The things that most people strive for, and through which they seek happiness, are pretty well summed up under seven headings...
1. Necessities for life support
2. Money and possessions
3. Pleasures of the flesh
4. Experience, discovery, knowledge
5. Personal identy and self expression
6. Preeminence in authority or achievement
7. Loving relationships
Whilst all of these things are good in their proper place, none of them is the key to happiness. These things don't make people happy even in abundance. The Bible tells us how to really be happy. We have outlined some of this teaching below.
You will realise that the outline below is too long for one lesson in class or for one sermon. I suggest you select a portion for a lesson. If you wish to use the entire outline, then spread it over several lessons.
Seek Peace and Pursue It
Succesful Pursuit of Happiness
"Let him who means to love life, and see good days, seek peace and pursue it"(1Pe 3:10-11).
Have you ever tried to complete a jigsaw puzzle only to find that there is a piece is missing? Many people cannot complete the great jigsaw puzzle of life because of "the missing peace".
The One Way to Peace
How do you get hold of this peace? The Bible mentions peace 400 times, so one would expect to find the answer there.
In short, Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace and only through him can we find the "peace that goes beyond understanding."(Php 4:6-8).
To have true peace, and thus true happiness, we must believe in Jesus and follow him. We can then draw on his peace through prayer and meditation on his word (Col 3:15).
Put Your Trust In Jesus
Give Up Trusting Yourself
"...not to be conceited or trust in uncertain riches"(1Tm 6:17-19).
The rich fool and "consider the lilies"(Lke 12:15-34).
Believe That Jesus Cares
"Cast all your anxiety upon him"(1Pe 5:7).
"All things work together for good"(Rom 8:28).
Trust That Jesus is Unconquerable
"Greater is he"(1Jn 4:4).
"This is the victory... our faith"(1Jn 5:4).
"The last enemy to be destroyed..."(1Co 15:25-26).
"Who shall separate us... we are more than conquerers"(Rom 8:35-39).
Trust in Prayer
"The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much"(Jas 5:16).
"Men ought always to pray and not lose heart"(Lke 18:1).
Let God Deal With Your Enemies
They Are Answerable to God
"God will bring every act to judgment"(Ecc 12:14)
"They shall not escape"(1Th 5:3).
Leave Vengeance to God
The Corinthians failed to do this (1Co 6:1-8).
"Judge not"(Mtt 7:1). Recognize and oppose evil, but don't take God's place.
Michael did not himself accuse the devil, but said, "The Lord rebuke you"(Jde 1:9).
"Never take your own revenge"(Rom 12:17-21).
"Love your enemies... do good to them"(Lke 6:27). The payback system increases and prolongs trouble.
Put Away Bitterness
"Let all bitterness... be put away"(Eph 4:31). Know you've been wronged, but don't let it eat away at your heart.
"Lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble"(Heb 12:15).
Make This Life a Pilgrimage
Sojourners and Pilgrims
This life is a "pilgrim's progress" and we are "sojourners and pilgrims"(1Pe 2:9-11).
Men and women of old such as Abraham and Sarah understood that they were "strangers and pilgrims on earth"(Heb 11:8-16).
This Short and Sorry Life
Life is short and uncertain, "it is but a vapour"(Jas 4:13-15).
This life is a "fiery ordeal" of preparation (1Pe 4:12-19).
"If a man bears up under sorrows..."(1Pe 2:19).
Following Jesus
"Christ also suffered for us, leaving you an example that you should follow in his steps"(1Pe 2:21).
"God... gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life"(Jhn 3:16).
Put Yourself Last
Put Jesus First
Put Jesus first "that he might have the pre-eminence(first place) in everything"(Col 1:18).
Put Others Second
"Be subject to one another..." which means being self-sacrificing, putting others before yourself (Eph 5:21-33).
"With humility of mind... esteem others as more important than yourself"(Php 2:3-6).
Put Yourself Last
This was the attitude of Christ who "emptied himself taking the form of a servant"(Php 2:5-8).
J for Jesus,O for others, and Y for yourself,in that order spells JOY.