Happiness Is The Lord
Song by Ira F. Stanphill
(All Scripture quotations are from the NASB)
Introduction:
A. In our lesson this morning we looked at Solomon’s pursuit of happiness.
1. We noted his looking search for happiness in wine, women, song, money, education, fame and power, and possessions.
2. We concluded our lesson this morning by noting Solomon’s conclusion of all his knowledge and activities – It’s all vanity.
3. What a dreadful thought...
a. To look at all that we have done, to live our lives here on earth and to realize that it is all in vain.
B. However, Solomon said in Eccl. 12:13-14 "
The conclusion, when all has been heard, {is:} fear God and keep His commandments, because this {applies to} every person. 14 For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil."1. If this world were all there is, if when we die that were it, then our lives, no matter how successful we might be would still be in vain.
2. However, our lives do not end when we reach death.
3. There is something awaiting us that can fill our lives with joy, can help us see reason behind our labors here upon this earth.
C. Our sermon topic today is taken from a favorite hymn of mine.
1. One that is not found in our song books.
2. It is titled Happiness Is The Lord by Ira F. Stanphill
a. One of his best known songs is "Mansions Over the Hilltop" number 393 in our song books.
b. Mr. Stanphill was an accomplished song writer, writing over 600 songs total, his first one published when he was just 17.
c. It is believed that "Happiness Is The Lord" was a result of the practice Mr. Stanphill had of writing hymns based upon titles given him by members of the audience.
3. It is a beautiful song, one I dearly love to sing.
4. The thoughts in the song bring much insight into how a Christian should feel in his relationship with the Lord.
5. And so, to go along with our lesson this morning we want to look at Mr. Stanphill’s song "Happiness Is The Lord", and note the spiritual teachings found therein.
Discussion:
I. "Happiness is to know the Savior"
A. Imagine a life without the knowledge of Jesus Christ
1. Could there be anything more dreadful than to believe that at the end of our lives there is nothing.
2. Or understanding that sin separates us from God, but not knowing anything about Jesus Christ and His sacrifice that will remove those sins.
B. However, knowing Jesus, knowing His life, knowing His sacrifice will make our lives truly joyful
1. 2 Tim. 1:12 "
[Knowing the Savior will bring about us ...}
II. "... Living a life within His favor,"
A. Just last week we spoke of having "fear" of the Lord.
1. Understanding that being outside of His doctrine was a fearful thing.
2. The reverse however is true, living within His favor brings joy to our lives.
a. It helps us to have a joyous life, because we know that at the end, we will be found well pleasing.
b. It saddens me to see those who claim to be Christians walking around in such a sad, depressed state.
1) I believe these Christians know that they are missing something in their lives.
2) Perhaps they are not living within His favor.
B. How can we live within His favor?
1. We can begin by studying His word and obeying that which is found therein.
a. Psalm 119:104a "From Your precepts I get understanding;"
b. Psalm 119:105 "Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path."
c. Mt. 5:6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied."
d. Rom. 10:17 "So faith {comes} from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ."
e. Rom. 10:13-15a "for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED." 14 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? 15 How will they preach unless they are sent?"
f. 1 John 3:22-24a "and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight. 23 This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us. 24 The one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him."
g. Jer. 15:16 "Your words were found and I ate them, And Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart; For I have been called by Your name, O LORD God of hosts."
[Living a life within His favor will bring about ...]
III. "Having a Change in my behavior"
A. Unfortunately, many in the church today do not have a proper understanding of Repentance.
1. Many think repentance is coming forward and confessing sin in their lives, that’s it.
a. Just saying, I’ve done this, or I’ve done that.
b. Repentance involves confession of sin, but it is so much more than that.
c. It is a complete and total turn of life.
1) Can an alcoholic come forward and confess the sin of alcoholism, yet continue in that life?
2) Can a thief come forward and confess the sin of stealing, yet continue to steal?
3) Can an adulterer come forward and confess the sin of adultery, yet continue to live in an adulterous relationship?
d. These things do not bring happiness, because we are not "living a life within His favor"
B. True Repentance means turning away from the sinful life that you once led.
1. Making a change in your behavior.
2. Leaving friends who led you astray, possibly even leaving family.
a. Mt. 10:37 "He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me."
b. Mt. 19:29 "And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name's sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life."
3. We must be willing to turn from any and all sinful relationships at the point of Repentance
[As our behavior is changed we turn from the old man of sin and find ...]
IV. "Happiness is a new creation" Mr. Stanphill begins verse 2 with this thought
A. Solomon spoke of our lives on earth as a useless meaningless experience when we cater to the desires of our flesh.
1. Using the term "vanity" and "grasping for the wind" to refer to the results of fleshly pursuits.
2. Not exactly a thought that will bring happiness into our lives.
B. But what happens at the point of Belief, Repentance, Confession and Baptism?
1. We become a new creature
a. Rom. 6:4-5 "Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have become united with {Him} in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be {in the likeness} of His resurrection,"
b. Col. 3:9-10 "Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its {evil} practices, 10 and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him"
2. We are no longer walking in the "vanity" of our old lives with no hope after death
3. We now walk in "newness of life" (Rom. 6:4) and have a great hope laid before us in heaven (Col. 1:5).
4. What could bring more happiness.
[This new creation we become puts ...]
