How to Have a Happy New Year
Matthew 5:1-12
As we start our New Year, we all want it to be happy. We tell people to have a happy New Year. This should be our desire for others and us. But, how do we have a happy New Year? Is there anything that we can do to have a happy New Year? Are there any principles that we can follow to have the happiness that we all desire. I can tell you that there are principles set in the word of God to allow us to have happiness. The principles are found in the first part of what we call the Sermon on the Mount and these are called the Beatitudes.
Beatitudes is the Latin word for happiness, joyful and blessed. Today we are going to see how we can all have a happy New Year. In this, we are going to see there are some Inner Principles and some Outward Characteristics of not only a happy New Year but also a Happy Life.
I. The inner principles of a happy Christian life. 5:3-6
A. The first inner principle for happiness is being poor in Spirit.
1. What does it mean to be poor in spirit?
a. It does not have anything to do with your financial situation.
b. It does mean spiritual bankruptcy.
NOTE: It means that we can do nothing without God. When we know that we are totally and unconditionally dependent on God, we are then poor in spirit. The New English Bible translates this verse like this “Blessed are those who know their need of God.”. One author writes, “The poor in Spirit recognize that they have nothing and they are nothing in themselves. They are therefore more keenly aware of their dependency on God.” (Seeking the Kingdom P. 21).
A perfect Illustration for this is found in Luke 18:9-14. This is where the Pharisee and the Tax Collector are praying. As the Pharisee is praying, he tells God how great he is. He proclaims his self-righteousness. He never acknowledges his need for God. The Tax Collector did not even go to the front of the building and did not even look up to God. He beat his breast and acknowledged his need for God’s mercy.
2. The result of being poor in spirit.
NOTE: “When we are poor in spirit we are given the Kingdom of Heaven. The Kingdom of Heaven is the rule of God. To possess this rule means that the believer will share in all the benefits of God’s reign.” (The Good News from Matthew, p.37)
B. The second inner principle for happiness is to be in morning. (Sad or unhappy)
NOTE: It seems ironic that in order to be happy you must first be sad.
1. There are three types of mourning.
a. Improper Mourning: This is mourning over something that is sinful or wrong. This is when one mourns about not getting his way.
b. Proper Mourning: This is mourning is over the loss of a loved one. This type of mourning brings healing to the soul. If a person does not mourn during these times, there will be other problems later in life.
c. Godly Mourning: This is mourning over sin. This is mourning over the lost condition of the world. This is mourning over the evil and the ungodliness in the world.
NOTE: When is the last time that we have cried for the people in the world how are going to hell? When is the last time you have cried for your family members who are lost and going to hell? When is the last time we mourned for them?
2. The result of mourning is comfort.
a. Those who mourn over their own sin will be comforted at the cross of Christ.
b. Those who mourn for the lost will see some of them come to Christ.
c. Those who mourn over the evil and satanic nature of the world will be comforted because there is a day coming when every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord over all and to the Glory of the Father.
C. The third inner principle for happiness is Meekness, Gentleness, or Humbleness.
1. What is meekness?
Meekness means power under control, or bridled by gentleness. The ancient Greeks would say “meek as a lion.” Meekness is not weakness.
NOTE: Moses was called meek, David was called meek, Gideon was called meek, and Jesus was called meek, I would say that is good company.
2. The results of meekness. When one is meek they inherent the land, the earth. In the Old Testament, the Israelites were rewarded and inheritance of the promise land. Today we, who are Christians, have an inheritance. That is the Kingdom of God.
D. The forth inner principle for happiness is being hungry and thirsty.
1. This is a hunger and thirst for righteousness.
NOTE: This is an intense desire for holiness. This is a search for holiness as one who is hungry would search for food. The founder of the protestant faith, Martin Luther, was searching for righteousness. He could not find it in the traditions of the church. He found it in the word of God and he broke with the Catholic Church.
2. The result of hungering and thirsting for righteousness is satisfaction.
NOTE: Some day we will be completely satisfied in our righteousness. We will be completely Holy. This guarantee is better then the Good housekeeping Seal of approval.
II. The Outward Characteristics of Happiness. 5:7-12
A. The first outward Characteristic of happiness is showing mercy.
1. This involves meeting people’s needs and showing compassion. Mercy is compassion that reaches out.
NOTE: A good illustration on this is found in the parable of the unforgiving servant in Matthew 18:21-35 There is one who is shown great mercy but then goes out and shows no mercy.
2. The result of showing mercy is that mercy will be returned.
NOTE: If we want mercy ten we need to show mercy.
B. The second outward characteristic of happiness is pureness of heart.
1. What is pureness of heart?
a. It could be one with inner purity; pure thought, pure motives, and pure actions.
b. It could mean a one track mind for the things of God. These are the pure in heart, who center their whole being on God.
2. The results of having a pure heart is having an audience with God.
NOTE: When we have an audience with God we have fellowship with Him. “Fellowship with God depends only on a heart that loves Goodness with a single-minded devotion and hates evil.” (Seeking the Kingdom, p. 30)
C. The third outward characteristic of happiness is being a peacemaker.
1. What is a peacemaker?
NOTE: It does not say peace lover or one who is neutral. A peacemaker is one that is in action building bridges not straddling fences. A person cannot remain neutral while they are peacemakers. They must take the side of righteousness. They must persuade the side of unrighteousness to come across the bridge, which has been built. A peacemaker cannot take the side of lies but of the truth.
2. The results of being a peacemaker is they are called the Sons of God.
NOTE: Having the title of son means the attitude of the Father is shared with the son.
D. The fourth outward characteristic of happiness is persecution for the sake of righteousness.
1. Persecution is or should be a way of life for a Christian. That is if they are walking the walk and talking the talk.
2. Types of persecution that Christians will face.
a. Insults.
b. Harmful acts.
c. Being lied about
3. The rewards that will be given.
a. The kingdom of God.
b. The rewards will be great. (They are not specified but great)
Conclusion:
Do you want to be happy this year? Do you want to have a happy life?
The only way that you get this happiness is by first being a Christian. This means that you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior.
Maybe be you are a Christians but are not experiencing the happiness that you should have as Christian. Maybe you do not have the inner principles or the outward Characteristics of happiness.
