Jesus is in the happiness business. We find Him using the word, “blessed” nine times in our text. The word simply means “happy” in the genuine sense of internal joy. So it is that Jesus shares with us in these verses the secrets to true happiness.
Now, one will quickly notice as he reads what Jesus had to say about being happy, that what He had to say is quite different from the view of the world today.
The world says: “Happy is the go-getter, the guy who pushes everyone else out of the way, the guy who gets what he wants when he wants it, where he wants it, and how he wants it. Happiness is doing your own thing. Happiness is grabbing all the gusto you can get. Happiness is acquiring. Happy are the rich, happy are the famous, happy are the popular.”
But our Lord made it clear that true happiness is not derived from what I have or what I do or where I am. True happiness comes from rightly relating to God and rightly responding to His call.
“Human happiness is something that is dependent on the chances and changes of life, something which life may give and which life may also destroy. The Christian blessedness is completely untouchable and unassailable.” - William Barclay
The world can win its joys, and the world can equally well lose its joys. As change in fortune, a collapse in health, the failure of a plan, the disappointment of an ambition, even a change in the weather, can take away the fickle joy the world can give. But the Christian has a serene and untouchable joy which comes from walking forever in the
company and presence of Jesus Christ.
Learning to live life with a sense of happiness that comes only through our walk with Christ is what the Apostle Paul described in Philippians 4:11-13:
“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” - Philippians 4:11-13 (NIV)
“I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.” - Philippians 4:11-13 (The Message)
The greatness of the beatitudes is that they are not mere glimpses into some future beauty; they are not even golden promises of some future glory; they are triumphant shouts of permanent joy that nothing in the world can ever take away from the Child of God.
By way of introduction to Jesus’ instructions on how to be happy, there are four things I want us to notice today.
1. The “Be” attitudes speak of God’s personal concern - v. 11 “Blessed
are you”
God is personally concerned for you. When God sent His Son, He did so for you. When His Son died on the cross, paying the penalty for sin, He did so for you. When Jesus rose from the dead, he did so for you. When He ascended into heaven, He went to prepare a place for you. And when He returns, He wants to come back for you.
Does it help to think that God delights in you? Think about it!
It doesn’t matter how ugly you think you are. You are God’s delight.
It doesn’t matter how fat you think you are. You are God’s delight.
Even if your marriage is struggling. You are God’s delight.
Even if you are divorced and your self-esteem is wrecked. You are God’s delight.
Even if you are so depressed your life feels like a black hole. You are God’s delight.
Even if you threw a pity party and nobody showed up. You are God’s delight.
God doesn’t abandon you because your business collapsed. You are God’s delight.
God doesn’t leave you because you’re face is all wrinkled. You are God’s delight.
“If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it. If he had a wallet, your photo would be in it.” - Max Lucado
Joni Eareckson Tada, who was paralyzed from the neck down from a diving accident while still a teenager, wrote, “Comfort is yours. Joy is an option. And it’s all been made possible by your Savior. He went without comfort so you might have it. He postponed joy so you might share in it. ”
Our Savior has a personal concern for each of us and has provided the means whereby each of us can experience true happiness in life regardless of our circumstances. That’s why it’s important to see that the happiness He promises here is not for some elite group of special individuals who find themselves in a unique set of circumstances. Our Lord’s promise of happiness is for you, whatever your circumstance or station in life. The principles of the beatitudes are yours to live by and the promise of the beatitudes are yours to claim.
2. The “Be” attitudes declare nine positive facts.
A. Positive because they are the words of the King.
In verse 1, we read that Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down.
Literally, the text is translated “the mountain.” Which mountain was this? No mountain in particular. That is, it wasn’t a mountain that had a name that we know of. Why then is it referred to as “the mountain?”
“Jesus sat because it was the traditional way a rabbi taught. When He sat and spoke, that was official. That’s true even today. When a professor is given an assignment at a university, we say he is given “the chair.” The Roman Catholic Church tells us that the Pope speaks ex cathedra, that is, “from his chair.” What Jesus was saying was not some random thought; it was the official manifesto of the King.” - John McAuthur
The idea here is that when Jesus said, “Blessed is the man who . . .,” He is not stating what could be or what might be true. He is making a royal decree, He is declaring Kingdom law, he is saying that if one will apply the principles and claim the promises set forth in the beatitudes, He will be blessed!
