The Secret of Happiness (Message 4)

LESSONS

God’s understanding of happiness is much like YOURS. His method of obtaining it may seem ODD to you, but in the end, you will find TRUE happiness.

The Beatitudes are an announcement of what you already HAVE in Christ, but they are also the RECIPE for the kind of person you want to become.

The Scriptures

Matt. 5:1 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them. He said:
Matt. 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matt. 5:11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you

Let’s Review

Jesus went up on a mountainside, SAT DOWN, and taught this material to His DISCIPLES. The crowd listened in.

Jesus used the word “blessed” to begin EACH one of these statements. In the Greek, this word is makarios (μακάριος) which means HAPPY, fortunate, or well-off.

These statements are the OUTLINE of all that Jesus would teach in His ministry, and they are also a good “MIRROR” for us to evaluate our spiritual lives.

The first Beatitude is a reminder that we have NOTHING to offer God towards our SALVATION. We are beggars who have hope only in the WORK of Jesus Christ. This is our FIRST response to God and gives to us the Kingdom of Heaven.

The second Beatitude reminds us of how much we HATE our sin — to the point of mourning over it like we would the DEATH of a loved one. This mourning over sin brings great COMFORT.

Beatitude #3

Matt. 5:5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

BLESSED — HAPPY or fortunate.

ARE — This is PRESENT tense and CONTINUAL.

THE MEEK — the Greek word praÿs (πραΰς) is usually translated as MILDNESS, gentleness, or meekness. This word is best understood as “power under CONTROL”. Another way to say this is to “YIELD your power to another”. (This term was especially difficult for the Jews!)
John 8:31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?”
Pro. 16:32 Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.

What meekness is NOT!

It is not a NATURAL inclination (yielding is tough).
Gal. 5:22 And the fruit of the Spirit is: Love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, 23 meekness, temperance: against such there is no law;

It is not HUMILITY although the two are related. Humility is focused on OTHERS, while meekness focuses on ONESELF.
Matt 11:29 take up my yoke upon you, and learn from me, because I am meek and humble in heart, and ye shall find rest to your souls, (Young’s)

It is not WEAKNESS. In fact, you cannot be WEAK and MEEK at the same time. (A good mental picture of meekness is a horse that has great strength but has been “broken” to make it useable.)

Some other examples of “power under control”:

FOR THEY — This means “ONLY theirs” or “theirs ALONE”.

WILL — Although the first Beatitude gives IMMEDIATE results (the Kingdom of Heaven), this one is a reminder that meekness will SOMEDAY lead to a great inheritance.

INHERIT THE EARTH — Those who are meek will inherit (κληρονομέω, klēronomeō) the earth, not ONLY because they are the only ones REMAINING, but also because they have lived meekly on earth and this will be their REWARD.
Psa. 37:10 A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. 11 But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity.
1Cor. 6:9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? . . .

How Can I Know If I Am Living the Third Beatitude?

You regularly REFUSE to dominate or CONTROL even though you would have POWER to do so (parents).

You refuse to dwell on VENGEANCE, and you avoid responding HARSHLY because you know that “getting even” is God’s REALM.
Rom. 12:19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.

You become ANGRY when others are mistreated or when God is not given the HONOR He deserves.

In TENSE situations, you often step in as a peacemaker.

You accept criticism GRACIOUSLY without “striking back”.

You typically keep your EMOTIONS under CONTROL.

Walk The Talk

What did you learn about meekness, and how is it different than humility?

Who do you know that exemplifies meekness? How could you be more like them?

What power or rights do you have the most trouble yielding to God?

“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 — Matt. 5:11-12

#4 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
— Matt. 5:6
#8 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
— Matt. 5:10

#3 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
— Matt. 5:5
#7 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
— Matt. 5:9

#2 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
— Matt. 5:4
#6 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
— Matt. 5:8

#1 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
— Matt. 5:3
#5 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
— Matt. 5:7