WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.060 The topic that I was given is, have you ever wondered why we long for happiness? 00:00:05.060 --> 00:00:09.240 ! Have you ever wondered why we long for happiness? 00:00:09.240 --> 00:00:13.919 And already you may be wondering what I'm going to say about this. 00:00:13.980 --> 00:00:16.359 What does the Bible have to say about happiness? 00:00:17.259 --> 00:00:22.500 And it's a fairly intricate and complex subject for a Sunday evening. 00:00:23.179 --> 00:00:30.640 And as I was preparing this week, I had to flow this week, so I wasn't in the best of conditions. 00:00:31.079 --> 00:00:34.740 And as I was lying in my bed with my head pounding and my body aching, 00:00:35.320 --> 00:00:38.859 I thought, well, this is a topic that is not one that I want to be thinking about. 00:00:38.859 --> 00:00:42.679 How do I long for happiness? I was certainly longing for happiness this week. 00:00:42.679 --> 00:00:50.539 But as I went down the rabbit hole, as it were, of what the Bible says about happiness, 00:00:51.000 --> 00:00:54.119 that you realize it's actually not a rabbit hole, it's a whole warren. 00:00:54.500 --> 00:00:58.960 There's a word from worship down, if you can remember that from your high school days. 00:00:59.340 --> 00:01:02.539 It's a whole warren about what the Bible says about happiness. 00:01:02.700 --> 00:01:08.519 Now, I've chosen the passage that we have read tonight from Philippians chapter 4. 00:01:08.859 --> 00:01:13.719 And you might find, you might have already picked up on the clue about where we're going with this. 00:01:14.200 --> 00:01:21.120 But let me just dive into a question for you. 00:01:21.599 --> 00:01:25.920 So, have you ever wondered why we long for happiness? 00:01:26.620 --> 00:01:32.799 Now, Nelson, not Samuel, but Nelson Rockefeller once asked, he said this, they asked him this, 00:01:32.799 --> 00:01:36.299 how much money does it take to make a person happy? 00:01:36.939 --> 00:01:40.539 And I'm sure this has actually been put on the screen here in Brunswick before. 00:01:41.179 --> 00:01:45.959 But his answer famously was this, just a little bit more. 00:01:46.780 --> 00:01:51.539 And I think this frank response gives us an insight into the human soul. 00:01:52.500 --> 00:01:57.679 We are tempted to think that we'd be happy with just a little bit more. 00:01:57.680 --> 00:02:07.800 But I think actually we'd be tempted to admit that for many of us, it's actually going to be a lot more to make us happy if we were to truly answer that question. 00:02:08.620 --> 00:02:16.100 Let me share another rather shameful and shallow but true story of a conversation that I had over 20 years ago. 00:02:16.099 --> 00:02:19.579 So, I was in a group of friends, Christian friends, and we were talking salaries. 00:02:20.159 --> 00:02:22.620 I don't know if that's a taboo subject, but we were talking salaries. 00:02:22.979 --> 00:02:25.780 And I had just come from a very meagre salary. 00:02:25.859 --> 00:02:27.979 I was earning 5,000 pounds, 100 pounds a week. 00:02:28.740 --> 00:02:32.340 And I sat in a new job and I was earning 10,000 pounds. 00:02:33.240 --> 00:02:39.560 And I said, in that company, I said, you know what, I think I'd be comfortable if I was earning 30,000 pounds. 00:02:39.560 --> 00:02:48.879 And I was kind of mocked at the time because the average age, believe it or not, in 2004, the average wage was 22,000 pounds. 00:02:48.939 --> 00:02:50.960 That's the average wage in the UK. 00:02:51.400 --> 00:02:56.080 And here was me saying, well, I'd be comfortable if I earned 30,000 pounds. 00:02:56.240 --> 00:02:57.759 Well, it's not long. 00:02:58.180 --> 00:03:03.340 30,000 pounds comes and goes and you realise that maybe you need double or triple that. 00:03:03.340 --> 00:03:10.680 And then that comes and goes and, well, you could keep going down that route, right? 00:03:10.759 --> 00:03:15.620 And that is probably a shameful story for me, just to repeat that. 00:03:15.819 --> 00:03:19.360 But that was a conversation that we had over 20 years ago. 00:03:19.960 --> 00:03:23.400 But what would it make, what would it take to make you happy? 00:03:24.240 --> 00:03:30.439 You see, I don't think the question of do you want to be happy is a difficult question for us to answer. 00:03:30.439 --> 00:03:33.879 It's a self-answering question in a sense. 00:03:34.400 --> 00:03:35.919 But the more tricky question is this. 00:03:36.379 --> 00:03:38.359 What would it take to make you happy? 00:03:39.199 --> 00:03:42.859 You know, the lie, the lie, I would be happy if. 00:03:44.280 --> 00:03:46.719 And it's not really a new thing, is it? 00:03:46.759 --> 00:03:54.000 It's the same lie that the serpent whispered to Eve in the garden saying, yes, you know, you would be happy if you ate off that forbidden fruit. 00:03:54.659 --> 00:03:58.780 And it's the same empty lies that he uses today. 00:03:58.780 --> 00:04:02.539 You know, I'd be happy if I had a better job. 00:04:03.180 --> 00:04:05.159 I'd be happy if I had more money. 00:04:05.400 --> 00:04:06.800 I'd be happy if I had a bigger house. 00:04:07.599 --> 00:04:09.800 I'd be happy if I had a partner. 00:04:10.379 --> 00:04:12.719 Or I'd be happy if that partner treated me better. 00:04:13.319 --> 00:04:14.879 I might be happy if I had a different partner. 00:04:16.199 --> 00:04:18.360 I might be happy if I had a child. 00:04:19.100 --> 00:04:20.240 Maybe I've had two children. 00:04:20.639 --> 00:04:22.779 You know, and it's, I would be happy if. 00:04:22.779 --> 00:04:27.159 And it is always just out of reach. 00:04:27.279 --> 00:04:32.439 You know, we humans always seem to think that we want what we cannot actually have. 00:04:32.519 --> 00:04:38.259 Though in many cases, in many senses, we've actually already got what we wanted. 00:04:38.259 --> 00:04:46.199 But our, our, our, I'd be happy if moves, the goalpost moves very, very quickly. 00:04:46.500 --> 00:04:47.519 You know, that's true with jobs. 00:04:47.839 --> 00:04:49.060 It's true with houses. 00:04:49.319 --> 00:04:50.579 It's true with talents. 00:04:51.039 --> 00:04:54.579 And as I say, maybe even very often with spouses. 00:04:54.860 --> 00:04:56.539 And I shouldn't say that in a Christian context. 00:04:56.540 --> 00:05:01.900 But if we want to look at this question from a worldly point of view, then that would be the case. 00:05:01.980 --> 00:05:04.260 You know, the job never seems to be enough. 00:05:05.160 --> 00:05:08.260 The ideal job just seems to be slightly out of our grasp. 00:05:08.260 --> 00:05:10.240 Or it is just not available. 00:05:10.520 --> 00:05:12.240 You know, the house never seems to be big enough. 00:05:12.320 --> 00:05:13.300 Or not in the right location. 00:05:13.500 --> 00:05:17.520 Or it's not quite one that we want. 00:05:18.000 --> 00:05:21.040 We might recognise even the talents that we've been given. 00:05:21.439 --> 00:05:22.280 And that we have. 00:05:22.279 --> 00:05:27.219 But there's just this niggling envy about somebody else's abilities. 00:05:28.399 --> 00:05:37.299 And you just need to look at divorce rates in this country to notice that there is always something that we're looking for more in marriage. 00:05:38.199 --> 00:05:40.559 And that is quite a sad place to be. 00:05:41.000 --> 00:05:50.699 You know, the problem is made worse, I think, by the fact that we think that if we had the right job or the right house or the right skills or the right partner, then we'd be happy and content. 00:05:50.699 --> 00:05:54.459 But these things are always just out of our reach. 00:05:54.759 --> 00:05:56.719 And so is contentment. 00:05:58.500 --> 00:06:01.159 Or so the world's wisdom would have us believe. 00:06:02.300 --> 00:06:08.899 The search for happiness based on our circumstances in life creates this restlessness and this discontent in our souls. 00:06:09.860 --> 00:06:13.659 And that brought me on to thinking about this passage that we read tonight. 00:06:13.699 --> 00:06:17.379 And I'm just going to reread it because you might just see where we're going to go with this. 00:06:17.379 --> 00:06:19.339 And in verse 10 it says this, 00:06:19.339 --> 00:06:25.259 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. 00:06:25.699 --> 00:06:28.839 You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 00:06:29.379 --> 00:06:31.139 Not that I'm speaking of being in need. 00:06:31.439 --> 00:06:35.319 For I have learned in whatever circumstance I am to be content. 