There are bigger questions that our own personal happiness
The blesssedness, the joy of the man who avoids evil and has a relationship with God
The suffering of the man who rejects God
True Happiness
Walking, standing, sitting - a downward spiral
The truly happy man rejects this way
Happiness is defined by what you do and what you don't do
The world says happiness is to do with you but the Bible says the opposite
The world discounts God
The happy man does not work in the counsel of the world
Jesus is the friend of sinners - we must have a reasoned balance
1 Cor 15:33 - "Do not be deceived: 'Evil company corrupts good habits'"
Prov 4:14 - "Do not enter the path of the wicked, And do not walk in the way of evil"
Heb 2:1 - "Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away"
James 4:4 - "Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God"
Do not avoid non-Christians but be careful of intimate associations and relationships with non-Christians
Happy is the man who does not walk, stand and sit with the wicked
Happy is the man who delights in God's word
Do you delight in God's word?
Rom 12:2 - "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind"
The Word of God does this
Do you read the word of God regularly?
Do you ask questions, read books, ask friends or attend bible studies to learn more?
Do you read the bible that God might speak to you?
The fruit of the Holy Spirit is present
Nehemiah followed the word of God and he prospered
Joshua followed the word of God and he prospered
Daniel and his 3 friends followed the word of God and they prospered
God's desire is that we prosper spiritually
True happiness is putting off the deeds of the sinful nature and putting on Christ
True Sadness
Not just depression or anguish
True sadness is rejecting God and perishing
We are not to envy wicked people, for they are perishing
God will judge the wicked - there is no peace for the wicked
Matt 7:13-23
Many will claim to have done things for Jesus but they did not obey God
Though people may claim to be Christians, they will not be saved
There are only two people: the blessed (v1) and those who perish (v6)
Jesus Christ
Ultimately the person spoken of in v1 in Jesus Christ
We have sinned and fallen short
Christ was born perfect, without sin
Christ was truly happy, meditated on the word of God, obeyed God's Word
Christ prospered in all that He did
Christ hated lawlessness but loved righteousness
God anointed Him with the oil of gladness
All Scripture points to Jesus
Do you believe in Jesus?
If you repent of your sins and believe in Jesus God will take you on the narrow way
