How To Be A Happy Christian

Deuteronomy 33:29  Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency!

Intro: Everybody today is trying to sell happiness.  We've even got "Happy Meals" at McDonalds with the slogan, "Happiness in a box".  Happiness is unfortunately not found in a box or sold at a store near you.  God's plan for man involves happiness.  If you're going to be happy, you're going to have to play by His rules.  Notice what the Scriptures have to say about being truly happy.

1. True Happiness comes from obeying God

• Psalms 128:1,2  Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways. For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.
• Proverbs 29:18  Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

2. True Happiness comes from depending upon God

• Psalms 144:15  Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.
• Psalms 146:5  Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God:
• Proverbs 16:20  He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.

3. True Happiness comes from fearing God

• Proverbs 28:14  Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.

4. True Happiness comes from serving others.

• Proverbs 14:21  He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.
• John 13:14-17  If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.  For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.  If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

5. True Happiness comes from getting wisdom from God

• Proverbs 3:13  Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
• Proverbs 3:18  She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.

6. True Happiness comes from appreciating God's correction

• Job 5:17  Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:

7. True Happiness comes from being persecuted for God

• 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;
• Hebrews 11:25  Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
• 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.