Why Pursue Joy Instead of Happiness?

1. Read: Philippians 4:4

2. About the Text:

1) Paul tells us to rejoice in the Lord always.

2) Have you ever wondered how to do that?

3) Seems like there are times in life that we just do not have any joy.

4) How can we have joy at every moment of our life?

5) Do we confuse joy with happiness?

3. Happiness or Joy?

1) Do you want to be happy?

2) Everybody wants to be happy, right?

3) Seems like everyone is pursuing it.

4) So why are so many people not happy?

5) Maybe happiness isn’t what we need to pursue.

6) Maybe we need to be saying, “I don’t want to be happy; I want to be joyful.”

4. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.

1. What is happiness?

1) Happiness is temporary satisfaction with getting what we want.

2) Buy a child some candy and they will be happy for a few moments.

3) Take away that candy and he is neither happy nor joyful.

2. Joy, however, does not depend upon a momentary satisfaction.

1) If we are filled with joy, then it affects every other dimension of our lives.

2) “And these things we write to you that your joy may be full” (1 John 1:4).

3) John talks about full/complete joy, a joy that affects every aspect of your life.

4) “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:11).

5) They were not talking about a passing fad, but about an everyday orientation.

1. Happiness excites us briefly for a moment.

1) Consider children who receive a new toy.

2) How long is it before they are tired of it and want another one?

3) We are amused by things and momentary gratifications because they are external in nature.

2. Joy sustains us.

1) Joy doesn’t depend upon the external.

2) Joy informs our life from the inside out.

3) Jesus talked about the abundant life – John 10:10.

4) This abundant life doesn’t come from externals, but from within.

1. We expect whatever makes us happy to happen again.

1) When something makes us happy, we expect to get it again and become disappointed when we don’t get it.

2) Whatever it is, it doesn’t satisfy us as much the second time.

3) Have you ever had the most succulent delicious steak?

4) It doesn’t taste as good after the second bite, does it?

5) Why is that?

6) When we build up our expectations and we don’t get something, we get mad.

2. Joy gives hope in things that are truly eternal.

1) This isn’t some passing expectation with which we will be disappointed.

2) The hope that God gives us lasts all of our life.

3) “This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek” (Hebrews 6:19-20).

1. Think about the lengths to which people go to be “happy.”

1) They will work their fingers to the bone.

2) They will wear out their bodies.

3) They will neglect their families.

4) All to have that one passing moment of amusement.

2. However, think about how God gives joy.

1) He gives joy through forgiveness. “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7).

2) He gives joy through understanding our true value. “For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Cor.6:20).

3) He gives joy through faith in Him. “And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith” (Phil.1:25).

4) He gives joy through identity in Christ. “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Gal.2:20).

1. Happiness comes from physical delights.

1) Think about what makes people “happy.

2) Food, Drink, Toys, Electronics, TV, Games,

3) I’m not saying there is anything inherently wrong with these things.

4) However, they are external stimuli.

5) We don’t want to live our life going from one moment of happiness to another.

6) Eventually that will run out, and where will that leave us?

2. Joy comes from within.

1) Joy is one of the fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22).

2) It does not originate from physical stimuli.

3) It originates with God.

4) It comes from within, from the spirit.

5) This is why it can be with us forever if we will let God work in our lives.

6) Happiness does compete with joy, though, and will rob us of joy.

7) This is why we need to let God make us joyful.

8) This is how we can rejoice in the Lord always.

1. Why should we choose joy instead of happiness?

1) Happiness is momentary, but joy is constant.

2) Happiness amuses, but joy sustains.

3) Happiness increases expectations, but joy gives hope.

4) Happiness is something you get for yourself, but joy is something you get from God.

5) Happiness is carnal, but joy is spiritual.

2. Invitation