00:06:35.980 --> 00:06:37.639 I know how to be brought low. 00:06:38.779 --> 00:06:40.060 And I know how to abound. 00:06:40.060 --> 00:06:49.079 In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 00:06:49.860 --> 00:06:53.579 And I can do all things through him who strengthens me. 00:06:54.699 --> 00:06:56.019 Well that's the Apostle Paul. 00:06:56.120 --> 00:07:01.540 He testifies that he has learned to be content in any and every circumstance. 00:07:02.600 --> 00:07:07.220 His is not a constant search for the right circumstances that will bring him happiness. 00:07:07.220 --> 00:07:10.340 He is content wherever he is. 00:07:11.380 --> 00:07:14.520 But that's not the position of so many in the world today. 00:07:14.660 --> 00:07:17.760 And it's sadly so of many Christians too. 00:07:19.020 --> 00:07:20.800 I want to share with you a quote of C.S. Lewis. 00:07:21.340 --> 00:07:22.180 And he says this, 00:07:22.180 --> 00:07:27.900 If I find myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, 00:07:28.620 --> 00:07:33.000 the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world. 00:07:33.100 --> 00:07:35.200 And I know that that has been on the screen downstairs before. 00:07:35.199 --> 00:07:39.620 Or it's certainly a quote that many of us will have heard. 00:07:39.979 --> 00:07:42.079 You see I think this is the crux of the matter. 00:07:43.319 --> 00:07:45.699 You know when we preach the gospel to the lost, 00:07:46.339 --> 00:07:49.459 we tell them that they have a God-shaped hole in their lives. 00:07:51.240 --> 00:07:53.779 That there's only one who can save them from themselves, 00:07:53.919 --> 00:07:57.199 from their sin and from a certain eternal death. 00:07:57.459 --> 00:07:58.659 And that is Jesus. 00:07:58.660 --> 00:08:03.180 And yet Jesus is not only the answer to man's sin problem, 00:08:03.640 --> 00:08:06.480 but Jesus is the answer to tonight's question as well. 00:08:06.580 --> 00:08:10.980 You see, Paul isn't some kind of self-help guru 00:08:10.980 --> 00:08:16.020 who's taught himself to be content for being contentedness, 00:08:16.700 --> 00:08:18.200 or for being content's sake. 00:08:18.199 --> 00:08:20.439 So that he might be able to say that he's happy 00:08:20.439 --> 00:08:23.719 in any and every circumstance that he finds himself in. 00:08:23.800 --> 00:08:27.120 No, Paul is pretty clear that it is Christ within him 00:08:27.120 --> 00:08:29.500 that has enabled them to learn to be this way. 00:08:29.579 --> 00:08:32.539 And I use that word learn because that is a word that we find in here. 00:08:33.279 --> 00:08:41.100 And Paul uses that in his passage in verse 11 there, 00:08:41.100 --> 00:08:46.420 for I have learned this contentment. 00:08:47.060 --> 00:08:50.320 You know, Paul is pretty clear that it is Christ in him 00:08:50.320 --> 00:08:52.580 that has enabled them to be that way. 00:08:52.680 --> 00:08:55.139 There's another quote that Rachel did contribute. 00:08:55.399 --> 00:08:56.200 I will give her that. 00:08:56.420 --> 00:08:58.360 So there's another quote that I'll use tonight as well. 00:08:58.440 --> 00:08:59.259 It's from Elizabeth Elliott. 00:08:59.639 --> 00:09:02.019 And I'm sure some of you guys will have read this as well. 00:09:02.279 --> 00:09:02.920 And it says this, 00:09:02.919 --> 00:09:06.259 The secret is Christ in me. 00:09:07.360 --> 00:09:10.879 Not me in a different set of circumstances. 00:09:11.139 --> 00:09:13.319 And she is speaking on the same line. 00:09:13.399 --> 00:09:16.019 She's speaking about being content as well. 00:09:17.419 --> 00:09:20.519 You know, I could fill, any of us could fill pages and pages 00:09:20.519 --> 00:09:22.979 of I would be happy if. 00:09:23.799 --> 00:09:24.620 But here's the truth. 00:09:24.740 --> 00:09:27.459 Our ultimate happiness will only be found 00:09:27.459 --> 00:09:30.039 in a relationship with Jesus Christ. 00:09:30.039 --> 00:09:34.360 You know, the answer to our question about why we long for happiness. 00:09:34.779 --> 00:09:37.839 Well, tonight we're going to focus on the word happy. 00:09:38.500 --> 00:09:40.719 But the adjective, or rather the noun, 00:09:41.219 --> 00:09:44.939 the word longing is maybe where the root of the question lies. 00:09:45.259 --> 00:09:47.079 Why do we long for happiness? 00:09:48.179 --> 00:09:51.240 And I don't think that I'd probably need to tell you this, 00:09:51.319 --> 00:09:54.360 but it is just good to reaffirm it to ourselves tonight. 00:09:54.719 --> 00:09:57.500 But we are created in the image of God. 00:09:57.500 --> 00:09:58.659 God says that. 00:09:58.720 --> 00:10:01.399 He says, let's make man in our own image. 00:10:02.320 --> 00:10:05.399 And God wants to have a relationship with us. 00:10:05.519 --> 00:10:07.720 In fact, there's another verse in Scripture that would say 00:10:07.720 --> 00:10:12.799 that the dwelling place of God is with man. 00:10:13.440 --> 00:10:15.419 But our sin has separated us from him. 00:10:16.279 --> 00:10:19.700 And so in the very heart of our souls lies this void 00:10:19.700 --> 00:10:23.919 that we as humans so desperately want to fill. 00:10:23.919 --> 00:10:28.379 Now, I've kind of skipped from the word happiness 00:10:28.379 --> 00:10:31.919 to being content without really covering it. 00:10:32.099 --> 00:10:34.419 And as I was going through this, there's a lot of verses. 00:10:35.019 --> 00:10:36.399 In fact, you'd be amazed. 00:10:36.539 --> 00:10:40.240 There are thousands of verses that covers the words 00:10:40.240 --> 00:10:42.219 that we might associate with happiness. 00:10:42.439 --> 00:10:45.399 And some of them will be joy, or joyful, or cheerful, 00:10:45.959 --> 00:10:49.620 or happy, or pleased, or sometimes the word merry. 00:10:49.620 --> 00:10:49.700 Okay. 00:10:50.899 --> 00:10:55.139 And they each have a slightly different aspect to them, 00:10:55.200 --> 00:11:00.019 whether it is something that is caused by a set of circumstances, 00:11:00.159 --> 00:11:01.460 or whether it's coming from within. 00:11:01.879 --> 00:11:07.340 Or I'll give you a verse that I'm going to read just now. 00:11:07.399 --> 00:11:08.639 It's in Esther chapter 5. 00:11:08.639 --> 00:11:14.480 And it's not one that we should take any lessons for. 00:11:14.659 --> 00:11:16.100 But it's this. 00:11:16.220 --> 00:11:16.399 It says, 00:11:16.399 --> 00:11:39.819 So not every time that we come across a word about joyful, 00:11:40.360 --> 00:11:42.159 or gladness, or to be glad, 00:11:42.259 --> 00:11:44.279 it's going to be always in a positive context. 00:11:44.279 --> 00:11:46.699 Because, well, if you read the story of Esther, 00:11:46.819 --> 00:11:51.179 you'll find out that Haman's so-called happiness was very short-lived. 00:11:51.659 --> 00:11:55.299 But it is interesting when you start to just look at where all the words, 00:11:55.500 --> 00:11:58.339 and you just need to read through Paul's letters, 00:11:58.439 --> 00:12:01.039 as we've read Philippians, and as we're going through Galatians, 00:12:01.179 --> 00:12:07.959 every time the word rejoice, or joy, or pleasure, or delight, 00:12:08.159 --> 00:12:09.439 that comes up in Scripture. 00:12:09.839 --> 00:12:12.399 And literally, there are thousands and thousands of verses 00:12:12.399 --> 00:12:13.259 that you could read. 00:12:13.819 --> 00:12:17.019 And as I say, as you start, as I was going through this in the week, 00:12:17.299 --> 00:12:20.299 there are so many different avenues that we could take tonight 00:12:20.299 --> 00:12:22.360 to think about why we long for happiness. 00:12:22.559 --> 00:12:24.179 And what does happiness really mean? 00:12:24.259 --> 00:12:25.980 And where does it come from? 00:12:26.059 --> 00:12:28.360 And you could spend hours and hours on it. 00:12:28.419 --> 00:12:30.279 I actually hope that you go away and you start to maybe, 00:12:30.679 --> 00:12:33.100 if you highlight your Bible, you may even just pick up on this, 00:12:33.539 --> 00:12:34.980 if you've got a Bible that you do that with. 00:12:34.980 --> 00:12:38.019 But as you start to read through and you start to look for those words, 00:12:38.100 --> 00:12:40.279 I mean, even just on the page that we've just read there in Philippians, 00:12:40.480 --> 00:12:44.920 you'll see that word numerous times in each of the verses about Paul's joy 00:12:44.920 --> 00:12:49.700 and his rejoicing, and the fact that he encourages other people to rejoice. 