““The Joy Of My The Joy Of My Salvation” Salvation”

2 Samuel 11:1-27Psalms 51:12 “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with a willing spirit.” ASV

2 Samuel 11:1-27Psalms 51:12 “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with a willing spirit.” ASV

2

Are You Happy?Are You Happy?• What is happinessWhat is happiness??

– World’s definition: Self-satisfactionWorld’s definition: Self-satisfaction– ““Enjoying or characterized by well-Enjoying or characterized by well-

being and contentment” (Webster)being and contentment” (Webster)

3

Are You Happy?Are You Happy?• What is happinessWhat is happiness??

– Do not confuse the pleasures of sin Do not confuse the pleasures of sin with real happiness.with real happiness.

– Sin destroys happiness.Sin destroys happiness. Psalms 32:1-Psalms 32:1-44

• God’s definition. God’s definition. 1 Peter 3:8-12; 1 Peter 3:8-12; Matthew 5:3-12Matthew 5:3-12

4

Are You Happy?Are You Happy?• God wants us to be happy, butGod wants us to be happy, but

as He defines it. as He defines it. Ecclesiastes Ecclesiastes 3:12-13; 9:7-93:12-13; 9:7-9

• David could only be happy David could only be happy through forgiveness. through forgiveness. Psalms 51Psalms 51

• JesusJesus is our way out of is our way out of unhappiness and despair. unhappiness and despair. cf. Acts 9:3-9, 18; Acts 2:36-37, cf. Acts 9:3-9, 18; Acts 2:36-37, 41, 46; John 16:2241, 46; John 16:22

5

Happiness: Joy of LifeHappiness: Joy of Life• State of mind; attitude of heart. State of mind; attitude of heart.

Proverbs 23:7Proverbs 23:7– A decision of the mind (will)A decision of the mind (will)

• Christians live in joy. Christians live in joy. Galatians Galatians 5:225:22– Right viewpoint of life. Right viewpoint of life. Romans 8:18Romans 8:18– Forgiveness of sins. Forgiveness of sins. Psalms 51:10-12Psalms 51:10-12– Pure living.Pure living.– Trusting God’s promises. Trusting God’s promises. 2 2

Corinthians 4:16-18; 2 Corinthians Corinthians 4:16-18; 2 Corinthians 6:106:10

6

Happiness: Joy of LifeHappiness: Joy of Life• Build a happy life by building faith Build a happy life by building faith

in God.in God.– Set Set your hope on God. your hope on God. Hebrews 13:5-6Hebrews 13:5-6– Blessedness in trusting God. Blessedness in trusting God.

Philippians 4:10-13Philippians 4:10-13– Count your blessings and rejoice. Count your blessings and rejoice.

Ephesians 1:3; Philippians 4:4Ephesians 1:3; Philippians 4:4– Be thankful for your brethren. Be thankful for your brethren.

Romans 1:8; Philippians 4:1; 3 John 4Romans 1:8; Philippians 4:1; 3 John 4– Obey Jesus. Obey Jesus. John 15:10-11John 15:10-11

7

Things of Earth do not Bring Lasting Happiness,

Ecclesiastes 1:13; 2:3

Things of Earth do not Bring Lasting Happiness,

Ecclesiastes 1:13; 2:3• PleasurePleasure. . Ecclesiastes 2:1-2Ecclesiastes 2:1-2

– Laughter.Laughter. Proverbs 14:13Proverbs 14:13– Sensual pleasures are momentary. Sensual pleasures are momentary.

Hebrews 11:25; Luke 12:19Hebrews 11:25; Luke 12:19• Often the source of unhappiness. Often the source of unhappiness.

Psalms 32:4Psalms 32:4

– Distorts one’s view of life and Distorts one’s view of life and death. death. Ecclesiastes 7:2-4Ecclesiastes 7:2-4

8

Things of Earth do not Bring Lasting Happiness

Things of Earth do not Bring Lasting Happiness

• PossessionsPossessions Ecclesiastes 2:4-Ecclesiastes 2:4-11; Luke 2:15-2111; Luke 2:15-21– Tend to isolate.Tend to isolate. 4:7-84:7-8– No satisfaction … more anxiety.No satisfaction … more anxiety.

