SEARCHLIGHT
What would it take to make you genuinely happy?
SCRIPTURE FOCUS
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. Matthew 5:3-12 NIV
SPOTLIGHT
Have you heard someone say, “This is going to bless your socks off!”? This affectionate, British expression means you are about to receive a loving dose of appreciation or kindness. That certainly sounds good. However, there is something even better. Do you know that God wants to bless your socks off? This is simply an endearing way of declaring that God longs to fill your life with great blessings and genuine happiness.
Would you like to know who the people are that get their socks blessed off them by God? There are 8 types in this world. In addition, they are the happiest people in the world. And one more thing, you can become one of them by doing what Jesus instructed, when He preached His Sermon On The Mount.
The description of the 8 types of greatly blessed people is identified in Matthew 5:3-11. This part of Christ’s sermon is called the Beatitudes. Jesus taught that these are “attitudes to be.” They are opposite to what most people are looking for, but they lead you to experiencing genuine happiness.
People seeking happiness often focus on what other people say, do, or have. They look in the wrong places to become fulfilled. Unfortunately, too many people come to believe that achievement is found in the promotion of self, or success is seen in how you dress. Sadly, too many people are trying to reach their highest potential by accumulating as much as they can. “How To Be Happy” books and seminars emphasize what people need to do to get there. All of this is contrary to what Jesus taught in the Beatitudes.
Christ’s prescription for genuine happiness can be summarized this way. The happiest people in the world who get their socks blessed off by God:
#1 Realize they have an emptiness, which can only be filled by personally knowing God
#2 Are deeply sorrowful for their sin and repent
#3 Want no pride in their heart
#4 Long to be right with God
#5 Show an abundance of kindness and mercy
#6 Have a pure heart
#7 Strive for Godly peace
#8 Are willing to experience persecution for Jesus’ sake
There you have it. Jesus teaches the Beatitudes because He wants people to experience true happiness. He himself exemplified this teaching. Just before preaching this message, Jesus had been tempted by Satan. [Matthew 4] Satan had offered Him temporary happiness. Jesus faced the lure of material satisfaction, fame, fortune and power. He turned it all down because He knew it did not bring complete satisfaction. Jesus had come to earth for a far greater purpose, that being, to save people from sin and offer them true happiness.
The 8 keys to being greatly blessed focus on what’s inside a person rather than what’s on the outside. Brian Bell says the Beatitudes “are not the DO attitudes but the BE attitudes…If the world wrote these, they would sound more like “Blessed are the healthy, blessed are the wealthy, blessed are the beautiful…always tanned.” Having Godly attitudes is far more important than accumulating things or looking good. Who you are is far more valuable than what you do. Your inner happiness leads to outer happiness.
Will you become like Jesus? None of the Beatitudes are natural. They are produced by God’s grace. They result from allowing the Holy Spirit to change you into the person God intended you to become. Will you invite God to do that?
SOMETHING TO DO
Write out each Beatitude on a separate post-it note. For the next 8 days, post one each day where you can see it all day. Pray about it, read it often, memorize it, and meditate on it.
SOUL TIME PRAYER
Lord Jesus, I would ask that the Holy Spirit would develop me into a complete person just as You were when You walked this earth. I want Your blessing as You described in the Beatitudes. I want to experience true happiness which only You can give. Thank you! AMEN