00:12:50.039 --> 00:12:52.620 So seeking for happiness and longing for happiness 00:12:52.620 --> 00:12:55.420 really is because we are made for that. 00:12:55.980 --> 00:12:56.940 We were made by God. 00:12:57.379 --> 00:12:59.180 We have got a God-shaped hole in our lives 00:12:59.180 --> 00:13:01.320 because we have rebelled against him, 00:13:01.320 --> 00:13:04.879 and man is desperately trying to fill it with so many other things. 00:13:05.420 --> 00:13:11.040 And yet, if we want to know what lasting joy looks like, 00:13:11.100 --> 00:13:12.060 then we'll come to Scripture. 00:13:12.540 --> 00:13:14.720 And I want to think about that over just five points tonight. 00:13:14.800 --> 00:13:17.140 So we'll be fairly brief, but there's five points that I want to think about. 00:13:17.480 --> 00:13:20.720 And that is out of so, so many points that we could have. 00:13:20.860 --> 00:13:22.940 The first one I want to think about is the source of happiness. 00:13:23.440 --> 00:13:24.760 What is the source of happiness? 00:13:24.760 --> 00:13:26.600 And what I'm going to do is I'm going to have a quick look 00:13:26.600 --> 00:13:30.820 at either a worldly type of wisdom and then what the Bible says, 00:13:30.820 --> 00:13:32.280 or we'll have a look at what the Bible says, 00:13:32.340 --> 00:13:37.060 and then we'll have a look at what the world would say. 00:13:37.280 --> 00:13:40.160 You know, modern culture would say that the source of happiness 00:13:40.160 --> 00:13:42.580 is an external source, and it's emotional. 00:13:43.379 --> 00:13:47.560 You know, happiness is often seen as a feeling or a state of satisfaction, 00:13:47.560 --> 00:13:52.060 and it's dependent on our achievements or our pleasure, 00:13:52.060 --> 00:13:54.280 our comfort, our self-expression. 00:13:54.279 --> 00:14:00.279 And in that kind of wisdom, you know, happiness is temporary, 00:14:00.620 --> 00:14:04.600 and it's easily lost when our circumstances change. 00:14:04.720 --> 00:14:07.120 And I think if you just think about the world today, 00:14:07.199 --> 00:14:09.879 you just see that you don't have to necessarily... 00:14:09.879 --> 00:14:11.819 In fact, you can pick up any newspaper and see that, 00:14:12.100 --> 00:14:15.860 that in circumstances, people, happiness is either made or broken, 00:14:15.939 --> 00:14:17.199 and that is the world's wisdom. 00:14:17.299 --> 00:14:18.220 But when we come to the Bible, 00:14:18.220 --> 00:14:22.920 we see that the Bible would teach us that happiness is internal. 00:14:25.100 --> 00:14:28.060 I want to use that word guardedly, but I'll explain what I mean. 00:14:28.620 --> 00:14:30.500 And it's not only internal, but it's spiritual. 00:14:30.700 --> 00:14:31.580 You know, true happiness. 00:14:32.139 --> 00:14:33.700 And often, when we come to Scripture, 00:14:33.820 --> 00:14:36.600 we see that word used as joy or blessedness 00:14:36.600 --> 00:14:40.259 comes from a relationship with God, trusting Him. 00:14:40.740 --> 00:14:43.440 It comes from gratitude, not from external circumstances. 00:14:43.440 --> 00:14:46.940 You know, it's described in Scripture as something that is stable, 00:14:47.100 --> 00:14:49.560 something that is steadfast, that is enduring, 00:14:50.160 --> 00:14:52.940 and something that we can have even in suffering. 00:14:53.800 --> 00:14:56.560 Philippians 4 and 4, if we just looked earlier in our chapter, 00:14:56.660 --> 00:14:57.120 it says this, 00:14:57.200 --> 00:15:00.700 Rejoice in the Lord always. 00:15:01.040 --> 00:15:04.720 True happiness comes from God, not from our circumstances. 00:15:07.120 --> 00:15:10.000 Derek didn't know this, but Psalm 16, 00:15:10.400 --> 00:15:12.480 the verse that Derek quoted tonight, said this, 00:15:12.480 --> 00:15:15.759 You make known to me the path of life. 00:15:15.899 --> 00:15:18.519 In your presence, there is fullness of joy. 00:15:18.840 --> 00:15:21.700 At your right hand are pleasures forevermore. 00:15:22.279 --> 00:15:24.480 You know, real joy is found in God's presence, 00:15:24.659 --> 00:15:26.680 not in worldless success or in comfort. 00:15:26.980 --> 00:15:29.019 You know, Jesus teaching on happiness. 00:15:29.440 --> 00:15:29.980 It equals this. 00:15:30.080 --> 00:15:31.519 You come to Matthew chapter 5, 00:15:31.580 --> 00:15:32.700 and we're dealing with the Beatitudes. 00:15:33.200 --> 00:15:38.379 And each of the Beatitudes begins with blessed are. 00:15:38.379 --> 00:15:39.200 Now, that word blessed, 00:15:39.200 --> 00:15:42.500 it can also be a word that's translated as happy, satisfied. 00:15:43.580 --> 00:15:45.560 But blessed are the poor in spirit, 00:15:45.700 --> 00:15:47.300 those who mourn, those who make, 00:15:47.640 --> 00:15:49.900 those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. 00:15:50.420 --> 00:15:53.800 Jesus redefines happiness as being connected with 00:15:53.800 --> 00:15:55.960 a spiritual quality, 00:15:56.300 --> 00:15:59.440 not an external success. 00:15:59.440 --> 00:16:02.640 You know, the key difference between a biblical, 00:16:03.100 --> 00:16:05.040 what the Bible says about happiness 00:16:05.040 --> 00:16:06.420 and what the world says about happiness 00:16:06.420 --> 00:16:09.240 is this, that biblical happiness is rooted 00:16:09.240 --> 00:16:11.020 in God's presence. 00:16:11.760 --> 00:16:15.220 Now, that might not seem apparent on the face of it, 00:16:15.580 --> 00:16:18.580 but there are a few verses that I want to leave further on. 00:16:18.860 --> 00:16:20.180 When you cast your mind back, 00:16:20.220 --> 00:16:21.480 I want you to think about this. 00:16:21.700 --> 00:16:24.120 What is the source of our happiness? 00:16:24.120 --> 00:16:26.360 What is the source of biblical happiness? 00:16:26.799 --> 00:16:28.440 And it is found in God's presence. 00:16:29.220 --> 00:16:31.600 Not what the world would say happiness is found in, 00:16:31.679 --> 00:16:34.960 which is often rooted in our personal circumstances 00:16:34.960 --> 00:16:36.480 that are so prone to change. 00:16:37.379 --> 00:16:39.039 So, the first one I want to think about 00:16:39.039 --> 00:16:40.419 is just the source of happiness. 00:16:40.560 --> 00:16:42.039 The second thing I want to think about tonight 00:16:42.039 --> 00:16:43.060 is just life goals. 00:16:43.639 --> 00:16:46.100 So, what is the goal of life? 00:16:46.980 --> 00:16:48.139 What are our life goals? 00:16:48.259 --> 00:16:50.019 You know, the modern view is this, 00:16:50.019 --> 00:16:53.500 that happiness is the primary goal in life. 00:16:54.399 --> 00:16:55.659 Do whatever makes you happy. 00:16:56.500 --> 00:16:59.139 And it's associated with self-fulfillment 00:16:59.139 --> 00:17:01.000 and personal freedom. 00:17:01.699 --> 00:17:04.160 You just need to look at what comes across 00:17:04.160 --> 00:17:06.519 our television screens or your X feed 00:17:06.519 --> 00:17:09.460 and you'll see that people just do what they like 00:17:09.460 --> 00:17:10.579 because they think it will bring them 00:17:10.579 --> 00:17:13.099 some source of happiness. 00:17:13.839 --> 00:17:15.039 The Bible tells us, though, 00:17:15.119 --> 00:17:16.839 that happiness is not our ultimate goal. 00:17:17.940 --> 00:17:18.900 It actually says this, 00:17:18.900 --> 00:17:20.560 it says that happiness is a by-product 00:17:20.560 --> 00:17:23.120 of living righteously and loving God 00:17:23.120 --> 00:17:26.100 and, by extension, loving others. 00:17:27.080 --> 00:17:29.460 Matthew 6, verse 33 says this, 00:17:29.560 --> 00:17:30.900 Seek ye first the kingdom of God 00:17:30.900 --> 00:17:34.540 and all these things will be added to you. 00:17:39.660 --> 00:17:45.420 Which is contrary to what the world would tell us 00:17:45.420 --> 00:17:51.300 about happiness and that happiness is not the ultimate goal, 00:17:51.539 --> 00:17:52.519 but it is a by-product. 00:17:53.000 --> 00:17:54.840 You know, obedience to God brings happiness. 00:17:55.700 --> 00:17:57.259 We probably know that in our own lives. 00:17:58.080 --> 00:18:00.240 Psalm chapter 1, verses 1 and 2 said this, 00:18:00.300 --> 00:18:01.840 Blessed, there's that word blessed again. 00:18:02.580 --> 00:18:03.900 That can be translated as happy. 