V. "Jesus and me in close relation."
A. My relationship with Anna brings happiness
1. My relationship with Brooklyn brings happiness
2. Just waking in the morning and seeing them still there brings joy to my heart.
a. In reading about all of the kidnappings and murders that have occurred recently, it pains me to think of losing Brooklyn or Anna.
b. I can’t imagine the pain being suffered by the parents of these little girls.
3. As our relationship grows closer, it brings even more happiness.
B. As much as I enjoy my relationship with Anna and Brooklyn, even more so, I find joy in my relationship with Jesus.
1. Anna and Brooklyn make my earthly life enjoyable, but after death, what will they be able to do for me.
2. No matter how much Anna or Brooklyn try, they cannot correct or cover the sins of my life.
3. But Jesus can.
a. Jesus loves me so much, He suffered the most painful, cruel death known to man.
b. Because of a close relationship with Jesus, I know of the salvation I can receive through His sacrificial death upon the hill of Calvary.
c. Because of a close relationship with Jesus, I can know of how to receive everlasting life in heaven with Jesus and all those who remain righteous.
C. True joy is having a close relationship with Jesus.
1. How is that had though...
2. Anna and I have had a much closer relationship in the past 3 years because we have grown in our communication with one another.
3. The same is true in our relationship with Jesus
a. We must speak with Him through prayer. 1 Thess. 5:17 "Pray without ceasing."
b. And allow Him to speak to us through His word given to us by Holy Spirit inspired men.
1) Heb. 1:1,2 "God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, 2 in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world."
2) John 14:26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you."
[By having a close relationship with Jesus, we find that we are ...]
VI. "Having a part in His salvation."
A. We must take part in His salvation.
1. Without obedience to His commands we cannot have the joy of our home in heaven.
B. What is His salvation?
1. It is found in belief in Him, that He is Jesus the Christ, the Son of God
2. Repentance of our sins – as we mentioned a turning away from sinful behavior
3. Confession of our belief in Jesus as the Son of God
4. Baptism into His body
5. After being baptized and receiving the promise of eternal life, we must remain faithful throughout our lives.
The song then goes into a chorus of sorts, singing ...
"Real joy is mine, no matter if tear-drops start, I’ve found the secret – it’s Jesus in my heart"
The secret to real joy is having Jesus in our heart, having Jesus be first and foremost in our lives.
The reason Solomon was unable to find happiness in all that he did was because he was not keeping God first and foremost. His possessions, his wives, his pursuit of knowledge came before the Lord.
Following with Mr. Stanphill’s progression, he continues his thought of "having a part in His salvation" with the next verse ...
VII. "Happiness is to be forgiven."
A. What a sad state many in the world are in when they deny themselves the cleansing power of the blood of Christ by not obeying the gospel.
1. I cannot think of a more dreary outlook on life than to know what the Lord desires of you, to know what He can do for you, and yet continue to live without obeying.
2. Knowing what is laid up for you when you die, there is nothing more sad in this world.
B. As I mentioned this morning, there is no better feeling in this world than to arise from the waters of baptism and realize that all of the sins you have committed have been washed away.
1. You can continue to have that great feeling every time you truly repent of your sins and pray to God for forgiveness.
2. True happiness is to be forgiven and to continue to have the avenue of prayer to receive forgiveness throughout our lives.
By continuing in forgiveness, we follow in the steps of David, we sin, but we seek forgiveness.
That brings us to the next portion of the song ...
VIII. "Living a life that’s worth the livin’"
A. Once again, how sad is it to not have anything to look forward to.
1. Can you imagine going to work all week, slaving for your job, knowing you would not receive your pay.
2. It is because of our future in heaven with Jesus Christ that our lives are worth living.
B. By living a life that looks to Jesus for salvation, knowing that "there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness" (2 Tim. 4:6-8)
1. Can you imagine going through what the apostle Paul faced.
2. Yet because he knew what was laid up for him, he suffered the things he did, joyfully.
a. His life was worth livin’ because of what was waiting for him.
And that is the final thought in the song as Mr. Stanphill writes ...
IX. "Taking a trip that leads to heaven."
A. What is your final destination.
1. If all you think of is looking for retirement, making plenty of money now so that you can grow old and enjoy it, then you will be like Solomon
2. He reached the end of his life and declared that all of his labors were "vanity and grasping for the wind"
3. He didn’t have his final destination set in mind, therefore, he could not find happiness.
B. Are we following the words of another favorite song of mine "Camping towards Canaan’s happy land"
1. "Every day I’m camping ... toward the land of Canaan ..."
2. We must live every day as if we are making our final journey toward heaven.
Conclusion:
A. Are you happy??
1. If you are not, then it is a good indication that something is lacking in your life.
2. Might I suggest that it might be the Lord.
3. Are you putting the Lord’s will first and foremost in everything you do?
a. If you are not, then you will reach a point like Solomon and state "Vanity ... all is vanity and grasping of the wind"
b. You cannot find true happiness outside of the Lord
B. Do you want to be TRULY happy?
1. Obey the Lord tonight.
2. Do not delay
a. If you need to obey through baptism, the water is ready
b. If you need to obey by seeking forgiveness of your sins, we are ready and willing to pray with you to God for that forgiveness.
3. Go home happy tonight, won’t you come as we stand and sing.