Don’t Settle For Happiness (joy)

Fulfilled (The Fruit of the Spirit), part 3 of 10
Why do so many people long to be happy? Why is it that in the world’s most prosperous major country that only 3 of 10 people surveyed say that they are happy? Why is this the case? What is the reason? The answer is that happiness is dependent on outward circumstances, which can’t always be perfect… so we aren’t happy. And when people pursue happiness, they pursue a selfish end that can’t deliver. The Bible has the antidote…JOY. It is an inner tranquility that is independent of any outward circumstances. After debunking the myth of happiness, we’ll provide steps to true joy. Turan Erdogan

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” But the fruit of the Spirit is…joy…” (Galatians 5:22b)

1. On the Hunt for Happiness…

Why happiness isn’t all its cracked up to be

A. It’s determined by happenings we can’t control.

B. It’s focused on us not on others.

C. It’s destined to fail the more we try to find it.

“I got whatever I wanted and did whatever made me happy…Then I thought about everything I had done, including the hard work, and it was simply chasing the wind. Nothing on earth is worth the trouble.” (Ecclesiastes 2:10–11, CEV)

2. On the Journey for Joy…

Why Joy Always Beats Happiness

A. Joy comes by Choice not Chance

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4)

B. Joy comes from inside not outside.

“Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:13–14)

C. Joy comes through faith not faking it

” We are telling you about what we ourselves have actually seen and heard, so that you may share the fellowship and the joys we have with the Father and with Jesus Christ His Son. And if you do as I say in this letter, the you too will be full of joy, and so will we.” (1 John 1:3–4, LB)

3. How to Build a Life of Joy…

” How to Maintain Joy in Any Situation” (from Romans 5:1–11)

The foundation for lasting joy is a long–range perspective !

Attitude #1: Reflect on your promised hope in God.

” Threfore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.” (Romans 5:1–2)

Attitude #2 :Remember your problems have a purpose from God.

” But we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverence; perseverence, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” (Romans 5:3–4)

Attitude #3 Realize your potential partnership with God.

” So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God – all because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done fo rus in making us friends of God.” (Romans 5: 11, NLT)

” When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, no one is likely to die for a good person, though someone might be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” (Romans 5:6 - 8, NLT)