00:18:04.400 --> 00:18:06.340 But blessed is the man who does not walk 00:18:06.340 --> 00:18:08.080 in the counsel of the wicked, 00:18:08.720 --> 00:18:10.620 but his delight, in verse 2, 00:18:10.619 --> 00:18:13.000 but his delight is in the law of the Lord 00:18:13.000 --> 00:18:17.579 and doing what God would have us to do. 00:18:19.059 --> 00:18:22.979 You know, it brings about this deep sense of well-being 00:18:22.979 --> 00:18:25.639 that comes from living according to God's ways. 00:18:25.959 --> 00:18:28.479 And there are so many scriptures 00:18:28.479 --> 00:18:30.079 that I could take you to tonight 00:18:30.079 --> 00:18:31.139 that would show you this, 00:18:31.140 --> 00:18:39.000 that if we did what the Bible said that we should do, 00:18:39.400 --> 00:18:42.040 we would probably avoid a lot of the circumstances 00:18:42.040 --> 00:18:43.320 that make us unhappy. 00:18:43.780 --> 00:18:45.360 You know, there's loads of choruses 00:18:45.360 --> 00:18:47.120 that we're going through my mind as we're preparing, 00:18:47.759 --> 00:18:50.860 but you remember that one that we used to sing, 00:18:50.940 --> 00:18:51.940 trust and obey, trust and obey. 00:18:51.960 --> 00:18:53.780 There's no other way but to be happy in Jesus, 00:18:53.940 --> 00:18:56.040 but to trust and obey. 00:18:56.039 --> 00:19:01.059 And obedience brings about this sense of well-being. 00:19:01.200 --> 00:19:02.559 And I'm using slightly different words, 00:19:02.659 --> 00:19:03.879 but you'll see how they're all connected 00:19:03.879 --> 00:19:06.159 to what we might just refer to 00:19:06.159 --> 00:19:07.619 as an umbrella term as happiness. 00:19:08.539 --> 00:19:10.859 So the key difference between what the Bible says 00:19:10.859 --> 00:19:12.139 and what the world would say 00:19:12.139 --> 00:19:14.500 is that the Bible would say that happiness 00:19:14.500 --> 00:19:17.099 is a fruit of godly living. 00:19:18.740 --> 00:19:21.819 But the kind of modern world would say 00:19:21.819 --> 00:19:24.680 that, you know, happiness is the purpose of life 00:19:24.680 --> 00:19:26.759 rather than the by-product. 00:19:27.960 --> 00:19:30.640 So we've thought about the source of happiness 00:19:30.640 --> 00:19:32.180 is in God's presence. 00:19:32.360 --> 00:19:34.220 God's presence itself brings about 00:19:34.220 --> 00:19:39.060 that deep, enduring joy and peace and rest 00:19:39.060 --> 00:19:41.440 as different words that you will see will come up 00:19:41.440 --> 00:19:43.299 in relation to happiness. 00:19:44.019 --> 00:19:45.460 And then second of all, life goals. 00:19:45.640 --> 00:19:48.480 So our life goal is not to be happy. 00:19:49.000 --> 00:19:50.940 Our life goal is to be obedient to God 00:19:50.940 --> 00:19:53.820 and the by-product of that is happiness. 00:19:54.680 --> 00:19:55.980 But I want to think about something 00:19:55.980 --> 00:19:59.140 a little bit more deeper than that. 00:19:59.220 --> 00:20:01.240 And it's this, what is happiness's relationship 00:20:01.240 --> 00:20:01.820 with suffering? 00:20:02.299 --> 00:20:06.019 Because life is not a bed of roses. 00:20:06.680 --> 00:20:08.680 And if you were ever in a Bible study 00:20:08.680 --> 00:20:09.539 with my granddad, he would say, 00:20:09.600 --> 00:20:10.940 well, I don't know why you call it a bed of roses 00:20:10.940 --> 00:20:14.080 because I wouldn't like to land in a bed of roses. 00:20:14.360 --> 00:20:17.900 But what is happiness's relationship to suffering? 00:20:18.019 --> 00:20:19.320 Well, the modern view would say this, 00:20:20.019 --> 00:20:21.519 that suffering is typically seen 00:20:21.519 --> 00:20:23.839 as an obstacle to happiness. 00:20:24.339 --> 00:20:27.000 It's something to be avoided or to be minimized. 00:20:27.579 --> 00:20:30.859 And happiness often means being free from pain 00:20:30.859 --> 00:20:32.119 or difficulty. 00:20:32.420 --> 00:20:33.339 Life is a breeze. 00:20:33.720 --> 00:20:36.000 That's what the world would have us think. 00:20:36.759 --> 00:20:37.680 But when we come to the Bible, 00:20:38.359 --> 00:20:40.500 we see that suffering can produce joy 00:20:40.500 --> 00:20:43.180 because it develops faith and character and hope. 00:20:43.579 --> 00:20:45.379 You just read about that in Romans chapter five. 00:20:45.460 --> 00:20:48.359 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, 00:20:48.359 --> 00:20:50.240 knowing that suffering produces endurance 00:20:50.240 --> 00:20:52.519 and endurance produces character 00:20:52.519 --> 00:20:54.000 and character produces hope. 00:20:54.119 --> 00:20:55.539 And hope does not put us to shame 00:20:55.539 --> 00:20:59.439 because God's love has been poured into our hearts 00:20:59.439 --> 00:21:02.319 through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. 00:21:03.099 --> 00:21:05.339 You'll see that some of the references 00:21:05.339 --> 00:21:08.740 that I've used will help us to just underline 00:21:08.740 --> 00:21:10.279 the point that I made earlier, 00:21:10.419 --> 00:21:13.279 that happiness is found in God's presence 00:21:13.279 --> 00:21:16.160 and God's presence comes to live 00:21:16.160 --> 00:21:19.460 within each and every child of God. 00:21:20.599 --> 00:21:21.879 You know, there's joy in trials. 00:21:22.619 --> 00:21:25.399 It's something that we don't often want to think about. 00:21:25.599 --> 00:21:28.940 But again, you come to James chapter one 00:21:28.940 --> 00:21:29.579 and it says this, 00:21:29.660 --> 00:21:30.920 count it all joy, my brothers, 00:21:31.399 --> 00:21:33.519 when you meet trials of various kinds, 00:21:34.639 --> 00:21:36.519 for you know that testing of your faith 00:21:36.519 --> 00:21:38.619 produces steadfastness. 00:21:38.619 --> 00:21:41.479 You know, the Bible acknowledges suffering, 00:21:41.839 --> 00:21:44.079 but it teaches that even trials 00:21:44.079 --> 00:21:46.000 can lead to deeper joy, 00:21:46.659 --> 00:21:49.279 deeper reliance on God. 00:21:50.079 --> 00:21:53.599 And as we are put through some of these trials 00:21:53.599 --> 00:21:54.639 of various kind, 00:21:55.059 --> 00:21:57.199 then the testing of our faith on God 00:21:57.199 --> 00:21:59.139 produces this steadfastness. 00:21:59.259 --> 00:22:01.819 And that is what, when we ask people, 00:22:02.299 --> 00:22:02.839 excuse me, 00:22:04.299 --> 00:22:05.619 why we long for happiness, 00:22:05.619 --> 00:22:08.079 we're not just longing for some kind of, 00:22:08.079 --> 00:22:10.419 some kind of merriment on a Friday night, 00:22:10.779 --> 00:22:12.419 but most people are looking for something 00:22:12.419 --> 00:22:14.639 that is deep and lasting and enduring. 00:22:15.599 --> 00:22:17.519 A peace, a rest, a happiness 00:22:17.519 --> 00:22:20.739 that carries them through life 00:22:20.739 --> 00:22:23.259 rather than bouncing from one weekend 00:22:23.259 --> 00:22:24.539 to the next. 00:22:25.399 --> 00:22:27.459 Again, we can come to 1 Thessalonians, 00:22:27.879 --> 00:22:29.019 reading chapter five, 00:22:29.619 --> 00:22:30.739 verses 16 to 18, 00:22:30.839 --> 00:22:31.339 and it says this, 00:22:31.399 --> 00:22:32.459 rejoice always, 00:22:33.219 --> 00:22:34.199 pray without ceasing, 00:22:34.200 --> 00:22:38.200 giving thanks in all circumstances. 00:22:39.600 --> 00:22:41.240 You know, trusting and thanking God, 00:22:41.539 --> 00:22:43.200 even in hardship or trial, 00:22:43.299 --> 00:22:45.080 leads to a lasting kind of joy. 00:22:45.860 --> 00:22:47.299 And that is so contrary to what the Bible, 00:22:47.460 --> 00:22:48.940 what the world would believe, 00:22:49.660 --> 00:22:50.220 which is this, 00:22:50.259 --> 00:22:52.220 that modern happiness usually requires 00:22:52.220 --> 00:22:53.640 the absence of these things, 00:22:53.799 --> 00:22:55.480 but yet biblical joy can exist 00:22:55.480 --> 00:22:57.880 through pain and hardship. 00:22:58.620 --> 00:22:59.620 Only on point three, 00:22:59.619 --> 00:23:03.219 and I hope they can last to the last two. 00:23:12.419 --> 00:23:14.599 The first point was about the source of happiness. 00:23:14.759 --> 00:23:16.259 The second point was on about the, 00:23:16.379 --> 00:23:16.659 you know, 00:23:16.959 --> 00:23:17.979 the goal of life. 00:23:18.179 --> 00:23:20.339 The third point was its relationship with suffering. 00:23:20.899 --> 00:23:22.519 The fourth point that I want to just cover briefly 00:23:22.519 --> 00:23:24.680 is around the focus. 00:23:25.259 --> 00:23:25.700 The focus, 00:23:25.819 --> 00:23:27.480 and this is around our focus, 00:23:27.839 --> 00:23:29.660 and what I'm thinking about here is, 00:23:30.059 --> 00:23:31.559 is our focus on ourselves, 00:23:31.799 --> 00:23:33.240 or is it on others? 