FIND YOUR DEEPEST SATISFACTION IN GOD

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GOD MADE YOU TO SEEK PLEASURE AND HAPPINESS - Desiring pleasure is a law of the heart in the same way that gravity is a law of nature. June 30th   GLORIFYING GOD AND LIVING A LIFE OF JOY ARE NOT CONTRADICTORY - “Joy” and “God” are completely compatible ideas. In the revelation of God as recorded in the Holy Scriptures, happiness and the Lord are a pair JOY IN GOD IS ESSENTIAL, NOT OPTIONAL, IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
  1.  To be happy in God is a command in the Bible Psalm 37:4 “Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.”
  2. The Christian life is delightful, not boring or a burden Following Christ is a wonderful and enjoyable thing. It’s not a prison, a tragedy, or anything like that. There’s a loss so that there will be a greater gain. (Romans 14:17; Psalm 63:5; Isaiah 55:2)
  3.  The Lord Jesus ministered to his disciples so that they will have fulness of joy (John 15:11)
BIBLICAL EXAMPLE OF LIVING WITH JOY AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF FOLLOWING CHRIST: PAUL, THE APOSTLE (Philippians 3:8 “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.”) THE LORD IS ABLE TO GIVE YOU SUPERIOR PLEASURES THAN ANYONE OR ANYTHING IN THIS WORLD (John 4:13-14; John 6:26-27) BIBLICAL EXAMPLE: MOSES WHO COULD GO 40 DAYS WITHOUT FOOD AND WATER SPENDING TIME WITH GOD IN MOUNT SINAI (EXODUS 34:28) WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU SEEK YOUR DEEPEST SATISFACTION IN GOD?
  1. You will live a life that is attractive to those who don’t know God personally yet (Mark 5:19-20) BIBLICAL ILLUSTRATION: TESTIMONY OF KING ABIMELECH TO ISAAC (Genesis 26:23-33)
  2. You will make it until the end in your relationship with God (Nehemiah 8:10)
  3. You will be able to break free from addictions (2 Corinthians 3:17-18) 4. You will be able to glorify God in the different aspects of your life (Acts 4:12-13)
Sunday 9   PERSONAL ADJUSTMENTS YOU MAY NEED TO MAKE SO THAT YOU FIND YOUR DEEPEST SATISFACTION IN GOD
  1. Renew your heart and mind about God as a joy-giving God (Psalm 16:11)
  2. Renew your heart and mind about the Christian life as a journey of delight instead of a journey of duty (John 16:24)
  3. Abandon the pursuit of happiness outside of the person and character of God. - Stop trying to find your deepest satisfaction in money, sex, fame, power, ministry, academic success, etc. With the strength that God gives, give up sinful activities (vices, immoral relationships and activities, etc.) (Matthew 13:22; Psalm 131:1; Romans 6:20-21)
  4. Resolve to pursue happiness in God every single day of your life - Daily time in the Word and prayer, soaking in God’s presence, positive & healthy lifestyle, godly relationships (discipleship, friendships), meaningful activities (life group meetings, bigger gatherings of God’s people, trainings, and the like) (Psalm 43:4; Hebrews 4:11)
BIBLICAL EXAMPLE: DAVID, KING OF ISRAEL IN PSALM 31 (Psalm 131:2)       5. Avoid any thing that may hinder you from finding your deepest pleasure in God (Hebrews 12:1) JOB IN THE OLD TESTAMENT SCRIPTURES: SATISFIED IN GOD, NOT IN HIS GREAT RICHES (Job 1:20-21)   Discussion Question:
  • How are you enjoying the Christian life?
Application Question:
  • What personal adjustments will you make to find your deepest satisfaction in God?