Ecclesiastes 5:10-12; 1 Timothy Ecclesiastes 5:10-12; 1 Timothy 6:106:10

– Rich young Ruler. Rich young Ruler. Matthew Matthew 19:21-2219:21-22

9

Things of Earth do not Bring Lasting Happiness

Things of Earth do not Bring Lasting Happiness

• WisdomWisdom Ecclesiastes 2:12-17Ecclesiastes 2:12-17– Trusting in your own wisdom is Trusting in your own wisdom is

foolish. foolish. 1 Corinthians 3:18; 8:21 Corinthians 3:18; 8:2– Death still comes. Death still comes. 2:142:14– Divine wisdom needed. Divine wisdom needed. 8:16-8:16-

17; 1 Corinthians 1:2117; 1 Corinthians 1:21

10

Things of Earth do not Bring Lasting Happiness

Things of Earth do not Bring Lasting Happiness

• LaborLabor Ecclesiastes 2:18-23 (24)Ecclesiastes 2:18-23 (24)– Whose shall it be? Whose shall it be? 2:18-19; 2:18-19;

Luke 12:20Luke 12:20– Elements of despair. Elements of despair. 2:10; 5:13-172:10; 5:13-17– Good, but not for ultimate joy. Good, but not for ultimate joy.

Lamentations 3:27; 1 Lamentations 3:27; 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12Thessalonians 4:11-12

11

Things of Earth do not Bring Lasting Happiness

Things of Earth do not Bring Lasting Happiness

• SuccessSuccess Ecclesiastes 4:4-6Ecclesiastes 4:4-6– Often envied. Often envied. 4:44:4

– Learn to be content with what our Learn to be content with what our labor provides. labor provides. 1 Timothy 6:6-81 Timothy 6:6-8

12

Things of Earth do not Bring Lasting Happiness

Things of Earth do not Bring Lasting Happiness

• If… desires fulfilledIf… desires fulfilled..Ecclesiastes 6:7-9Ecclesiastes 6:7-9– Never satisfied when desire Never satisfied when desire

rules.rules.– Desires must be godly and be Desires must be godly and be

controlled by contented faith. controlled by contented faith. Philippians 4:11-13Philippians 4:11-13

If … desires fulfilledIf … desires fulfilled. . Leah Leah Genesis Genesis 29:31-3529:31-35

Ruben (i.e. “see a son”) Ruben (i.e. “see a son”) – – “Because “Because Jehovah hath looked upon my affliction.” Jehovah hath looked upon my affliction.” (misery NIV)(misery NIV)Simeon (i.e. “hearing”) Simeon (i.e. “hearing”) – “– “Because Because Jehovah hath heard that I am hated …”Jehovah hath heard that I am hated …”Levi (i.e. “attachment”) Levi (i.e. “attachment”) – – “Now this time “Now this time my husband will be joined to me …”my husband will be joined to me …”Judah (i.e. “praise”) Judah (i.e. “praise”) – – “This time will I “This time will I praise Jehovah”praise Jehovah”Zebulun (i.e. “honor”) Zebulun (i.e. “honor”) ““now will my now will my husband dwell (honor) me.” husband dwell (honor) me.” (Genesis (Genesis 30:20; 50:13)30:20; 50:13)

14

Things We Need To Be

Happy

Things We Need To Be

Happy • Fear and obey God. Fear and obey God. Ecclesiastes 12:13Ecclesiastes 12:13

• Address sin in God’s way. Address sin in God’s way. Acts Acts 2:37-42; 8:39; 16:27, 34; Psalms 2:37-42; 8:39; 16:27, 34; Psalms 51:1-1251:1-12

• Seek first the things of God. Seek first the things of God. Matthew 6:33; cf. 1 Peter 3:10-Matthew 6:33; cf. 1 Peter 3:10-1111