00:23:33.359 --> 00:23:34.119 And when I say others, 00:23:34.940 --> 00:23:35.259 again, 00:23:35.779 --> 00:23:37.700 the chorus that we used to sing in Sunday school, 00:23:37.819 --> 00:23:38.519 if you were brought up in a, 00:23:39.519 --> 00:23:40.319 if you were brought up, 00:23:40.339 --> 00:23:40.859 going to Sunday school, 00:23:40.920 --> 00:23:42.779 you might have sang a song that says, 00:23:43.660 --> 00:23:44.200 Jai, 00:23:44.279 --> 00:23:45.119 so Jai for Jesus, 00:23:45.259 --> 00:23:45.720 Jai, 00:23:46.160 --> 00:23:46.619 O-I, 00:23:46.700 --> 00:23:46.900 Jai, 00:23:46.960 --> 00:23:47.220 O-I, 00:23:47.319 --> 00:23:48.119 this is what it means, 00:23:48.259 --> 00:23:48.960 Jesus first, 00:23:49.420 --> 00:23:50.359 yourself last, 00:23:50.420 --> 00:23:51.240 and others in between. 00:23:51.240 --> 00:23:52.460 They might not have sung that, 00:23:52.559 --> 00:23:53.759 but that was one that came to mind 00:23:53.759 --> 00:23:55.039 as I was thinking about this, 00:23:55.099 --> 00:23:56.859 but it's the focus on ourselves, 00:23:57.079 --> 00:23:58.620 or is it on others? 00:23:59.720 --> 00:24:00.099 You know, 00:24:00.200 --> 00:24:00.920 the Bible says this, 00:24:01.019 --> 00:24:01.839 that joy grows from, 00:24:02.400 --> 00:24:03.900 joy grows within us 00:24:03.900 --> 00:24:05.859 from loving and serving others. 00:24:06.420 --> 00:24:07.480 Happiness comes through 00:24:07.480 --> 00:24:09.700 humility and service. 00:24:10.880 --> 00:24:12.240 You read in Acts chapter 20, 00:24:12.319 --> 00:24:12.880 verse 35, 00:24:13.059 --> 00:24:14.539 it says it is more blessed. 00:24:15.180 --> 00:24:15.700 That's that word, 00:24:15.759 --> 00:24:16.259 blessed again, 00:24:16.359 --> 00:24:17.640 it's more happy. 00:24:18.420 --> 00:24:19.000 People are, 00:24:19.000 --> 00:24:20.839 you're more satisfied to give 00:24:20.839 --> 00:24:22.939 than to receive. 00:24:23.439 --> 00:24:25.419 The modern view is this, 00:24:25.480 --> 00:24:26.899 that happiness is very self-centered. 00:24:27.240 --> 00:24:28.199 It's what we're taught in school, 00:24:28.699 --> 00:24:29.839 it's what we're taught on our TVs, 00:24:30.199 --> 00:24:31.159 it's how we've been conditioned, 00:24:32.019 --> 00:24:34.119 and it's very self-focused. 00:24:34.459 --> 00:24:36.139 It's about maximizing our own pleasure, 00:24:36.659 --> 00:24:37.359 our own comfort, 00:24:37.480 --> 00:24:38.359 our own success. 00:24:39.279 --> 00:24:39.599 However, 00:24:40.339 --> 00:24:42.379 I just want to slightly caveat that, 00:24:42.500 --> 00:24:42.819 because 00:24:42.819 --> 00:24:46.119 modern psychology would, 00:24:46.119 --> 00:24:49.399 as it kind of starts to align with scripture 00:24:49.399 --> 00:24:50.739 in a sense, 00:24:50.839 --> 00:24:51.639 because it supports 00:24:51.639 --> 00:24:53.079 what the Bible teaches 00:24:53.079 --> 00:24:54.019 around gratitude 00:24:54.019 --> 00:24:55.459 and purpose, 00:24:55.779 --> 00:24:56.739 and anybody who's been on 00:24:56.739 --> 00:24:57.939 any kind of mental health, 00:24:58.619 --> 00:24:59.299 whether you're in a 00:24:59.299 --> 00:25:00.719 line management position at work, 00:25:01.119 --> 00:25:01.779 and it's dealing with 00:25:01.779 --> 00:25:03.099 employees with mental health, 00:25:03.219 --> 00:25:04.939 or in other circumstances, 00:25:05.059 --> 00:25:06.299 and we've all been touched by this, 00:25:07.899 --> 00:25:09.899 you'll have heard of these things, 00:25:09.959 --> 00:25:10.879 about being grateful, 00:25:11.019 --> 00:25:11.759 and about journaling, 00:25:12.339 --> 00:25:13.759 and about serving other people, 00:25:13.859 --> 00:25:14.559 that makes us happy. 00:25:14.700 --> 00:25:14.759 So, 00:25:15.119 --> 00:25:15.440 actually, 00:25:15.519 --> 00:25:16.420 we've kind of come through, 00:25:16.579 --> 00:25:17.400 maybe like the last, 00:25:17.720 --> 00:25:17.940 I mean, 00:25:18.140 --> 00:25:19.319 for all times it's been the same, 00:25:19.400 --> 00:25:21.759 we're very much self-centered people, 00:25:21.960 --> 00:25:24.119 but some modern psychology 00:25:24.119 --> 00:25:24.980 would maybe affirm 00:25:24.980 --> 00:25:25.700 some of the things 00:25:25.700 --> 00:25:26.660 that the Bible would say, 00:25:26.740 --> 00:25:27.680 but they're not right 00:25:27.680 --> 00:25:29.180 because they're right enough themselves, 00:25:29.319 --> 00:25:30.319 they're right because they agree 00:25:30.319 --> 00:25:31.960 with what scripture says. 00:25:32.920 --> 00:25:33.079 So, 00:25:33.339 --> 00:25:34.759 maybe both nowadays 00:25:34.759 --> 00:25:35.539 the world's view 00:25:35.539 --> 00:25:36.579 and the biblical view 00:25:36.579 --> 00:25:37.539 are slightly aligned, 00:25:38.099 --> 00:25:39.519 but the Bible 00:25:39.519 --> 00:25:40.920 tells us that 00:25:40.920 --> 00:25:43.440 that 00:25:43.440 --> 00:25:44.580 is God's 00:25:44.580 --> 00:25:46.019 design for love, 00:25:46.720 --> 00:25:47.340 and 00:25:47.340 --> 00:25:48.940 love is demonstrated 00:25:48.940 --> 00:25:50.019 by serving others, 00:25:50.160 --> 00:25:50.380 by 00:25:50.380 --> 00:25:52.039 looking after others, 00:25:52.120 --> 00:25:53.460 by being selfless 00:25:53.460 --> 00:25:53.880 in a way, 00:25:54.320 --> 00:25:54.759 and 00:25:54.759 --> 00:25:55.660 you'll even 00:25:55.660 --> 00:25:56.820 see some of the rhetoric 00:25:56.820 --> 00:25:57.539 that came out of 00:25:57.539 --> 00:25:58.300 Turning Point USA 00:25:58.300 --> 00:25:59.759 after the death 00:25:59.759 --> 00:26:01.100 of Charlie Kirk, 00:26:01.860 --> 00:26:02.940 where that was very much 00:26:02.940 --> 00:26:03.300 his 00:26:03.300 --> 00:26:04.360 motto, 00:26:04.539 --> 00:26:04.960 which was 00:26:04.960 --> 00:26:06.220 faith and family 00:26:06.220 --> 00:26:07.160 and sacrifice 00:26:07.160 --> 00:26:08.080 and serving others, 00:26:08.259 --> 00:26:08.920 and I'm sure 00:26:08.920 --> 00:26:09.680 many of us have 00:26:09.680 --> 00:26:10.840 seen some of that 00:26:10.839 --> 00:26:11.779 recently 00:26:11.779 --> 00:26:13.459 is very much 00:26:13.459 --> 00:26:14.099 taking away 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:15.879 focus from ourselves 00:26:15.879 --> 00:26:16.559 and putting on 00:26:16.559 --> 00:26:17.199 other people. 00:26:18.679 --> 00:26:18.879 You know, 00:26:19.059 --> 00:26:21.000 in the day 00:26:21.000 --> 00:26:22.539 in which we live, 00:26:22.839 --> 00:26:23.599 that is the way 00:26:23.599 --> 00:26:24.259 that we have been 00:26:24.259 --> 00:26:25.599 conditioned very much 00:26:25.599 --> 00:26:26.539 to focus on self, 00:26:26.740 --> 00:26:28.000 and we live in a day 00:26:28.000 --> 00:26:28.699 of comparison, 00:26:28.859 --> 00:26:29.839 you just need to 00:26:29.839 --> 00:26:30.539 flick through 00:26:30.539 --> 00:26:31.699 your Instagram feed 00:26:31.699 --> 00:26:33.199 for any length of time, 00:26:33.259 --> 00:26:34.099 and you're always comparing, 00:26:34.240 --> 00:26:34.859 and I've actually 00:26:34.859 --> 00:26:35.759 looked at some of yours 00:26:35.759 --> 00:26:36.240 this week, 00:26:36.240 --> 00:26:39.420 not that I want 00:26:39.420 --> 00:26:39.859 to compare, 00:26:39.960 --> 00:26:40.200 but you know, 00:26:40.240 --> 00:26:40.700 I wish I had 00:26:40.700 --> 00:26:41.599 the legs 00:26:41.599 --> 00:26:43.299 and the bikes 00:26:43.299 --> 00:26:44.240 that some people have, 00:26:44.279 --> 00:26:44.799 or I wish I'd been 00:26:44.799 --> 00:26:45.319 on the holiday 00:26:45.319 --> 00:26:46.059 that other people 00:26:46.059 --> 00:26:46.880 had, 00:26:47.099 --> 00:26:48.500 or whatever it is, 00:26:48.700 --> 00:26:49.880 that nice restaurant 00:26:49.880 --> 00:26:50.559 that you went to, 00:26:51.460 --> 00:26:53.059 you just compare 00:26:53.059 --> 00:26:53.920 what you've been doing 00:26:53.920 --> 00:26:54.599 to what somebody else 00:26:54.599 --> 00:26:54.819 has been doing. 