B. Positive because of their effect on the walk of the Christian.
That which Jesus describes here is distinctive living. Live by the principles and promises of the beatitudes and you will be different. We have been shaped by the world and squeezed into its mold. But God wants us to live differently.
“Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].”- Romans 12:2 (Amplified)
We will live differently if we live according to the principles and promises of the beatitudes, for, unlike those who live according to the principles and promises of this world, we will be truly happy!
C) Positive because of their impact on a confused world.
This world is confused about what constitutes true happiness. But let it see the example of those who know true happiness as a result of living by the principles and promises set forth by Jesus and they will want to know the “reason for the hope that is within us” (1 Peter 3:15).
3. The “Be” attitudes emphasize proper perspective on life.
When you buy a car, one of the first things you should do is read the little book that comes with it that tells you how to operate and maintain the vehicle. You may know the basics about how to operate an automobile, but you need to realize that there are some things the manufacturer wants you to know so that you might enjoy your new car to the fullest.
Now, Jesus Christ, our God, is the manufacturer of everyone in this world. He knows what it takes for you and I to enjoy life to the fullest, not just in the time we have in this world but in the next, too. As we look at what our Lord tells us in the beatitudes, we note He’s dealing primarily with the inside. That doesn’t mean there is no commitment to the outside in experiencing happiness in life, but simply that if things are right on the inside, they will be right on the outside also.
“For as (a person) thinks in his heart, so is he.” - Proverbs 23:7 (Amplified)
“Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.” - Romans 12:2 (The Message)
“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” - Ephesians 4:22-24 (NIV)
One’s attitude determines his spiritual altitude! That is why we have used a play on words this morning when referring to the beatitudes as the “Be” attitudes. Happiness is not so much a result of doing or getting or achieving; as it is a result of being - being right with God in my attitudes, which leads me to do right for God in my actions.
4. The “Be” attitudes’ order is progressive in nature.
The beatitudes begin with an awareness of one’s spiritual poverty and an acknowledgement of God’s saving power. This results in a mourning over sin, a spirit of humility, and a hunger and thirst for righteousness.
This is manifested in mercy, purity of heart, and a peacemaking spirit. The result of this is that one will experience persecution by a world that doesn’t want to accept the testimony of one who has discovered true happiness in Christ.
But when it’s all said and done, verse 12 says you can rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. And when you grow in your application of these principles and promises, you can rest assured that verse 13a will be true of you. You WILL be the salt of the earth; and verse 14 will also be true of you. You WILL be the light of the world. But you can’t get to verses 13 and 14 unless you start with verse 3 and go through verse 12.
Once at a meeting, some young people were discussing the text, “you are the salt of the earth.” They were suggesting uses of salt, and the meaning. Salt gives flavor to food. It preserves food to keep it from decaying. Then one girl said, salt makes you thirsty. They all got quiet and thought have I ever made anyone thirsty for Jesus?
Dr. Don Bierle with Faith Search International has a presentation he calls “The Fingerprints of God.” In it, he points out that God has made Himself known through nature (the first fingerprint) and through history (the second fingerprint). The third fingerprint by which God desires to make Himself known is through the transformed lives of His children.
How do we live out the transformed life that let’s others know of God?
By renewing my attitude and thus, my actions according to the principles and promises laid out here by our Lord in the beatitudes. Not only will you be used as “salt” to make others thirsty for Christ and as “light” to make Christ known to others, but you will be happy in a way that only God’s faithful and growing children can be.
You see, true happiness, true blessedness, true satisfaction in life comes only as I live according to the will of God, for it only as I live according to God’s will, that I will fulfill God’s purpose for me.
“True success in life comes from knowing God’s will and being in the center of it.” - George W. Truett
In the beatitudes, Jesus teaches us about what attitudes lead to our walking according to His will, which leads to true success, which leads to true happiness.
Conclusion: Perhaps you have started down the path that leads to true happiness but have stopped somewhere along the way or gotten off the path all together. Why not return to walking down the path that leads to true happiness in life that Jesus died to make possible for you? Turn around and begin again on the path the Lord has called you to
walk - the path toward true happiness.
Have you started down the path to true happiness? Notice that Jesus taught these things to his disciples (v. 1). My experience of true happiness begins when I invite Jesus into my life and decide to become His follower, His disciple. Why not start down the path that leads to true happiness in life by giving your life to Jesus today?
