THE “SECRET” TO REAL HAPPINESS

MATTHEW 5                                                      

 

Pastor Rick Jackson*

 

The word translated “Blessed” here in Matthew 5 is translated “happy” in six N.T. Scriptures.

 

 John 13:17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

 

Acts 26:2 I think myself happy, King Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews:

 

Romans 14:22 Hast thou faith? Have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.

 

1 Corinthians 7:40 But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.

 

1 Peter 4:14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

 

The 43 other times it is translated “blessed”.  “Well, which is right?” All of them. To be truly happy is a result of a blessedness that comes only from God. It has been correctly said that “True happiness is a by-product of true righteousness.

 

Note how Peter ties it all together for us in 1 Peter 3:14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;

 

So true happiness, unlike worldly happiness, is NOT based on happenings but on a state of being. That state of being – that blessedness, can only come to the righteous. “Blessed” refers to an inner satisfaction and sufficiency that doesn’t depend on outward circumstances for happiness.

 

I. TRUE RIGHTEOUSNESS IS BASED ON 4 ATTITUDES

 

1. Our Attitude toward Ourselves [v. 3, Rm. 12:3]

Poor in spirit not poor spirited. Humble not debasing- realizing we are sinners saved by grace. Honest with ourselves not self-praise and assertion. Know ourselves, accept ourselves, and try to be ourselves to God’s glory.

 

2. Our Attitude toward Our Sins [v. 4-6]

-Mourn over sins, see it from God’s viewpoint and treat it that way. [v. 4]

-Meekness is not weakness, it is strength under control like a horse that has been broken (Moses & Jesus are labeled meek in the Bible) [v. 5] Meekness is the antithesis of arrogance and pride.

-Seek God’s righteousness [v. 6, 6:33]

 

3. Our Attitude toward the Lord [v. 7-9]

-experience God’s mercy [v. 7, Eph. 2:4-7]

-get a pure heart [v. 8, Acts 15:9]

-win others to Him [v. 9]

 

4. Our Attitude toward the World [v. 10-16]

-an acceptance of conflict [v. 10-12]

 -an example of conduct [v. 13]

 -an ambassador with a commission [v. 14-16]

 

II. TRUE RIGHTEOUSNESS IS AVAILABLE ONLY IN CHRIST [v. 17-20]

 

Trusting Christ the fulfillment of the law followed by loving Christ as seen by living for Him.

 

III. TRUE RIGHTEOUSNESS IS DISPLAYABLE [v. 21-48]

 

1. From the Heart By What it Seeks to Avoid [v. 21-47]

 

2. From the Heart By What it Attempts- to be like God [v. 48]

 

*a revision of a message adapted from Warren Wiersbe in 1985 and a message by Tom Wallace in my memory