00:26:54.859 --> 00:26:55.819 It's a natural thing 00:26:55.819 --> 00:26:56.819 that happens to us all, 00:26:57.019 --> 00:26:58.140 but we live in a world 00:26:58.140 --> 00:26:59.539 where comparison 00:26:59.539 --> 00:27:00.740 is really 00:27:00.740 --> 00:27:01.960 a dangerous, 00:27:02.079 --> 00:27:02.660 dangerous thing, 00:27:02.660 --> 00:27:04.320 and we start 00:27:04.320 --> 00:27:05.420 to compare what we have 00:27:05.420 --> 00:27:06.440 to what other people have, 00:27:06.500 --> 00:27:07.420 and I don't think 00:27:07.420 --> 00:27:08.779 anybody has been 00:27:08.779 --> 00:27:09.720 affected on this, 00:27:09.980 --> 00:27:10.779 not been affected 00:27:10.779 --> 00:27:11.240 by this, 00:27:11.320 --> 00:27:11.840 but it's certainly 00:27:11.840 --> 00:27:13.480 affected my family 00:27:13.480 --> 00:27:14.860 over the last few years 00:27:14.860 --> 00:27:15.120 where, 00:27:16.279 --> 00:27:16.800 and I want to say 00:27:16.800 --> 00:27:17.519 this very kindly, 00:27:17.720 --> 00:27:19.279 but setting aside 00:27:19.279 --> 00:27:19.900 the clinical 00:27:19.900 --> 00:27:21.480 and the medical issues 00:27:21.480 --> 00:27:22.720 that may be associated 00:27:22.720 --> 00:27:23.259 with this, 00:27:23.779 --> 00:27:24.460 a number of people 00:27:24.460 --> 00:27:25.060 in my family 00:27:25.060 --> 00:27:26.920 have taken their own lives 00:27:26.920 --> 00:27:28.800 in the last few years, 00:27:29.800 --> 00:27:30.620 and some of the, 00:27:30.660 --> 00:27:32.019 some of the things 00:27:32.019 --> 00:27:32.420 that they, 00:27:32.740 --> 00:27:33.259 and I'm going to use 00:27:33.259 --> 00:27:34.000 the word guilty of, 00:27:34.079 --> 00:27:35.160 but say that carefully 00:27:35.160 --> 00:27:36.099 and it's affected me 00:27:36.099 --> 00:27:37.200 rather than anyone else 00:27:37.200 --> 00:27:38.440 in these circumstances, 00:27:38.799 --> 00:27:39.720 but they were very 00:27:39.720 --> 00:27:41.379 self-absorbed. 00:27:42.319 --> 00:27:42.980 Now, as I say, 00:27:43.119 --> 00:27:43.960 set aside the clinical 00:27:43.960 --> 00:27:44.879 and the medical issues 00:27:44.879 --> 00:27:45.619 that may have surrounded 00:27:45.619 --> 00:27:47.119 some of these incidents, 00:27:47.500 --> 00:27:48.599 but they very much 00:27:48.599 --> 00:27:49.379 were focused on 00:27:49.379 --> 00:27:50.599 how they were different 00:27:50.599 --> 00:27:51.279 to other people, 00:27:51.579 --> 00:27:51.859 and it was, 00:27:52.099 --> 00:27:52.519 and it was, 00:27:52.839 --> 00:27:53.240 I'm saying, 00:27:53.359 --> 00:27:54.059 I use the word game, 00:27:54.139 --> 00:27:54.639 but it was a, 00:27:54.639 --> 00:27:55.420 it was a, 00:27:55.420 --> 00:27:57.039 it was a game of comparison 00:27:57.039 --> 00:27:58.019 in that sense, 00:27:58.400 --> 00:27:59.660 and it was a very dangerous 00:27:59.660 --> 00:28:01.980 and a disastrous outcome 00:28:01.980 --> 00:28:03.759 to be caught in that 00:28:03.759 --> 00:28:05.299 where you're always comparing 00:28:05.299 --> 00:28:06.120 and you always think 00:28:06.120 --> 00:28:07.400 that you don't have 00:28:07.400 --> 00:28:08.220 what other people have 00:28:08.220 --> 00:28:08.880 and you'd be happy 00:28:08.880 --> 00:28:09.860 if you had what they had, 00:28:10.099 --> 00:28:10.720 and it goes back 00:28:10.720 --> 00:28:11.240 to what we said 00:28:11.240 --> 00:28:11.700 at the beginning 00:28:11.700 --> 00:28:13.000 of this, 00:28:13.200 --> 00:28:14.799 this topic tonight 00:28:14.799 --> 00:28:15.559 that we, 00:28:15.779 --> 00:28:17.519 we think we would be happy 00:28:17.519 --> 00:28:18.160 if, 00:28:18.779 --> 00:28:20.599 and that can have 00:28:20.599 --> 00:28:21.980 disastrous, 00:28:22.460 --> 00:28:24.380 disastrous outcomes, 00:28:24.380 --> 00:28:25.180 and I'm sure 00:28:25.180 --> 00:28:26.180 that everybody will know 00:28:26.180 --> 00:28:27.180 people who have been 00:28:27.180 --> 00:28:28.000 affected by that, 00:28:28.339 --> 00:28:29.160 but I say that kindly 00:28:29.160 --> 00:28:29.640 because, 00:28:29.980 --> 00:28:30.440 as I say, 00:28:30.500 --> 00:28:31.019 that has affected 00:28:31.019 --> 00:28:31.580 our family 00:28:31.580 --> 00:28:33.400 in many ways 00:28:33.400 --> 00:28:34.320 over the last few years, 00:28:35.019 --> 00:28:35.560 but lastly, 00:28:35.640 --> 00:28:36.120 I just want to think 00:28:36.120 --> 00:28:36.519 about this, 00:28:36.620 --> 00:28:37.220 number five, 00:28:37.560 --> 00:28:38.580 and it's about duration, 00:28:39.200 --> 00:28:39.920 what is the duration 00:28:39.920 --> 00:28:41.100 of happiness? 00:28:41.680 --> 00:28:41.880 You know, 00:28:41.940 --> 00:28:42.820 I think we, 00:28:43.240 --> 00:28:43.900 in our world, 00:28:44.019 --> 00:28:44.640 we see people 00:28:44.640 --> 00:28:45.240 that bounce 00:28:45.240 --> 00:28:46.940 on a Monday morning, 00:28:47.140 --> 00:28:48.080 they are not happy, 00:28:49.019 --> 00:28:49.580 when you come 00:28:49.580 --> 00:28:50.440 midway through the week, 00:28:50.500 --> 00:28:51.100 they're a little bit 00:28:51.100 --> 00:28:51.580 more happy, 00:28:51.580 --> 00:28:52.100 and when it comes 00:28:52.100 --> 00:28:53.080 to a Friday afternoon, 00:28:53.200 --> 00:28:54.360 they're absolutely elated 00:28:54.360 --> 00:28:55.920 to get out the door 00:28:55.920 --> 00:28:56.680 at whatever time 00:28:56.680 --> 00:28:58.019 that they are skipping 00:28:58.019 --> 00:28:59.220 out slightly early, 00:28:59.940 --> 00:29:00.700 but then they just 00:29:00.700 --> 00:29:01.360 do it all again 00:29:01.360 --> 00:29:02.060 week after week, 00:29:02.120 --> 00:29:02.700 and they bounce 00:29:02.700 --> 00:29:04.180 through this, 00:29:04.460 --> 00:29:05.440 almost from a crisis 00:29:05.440 --> 00:29:06.080 to a crisis, 00:29:06.620 --> 00:29:07.580 and they turn to things 00:29:07.580 --> 00:29:08.400 to fill that void, 00:29:08.620 --> 00:29:09.340 and it never really 00:29:09.340 --> 00:29:11.279 fills the void, 00:29:11.380 --> 00:29:11.980 but happiness, 00:29:12.400 --> 00:29:13.100 what the Bible teaches 00:29:13.100 --> 00:29:13.360 this, 00:29:13.460 --> 00:29:14.400 happiness is something 00:29:14.400 --> 00:29:16.019 that is eternal 00:29:16.019 --> 00:29:17.019 and unchanging, 00:29:18.080 --> 00:29:19.220 I want to be careful 00:29:19.220 --> 00:29:19.779 when I say that, 00:29:20.279 --> 00:29:22.480 because what I mean 00:29:22.480 --> 00:29:23.120 by that is that 00:29:23.120 --> 00:29:23.840 it's anchored 00:29:23.839 --> 00:29:24.899 in God's promises 00:29:24.899 --> 00:29:27.279 and in eternal life. 00:29:27.619 --> 00:29:28.539 John chapter 16 00:29:28.539 --> 00:29:29.659 verse 22 says this, 00:29:29.939 --> 00:29:31.279 no one will take 00:29:31.279 --> 00:29:33.119 your joy from you, 00:29:34.019 --> 00:29:35.579 and that is the lot 00:29:35.579 --> 00:29:36.939 for us as Christians, 00:29:37.119 --> 00:29:38.039 that is our lot, 00:29:38.139 --> 00:29:38.899 we can have 00:29:38.899 --> 00:29:40.759 a deep-rooted 00:29:40.759 --> 00:29:42.399 and a steadfast 00:29:42.399 --> 00:29:43.579 and a stable happy, 00:29:43.679 --> 00:29:44.939 a stable joy, 00:29:45.139 --> 00:29:45.659 a rest, 00:29:45.799 --> 00:29:46.139 a peace, 00:29:46.179 --> 00:29:46.639 I'll come on to 00:29:46.639 --> 00:29:47.639 some of these words 00:29:47.639 --> 00:29:48.399 in a little second, 00:29:49.079 --> 00:29:50.059 and it's not necessarily 00:29:50.059 --> 00:29:51.319 the circumstantial happiness 00:29:51.319 --> 00:29:52.679 that the world thinks 00:29:52.679 --> 00:29:53.179 is happiness, 00:29:53.180 --> 00:29:54.880 but it is something 00:29:54.880 --> 00:29:55.820 that is much more 00:29:55.820 --> 00:29:57.060 deep and meaningful, 00:29:57.560 --> 00:29:59.320 and as God gives us that, 00:29:59.980 --> 00:30:00.820 we find that that 00:30:00.820 --> 00:30:01.560 is amplified 00:30:01.560 --> 00:30:02.880 when we're in His presence 00:30:02.880 --> 00:30:04.840 and when His presence 00:30:04.840 --> 00:30:06.580 is in us. 00:30:07.120 --> 00:30:07.259 You know, 00:30:07.340 --> 00:30:07.799 as I say, 00:30:07.880 --> 00:30:09.400 the modern world view 00:30:09.400 --> 00:30:09.759 is this, 00:30:09.840 --> 00:30:10.259 that happiness 00:30:10.259 --> 00:30:11.240 is often temporary, 00:30:11.440 --> 00:30:12.220 it's a fleeting emotion, 00:30:12.700 --> 00:30:13.340 and it's tied 00:30:13.340 --> 00:30:14.779 to changing circumstance. 00:30:16.640 --> 00:30:17.279 Excuse me. 00:30:17.980 --> 00:30:18.900 So I guess the question 00:30:18.900 --> 00:30:19.180 is this, 00:30:19.180 --> 00:30:20.039 should we be happy? 00:30:20.519 --> 00:30:21.019 Well, actually, 00:30:21.160 --> 00:30:22.080 I've got a little 00:30:22.080 --> 00:30:22.820 curveball in here, 00:30:22.819 --> 00:30:22.960 right, 00:30:22.980 --> 00:30:23.799 but should we be happy 00:30:23.799 --> 00:30:25.279 if we are rebelling 00:30:25.279 --> 00:30:25.899 against God, 00:30:25.980 --> 00:30:26.079 right? 00:30:26.119 --> 00:30:26.579 Three people 00:30:26.579 --> 00:30:27.740 that I want to think about, 00:30:27.839 --> 00:30:28.339 two have definitely 00:30:28.339 --> 00:30:28.819 been rebelling, 00:30:28.960 --> 00:30:29.779 one hasn't, 00:30:29.859 --> 00:30:31.079 but remember 00:30:31.079 --> 00:30:32.259 the question 00:30:32.259 --> 00:30:33.659 that God asks Cain, 00:30:34.119 --> 00:30:34.839 and he says this, 00:30:34.919 --> 00:30:36.139 why are you angry? 