atthew 5:1-12 (NIV)
Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them. He said: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Makarios = The favor of God that leaves us more satisfied in Him.
Happiness is the favor of God that leaves us more satisfied in Him.
PLEASURE is the state of being SATISFIED.
HAPPINESS is the state of being satisfied IN GOD.
We pursue PLEASURE at the expense of our HAPPINESS.
To experience satisfaction in God, we must daily deny ourselves of what will satisfy us in the moment.
Happiness is not something we pursue, but it is the byproduct of pursuing something or someone else.
Matthew 5:3 (NIV)
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Penes is the level of poverty when someone must work every day in order to survive.
Ptochos on the other hand is the Greek word for someone who lacks the ability to work and therefore earn any income at all.
Blessed (happier) is the person who realizes they are completely destitute, utterly helpless, spiritually bankrupt, one who realizes their absolute need for God.
The PRICE of ADMISSION is ADMITTING our NEED for Jesus.
We will never depend on something we don’t think we need.
Romans 7:14-15 (NLT)
So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. 15 I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.
Romans 7:18-19 (NLT)
And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature, I want to do what is right, but I can’t. 19 I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway.
Romans 7:24-25 (NLT)
Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? 25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.
Romans 3:23, 6:23 (NIV)
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Admitting our need for Him welcomes us into His way of life.
Blessed (happier) is the person who realizes they are completely destitute, utterly helpless, spiritually bankrupt, one who realizes their absolute need for God.