild animal who is brought under the control of its master, you have let your impulses, passions, instincts, thoughts, and actions come under the control of Christ Jesus. You are not weak but “meek.” 

Congratulations Christian! The closer you get to God, the more sinful you feel; and the further you get from God, the more dissatisfied you are. You maintain a holy dissatisfaction with yourself because you are one who “hungers and thirsts after righteousness.” 

Congratulations Christian! You have had a personal encounter with Christ Jesus known as the new birth, in which the Holy Spirit has cleansed you and made you “pure in heart.” 

Congratulations Christian! You have learned to put love into words and actions. You have learned the opposite of being self-centered. You have learned to be “merciful” toward your fellow humans. 

Congratulations Christian! You are actively engaged in the most important project on earth — ​making peace between rebellious men and our loving heavenly Father! You are not just a peace lover; you are a “peacemaker.” 

Congratulations Christian! You are living the Christian life without compromise, for “all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12). What a joy to be numbered among those who are “persecuted for righteousness’ sake.”

Conclusion: Five of the Beatitudes deal with a person’s vertical relationship with God — ​poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, and the pure in heart. Three of the Beatitudes deal with a person’s horizontal relationship with others — ​the merciful, the peacemakers, and those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake.

Just as the first five of the Ten Commandments deal with a person’s relationship with God and the last five with a person’s relationship with others, the Beatitudes also possess the same vertical and horizontal relationships. We are blessed when we gets right with God and fellow humans. And when we are blessed, well true happiness abounds.