00:30:36.359 --> 00:30:37.519 Why has your countenance 00:30:37.519 --> 00:30:37.919 fallen? 00:30:38.720 --> 00:30:39.299 And it's because 00:30:39.299 --> 00:30:40.399 he was trying to do things 00:30:40.399 --> 00:30:42.079 on his own way, 00:30:42.460 --> 00:30:43.220 how he thought 00:30:43.220 --> 00:30:43.919 he should live, 00:30:44.359 --> 00:30:45.539 rather than how 00:30:45.539 --> 00:30:46.919 God would have him. 00:30:47.220 --> 00:30:48.119 You then come to David, 00:30:48.679 --> 00:30:49.639 and the same question 00:30:49.639 --> 00:30:50.179 can be asked, 00:30:50.180 --> 00:30:51.560 you can read several Psalms, 00:30:52.080 --> 00:30:53.519 and you know, 00:30:53.560 --> 00:30:54.240 Psalm 13, 00:30:54.680 --> 00:30:55.120 34, 00:30:55.259 --> 00:30:56.039 51, 00:30:56.500 --> 00:30:57.400 different times 00:30:57.400 --> 00:30:57.860 where David 00:30:57.860 --> 00:30:58.519 has gone out, 00:30:58.900 --> 00:30:59.539 and he's rebelled 00:30:59.539 --> 00:31:00.200 against God, 00:31:00.360 --> 00:31:01.580 and he's committed adultery, 00:31:01.740 --> 00:31:02.299 and he's lied, 00:31:02.380 --> 00:31:03.240 and he's committed murder, 00:31:03.640 --> 00:31:05.759 and he poses the question 00:31:05.759 --> 00:31:07.019 about why the joy 00:31:07.019 --> 00:31:07.660 of his salvation, 00:31:07.820 --> 00:31:08.759 why the joy of the Lord, 00:31:08.860 --> 00:31:10.920 why just the joy 00:31:10.920 --> 00:31:11.500 that he should have 00:31:11.500 --> 00:31:11.820 within him 00:31:11.820 --> 00:31:13.019 has been removed from him, 00:31:13.240 --> 00:31:14.539 and he pleads with God 00:31:14.539 --> 00:31:15.580 that that might be restored, 00:31:15.579 --> 00:31:17.359 and some of these circumstances 00:31:17.359 --> 00:31:18.039 are very much 00:31:18.039 --> 00:31:19.119 David's own doing, 00:31:19.559 --> 00:31:20.079 some of them are 00:31:20.079 --> 00:31:20.939 other circumstances 00:31:20.939 --> 00:31:22.279 that David finds himself in, 00:31:22.539 --> 00:31:23.599 and he's away from Jerusalem, 00:31:23.819 --> 00:31:24.799 and we've covered that recently, 00:31:25.419 --> 00:31:25.699 and, 00:31:25.939 --> 00:31:28.259 but, 00:31:29.259 --> 00:31:30.059 the question about 00:31:30.059 --> 00:31:30.659 should we be, 00:31:30.720 --> 00:31:31.599 expect to be happy 00:31:31.599 --> 00:31:32.339 when we're rebelling 00:31:32.339 --> 00:31:32.980 against God, 00:31:33.059 --> 00:31:33.220 well, 00:31:33.699 --> 00:31:35.759 the fact is, 00:31:35.839 --> 00:31:36.740 if we are actively 00:31:36.740 --> 00:31:38.339 rebelling against God, 00:31:38.399 --> 00:31:39.559 if we're not living 00:31:39.559 --> 00:31:40.559 according to his word, 00:31:40.619 --> 00:31:41.759 if we're not obeying him, 00:31:41.980 --> 00:31:42.519 then we'll not know 00:31:42.519 --> 00:31:44.059 the joy of his presence 00:31:44.059 --> 00:31:44.579 in our life, 00:31:44.639 --> 00:31:45.259 we'll not know the joy 00:31:45.259 --> 00:31:45.920 of the salvation, 00:31:46.579 --> 00:31:47.099 and therefore, 00:31:47.220 --> 00:31:47.640 there should be 00:31:47.640 --> 00:31:48.500 some kind of trouble 00:31:48.500 --> 00:31:49.079 within us, 00:31:49.160 --> 00:31:49.819 there should be something 00:31:49.819 --> 00:31:51.180 that is restless within us, 00:31:51.279 --> 00:31:52.500 as we long for God 00:31:52.500 --> 00:31:53.500 to be part of our lives, 00:31:53.599 --> 00:31:54.240 to be in our lives, 00:31:54.319 --> 00:31:55.019 to be controlling, 00:31:55.180 --> 00:31:55.819 to be guiding, 00:31:56.319 --> 00:31:57.539 to be sustaining us, 00:31:57.599 --> 00:31:58.480 to be comforting us, 00:31:58.839 --> 00:31:59.599 and if we are, 00:31:59.680 --> 00:32:00.980 if we have chosen a life 00:32:00.980 --> 00:32:03.359 that is pushing God out, 00:32:03.700 --> 00:32:05.039 and we're actively sinning, 00:32:05.480 --> 00:32:05.759 then, 00:32:06.140 --> 00:32:06.500 then, 00:32:06.900 --> 00:32:07.440 maybe that, 00:32:07.700 --> 00:32:08.700 maybe that rest, 00:32:08.879 --> 00:32:09.359 and that peace 00:32:09.359 --> 00:32:10.180 that he affords 00:32:10.180 --> 00:32:11.480 might just be absent. 00:32:12.500 --> 00:32:13.379 I was also thinking 00:32:13.379 --> 00:32:14.299 about Mary Magdalene, 00:32:14.299 --> 00:32:15.599 she comes to the tomb 00:32:15.599 --> 00:32:16.740 on that morning, 00:32:16.740 --> 00:32:18.680 and she meets the angels, 00:32:19.019 --> 00:32:19.819 and they ask why 00:32:19.819 --> 00:32:21.000 that she has been crying, 00:32:21.099 --> 00:32:21.700 and she says this, 00:32:21.759 --> 00:32:23.940 they have taken my Lord. 00:32:24.019 --> 00:32:24.299 Again, 00:32:24.599 --> 00:32:25.399 the Lord was taken 00:32:25.399 --> 00:32:26.139 from her presence, 00:32:26.339 --> 00:32:27.460 and that's what had upset her, 00:32:27.500 --> 00:32:28.839 and that should upset us too. 00:32:29.259 --> 00:32:30.339 When the presence of the Lord 00:32:30.339 --> 00:32:31.220 is not with us, 00:32:31.299 --> 00:32:31.879 we should be, 00:32:32.819 --> 00:32:34.000 I would use the word troubled, 00:32:34.099 --> 00:32:35.259 you know what I mean by that? 00:32:36.019 --> 00:32:37.279 I don't think we should necessarily be, 00:32:38.279 --> 00:32:39.720 there's no despair, 00:32:39.720 --> 00:32:41.539 but certainly we should be like David, 00:32:41.700 --> 00:32:42.519 and we should be seeking 00:32:42.519 --> 00:32:43.500 to restore that, 00:32:44.019 --> 00:32:45.880 and a verse that I'll often use 00:32:45.880 --> 00:32:46.819 in 1 John, 00:32:46.900 --> 00:32:47.500 if we are faithful, 00:32:48.140 --> 00:32:49.980 if we confess our sins, 00:32:50.059 --> 00:32:50.819 he is faithful and just 00:32:50.819 --> 00:32:51.579 to forgive our sins, 00:32:51.660 --> 00:32:52.360 and to cleanse us 00:32:52.360 --> 00:32:53.579 from all unrighteousness, 00:32:53.900 --> 00:32:54.799 and our relationship 00:32:54.799 --> 00:32:55.900 is restored, 00:32:56.019 --> 00:32:56.660 and God's presence 00:32:56.660 --> 00:32:57.480 can come back in, 00:32:57.519 --> 00:32:58.500 and even though the Holy Spirit 00:32:58.500 --> 00:32:59.680 never believes a believer, 00:33:00.059 --> 00:33:01.000 once they are saved, 00:33:01.319 --> 00:33:03.100 we definitely experience 00:33:03.100 --> 00:33:04.559 the loss of the joy 00:33:04.559 --> 00:33:06.259 of the presence of the Lord, 00:33:06.259 --> 00:33:09.839 when we follow a path 00:33:09.839 --> 00:33:11.779 that is not in accordance 00:33:11.779 --> 00:33:12.960 with the scripture. 00:33:13.799 --> 00:33:15.059 Then sometimes other than that, 00:33:15.240 --> 00:33:16.720 just the normal cares of this life 00:33:16.720 --> 00:33:17.400 can get us down, 00:33:18.000 --> 00:33:19.700 and it comes down 00:33:19.700 --> 00:33:20.680 to the last three verses 00:33:20.680 --> 00:33:21.799 that I want to leave with us. 00:33:22.119 --> 00:33:22.980 One of my favourite verses 00:33:22.980 --> 00:33:23.680 that I used to, 00:33:24.019 --> 00:33:24.500 again, 00:33:24.579 --> 00:33:25.420 if you grew up in a Sunday school, 00:33:25.519 --> 00:33:26.240 you would remember this, 00:33:26.279 --> 00:33:26.859 in Matthew 11, 00:33:27.339 --> 00:33:28.140 the Lord Jesus says, 00:33:28.240 --> 00:33:28.839 come to me, 00:33:29.180 --> 00:33:29.900 all who labour 00:33:29.900 --> 00:33:30.799 and are heavy laden, 00:33:31.119 --> 00:33:33.079 and I will give you rest. 00:33:33.480 --> 00:33:34.240 And this word rest 00:33:34.240 --> 00:33:35.379 is associated with the word 00:33:35.380 --> 00:33:36.400 that we've been thinking about, 00:33:36.780 --> 00:33:38.380 about the happiness, 00:33:38.720 --> 00:33:41.380 that underlying joy 00:33:41.380 --> 00:33:42.780 and peace and rest 00:33:42.780 --> 00:33:45.200 that comes from the Lord Jesus. 00:33:45.400 --> 00:33:49.140 The Lord Jesus often also says, 00:33:49.280 --> 00:33:50.580 my peace I give to you, 00:33:50.640 --> 00:33:51.160 John 14, 00:33:51.240 --> 00:33:51.700 but the helper, 00:33:52.260 --> 00:33:53.040 the Holy Spirit, 00:33:53.240 --> 00:33:54.460 whom the Father will send 00:33:54.460 --> 00:33:55.040 in my name, 00:33:55.620 --> 00:33:57.020 he will teach you all things 00:33:57.020 --> 00:33:58.640 and bring to your remembrance 00:33:58.640 --> 00:34:00.100 all that I have said to you. 00:34:00.480 --> 00:34:01.800 Peace I leave with you, 00:34:02.220 --> 00:34:03.800 my peace I give to you, 00:34:03.799 --> 00:34:06.240 not as the world gives peace. 00:34:06.960 --> 00:34:08.320 Jesus is acknowledging 00:34:08.320 --> 00:34:10.739 that the world does give peace, 00:34:11.000 --> 00:34:13.219 does give happiness, 00:34:14.340 --> 00:34:15.779 but nothing that is lasting, 00:34:16.119 --> 00:34:17.099 nothing that is true, 00:34:17.679 --> 00:34:19.340 nothing that can compare 00:34:19.340 --> 00:34:21.340 to the joy and the peace 00:34:21.340 --> 00:34:22.000 and the rest 00:34:22.000 --> 00:34:23.480 that can come from him. 00:34:24.300 --> 00:34:24.840 He says, 00:34:24.940 --> 00:34:26.059 let not your hearts be troubled, 00:34:26.199 --> 00:34:28.139 neither let them be afraid. 00:34:28.460 --> 00:34:29.480 Which takes me to the beginning 00:34:29.480 --> 00:34:30.860 of that chapter in 14. 00:34:30.860 --> 00:34:33.120 It starts like this, 00:34:33.240 --> 00:34:34.440 let not your hearts be troubled. 00:34:35.160 --> 00:34:35.920 Believe in God, 00:34:36.059 --> 00:34:37.019 believe also in me. 00:34:37.320 --> 00:34:38.280 In my Father's house 00:34:38.280 --> 00:34:38.960 are many rooms, 00:34:39.039 --> 00:34:39.880 if it were not so, 00:34:40.420 --> 00:34:42.120 would I have told you 00:34:42.120 --> 00:34:43.340 that I go to prepare 00:34:43.340 --> 00:34:44.700 a place for you. 00:34:44.960 --> 00:34:45.940 And if I go and prepare 00:34:45.940 --> 00:34:46.599 a place for you, 00:34:46.860 --> 00:34:47.860 I will come again 00:34:47.860 --> 00:34:50.480 and will take you to myself 00:34:50.480 --> 00:34:51.700 that where I am, 00:34:52.320 --> 00:34:53.200 you may be also. 00:34:53.840 --> 00:34:54.079 You know, 00:34:54.120 --> 00:34:54.539 in a sense, 00:34:54.700 --> 00:34:55.019 true, 00:34:55.559 --> 00:34:56.140 enduring, 00:34:56.860 --> 00:34:57.360 godly, 00:34:57.599 --> 00:34:58.760 God-honoring happiness 00:34:58.760 --> 00:34:59.720 will only be ours 00:34:59.720 --> 00:35:00.400 when we are removed 00:35:00.400 --> 00:35:01.100 from this world 00:35:01.100 --> 00:35:02.680 and we are present 00:35:02.680 --> 00:35:04.060 with Christ. 00:35:04.880 --> 00:35:06.000 But we're given the ability 00:35:06.000 --> 00:35:07.340 and the resources, 00:35:07.500 --> 00:35:07.980 the Holy Spirit, 00:35:08.060 --> 00:35:08.660 I've just read that 00:35:08.660 --> 00:35:09.780 in the last few chapters, 00:35:10.060 --> 00:35:10.600 the last few 00:35:10.600 --> 00:35:13.200 verse quotations there, 00:35:13.860 --> 00:35:14.440 the resources 00:35:14.440 --> 00:35:15.340 to be content 00:35:15.340 --> 00:35:15.960 in this world 00:35:15.960 --> 00:35:16.840 with what we have 00:35:16.840 --> 00:35:18.180 and with what we do. 00:35:18.540 --> 00:35:20.520 So I just want to ask tonight 00:35:20.520 --> 00:35:21.220 that it might be 00:35:21.220 --> 00:35:22.000 our desire 00:35:22.000 --> 00:35:25.780 that we may live lives 00:35:25.780 --> 00:35:27.179 that encourage, 00:35:27.860 --> 00:35:28.739 that challenge, 00:35:29.119 --> 00:35:29.760 that support, 00:35:30.199 --> 00:35:31.360 that we pray for each other, 00:35:31.460 --> 00:35:33.179 that we become like Paul, 00:35:33.400 --> 00:35:34.519 that we be contented 00:35:34.519 --> 00:35:35.880 in each and every circumstance 00:35:35.880 --> 00:35:37.340 that we find ourselves in 00:35:37.340 --> 00:35:39.860 and that we are not contented 00:35:39.860 --> 00:35:41.280 when we don't have that peace 00:35:41.280 --> 00:35:42.539 and that presence 00:35:42.539 --> 00:35:44.940 that only God affords us 00:35:44.940 --> 00:35:46.239 when we come to him. 00:35:47.239 --> 00:35:47.800 Now let us pray. 00:35:47.800 --> 00:35:52.740 Heavenly Father, 00:35:52.840 --> 00:35:55.240 we come before you tonight. 00:35:55.920 --> 00:35:56.980 Thank you for this opportunity 00:35:56.980 --> 00:35:58.200 that we've had to think about 00:35:58.200 --> 00:36:00.880 this subject of contentment. 00:36:01.260 --> 00:36:01.560 Our Father, 00:36:01.620 --> 00:36:02.539 we remember that Paul 00:36:02.539 --> 00:36:03.300 would write to Timothy 00:36:03.300 --> 00:36:04.800 that contentment 00:36:04.800 --> 00:36:05.820 with godliness 00:36:05.820 --> 00:36:07.300 is great gain. 00:36:07.960 --> 00:36:08.680 Our Father, 00:36:08.800 --> 00:36:10.860 something to be sought after, 00:36:10.980 --> 00:36:12.400 something to be treasured. 00:36:12.500 --> 00:36:12.860 And our Father, 00:36:12.940 --> 00:36:13.519 we thank you 00:36:13.519 --> 00:36:15.220 that you have given us 00:36:15.220 --> 00:36:16.580 the ability 00:36:16.580 --> 00:36:17.420 to experience 00:36:17.420 --> 00:36:18.500 this contentedness 00:36:18.500 --> 00:36:19.700 in our lives 00:36:19.700 --> 00:36:20.960 by sending your Holy Spirit 00:36:20.960 --> 00:36:22.579 into our lives 00:36:22.579 --> 00:36:23.280 to help us, 00:36:23.380 --> 00:36:23.940 to guide us, 00:36:23.980 --> 00:36:24.639 to keep us. 00:36:25.599 --> 00:36:26.039 And our Father, 00:36:26.119 --> 00:36:27.900 as we have just considered 00:36:27.900 --> 00:36:29.320 why we long 00:36:29.320 --> 00:36:30.360 for happiness tonight, 00:36:30.460 --> 00:36:30.700 our Father, 00:36:30.780 --> 00:36:31.639 we just pray 00:36:31.639 --> 00:36:33.420 that these scattered thoughts 00:36:33.420 --> 00:36:34.079 may be helpful, 00:36:34.940 --> 00:36:36.159 that we might just think on them 00:36:36.159 --> 00:36:36.880 and ponder them 00:36:36.880 --> 00:36:38.480 and that it might just help us 00:36:38.480 --> 00:36:39.659 to answer some of the questions 00:36:39.659 --> 00:36:41.099 that our unbelieving friends 00:36:41.099 --> 00:36:41.920 may have. 00:36:42.079 --> 00:36:42.720 And even when, 00:36:43.380 --> 00:36:43.599 Father, 00:36:43.800 --> 00:36:45.119 we as your people 00:36:45.119 --> 00:36:46.099 find ourselves 00:36:46.099 --> 00:36:47.280 in times of difficulty, 00:36:47.420 --> 00:36:49.240 that we just draw 00:36:49.240 --> 00:36:50.079 close to you 00:36:50.079 --> 00:36:50.740 for your comfort 00:36:50.740 --> 00:36:51.400 and your care, 00:36:51.619 --> 00:36:53.139 that you may support us, 00:36:53.220 --> 00:36:54.059 that you may lead us 00:36:54.059 --> 00:36:54.920 through the difficult 00:36:54.920 --> 00:36:55.840 times of life. 00:36:57.099 --> 00:36:57.840 And our Father, 00:36:57.920 --> 00:36:58.480 we thank you 00:36:58.480 --> 00:36:59.920 that you have given us 00:36:59.920 --> 00:37:01.599 this hope 00:37:01.599 --> 00:37:02.579 that is within us, 00:37:02.760 --> 00:37:04.280 that we will one day 00:37:04.280 --> 00:37:05.360 go to be with you 00:37:05.360 --> 00:37:06.659 and that we will be like you 00:37:06.659 --> 00:37:07.519 for we will see you 00:37:07.519 --> 00:37:08.380 as you are. 00:37:08.440 --> 00:37:08.700 And our Father, 00:37:08.760 --> 00:37:09.200 we thank you 00:37:09.200 --> 00:37:10.200 that all of that 00:37:10.200 --> 00:37:11.320 is promised to us 00:37:11.320 --> 00:37:12.740 in and through the person 00:37:12.740 --> 00:37:13.480 of your Son, 00:37:13.539 --> 00:37:14.059 the Lord Jesus. 00:37:14.440 --> 00:37:14.659 And so, 00:37:14.780 --> 00:37:14.940 our Father, 00:37:15.000 --> 00:37:15.500 we just ask 00:37:15.500 --> 00:37:16.659 that we might remember 00:37:16.659 --> 00:37:17.760 what we have thought 00:37:17.760 --> 00:37:18.320 about tonight. 00:37:19.260 --> 00:37:20.059 And our Father, 00:37:20.139 --> 00:37:21.099 as we ponder this 00:37:21.099 --> 00:37:21.559 during the week, 00:37:21.619 --> 00:37:21.860 our Father, 00:37:21.920 --> 00:37:22.440 we just ask 00:37:22.440 --> 00:37:22.880 that you would 00:37:22.880 --> 00:37:24.519 bring us into the knowledge 00:37:24.519 --> 00:37:25.840 and the good of this, 00:37:26.280 --> 00:37:27.300 that we might be happy 00:37:27.300 --> 00:37:28.539 and contented people, 00:37:29.159 --> 00:37:31.539 happy to serve you 00:37:31.539 --> 00:37:33.420 and happy to serve others 00:37:33.420 --> 00:37:35.380 as we make our way 00:37:35.380 --> 00:37:37.179 through this life. 00:37:37.360 --> 00:37:37.519 And so, 00:37:37.579 --> 00:37:37.719 our Father, 00:37:37.780 --> 00:37:38.239 we just ask 00:37:38.239 --> 00:37:38.960 that you be with us. 00:37:39.360 --> 00:37:39.900 We thank you again 00:37:39.900 --> 00:37:40.659 for our time together. 00:37:40.659 --> 00:37:41.619 We just ask 00:37:41.619 --> 00:37:42.059 for these things. 00:37:42.179 --> 00:37:42.619 Give them thanks 00:37:42.619 --> 00:37:43.259 in Jesus' name. 00:37:43.699 --> 00:37:43.980 Amen.